Akbar was granted a scholarship from PT. Djarum (Djarum Scholarship Plus) for law students pursuing a graduate degree in Law. He got his bachelor degree in law in Tanjungpura University. Akbar joined the Jakarta Health LBH Association as the Assistant of Public Defender. At the same time, Akbar was also working as an Assistant Lawyer and legal consultant at Image Law Firm, Jakarta. He was previously positioned as Legal Manager of PT Pinang Sejati Group, a mining company.

In 2010 Akbar started his lawyer & legal consultant firm ‘Akbar Hidayatullah Law office’, which then changed its name into ‘AHLO | Advocates & Legal Consultants’ in 2015. Akbar is very experienced in litigation and as a legal practitioner. His expertise in litigation and non-litigation business, corporate and bankruptcy law, prioritize an effective & efficient Alternative of Dispute Resolution (ADR) .

In 2015 Akbar founded Indonesia Justice Watch (IJW). IJW is an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) engaged in public advocacy and anti-criminalization.