Legally On the Move: Careers, Tech & Insights from Dubai – Ivan Chugunov – E15

You can hear Rob and IVAN discussing:

– The Dynamic Legal Professional Landscape of Dubai

– Inclusivity and the Thriving Ecosystem it Provides

– The Evolution of AI and Legal Tech in Dubai

– The Importance of Career Flexibility and Growth

– Using Adaptability as a Key for Success

Connect with Ivan here – https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivanchugunov/

Transcript

00:00

welcome to legally on the move careers tech and insights from Dubai in this exclusive mini-series of the legally speaking podcast we’re taking you to the heart of Dubai a global hub for legal innovation cutting-edge technology and transformative career opportunities here’s what you’ll gain career inspiration unlock the secrets to thriving in Dubai’s dynamic legal market tech trends dive into how AI blockchain and legal tech are reshaping the industry diversity and leadership here from trailblazersis driving inclusivity and innovation in the UAE and Global Perspectives explore how Dubai’s unique blend of tradition and ambition is creating a thriving legal ecosystem.

00:40

Recorded in iconic locations, these episodes bring you the energy and insights of one of the world’s most exciting legal hubs.

00:48

Don’t just listen, experience the future of law.

00:50

Ready to move forward with us?

00:52

Let’s go.

00:53

So, welcome to Legally Speaking podcast, name, title and organization.

00:59

Thank you Robert for having me, my name is Ivan Chugunov, I work for a family office that’s called Kitare, that’s a multi-family office and I’m also building my own consultancy for startups.

01:12

Very exciting, you’ve very got finger on the pulse and yeah I know we’ve exchanged a lot of messages and I’m glad we’ve been able to make this interview happen live in Dubai.

01:19

So let’s talk about your career then, what inspired you to pursue a legal career in Dubai?

01:24

That was a long journey actually because I started mycareer in Russia, then I did my master’s degree in Paris and then I wanted to be in a city that is very dynamic and full of business and I decided to move here to start to continue my career here and to take the opportunity.

01:49

Yeah, it’s just a really dynamic city with an amazing infrastructure that helps founders and consultantslegal professionals to be seen and we have a lot of work here.

02:02

So I’m helping the family office and the startups.

02:06

So how does Dubai then compare from other global markets that you’ve seen or operated in?

02:11

That’s a good question because I think the main feature of Dubai is that it’s very dynamic and the legal system is changing very quickly.

02:22

So as a legal professional, I need to track all the changes because for example, I don’t know, economic substance requirements, tax policies,Foreign ownership is changing very quickly and you need really to be informed and updated every day.

02:38

Yeah, no, and that’s the sense I’ve been getting by speaking to people.

02:41

It is fast moving, it is dynamic and it’s exciting as well in terms of a career and challenge perspective.

02:47

Let’s talk about workplace culture then and inclusivity because that’s a really key part of Dubai.

02:53

How does its mix of ambition and traditional influence workplace culture vary from other places and how well do you think it’s doing in terms of it promoting inclusivity?

03:05

I think that Dubai is very inclusive because 92% of the population they are expats.

03:11

It’s a really inclusive city that allows youto realize your dreams.

03:18

So that’s why Dubai is the global startup ecosystem now.

03:22

So there are more than 45 free zones.

03:25

They all have their own specialities and that’s why so any idea can meet their free zone and they can realize it there.

03:37

And of course Dubai is full of family offices, venture firms andother investors that helps that fund the startups and help them to grow.

03:48

So two questions linked to that then what’s a day in a life working on the family office side for you?

03:53

It’s a very intense work I would say because multi-family office so we serve different different families they all have different objectives and investment strategies so that’s why we need to adapt to that so I’m helpingAll the families to secure their transactions, their investments in real estate, fund investments, and venture investments as well.

04:20

Yeah, and then let’s flip back to the startup site, because you’re building, and I know you’re passionate about that, so tell us more about what you’re building.

04:29

And why you’re deciding to do it?

04:30

Yeah, I just felt that there’s a gap in the market for early-stage startups, because maybe that’s the problem of the awareness of the founders about the legal needs and legal challenges, legal matters that they face, because there are many big global law firms in Dubai, but…

04:50

just a few of them are focused on early stage startups.

