Interview with: Sunil Ambalavelil, Chairman

Sunil Ambalavelil discusses how Kaden Boriss Legal Consultancy integrates complex cross-border corporate strategy with disciplined private wealth structuring in the UAE.

 

What do you see as the main points that differentiate Kaden Boriss Legal Consultancy from your competitors?

 Our differentiation lies in our “Serving People” philosophy and our unique Strategic Advisory Approach. Unlike traditional firms that focus solely on legal advice, we act as strategists who align legal solutions with our clients’ broader commercial visions. We put forward a singular blend of global expertise and local insight, operating across offices in Australia, India, Singapore, the UAE, the UK, and the USA. This allows us to provide holistic, comprehensive advice that seamlessly connects corporate advisory with private client services, ensuring both business and personal interests are protected under one roof.

 

Which practices do you see growing in the next 12 months? What are the drivers behind that?

We anticipate a significant breakthrough in corporate restructuring, Islamic finance, and private wealth/succession planning. The primary drivers are the evolving UAE regulatory landscape, including recent developments in Personal Status Law and Golden Visa eligibility and a surge in global investors seeking the tax and ownership advantages of the UAE. Moreover, as family businesses in the region mature, there is a growing demand for sophisticated governance and asset protection frameworks, such as the establishment of foundations to ensure uninterrupted succession.

 

What’s the main change you’ve made in the firm that will benefit clients?

 The most profound change has been the integration of AI-driven systems to streamline our internal workflows. By automating routine processes, we have empowered our lawyers to focus more intensely on high-level strategy, analysis, and results. This shift not only boosts the quality of our counsel but also ensures we deliver efficient and economic solutions without compromising on technical excellence.

 

Is technology changing the way you interact with your clients and the services you can provide them?

 Indeed. By putting in place a dedicated Client Portal that offers our clients End-to-end visibility and a user-friendly interface to follow their legal and business matters, we have transcended traditional communication.

Internally, we have integrated AI-driven systems to automate routine workflows, which fundamentally changes our service delivery. By removing the burden of administrative tasks, our lawyers can focus their expertise entirely on bespoke strategy, complex analysis, and high-impact results. This digital shift allows us to remain ahead of the curve, offering the 15,000+ clients we serve a unique combination of technical excellence and cost-effective efficiency, which is vital for managing high-stakes transactions across multiple global jurisdictions.

 

Can you give us a practical example of how you have helped a client to add value to their business?

A prominent instance is our advisory on an AED 5.5 billion Islamic Finance facility. We provided the comprehensive structuring and documentation support required for this complex, Sharia-compliant transaction, ensuring clarity and precision for all parties involved. Similarly, we recently helped a $100 million Bahrain conglomerate with strategic fundraising, handling everything from regulatory compliance to investor discussions, allowing the client to complete an efficient and compliant investment process.

 

Are clients looking for stability and strategic direction from their law firms – where do you see the firm in three years’ time?

Clients today appreciate consistency and foresight. In three years, I envision Kaden Boriss solidified as a global legal powerhouse, continuing to bridge the gap between complex corporate law and personal legacy protection. Our success will be gauged by the ongoing trust of the family offices, multinational companies, and entrepreneurs we work with worldwide as we grow our relationship-driven practice.