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Ilona Pogoulaï, Private Legal Counsel

Ilona Pogoulaï

Private Legal Counsel·Independent Practice

United Arab Emirates

High school or equivalent, Business And Law

Work experience

Total years of experience: 7 years, 4 months

Private Legal Counsel

January 2025 - Present

Independent Practice

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

January 2025 - Present

• Provided tailored legal counsel to private clients, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals (HNWI) on complex commercial, contractual, and cross-border matters, ensuring confidentiality and strategic insight.
• Guided European clients and GCC family offices on market-entry strategies, investment safeguards, and compliance with UAE and MENA regulations, enhancing their operational effectiveness.
• Expertly drafted and negotiated significant commercial contracts, joint venture agreements, and memoranda of understanding (MoUs), demonstrating strong analytical and communication skills.
• Conducted in-depth legal research and analysis to support compliance initiatives, contributing to risk mitigation and informed decision-making for clients.
Company industry:
Law Firm

Legal & Commercial Consultant

January 2025 - Present

Independent Practice

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

January 2025 - Present

• Lead the drafting and negotiation of high-value commercial agreements, joint ventures, and MoUs, focusing on
governing law and enforcement risk mitigation.
• Provide bespoke legal advisory to HNWIs and family offices regarding market-entry structuring, investment
protection, and UAE/MENA regulatory compliance.
• Execute pre-litigation counsel and debt recovery mandates, utilizing third-party acquisition structures and cross
border enforcement sequencing.
Company industry:
Law Firm

Legal Consultant

May 2024 - September 2024

Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD)

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

May 2024 - September 2024

• Provided expert legal advice on commercial case matters, enhancing case strategy and outcomes.
• Reviewed and drafted comprehensive legal documents for court proceedings, ensuring compliance with judicial standards.
• Supported judges by analyzing intricate commercial disputes, contributing to informed decision-making.
• Conducted thorough legal research on commercial and civil law matters, leveraging findings to strengthen case arguments.
• Analyzed case files and evidentiary submissions, facilitating effective judicial resolutions.
• Drafted precise formal correspondence and legal opinions in both English and French, maintaining confidentiality and adherence to judicial protocols.
• Engaged as a Self-Represented Litigant (2025), gaining unique insights into legal processes and client perspectives.
Company industry:
Public Administration

Judicial Legal Associate - Commercial Court

April 2024 - September 2024

Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD)

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

April 2024 - September 2024

• Conducted deep-dive analysis on commercial and civil law precedents, ensuring case files were optimized for
hearing readiness and judicial protocol.
• Drafted legal opinions and analyzed complex evidentiary submissions for the Major Commercial Chamber, directly
supporting judicial decision-making.
• Achieved a 100% success rate in 6 independent labor law proceedings before the ADJD, managing the entire
lifecycle from claim filing to judgment execution.
• Litigation Track Record (Self-Representation): Successfully acted as claimant in 6 independent labor law
proceedings before the ADJD. Achieved 100% success rate in claim recovery and judgment execution.
Company industry:
Public Administration

Senior Project Manager — Legal & Regulatory Lead

January 2022 - January 2024

Happy Delivery International LLC

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates •Hybrid

January 2022 - January 2024

• Managed legal and regulatory compliance for diverse international commercial projects in the Middle East, focusing on logistics, food distribution, and infrastructure.
• Conducted comprehensive legal research and analysis to ensure adherence to local and international laws.
• Facilitated multi-jurisdictional negotiations, enhancing stakeholder relationships and achieving favorable outcomes.
• Acted as a liaison with government entities, streamlining communication and compliance processes.
• Developed and implemented compliance strategies that minimized risks and ensured operational efficiency.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align project objectives with legal requirements, promoting a culture of compliance.
Company industry:
Business Consultancy Services

Senior Project Manager - Legal & Regulatory Lead

January 2022 - January 2024

Happy Delivery International LLC

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates •Remote

January 2022 - January 2024

• Oversaw legal, regulatory, and operational compliance for complex international commercial projects across the
Middle East — logistics, food distribution, and infrastructure. Led multi-jurisdictional negotiations and government
liaison.
Company industry:
Business Consultancy Services

Director, Commercial Governance & Contracts

October 2021 - January 2022

Happy Delivery International LLC

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates •Hybrid

October 2021 - January 2022

• Advised the board on multi-jurisdictional regulatory exposure (UAE/US), conducting rigorous contract risk
assessments prior to execution.
• Served as the sole legal function, structuring and negotiating $10M+ in commercial agreements, cross-border
instruments, and government-facing MoUs.
• Acted as primary legal liaison for Ministry of Transport relations and VVIP client negotiations, overseeing business
establishment and debt subrogation.
Company industry:
Management Consulting

Economist - Finance & Compliance

January 2020 - January 2021

Aloft Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

January 2020 - January 2021

• Financial analysis, cost control, and revenue optimisation within a regulated hospitality environment. Prepared
financial reporting in line with contractual and compliance obligations.
Company industry:
Hospitality & Accomodation

Economist - Contract Law & Finance

January 2018 - January 2020

Edition Hotel Abu Dhabi • Marriot International

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

January 2018 - January 2020

• Pre-opening contract management: drafted and administered supplier and vendor agreements, conducted budget
allocation reviews, and ensured regulatory compliance across all procurement activity.
Company industry:
Legal Process Outsourcing (LPO)

