Obsa Degabasa is co-founder and managing partner of Global Next Level Legal Service LLP, a law firm with specialization and experience in handling civil, criminal, and commercial matters. Obsa is a technology law and policy analyst, providing advisory and consultancy services to multiple institutions. With extensive experience in legal practice, legal research, and teaching, he has a proven track record of practicing law, delivering legal training, and providing legal consultancy services to governmental and non-governmental organizations, including transnational organizations.
With over 15 years of professional experience in the legal field, Obsa can be considered a top dog and eagle-eyed licensed attorney in all federal courts of Ethiopia and Oromia regional state courts. Before the establishment of Global Next Level Legal Service Law Firm, Obsa served as principal at Obsa Degabasa Law Office and regional off counsel at Makkobilli Law Firm, LLP.
Obsa is an experienced attorney and a seasoned educator at Ethiopian Law Schools with a wealth of experience in practicing law and teaching a range of law courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. In addition to his private legal practice and teaching role, he has conducted extensive legal and socio-legal research and provided legal counsel to various university bodies at Wollega University, such as the Senate, SEC, Board, and management teams. Additionally, he is actively involved as a legal advisor and board member for institutions like Bethel Academy and Proof Academy, institutions known for their outstanding student achievements in national exams.
His leadership experience spans diverse levels, from serving on a university student union council to holding board positions in government and non-governmental organizations. Having held roles such as Dean of the School of Law, Legal Services Director, and President of the University Teachers Association at Wollega University, he brings a deep understanding of academic administration and governance. Moreover, Obsa’s professional journey includes serving as an assistant judge at a federal high court and later serving as principal partner at Obsa Degabasa Law Office.
As a senior university teaching professional in law, Obsa has made significant contributions to research, teaching, and consulting, focusing on cutting-edge areas such as AI & Law, Law and Technology, Cybercrime, Internet Law, human rights in cyberspace (privacy rights, personal data protection, and freedom of expression in cyberspace), intellectual property rights in the digital realm, and other pertinent topics such as capital market laws, investment laws, law and development, human rights and development, restorative justice, and the Gada system as an institution. As a senior practitioner attorney, Obsa teaches procedural laws (civil procedure laws and criminal procedural laws).
His passion lies in using his legal expertise to serve clients, particularly in the delivery of attorney services, legal consulting, research, training, and the preparation of legal documents for various purposes.
BAR ADMISSION
Licensed to practice law at all federal courts of Ethiopia and Oromia regional state courts.
EDUCATION
LL.B., LL.M. & PhD Candidate in Law.
SHORT-TERM COURSES/TRAININGS
• Capital market laws
Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals
Artificial Intelligence Literacy for 21st Century Research
Master Class for Teaching Online (Open edX) from Arizona State University
Recipient of the Ethiopian Higher Education Leadership and Management Programme, delivered by the Ethiopian Institute of Higher Education in collaboration with Twente University of the Netherlands.
Received special training on Ethiopian anti-corruption laws, delivered by the Ethiopian Anti-Corruption Commission.
LANGUAGES
English ,Amharic & Afaan Oromo,
SELECTED EXPERIENCE
Legal Practice Experience: Consultant and lawyer at any federal and Oromia courts; legal expert at USAID Justice Activity in Ethiopia; principal attorney at Obsa Degabasa Law Office; and legal advisor to Bethel Academy and Proof Academy.
A/judge at the Federal High Court and a university teaching professional in law school, both graduate and undergraduate programs.
Leadership Experience: Dean of the School of Law at Wollega University (Member of the Ethiopian Law School Association); Legal Service Director at Wollega University; President of the University Teachers Association at Wollega University (Member of the National Teachers Association Council); and Student Union Council at Wollega University (Member of the Ethiopian Student Union Council).
Publications, Conference Papers, and Other Research Outputs
On Digital Laws
On Cyber Crime Laws
AI and the Law
Law and Technology
Digitalization of the judiciary
Gada system for conflict resolution (as restorative justice)
On Ethiopian Criminal Justice
Law and Development in the Context of Developmental Projects
Constitutional Laws and Human Rights
Judicial Reform in Ethiopia