Stefani Legal Consultants

Head of Financial Services and Capital Markets

Legal Consultant - Managing Partner

Andrea studied her Bachelor of Law (LLB) Hons followed bv her Bar Vocational Course in Manchester, UK. Following completion of her Bar Vocational Course, Andrea began her training as an inhouse advocate practicing Employment Law and dealing predominantly with high profile cases, case management, tribunals, court hearings and arbitration.

In 2008, Andrea moved to Cyprus where she was involved in listings of IPOs, dealing with Stock Exchanges throughout Europe, as well as focusing on several other major financial services transactions. Andrea then joined a top 5 tier law firm, whereby she become team leader. heading a team of 7 and managing a range of international clientele on high profile transactions, including the listing of large corporations valued at circ. 300 million on The London Stock Exchange and AIM.

Andrea then joined Varnavas Playbell & Co. LLC as a Partner and heads The Financial Services Department. She currently advises and provides ongoing legal support to several of the largest investment firms in Cyprus and concurrently in several other jurisdictions as co-counsel on financial regulatory compliance, structures and distribution of financial services products and authorisations/approvals of new market principles and products. In the sphere of financial services work Andrea deals with the regulatory framework in several jurisdictions including SCA, CySEC, FCA and DIFC. She acts on matters surrounding commercial regulatory compliance matters, investment structures and the distribution of financial services products as well as licensing requirements/authorisations in relation to new market principles and product.

In 2021 she moved to Dubai whereby she started her legal career dealing predominantly in the sphere of financial services regulation and corporate and commercial law in the UAE. Andrea is now a Managing Partner in Stefani Legal Consultants- and maintains her partnership in Playbell and Co. She assists in the facilitation of the European market and flow to the UAE.

Andrea’s expertise in obtaining licenses and navigating regulatory frameworks makes her well-positioned to provide strategic commercial advice for businesses entering new markets. For start-up businesses seeking to expand their operations, Andrea provides tailored advice on structuring deals, drafting key documents, and managing corporate governance.

As a lawyer with international experience, Andrea offers advice on cross-border operations, ensuring compliance across jurisdictions such as Cyprus, Dubai, the UK, and the EU, giving companies the flexibility to scale while mitigating legal risks.

Through her holistic and commercially focused strategies, she not only provides legal expertise but also ensures that her clients are well-equipped to thrive in a fast-paced financial environment.

English and Greek

Registered with the Lawyer's Affairs Committee at Ras Al-Khaimah Courts, UAE

Member of the Bar Association of the United Kingdom, 2009

Member of Lincoln's In

Registered with Emirates Intellectual Property Association

Registered with ADGM Courts for Wills

Vice President of the Cyprus Business Council in the United Arab Emirates

Bachelor of Law (LLB) Hons

Bar Vocational Course in Manchester, UK

London School of Economics - Cryptocurrency and Disruption