Education

Sorbonne

January 2025

January 2025

High school or equivalent, Business And Law

France

Sorbonne University

January 2024

January 2024

Master's degree, International Business Law

United Arab Emirates

GPA (point): 3.6 out of 4

GPA (point): 3.6 out of 4

Master's degree in International Business Law Top Graduate 2024

Sorbonne University paris cite

January 2024

January 2024

Master's degree, International Business Law

France

Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management

August 2017

August 2017

Bachelor's degree, BSc in International Marketing and Hospitality Management

United Arab Emirates

GPA (point): 3.4 out of 4

GPA (point): 3.4 out of 4

Bachelors of Science in Marketing and Hospitality Management Dubai - UAE

Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management

January 2017

January 2017

Bachelor's degree, International

United Arab Emirates

Ecole Nouvelle de la Suisse Romande

January 2013

January 2013

High school or equivalent, (English

Switzerland

Skills

Marketing Mix
Expert
Marketing Mix
Expert
Marketing ROI
Expert
Marketing ROI
Expert
B2B Marketing
Expert
B2B Marketing
Expert
B2C marketing
Expert
B2C marketing
Expert
COMPUTER LITERACY
Intermediate
COMPUTER LITERACY
Intermediate
DIGITAL MARKETING
Intermediate
DIGITAL MARKETING
Intermediate
IT INFRASTRUCTURE
Intermediate
IT INFRASTRUCTURE
Intermediate
LEADERSHIP
Intermediate
LEADERSHIP
Intermediate
LOBBYING
Intermediate
LOBBYING
Intermediate
MARKETING
Intermediate
MARKETING
Intermediate
NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Intermediate
NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Intermediate
STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT
Intermediate
STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT
Intermediate
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP
Intermediate
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP
Intermediate
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
Intermediate
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
Intermediate
360 DEGREE FEEDBACK
Intermediate
360 DEGREE FEEDBACK
Intermediate
COMPUTER LITERACY
Intermediate
COMPUTER LITERACY
Intermediate
DIGITAL MARKETING
Intermediate
DIGITAL MARKETING
Intermediate
LEADERSHIP
Intermediate
LEADERSHIP
Intermediate
LOBBYING
Intermediate
LOBBYING
Intermediate
MARKETING
Intermediate
MARKETING
Intermediate
NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Intermediate
NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Intermediate
STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT
Intermediate
STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT
Intermediate
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP
Intermediate
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP
Intermediate
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
Intermediate
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
Intermediate
BRAND MANAGEMENT
Intermediate
BRAND MANAGEMENT
Intermediate
CUSTOMER ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT
Intermediate
CUSTOMER ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT
Intermediate
DIGITAL MARKETING
Intermediate
DIGITAL MARKETING
Intermediate
LEADERSHIP
Intermediate
LEADERSHIP
Intermediate
MARKET SEGMENTATION
Intermediate
MARKET SEGMENTATION
Intermediate
MARKETING
Intermediate
MARKETING
Intermediate
NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Intermediate
NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Intermediate
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
Intermediate
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
Intermediate
STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION
Intermediate
STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION
Intermediate
TEAM LEADERSHIP
Intermediate
TEAM LEADERSHIP
Intermediate
ANALYTICAL THINKING
Intermediate
ANALYTICAL THINKING
Intermediate
BUSINESS LAW
Intermediate
BUSINESS LAW
Intermediate
COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS
Intermediate
COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS
Intermediate
CONTRACT NEGOTIATION
Intermediate
CONTRACT NEGOTIATION
Intermediate
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Intermediate
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Intermediate
INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL LAW
Intermediate
INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL LAW
Intermediate
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Intermediate
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Intermediate
LEGAL KNOWLEDGE
Intermediate
LEGAL KNOWLEDGE
Intermediate
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
Intermediate
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
Intermediate
VENTURE CAPITAL
Intermediate
VENTURE CAPITAL
Intermediate
BUSINESS LAW
Intermediate
BUSINESS LAW
Intermediate
BUSINESS NEGOTIATION
Intermediate
BUSINESS NEGOTIATION
Intermediate
COMPLIANCE AUDITING
Intermediate
COMPLIANCE AUDITING
Intermediate
CONTRACT DRAFTING
Intermediate
CONTRACT DRAFTING
Intermediate
CONTRACT MANAGEMENT
Intermediate
CONTRACT MANAGEMENT
Intermediate
CURRICULUM PLANNING
Intermediate
CURRICULUM PLANNING
Intermediate
DUE DILIGENCE
Intermediate
DUE DILIGENCE
Intermediate
LITIGATION SUPPORT
Intermediate
LITIGATION SUPPORT
Intermediate
MECHANICAL DRAFTING
Intermediate
MECHANICAL DRAFTING
Intermediate
RISK ANALYSIS
Intermediate
RISK ANALYSIS
Intermediate

Languages

English
Native Speaker
French
Native Speaker
Italian
Expert
Arabic
Beginner
Ukrainian
Native Speaker
German
Expert

Training and Certifications

Certifications
Event Management
Mental Health First Aid — Occupational Therapy Certification No. 002199
Professional Communications & VIP Events Protocol Certification
Professional Communications & VIP Events Protocol Certification
Professional Communications & Events Protocol Certification