Tim Elliot
Welcome to Lawgical. It’s the UAE’s first and only regular weekly legal podcast. We’re also live on TikTok. Welcome! My name’s Tim Elliot. Lawgical is recorded at the Dubai-based legal firm Yamalova & Plewka. As ever, the Managing Partner is Ludmila Yamalova. It’s nice to see you.
Ludmila Yamalova
Good to be here with you, Tim, as always.
Tim Elliot
This is a different episode. I’ve got no prepared questions. I’m just going to fire off the top of my head because this is how most people would search for a lawyer. Most of us don’t know every lawyer in town, what their specialties are, or who might be the best fit. Hopefully, we can create a helpful guide. So, the question is, how do you find a lawyer here in the UAE? How do you find the best lawyer, the top lawyer, or, for example, the best Russian-speaking lawyer, which is something you offer, Ludmila? Or maybe the best English-speaking lawyer? Whatever it is, how do you find the best lawyer in the UAE? From my side, I found you. End of episode.
Ludmila Yamalova
Voila. Done. (Laughing). Leave it up to me.
Tim Elliot
There’s a bit more to it. Where on earth do you start?
Ludmila Yamalova
It’s an interesting question to ask a practicing lawyer because there is always a hint of bias in recommending or evaluating others in the same field. But I will try to be as objective as possible.
The reason for this discussion came from someone we recently encountered. He had friends in Saudi Arabia and the region, many of whom are moving to the UAE and trying to figure out how to find a lawyer but don’t know where to start. Wouldn’t it be great, he said, to have a guide? That’s how this topic made it onto our podcast list. This is not about self-promotion but rather to provide practical guidance on factors and considerations when choosing the right lawyer.
Tim Elliot
This is what happens with Lawgical. Typically, I get sent a topic, make notes, and we formulate questions. That forms the basis of the podcast. But this time, the topic—how do you find a lawyer in the UAE—made me pause. Why would you guide people to other lawyers? But when I thought about it, I realized that different people have different needs, and lawyers have different specialties. There are various factors—language, cultural comfort, or just the need to feel at ease with someone representing you legally. Lawyers can feel like mythical creatures to most of us.
Ludmila Yamalova
Scary creatures.
Tim Elliot
You are! But you need to know your lawyer well, feel comfortable, trust them, and believe in their expertise and professionalism. That’s a lot to ask.
Ludmila Yamalova
Indeed. You’ve hit on a key factor: comfort. Beyond the standard criteria like education, qualifications, practice areas, and experience, comfort plays a big role. And then there’s cost. Let’s face it—people generally don’t like dealing with lawyers. Lawyers are associated with trouble. You seek a lawyer when something’s gone wrong. However, I often advocate the opposite—you should see a lawyer to prevent trouble.
In this region, people don’t think that way. Even for something routine, seeing a lawyer can evoke unease. The association is rarely positive or uplifting, unlike seeing a yoga instructor or therapist.
All these factors—comfort, qualifications, language, expertise—help determine who is the right lawyer for you. In the US, where I’m licensed, it’s common to have multiple lawyers for different areas of expertise. When I worked in-house as an associate general counsel for a publicly traded company, we sought the best talent for specific areas, even if it meant hiring multiple firms.
Here in the UAE, people often see lawyers only as a last resort. They also mistrust lawyers and believe you can’t work with multiple lawyers. That’s not true. Having diverse legal input can enhance competency and experience.
Tim Elliot
So how do you find the best lawyer in Dubai or the UAE?
Ludmila Yamalova
Start by understanding your needs. Let’s set up a framework. The UAE has two types of legal practitioners: local advocates and legal consultants.
Local advocates are Emirati nationals. They have the right to appear before judges in local courts and plead cases. Some non-Emirati advocates were grandfathered into the system under older rules, but they’re rare.
Legal consultants, on the other hand, are qualified in various jurisdictions and offer legal advice. While they don’t have the right to appear before UAE local courts, they can represent clients in DIFC Courts and ADGM Courts, which follow common law.
Dubai also requires legal practitioners to register with the Legal Affairs Department (LAD) or Ruler’s Court. However, other emirates have different systems.
If you need representation in local courts—for a real estate dispute, divorce, or similar—you’ll need a local advocate. For drafting contracts, wills, or corporate advice, a legal consultant will suffice.
Tim Elliot
So the system here is very structured.
Ludmila Yamalova
Yes. But you also have to consider specific factors like language. For example, Arabic is a dominant language here, and many people prefer communicating in their native tongue. If you’re Russian-speaking, like me, you might want a lawyer fluent in your language.
Then there’s the type of law. Do you need a corporate lawyer, an employment specialist, or someone skilled in arbitration? Even within employment law, there are distinctions—litigation, drafting agreements, or dispute mediation.
Another factor is firm size. Large firms handle big-ticket litigation requiring multiple lawyers, while smaller firms like mine offer more tailored services.
Tim Elliot
You’ve given great insights, but what if someone still feels overwhelmed by choices?
Ludmila Yamalova
That’s common. You could consult legal directories, Google reviews, or platforms like Legal Advice ME. Social media, TikTok, or YouTube can also help you evaluate lawyers based on their content and interaction. Ultimately, it’s about finding someone you trust and feel comfortable with.
Tim Elliot
Comfort is key. On that note, we’ll wrap this episode of Lawgical. Our legal expert, Ludmila Yamalova, Managing Partner at Yamalova & Plewka, has been fantastic as always.
Ludmila Yamalova
Thank you, Tim.
Tim Elliot
For more information, visit lylawyers.com. You’ll find a library of podcasts and resources there, along with details on how to book a consultation. See you next time!
