Seattle is home to a vibrant Ethiopian community, and with it comes a need for legal professionals who understand the unique challenges and needs of this population. Several talented Ethiopian lawyers in Seattle are dedicated to providing high-quality legal services while also giving back to the community.
These attorneys offer a range of services, from immigration assistance to personal injury representation, and are committed to serving their clients with professionalism, respect, and dedication. Here are some of the prominent Ethiopian lawyers and legal professionals in the Seattle area:
Leading Ethiopian Legal Professionals in Seattle
Amsale Aberra - Amsale Aberra Law, PLLC
Amsale Aberra is the founding attorney of Amsale Aberra Law, PLLC. She strives to provide exceptional and compassionate service to her clients nationwide. Amsale worked with the U.N. high commissioner for refugees, Johns Hopkins University, and Northwest Immigrant Rights Project to assist clients in their asylum-based application, family-based immigration petition, and waiver of inadmissibility. Amsale also worked as a legal extern for Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH), an international, nonprofit global health organization based in Seattle, WA.
Amsale drafted and reviewed numerous legal agreements, including Trade Service Agreements and Service Subscription Agreements, and she also conducted a number of research projects in the area of United States corporate and patent laws. Amsale holds a law degree from Haramaya University, a Master of Arts degree in International Law and Human Rights from the United Nations mandated University for Peace in Costa Rica, and a Master of Laws degree in Health Law from the University of Washington in Seattle.
Zebeaman Adugna Chekol - Adugna Law PLLC
Zebeaman Adugna Chekol is a trial-focused attorney and founder of Adugna Law PLLC, where he represents clients in personal injury and insurance disputes, including Insurance Fair Conduct Act (IFCA) claims. He is a graduate of UW School of Law who has been in the legal profession since 2008.
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He also assists members of the immigrant community with R-1 and I-360 petitions for Ethiopian Orthodox churches in Seattle. Zebeaman’s legal career spans two continents, beginning in Ethiopia where he served as a prosecutor and law lecturer, gaining extensive courtroom and litigation experience. In the United States, he earned an advanced law degree from the University of Washington School of Law and is a member of the Washington State Bar.
Dedicated to service and mentorship, Zebeaman founded a legal internship program for African American high school students, providing early exposure to the legal profession. When you need a trustworthy attorney, he is the habesha lawyer you want in your corner.
Contact Adugna Firm for a complimentary phone consultation to identify the right next steps for your case.
Yohannes K. Sium, Esq.
Yohannes opened his own law firm in 2012. Yohannes earned a Bachelor of Arts from Seattle University and from George Washington Law School. In law school, he worked on the Eritrea-Ethiopian Claims Commission case at the Peace Palace in the Hague, Netherlands.
Upon graduation, he worked with civil rights legend Lembhard G. Howell trying multiple police misconduct cases and litigating seven-figure personal injury cases. He has successfully tried cases in the state and federal appellate courts and won six-figure trial awards as a solo practitioner. Yohannnes has also served several immigrant/refugee organizations and non-profits serving the poor.
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He is a 2015 graduate and current fellow of the prestigious Washington Leadership Institute, an organization run by the Washington State Bar Association and Univerity of Washington, which advances leaders in the legal community. Yohannes is engaged in multiple bar associations, including the Loren Miller Bar Association (LMBA), the Washington Association of Justice (WSAJ), King County Bar Association and multiple skill classes.
Yohannes' parents fled the war in Eritrea and arrived in the United States as refugees in 1981.
Fekadu Shibeshi - Fekadu Shibeshi Law Firm PLLC
Mr. Shibeshi joined Boyle Martin Thoeny as Of Counsel in 2017. Prior to opening his law practice, Fekadu Shibeshi Law Firm PLLC, Mr. Shibeshi is passionate about Immigration Law and Personal Injury Law practices.
