Watching documentary films
Arafat Ali
A Registered Advocate And Legal Consultant
Mogadishu
Summary
Dedicated legal professional with over ten years of experience specializing in Somali legal systems such as constitutional law, administrative law, civil law, and corporate law. proven success in building trusting rapport with clients and offering sound legal advice in clear and universal terms. hardworking and dedicated to client advocacy. focused on the bottom line, well organized, and action-oriented, a problem solver who thrives on innovative challenges.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
9
9
Certifications
3
3
Languages
Work History
Managing Partner and Legal Executive
Elmi Center for Legal and Business Services
Mogadishu
07.2014 - Current
- Administrative and management functions related to practice of law.
- Advised clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting and defending lawsuits and legal rights and obligations.
- Defended clients and prosecuted defendants in criminal and civil litigation.
- Negotiated settlements of civil disputes. Studied Constitution, laws, decisions, regulations and ordinances of quasi-judicial bodies to determine ramifications for cases.
- Examined legal data to determine advisability of defending and prosecuting lawsuit. Gathered evidence to formulate defense and to initiate legal actions by such means as interviewing clients and witnesses to ascertain facts of case.
- Supervised legal assistants.
- Interpreted laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
Legal Advisor
The Max Planck Foundation for International Peace and the Rule of Law
Heidelberg
11.2020 - 08.2021
- Represented and coordinated the Max Planck Foundation for International Peace and the Rule of Law (MPFPR) with the Somali Ministry of Constitutional Affairs (MocA).
- Provided legal advice to the MPFPR on the Constitutional Review Process (CRP) and other legal matters. Contributed to the drafting and outreach events of the MoCA's handover report on the Constitutional Review Process.
- Provided legal advice to the Ministry on variety of issues regarding the constitution and constitution review visa-vis the role and functions of the Ministry.
- Drafted and edited agreements, contracts and other legal documents for MoCA.
- I attended MPFPR's 5th and 6th training-of-trainers workshops.
- Offered in-house training to the staff of MoCA on federalism, constitution making and reconciliation. I assisted MoCA departments in achieving and maintaining legal compliance in all matters within the Ministry's mandate.
Legal Advisor
Ministry of Constitutional Affairs
Mogadishu
04.2019 - 06.2019
- Drafted and edited agreements, contracts, and other legal documents for the Ministry.
- Provided legal advice to the leadership of the Ministry on variety of issues regarding the constitution and constitution review (CRP) vis-a-vis the role and functions of the Ministry in the CRP.
- Supported departments in the Ministry with achieving and maintaining legal compliance in all matters. Searched for and examined public and other legal records to write opinions and policy notes and strategies on the mandate of the Ministry.
- Attended retreats and Conferences pertaining to the Constitution review as representative of the Ministry.
Legal Advisor
Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation
Mogadishu
03.2017 - 12.2018
- Contributed formulation of available options on the electoral model for Somalia elections 2020/2021.
- Drafted the Federal Election Law of Somalia (then law no.23 of 20/02/2020).
- Provide technical legal assistance to MoIFAR in reviewing Political Parties' Law to ensure consistence with the electoral model agreed by Federal Government and Member States in 2018.
- Advised MoIFAR in identifying inconsistencies between the various legal texts organizing electoral process of Somalia.
- Assisted and advised MoIFAR officials in the development of policy papers and analysis on all elements of the electoral process.
- Prepared, drafted and reviewed policies, strategies and legal texts., deeds, patent applications, mortgages, leases and contracts.
- Liaised with the stakeholders such as National Independent Electoral Commission (NIEC), UNDP/UNSOM Integrated Electoral Support Group (IESG) and the House of the People to avoid overlapping and ensure consistency in providing technical assistance regarding federal elections.
- Provided legal advice to MoIFAR on various matters regarding elections, local government, NIEC, Boundaries and Federation Commission (BFC) vis-a-vis the role and functions of the Ministry.
- Facilitated seminars and workshops relating elections and democratization.
- Supervised, trained and directed professional staff and interns in MoIFAR.
Lecturer, Law
Simad University
Mogadishu
08.2014 - 07.2018
- Prepared and delivered lectures to undergraduate students on topics such as contract law, law of torts, evidence law, environmental law, administrative law and constitutional law.
- Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to achieve student-centered learning.
- Facilitated classroom discussions to promote critical thinking about instructional topics.
- Analyzed and applied legal principles and performed legal research to support litigation strategy.
- Used variety of learning modalities and support materials to facilitate learning process and accentuate presentations.
- Evaluated and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Advised students regarding future academic and vocational opportunities.
Deputy Secretary
Federal Parliament of Somalia
Mogadishu
02.2014 - 02.2017
- Provided constant procedural advice and counsel to the Speaker, members, the secretary general and the House committees.
- Led and co-drafted with other subject matter experts, the rules of procedure for the Upper House.
- Supervised and contributed with other subject matter experts, the review of the Rules of Procedure for the House of the People.
- Successfully maintained minutes of the proceedings of the House and the Committees are accurately recorded and produced in a timely manner.
- Developed and implemented performance improvement strategies and plans to promote continuous improvement.
- Supported and Coordinated working relationship between the House and FMS Regional Assemblies.
- Supervised work of contracted advisors and employees to keep on task for timely completion.
- Developed and implemented team communications and information for meetings.
