Ryan Zahrai
Ryan Zahrai is the Founder and Principal Lawyer of Zed Law, a Sydney-based firm connecting ex-top tier lawyers to clients who need pragmatic solutions across commercial, corporate, contentious and strategic matters.
Before (and while) building Zed Law, Ryan grew the legal function as the Head of Legal at Eucalyptus, one of Australia's fastest-growing digital healthcare startups.
He began his legal career at Ashurst, a leading international law firm, where he gained extensive experience in commercial law, then took on a leadership senior legal position in Israel.
Ryan's diverse background includes an MBA from a top-40 global business school, equipping him with a unique blend of legal expertise and business acumen. His approach is characterised by a pragmatic, commercially minded perspective, making him a trusted advisor to startups and established businesses alike. He's ruthlessly transparent and commercially ruthless, but that's why clients love working with him.
Professional Experience
Ryan’s legal career is marked by significant achievements and a broad range of expertise:
- Top-Tier Training: Served as Head of Legal at Eucalyptus, one of Australia’s fastest-scaling VC-backed companies, where he grew the legal team to 10 members across 4 countries.
- In-House Leadership: Served as Head of Legal at Eucalyptus, one of Australia’s fastest-scaling VC-backed companies, where he grew the legal team to 10 members across 4 countries.
- International Exposure: Gained valuable legal experience in diverse settings, including Samoa and Israel, broadening his global perspective.
Areas of Expertise
Ryan has developed into a commercial and corporate generalist, adept at advising on:
- Commercial contracts and SaaS agreements
- Privacy law
- Corporate and employment law
- Capital raising
- Dispute resolution strategy
His proven negotiation skills and deal-making approach prioritize relationship-building with clients, founders, and business owners.
Educational Background
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with First Class Honours
- Bachelor of Science-Psychology (BSc-Psych)
- Bachelor of Health (BHlth)
- MBA from a top-40 global business school
Approach and Philosophy
Ryan is known for his:
- No-BS Style: He offers transparent and straightforward advice.
- Commercial Mindset: Understands business drivers and balances them against legal risks.
- Problem-Solving Focus: Approaches legal challenges with a creative and solution-oriented mindset.
Community Involvement
Beyond his legal practice, Ryan is passionate about improving access to justice and youth empowerment work. He runs youth empowerment events after having spent a year in Tongan villages as what he calls "the most formative year of his life."
Ryan’s combination of legal expertise, business understanding, and innovative thinking positions him as a valuable advisor for businesses navigating complex legal landscapes. His approach embodies Zed Law’s commitment to providing clear, commercially focused, and cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality.
"If you've worked with lawyers before in your business, you'll love working with us. That's where Zed wins."
Follow Ryan on LinkedIn below to keep up to date on developments, how he's looking to shake up how things are done in legal.
