Meddod
Welcome to Streams of Progress, where we bring you weekly conversations with many of the UAE’s prominent leaders and thinkers. Each of our guests actively contributes to the vitality of the UAE community and economy. Our goal on the podcast is to inspire you to drive progress in your professional and personal life.
Hey everyone, this is Meddod, and today on Streams of Progress, I sat down with Ludmila Yamalova, founder and managing partner of LY Law. She is a US-qualified attorney licensed by the State Bar of California, with over 15 years of legal experience, six of which were in Silicon Valley. Ludmila is regularly quoted by local and international media as a regional legal expert, including The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, New York Times, Washington Post, and Bloomberg.
Dubai residents might recognize her voice from the radio as she’s a frequent contributor to Dubai Eye. She also hosts the region’s first legal podcast, Lawgical with LY Law. In this episode, Ludmila allowed us to pick her mind and cover legal questions would-be founders in the UAE often have when setting up their startups. We also discussed topics for international startups looking to expand into the UAE. So join us as we dive into the conversation.
We’re sitting down with Ludmila Yamalova, managing partner of LY Law. Thank you for being on the show.
Ludmila Yamalova
It’s good to be here. Thank you for the opportunity.
Meddod
Can you tell us a bit about your background?
Ludmila Yamalova
It’s a complicated story, and at this stage of my life, it’s a fairly long background. But in relevant terms, I am an American of Ukrainian descent. I grew up in what used to be the Soviet Union, which is now Western Ukraine. I moved to the States in 1992 when the Soviet Union was falling apart, moving to the West Coast and Oregon in particular. I went to university in Portland, Oregon, then moved to San Francisco and worked in management consultancy for a few years before going to law school in Austin, Texas.
During law school, I spent my summers working for law firms in the Bay Area. After graduating, I returned to San Francisco and worked in litigation, particularly focusing on intellectual property cases. A few years later, I became an associate general counsel for Finisar, a publicly traded fiber optics company. It was an incredible experience managing their legal department and traveling globally for work.
Eventually, I moved to Dubai in 2008, initially planning to stay for one year. But, like many, I found myself staying longer, drawn by the opportunities and the vibrant energy of the city. That led to setting up my practice here.
Meddod
What inspired you to set up your own law firm?
Ludmila Yamalova
It was truly a case of being in the right place at the right time. When I moved here, Dubai was booming, especially in real estate. People began reaching out to me for legal help, and I saw the opportunity to provide much-needed advice to expats and investors. Coupled with my background in litigation and corporate law, it seemed like the natural next step.
Starting with a focus on real estate, my practice evolved as the market shifted. Over time, we expanded into corporate advisory, employment law, dispute resolution, and even family law.
Meddod
You’ve had a remarkable journey. What is LY Law focusing on now?
Ludmila Yamalova
We’ve grown into a full-service firm. Our core practices include corporate advisory, employment law, and real estate. As Dubai continues to attract diverse businesses, we also support startups and international companies looking to establish themselves here. Additionally, we’ve ventured into family law, which has been a unique challenge but incredibly rewarding given the expatriate nature of the region.
Meddod
You also host Lawgical, the first regional legal podcast. Tell us about that.
Ludmila Yamalova
Lawgical started as an initiative by my team, particularly Hanan, who saw the need for accessible legal information. With her vision and Zaid’s technical expertise in audio production, we launched the podcast to share our knowledge with a broader audience. It’s been a fantastic way to connect with people and address common legal questions in an engaging format.
Meddod
What advice would you give to entrepreneurs and startups in the UAE?
Ludmila Yamalova
Be patient and realistic. Building a sustainable business takes time, effort, and careful planning. Keep your costs down and focus on creating a strong foundation. While Dubai offers incredible opportunities, it’s essential to understand the legal and business landscape to succeed here.
Meddod
Where can listeners learn more about LY Law and Lawgical?
Ludmila Yamalova
You can visit our website at www.lylawyers.com, where you’ll find information about our firm and a link to our podcast. Lawgical is also available on Apple and Google Podcasts. If anyone has legal questions or needs assistance, feel free to reach out to us.
Meddod
Thank you for being on the show, Ludmila.
Ludmila Yamalova
Thank you. It’s been a pleasure, and I look forward to connecting again.