Beyond the Law: How Yulia Shilova Turned Legal Thinking into a Catalyst for Business Growth

“A legal education doesn’t just teach you the law — it trains you to think critically, anticipate risks, and build systems that last. Those skills are what make growth sustainable.”

For Yulia Shilova, these words aren’t just a philosophy — they reflect her entire professional journey. From international courtrooms to high-growth startups, she has proven that when used strategically, legal expertise can be one of the most powerful engines for innovation.

Today, as Chief Legal Officer at Yzzy https://yzzyapp.com, Yulia doesn’t limit herself to minimizing risk. Instead, she designs the conditions that allow ideas to scale — ensuring that every bold business move rests on a solid, compliant foundation.

Law as a Discipline of Precision

After earning her Master’s degree in Law from Lomonosov Moscow State University, Yulia began her career at one of Russia’s most distinguished law firms, recognized by Chambers Europe and The Legal 500.

Her early years were marked by complexity and intensity: representing global corporations in billion-dollar insolvency cases, leading intricate commercial disputes, and defending clients in one of the largest bankruptcy trials in Russian state court history.

But over time, Yulia realized that what fascinated her most wasn’t just courtroom victories — it was seeing how legal frameworks could shape entire corporate strategies and influence long-term business outcomes.

From Legal Counsel to Strategic Partner

That realization became a turning point. Yulia transitioned from litigation to Head of Legal roles, combining her deep legal understanding with strategic vision.

In a European startup, she built cross-border corporate structures across Kazakhstan, Poland, and Cyprus, optimized tax systems, and helped family-owned businesses develop transparent governance models.

This hands-on experience in dynamic, entrepreneurial environments gave her something few lawyers have — a practical sense of how law supports growth. It also prepared her for her next big step: joining Whizz, a fast-scaling U.S. micromobility company, where she could merge legal insight with operational leadership.

Scaling Smart in the U.S.

At Whizz https://www.getwhizz.com, Yulia’s challenge was to align rapid expansion with a solid legal backbone.

Within a single year, she oversaw the setup of new retail operations in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Chicago, and San Francisco, ensuring each launch met every local requirement — from zoning to fire codes.

Launching in New York was particularly symbolic. As one of the most complex and competitive markets in the U.S., it required navigating intricate licensing procedures, employment compliance, and city-specific sustainability regulations. Yulia led these processes end-to-end, setting a new operational standard that other locations could replicate.

Instead of reacting to regulatory hurdles, she built a repeatable, scalable legal framework that turned compliance into a growth advantage:

• Registered entities and tax accounts across multiple states

• Created internal checklists for permits, licenses, and occupancy certifications

• Established strong working relationships with municipal and state agencies

• Developed standardized documentation templates for future expansions

Her approach — proactive, detail-oriented, and collaborative — helped Whizz grow faster and more efficiently, minimizing risks while building trust with regulators and communities alike.

“If you understand the rules early,” she says, “you don’t have to slow down later.”

Building for Growth at Yzzy

In 2025, Yulia joined Yzzy, a platform designed to reconnect people through offline experiences, as Chief Legal Officer.

Her role extends far beyond traditional legal functions. She manages contracts, intellectual property, and data protection while working closely with marketing, product, and operations teams. Her mission: embed compliance and ethical standards into the very structure of the business.

Yulia sees her department as a strategic enabler, not a gatekeeper. She builds systems that allow innovation to flourish responsibly — ensuring that every marketing campaign, partnership, and product feature aligns with both business goals and legal integrity.

This holistic approach gives Yzzy a unique edge: the ability to scale confidently and sustainably across the U.S. without sacrificing agility or trust.

A New Definition of Legal Leadership

Yulia’s career demonstrates that a legal background doesn’t have to be confined to contracts and courtrooms. It can be a foundation for visionary leadership.

Her philosophy is clear:

“Legal shouldn’t be about saying no — it should be about designing smarter ways to say yes.”

She sees the legal function as a bridge between structure and creativity — one that transforms risk management into a pathway for innovation.

By reframing compliance as collaboration, Yulia has shown how lawyers can become architects of sustainable growth, not its opponents.

The Road Ahead

Having worked across Russia, Europe, and the United States, Yulia believes the future of legal leadership lies at the intersection of law, strategy, and technology.

The next generation of legal professionals, she says, will be those who can translate regulation into opportunity — who understand that the fastest way to grow is to build on solid ground.

“The best legal leaders don’t just mitigate risk,” she says. “They design the systems that make lasting growth possible.”

Yulia’s journey isn’t just about mastering law — it’s about redefining its purpose. Her story is proof that when legal insight meets strategic thinking, it can become a true catalyst for transformation.