The Ethiopian Law Schools Association (ELSA) has been registered and accorded legal personality with the Registry No. 5795 on August 18, 2021, as a local civil society organization by the Civil Society Proclamation No.1113/2019. It is a non-profit, non- partisan association of law schools that are engaged in legal education and training, research, consultancy, and community services in Ethiopia. Currently, the association has 29-member law schools from public universities.

There are various compelling reasons for the establishment of the ELSA as an association. Among others, the following can be mentioned as fundamental justifications. Needless to mention that, in the past few years, the informal association of law schools’ consortium has been making a concerted effort for the enhancement of legal education in the country. However, the consortium, as it has no de jure establishment, couldn’t work with many stakeholders in legal aid and legal education. To fill this gap and keep the momentum in legal aid and legal education in a sustainable manner the paybacks of the hitherto joint efforts of the member schools should be formalized concerning activities that don’t come under the consortium of the Ethiopian law schools.

The other rationale that is worth mentioning here is the recognition of various matters of common concern in legal aid, legal education, administration of law schools, development of curriculum, and other related matters which call for intensive action of law schools in Ethiopia by creating a forum to address them.

Fostering cooperation between law schools and serving as an open and independent forum for experience sharing and discussion of diverse ideas about legal education, training, research, consultancy, and community services the other pivotal rationales that necessitate the coming in to existence of ELSA. Furthermore, ELSA represents a common interest of members before governmental and non-governmental institutions. It also has an objective to create a forum for sharing knowledge and information among law schools in the country.

ELSA has a very suitable organizational structure to undertake any activity including managing any kind of project that are in line with its objectives and missions. Under its structure, it has a General assembly which is the higher body of the association. By virtue of its bylaw, the Assembly shall hold its meeting at least once a year to decide on matters which are pertinent to the association. The other structure is the executive committee of the association. Containing seven members, the committee among others is, responsible for the decisions on policy matters of ELSA; supervise and follow up the implementation of the Rules and decisions of the General Assembly and appoint discipline, dismiss the General Manager.

Since its establishment, ELSA has registered different achievements. Among others, winning a project that focuses on peacebuilding and conflict resolution which is funded by USAID could be mentioned as an example. Furthermore, Ethiopian Law Schools Association is a member to International Law Schools Association (ILSA), Ethiopian civil society organization council (ECSOC) and Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations for Elections (CECOE)