Harsh Patel's Legal Vision Shapes Dubai's Real Estate Landscape
Harsh Patel, a legal and tax strategist, is the only lawyer featured in 'Masters of Real Estate (MORE)', a prestigious coffee table book launched in Dubai. His journey from Mumbai to international boardrooms highlights his pivotal role in shaping the emirate's skyline.
Real EstateLegal StrategyDubaiHarsh PatelWater SharkReal EstateMay 29, 2025
Patel’s inclusion in MORE, authored by Vikas Bhargava, underscores his role as a cross-border legal and tax strategist. “Structures build assets. Strategy builds legacies,” Patel declared at the launch, encapsulating his philosophy. Unlike traditional real estate players, he brings a legal lens, advising unicorn founders, royal families, and institutional investors across 12 countries. His firm, Water & Shark, specializes in global real estate structuring, trust creation, succession planning, and compliance frameworks, as highlighted in the book. “Being featured in MORE shows that legal structuring is the backbone of real estate,” Patel notes, emphasizing its shift from a supporting role to a strategic driver.
His academic journey laid the foundation for this expertise. At Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics, Patel earned a Bachelor of Commerce, mastering financial principles. He pursued a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) at Gopaldas Jhamatmal Advani Law College, merging law with business acumen. “Law is the scaffolding of success,” he says. Patel became a Chartered Accountant through the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), a credential he likens to “climbing a mountain.” He is a foreign-registered lawyer with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), UK, and a Fellow member of the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA), Australia. By 2012, his teenage venture had evolved into Water & Shark, now spanning India, the UAE, the UK, the US, and Singapore, serving tech, real estate, and finance clients.
The MORE book, published by Bhargava’s DCOM FZE, also features Ankur Aggarwal and Rizwan Sajan. Aggarwal, Chairman of BNW Developments, has built a luxury real estate empire worth AED 19.4 billion, with projects like Aqua Arc alongside Bollywood’s Vivek Anand Oberoi. Sajan, Founder of Danube Group, rose from Mumbai’s slums to lead a conglomerate with a real estate portfolio of 16,000 units, pioneering affordable luxury. Bhargava, the book’s author, calls MORE a celebration of “excellence in real estate,” spotlighting these leaders’ stories. Yet, Patel’s legal DNA stands out, as he leads Water & Shark Capital, a platform integrating capital advisory, luxury real estate, and tax compliance. “Capital must be borderless but never structureless,” he asserts.
Patel’s Mumbai roots remain his anchor. “This city gave me the grit to start small and dream big,” he reflects, now living in Dubai with his wife, Karina Patel, a Russian scholar with a master’s in history of arts and economics. His story resonates with Narsee Monjee students and ICAI aspirants, proving education and ambition can transcend borders. As MORE elevates Dubai’s real estate narrative, Patel’s journey—from a Mumbai teenager to a global strategist—offers a blueprint for legacy-building, where law and vision converge to shape skylines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Harsh Patel's background?
Harsh Patel was born in Mumbai to Girish Chandulal Patel and Hemlata Patel. He started his career by launching an accountancy firm at the age of 19. He is now the founder and CEO of Water & Shark, a global consulting firm based in Dubai.
What is the significance of the book 'Masters of Real Estate (MORE)'?
Masters of Real Estate (MORE) is a prestigious coffee table book launched in Dubai that celebrates the visionaries shaping the emirate’s skyline. Harsh Patel is the only lawyer featured in the book, highlighting his role as a cross-border legal and tax strategist.
What does Water & Shark specialize in?
Water & Shark specializes in global real estate structuring, trust creation, succession planning, and compliance frameworks. They serve clients in tech, real estate, and finance across 12 countries.
What is Harsh Patel's educational background?
Harsh Patel earned a Bachelor of Commerce from Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Gopaldas Jhamatmal Advani Law College. He is also a Chartered Accountant through the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and a foreign-registered lawyer with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), UK.
What is the main message of Harsh Patel's philosophy?
Harsh Patel's philosophy is encapsulated in his statement, 'Structures build assets. Strategy builds legacies.' He emphasizes the importance of legal structuring in the real estate industry, positioning it as a strategic driver rather than a supporting role.
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