He helped number of immigrants from all walks of life with a variety of immigration needs from filing asylum applications and deportation defense to obtaining permanent residence status (Green Card) and naturalization. Active in the legal community, Mr. Shibeshi is a member of the Washington State Bar Association, King County Bar Association, Washington State Associates for Justice, and American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Mr. Shibeshi also serves as a volunteer Commissioner at Seattle Human Rights Commission.
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ERM Immigration Law, PLLC
At ERM Immigration Law, PLLC, we know that your future is in our hands. If you are facing an immigration challenge, you don’t have to go it alone. From our offices in Seattle, we have clients all over the country and the world.
Whether looking for family immigration or employment immigration, we get to know your goals and then take the time to explain your options going forward. Our favorite part of working in immigration law is learning our clients’ stories and building long-lasting relationships. ERM Immigration is committed to providing the client with timely communication, a tailored experience, and high-quality work in every matter.
Paralegals and Legal Support Staff
Behind every successful attorney is a dedicated team of paralegals and support staff. These professionals play a crucial role in ensuring that clients receive the best possible service.
- Amanda Marshall: Amanda is a paralegal raised in the Seattle area. For the past three years, she has primarily been focused on personal injury law although she is gaining experience in helping small businesses. Amanda has a passion for helping injured and struggling people through all possible remedies in the law. She is empathetic, cherishes her family and strives to help clients as if they were family.
- Elen Tesfamariam: Elen Tesfamariam is a paralegal. She graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Prior to joining our firm, Elen spent three years as an immigration paralegal at Willow Fuentes Legal PLLC while volunteering as a Legal Assistant for the King County Bar Association’s Neighborhood Legal Clinic, which serves underprivileged community members with no access to the legal system. Elen has always been a spokesperson for the underdog with a strong desire to become an attorney. Her hobbies include reading, traveling, trying out new restaurants, and spending time with her family, including her twin daughters.
- Michael Munday: Michael is a paralegal born and raised in Seattle. He is a proud alumni of O’Dea High School and recently graduated from Gonzaga University with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Spanish. Prior to joining our firm, Michael helped start the Dominican Association of Washington State, a local non-profit that aims to support the Latin-X and BIPOC communities in Central and South Seattle. He is dedicated to helping others and plans to become an attorney to further achieve his goals.
- Janithza Huerta: Janithza has worked as a personal injury paralegal for the past six years. She is a native of Tri-Cities Washington and is passionate about helping people. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience with remarkable accomplishments. Janithza is a bilingual Spanish speaker and takes pride in being an advocate for the Hispanic and Latin community.
- Sisay: Sisay is a paralegal with LL.B., LL.M., LL.M. degrees.
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Client Testimonials
The dedication and expertise of these legal professionals are reflected in the positive feedback from their clients:
- RONY & ANNA PEREZ: “…We cannot tell you how grateful we are to you…and your law firm. There will always be cases to defend, but the fact that you understand the human side of your clients and you have genuine sensitivity to read them well is something that we highly value and appreciate about you. We would recommend you without reservation to anyone that is looking for immigration counseling. There are many more people like us that have a hard time understanding the available options.”
- ALEC G.: “…I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for all the hard work and dedication you put into my green card case. Throughout the entire process, you provided invaluable guidance and support, and you were always available to answer my questions and address my concerns. I am grateful for your unwavering commitment to my case, and I am honored to have had the opportunity to work with you.”
- ORLANDO T.: “…My wife and I just want to share with you a personal word of gratitude and our great happiness for the successful processing of my US Citizenship. It’s been an emotional lift that has taken us way beyond our best expectations. We accomplished this personal milestone under your legal advice and we want to say thank you for making your expertise available to us.”
These testimonials highlight the impact that these lawyers have on their clients' lives, providing not only legal expertise but also genuine care and support.
If you've been injured or need trusted legal guidance, don't hesitate to reach out for a consultation. These dedicated professionals are ready to help you navigate the legal system and achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
