Ludmila Yamalova is the Founder and Managing Partner of HPL Yamalova & Plewka FZCO (LYLAW). Ludmila founded the Firm in 2009 and has been managing it since. She was born and raised in Ukraine, and is fluent in English, Ukrainian, and Russian.
Ludmila holds a Juris Doctorate (JD) degree from the University of Texas (UT), Austin, U.S.A. She has been actively practicing law for over twenty (20) years, with fourteen (14) years of legal practice in Dubai and eight (8) years of legal experience in the U.S.A., mostly in the Silicon Valley, California.
Ludmila is a U.S. qualified attorney, licensed by the State Bar of California since 2002. In the U.A.E., Ludmila is a Dubai-based lawyer, licensed by the Dubai Legal Affairs Department (Ruler’s Court), the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts, registered as an arbitrator at the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC), and an ADR Center-accredited mediator.
At LYLAW, Ludmila is the Firm’s backbone. She is a zealous and determined lawyer, with a business-oriented and practical approach. Ludmila manages the Firm with the utmost diligence, and her enthusiasm and passion shape everything she does. Ludmila is a mentor, friend, adviser and family member to the Firm’s team and clients. By many clients’ accounts, Ludmila’s advisory style goes beyond legal advice and is akin to counseling. She is admired for her impeccable legal expertise and her advisory approach which focuses on minimizing conflict and aiming for pragmatic resolution.
Prior to moving to Dubai and establishing LYLAW, Ludmila was Associate General Counsel of Finisar Corporation, a NASDAQ-listed fiber optics company in Silicon Valley, California. During her time at Finisar Corp, Ludmila managed high-profile patent litigation and global corporate matters. Before then, Ludmila practiced with DLA Piper in the San Francisco Bay Area, specializing in intellectual property litigation and bankruptcy.
The University of Texas School of Law
Doctor of Law (J.D.), Intellectual Property Law,
1999 – 2002
Activities and societies: International Law Society, Intellectual Property Law Society. Obtained advance graduate degree in law, Juris Doctor (JD)
Université Paris X Nanterre
Master’s degree, European Union Law,
2000 – 2001
Activities and societies: Studied European Union law; obtained a master’s degree in law
Reed College
Bachelor of Arts, Political Philosophy,
1993 – 1996
Activities and societies: Internal Student Society.
Studied Political Philosophy. Obtained a university degree in Bachelor of Arts.
Université Laval
Summer School, French Language and Literature,
1994 – 1995
Activities and societies: Studied French language, over the course of two summers.
Harvard University
Summer School, Junior Thesis, 1995
Researched and wrote junior thesis on post-Soviet era social developments.
Founder and Managing Partner at HPL Yamalova & Plewka FZCO (LYLAW), Dubai, U.A.E.
Aug 2009 – Present
Dubai-based general practice law firm, advising individuals and corporations, on the legal aspects of living and doing business in the U.A.E., with a practical approach.
Host of Lawgical with Ludmila Yamalova Podcast
Mar 2018 – Present
U.A.E. and region’s first, and for a long time, only, legal podcast: LAWGICAL WITH Ludmila Yamalova . Regular weekly podcast, covering a wide range of legal issues and updates, related to the U.A.E. laws, business and lifestyle. Masterminded, produced and hosted entirely in-house at LYLAW, in collaboration with the entire team and legendary Tim Elliott.
Presenter at Dubai Multi Commodities Center (DMCC) Knowledge Series, Dubai, U.A.E.
2014 – Present
Regular presenter at the DMCC Knowledge Series, leading presentations about employment law, corporate matters, meaning and enforcement of contracts, real estate management, etc.
Legal Commentator at Dubai Eye Radio 103.8
2009 – Present
Ludmila is a regular legal commentator on Dubai Eye FM 103.8. She also provides regular commentary to the news show on topical issues of the day.
Managing Partner at Al Sayyah Advocates & Legal Consultants
Jan 2009 – Aug 2009
Dubai-based law firm, specializing in real estate dispute resolution and commercial litigation.
Partner at Davidson & Co. Legal Consultants
May 2008 – Feb 2009
Ludmila was one of the founding partners of the firm, specializing in real estate dispute resolution. Built and managed own client base.
Associate General Counsel at Finisar Corp.
March 2005 – July 2008
Managed Finisar Corp’s legal affairs, domestically and internationally. Headed multiple high profile patent litigation cases. Managed shareholder derivative law suits. SOX legal compliance officer.
Associate at DLA Piper US LLP
2002 – 2005
Specialized in intellectual property litigation. Worked on post-dot com bankruptcy cases.
Summer Associate at Howrey Simon Arnold & White
2001
Summer associate, specializing in intellectual property litigation and contract drafting.
Business Analyst at Business for Social Responsibility
1998 – 1999
Conducted due diligence and business analysis in connection with providing consulting services to international clients on improving their bottom line by exercising social responsibility. Clients included: Starbucks, Gap, Nike, etc.
Business Analyst at Strategic Decisions Group
1996 – 1999
Conducted due diligence and business analysis for international clients in connection with mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring and growth development strategies.