04:53

That’s for me, that’s a different universe because startups, founders, they’re very frightened by billable hours of the big law firms.

05:04

And what you…

05:05

need to offer them is the monthly capped fees or project fixed fees and that’s really important for them and you need really be passionate about helping founders becauseYou need to understand their needs.

05:21

They’re very dynamic.

05:22

They create something disruptive, something that didn’t exist.

05:27

That’s why that’s very challenging for me as a lawyer, because we need to draft terms and conditions, contracts.

05:33

You cannot replicate.

05:35

What you have in your portfolio, because you need to do something new each time, and it’s very challenging, and I love this.

05:43

Yeah, and I can tell you’re passionate about that as well, which is always a thing that carries you through in any career, not just legal.

05:50

We’ve got to talk about technology.

05:52

You know, I’ve been at a lot of conferences while I’ve been out in Dubai and obviously AI, blockchain, etc, etc.

05:58

What’s your view on AI, particularly within the world of workers in law and are you using it currently?

06:06

Just tell us a bit about your thoughts on it.

06:08

Yeah, I just think that AI is something that’s shaping this year.

06:14

But I think just last year it was all about ChatGPT because we’re allfound out that we can use the AI assistant and all the people, you know, retail customers, they use it for their everyday life.

06:29

But, and there are many startups that raised last year, but unfortunately,some of the startups they cannot really explain what the technology they use or what the technology they build and I think that this year will be the year where the startups they need to show the real value that they create something really disruptive because for example in five here in Dubai is the incubator and accelerator.

07:03

Almost half of the startups now they are AI powered.

07:08

But yeah, this year will be very challenging for them because they really need to stand out.

07:13

Yeah.

07:13

And that’s the thing, isn’t it?

07:15

You need to have a unique point of difference.

07:16

And like anything, and even us here today on the League is being podcast, we’re taking the show around the world, getting different perspective from legal voices.

07:23

And I guess with that, going back to your own career, you know, I was talking off there that you’ve been in Dubai around three years or so now, I think.

07:29

Yeah, that’s correct.

07:30

Do you see yourself staying here?

07:32

Because historically, Dubai’s had a very transient reputation.

07:34

People would come to Dubai for a few years and leave.

07:37

you know do you see yourself in Dubai long term or what’s your view?

07:42

Yeah I want to stay here long term and I think Dubai now is more family friendly because they’re really building because before Dubai was just like two centers downtown and Marina and people were just commuting from one location to another but now there are many parks there’s a lot of infrastructure, schools, universities they invest a lot inattention here and I think that’s working and people really, I meet people who’ve been here for 10, 15 years now and that’s very impressive.

08:18

Yeah, absolutely and before I let you go, what’s one skill that you have as a legal professional that you think has really helped you perform well in the Duma UAE market specifically?

08:30

Is there something you think you’ve had or you’ve picked up that you’ve learned that would be useful for people to know that you value as a skill in your toolbox?

08:37

I think youTo be adaptable because really the legal ecosystem here is evolving and you need to be well informed about all the changes that’s happening.

08:48

Yeah, absolutely.

08:49

And that’s why we want to provide this platform where people can get knowledge and know what they need to do.

08:53

So with that, Ivan, if people want to know more about you, which I’m sure they do, or get in touch or know more about the startup side, what’s the best place for them or where can they go?

09:00

Feel free to share any social media handles like your LinkedIn or your website.

09:04

We’ll also share them with this episode for you too.

09:07

Actually I have consultations through LinkedIn.

09:10

You can book it very easily and also I attend many communities, many events here in Dubai.

09:18

One of them is 24/6/9 in 5 and I go there today in the evening so you can meet me there easily.

09:26

Yeah and I can tell you’re definitely a keen networker getting yourself out and about and it’s definitely a good trait to have while you’ll be successful in Dubai.

09:33

So thank you so much for joining us today on the Legally Speaking podcast.

09:35

From all of us for now,Over and out.

09:37

Thank you so much for tuning in to this episode of our Legally on the Move from Dubai series.

09:43

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09:49

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10:02

Stay tuned, we’ll see you again soon.

10:04

Over and out.