Legal Advisor
Hirshabelle State Formation (support from Federal Parliament of Somalia)
Jowhar
09.2016 - 11.2016
- Parliamentary Expert Institutional support to Hiran & Middle Shabelle (Hirshabelle) state formation technical committee, Jowhar,
- Together with other legal experts, drafted the constitution establishing the new State of Hiran and Shabelle regions (current Hirshabelle).
- Provided technical and legal advices to the technical committee facilitating the state formation process.
- Delivered outreach and awareness programs to the delegates preparing to adopt the new constitution Participated in continuous improvement by generating suggestions, engaging in problem-solving activities to support teamwork.
Parliamentary Expert
Galmudug State Assembly (Institutional support from the Federal Parliament of Somalia)
Adado
10.2015 - 01.2016
- Provided technical and legal assistance to the Speaker, depput speakers and the members of the Assembly in the effective operation of parliamentary business.
- Provided technical and legal assistance to the Assembly in reviewing and adopting the Galmudug State Constitution.
- Assisted the Assembly to adopt strategic plan, Rules of Procedure and guidelines for committees work.
- Provided an induction program on the function and interpretation of the Constitution, Rules of Procedure, and other legal framework for the parliamentary business.
- Prepared a variety of different written communications, reports and documents to support smooth operation of the Galmudug State Assembly.
- Maintained excellent attendance record, consistently arriving to work on time.
- Developed team communications and information for meetings.
Education
Master of Arts - Federalism Studies
Ethiopian Civil Service University
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 06.2022 - 07.2022
MBA - Project Management
Sudan International University
Khartoum, Sudan 07.2012 - 08.2012
LL.B - Law
International University of Africa (IUA)
Khartoum, Sudan 09.2010 - 10.2010
Skills
Legal drafting
Environmental laws and litigation
Legal Opinions
Legal Analysis
Legal Research and Review
Legal Counseling
Legal Interpretation and Adaptation
In-House Legal Experience
Client Representation and Advisement
Organization and Administration
Training Programs
Accomplishments
- Legal Case Management
- Legal Interpretation and Adaptation
- Legal Research and Review
- Establishing Effective Relationships
- Regulatory Compliance
- Legal Requirements
- Staff Meetings
- Corporate Law
- Organization and Administration
- Manual and Policy Review
- Client Representation and Advisement
- In-House Legal Experience
- Legal Counseling
- Training Programs
- License of Advocate
- Somali
- English
- Arabic
- Federalism and Decentralization: Evaluating Africa's Track Record
- An introduction to climate change and Human Rights
- Contract Law: from trust to promise to contract
- An introduction to Advocacy
- Introduction to International Humanitarian Law IHL
- Introduction to environmental law and policy
- Legal studies - laws and the judicial system
- Induction program in parliamentary administration, procedures and practices
- Voter registration
- Civic education and public participation in the constitutional review
Additional Information
- Successfully maintained minutes of the proceedings of the House and the Committees are accurately recorded and produced in a timely manner. Developed and implemented performance improvement strategies and plans to promote continuous improvement. Supported and Coordinated working relationship between the House and FMS Regional Assemblies. Supervised work of contracted advisors and employees to keep on task for timely completion. Developed and implemented team communications and information for meetings. Institutional support to Hirshabelle state formation. Hiran & Middle Shabelle (Hirshabelle) state formation technical committee, Jowhar, Together other legal experts, drafted the constitution establishing the new State of Hiran and Shabelle regions (current Hirshabelle) Provided technical and legal advices to the technical committee facilitating the state formation process Delivered outreach and awareness programs to the delegates preparing to adopt the new constitution Participated in continuous improvement by generating suggestions, engaging in problem-solving activities to support teamwork Parliamentary Expert (Institutional support From HoP) Institutional support to Galmudug State Assembly. Provided technical and legal assistance to the Speaker and the members of the Assembly in the effective operation of parliamentary business. Provided technical and assistance to the Assembly in reviewing and adopting the Galmudug State Constitution. Assisted the Assembly to adopt strategic plan, Rules of Procedure and guidelines for committees work. Provided an induction program on the function and interpretation of the Constitution, Rules of Procedure, and other legal framework for the parliamentary business. Prepared a variety of different written communications, reports and documents to support smooth operation of the Galmudug State Assembly.
Affiliations
Somali Bar Association
Certification
Advocate License
Interests
Reading
Timeline
Master of Arts - Federalism Studies
Ethiopian Civil Service University
06.2022 - 07.2022
Legal Advisor
The Max Planck Foundation for International Peace and the Rule of Law
11.2020 - 08.2021
Legal Advisor
Ministry of Constitutional Affairs
04.2019 - 06.2019
Legal Advisor
Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation
03.2017 - 12.2018
Legal Advisor
Hirshabelle State Formation (support from Federal Parliament of Somalia)
09.2016 - 11.2016
Advocate License
06-2016
Parliamentary Expert
Galmudug State Assembly (Institutional support from the Federal Parliament of Somalia)
10.2015 - 01.2016
Lecturer, Law
Simad University
08.2014 - 07.2018
Managing Partner and Legal Executive
Elmi Center for Legal and Business Services
07.2014 - Current
Deputy Secretary
Federal Parliament of Somalia
02.2014 - 02.2017
MBA - Project Management
Sudan International University
07.2012 - 08.2012
LL.B - Law
International University of Africa (IUA)
09.2010 - 10.2010