ELLORA PRIVATE OFFICE
Independent Legal Counsel on Private Wealth, Asset Planning and Governance.
Ellora Private Office provides independent legal counsel on private wealth, asset planning and governance for individuals, families and privately held organisations whose affairs extend across jurisdictions, generations and professional advisers.
Led by an experienced international lawyer, Ellora provides a broad legal perspective across private wealth, asset planning and governance and succession, bringing together matters that may otherwise be dealt with separately.
Based in New Zealand, Ellora works internationally, alongside a client’s existing professional advisers, providing an independent perspective where affairs span multiple jurisdictions, disciplines and generations.
The Structure and Governance of Private Wealth
For internationally situated families, complexity rarely arises from a single structure or jurisdiction in isolation. It emerges over time from the interaction of legal systems, governance arrangements and patterns of decision making, often without immediate visibility.
These interdependencies may remain stable for long periods, yet become exposed at points of transition, whether through generational succession, changes in residence or domicile, regulatory shifts, or periods of uncertainty. At such moments, the underlying coherence of arrangements is tested, and assumptions that once held may no longer do so.
Ellora’s role is to consider these arrangements in their entirety, with a focus on how they function in practice rather than how they are intended to operate. The emphasis is on whether the overall framework is capable of maintaining consistency and continuity across jurisdictions and over time, particularly as circumstances evolve.
Our Approach
Discreet
Ellora operates quietly and with the confidentiality expected of a legal practice. The role is often behind the scenes: bringing clarity to complex matters while respecting the privacy of clients and their existing advisers.
International
Ellora works across jurisdictions and legal systems, considering how arrangements operate in practice rather than in isolation. International experience informs the advice, while specialist local expertise is brought in where required.
Bespoke
Each engagement begins with the client's particular circumstances rather than a predetermined structure or solution. The approach is tailored to the nature of the assets, ownership, family circumstances and longer-term objectives involved
Wealth Governance Review
We examine the legal, structural and governance risks affecting private wealth, considering the interaction between ownership, asset structures, family arrangements, succession and the jurisdictions in which they operate. The review identifies areas of potential exposure, inconsistency, friction or unintended consequence, informed by experience of how arrangements may be tested when circumstances change or come under scrutiny.
Governance Design
The development of governance arrangements that provide clarity around ownership, decision-making, authority and responsibility as wealth and family circumstances evolve. Frameworks are designed to support continuity while allowing for changing family, business and ownership considerations across generations and jurisdictions.
Independent General Counsel
Ongoing independent legal counsel for families whose affairs extend across jurisdictions, assets and advisory relationships. The role provides continuity and a broad legal perspective, working alongside existing advisers and bringing in specialist expertise where required as circumstances evolve.
Advisory Directorship
Independent participation in boards and governance structures where an experienced legal and strategic perspective is required. The role may involve oversight of governance, ownership and significant decisions, providing an informed and independent perspective alongside directors, trustees and other advisers.
“When it comes to lasting wealth, it pays to be the tortoise, not the hare. My role is to ensure your legacy endures, with structures that reflect your vision, and strategies that withstand the passage of time.”
– Vibha Vallabh, Principal