Launch of new law firm in the UAE by former General Counsel of Aster DM Healthcare

November 2023

Ajith M Legal Consultancy, a new private practice firm, is set to launch in the UAE in November 2023. The founding principal of the firm is Ajith Madhavan, a seasoned industry specialist with overall 23 years of expertise. He has most recently gained substantial hands-on knowledge in healthcare operations, having worked for more than 13 years in the Middle East and India.

As General Counsel of Aster DM Healthcare, he was successful in providing strategic legal counsel to senior management, driving organisational success, and ensuring regulatory adherence of Aster DM Healthcare, the largest and fastest growing healthcare conglomerates, operates in full spectrum of healthcare with a network of more than 350 units including hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, labs, retails across 7 countries in Middle East and India.

Ajith Madhavan was adept at managing complex legal matters, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and mitigating risks. His innate ability to streamline legal processes, optimise efficiency, and deliver cost-effective solutions were well appreciated in Aster DM Healthcare. He is a results-oriented leader with passion for upholding highest ethical standards and achieving legal excellence. He has demonstrated leadership and management prowess in leading top-performing legal teams and driving multifaceted projects to success.

Few of his signature accomplishments during his tenure of 13 years:

Spearheaded corporate restructuring of Aster DM Healthcare, resulting in comprehensive involvement in company’s IPO in February 2018, the most complex healthcare restructuring and capital market deal in the MENA region, as recognised by Legal500 in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
Accelerated growth by overseeing acquisition of more than 100 pharmacies, four hospitals, chain of optical stores, and six greenfield hospital projects in the Middle East.
Achieved streamlined legal design and architecture, optimised project management efficiency.
Drove function to attain high level of efficiency, facilitating notable successes across multiple areas of legal functions.
Generated significant growth by leading legal functions of Aster DM Healthcare during transition to 350+ units in multiple geographies.
Ensured seamless administration of legal/regulatory compliance for highly regulated/structured healthcare businesses in the Middle East and India.
Led multiple rounds of corporate restructuring and streamlined the group for foreign direct investment (FDI) approval in Dubai.
Engineered a groundbreaking common law holding company structure, an unprecedented feat within highly regulated GCC healthcare industry, through leadership of complex MENA business restructuring for IPO at BSE in India.
Steered regulatory compliance, litigation management, and contract administration of India business vertical

Legal Consultancy is being launched with the major mission of giving clients practical legal solutions that comprehensively address all their legal concerns and assist them in navigating complexities of the legal landscape in the UAE. The Firm also aspires to be a trusted advisor by going above and beyond traditional legal services and aiming to establish lasting relationships based on professionalism, trust, and excellent legal counselling.

Ajith Madhavan also intends to provide healthcare-specific legal consultancy, by utilizing his in-depth experience of 13 years in healthcare sector, which is rapidly growing and evolving in the region, with focus in providing high-quality medical services to its residents and attracting medical tourists. He feels that there are several legal and regulatory considerations unique to the healthcare industry that require specialized expertise in mitigating risks. His Legal Consultancy will advise on corporate structuring, risk management, developing internal policies and procedures, and assist in managing medical malpractice claims. With the increasing complexity of the healthcare industry and the unique legal challenges it presents, Legal Consultancy could provide valuable expertise and guidance to healthcare providers, to ensure compliance with regulations, minimizing legal risks, and facilitating the smooth operation of healthcare facilities and services in the UAE.

Prior to his 13-year tenure at Aster DM Healthcare, he was (i) Legal Manager of Concept Group of Companies in Dubai; (ii) Legal Consultant at Dar Al Adalah Advocates & Legal Consultants in Dubai and was also a lawyer at the High Court of Kerala, India, from 1998 until 2006.