Corporate Legal Expert

HUMAN-CRAFT -FZCO; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 350,000 - 650,000; Full time

Job summary

HUMAN-CRAFT -FZCO is seeking an experienced Legal Expert to act as internal counsel for an international engineering and project-management company operating in the UAE and across international jurisdictions.

The role covers UAE contract, corporate and labour law, governance, and cross-border matters; you will draft, review, and negotiate EPC, consultancy, supply, JV, and subcontracting agreements while mitigating risk and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• 8–10 years post-qualification experience, ideally in the UAE or GCC within project-based or industrial sectors.
• Qualified lawyer (UAE or other common-law jurisdiction).
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills with a commercial, solution-driven mindset.
• Knowledge of UAE contract, corporate, and labour law; familiarity with cross-border issues.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day legal counsel to senior management and project teams.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements including EPC, consultancy, supply, JV, and subcontracting contracts.
• Advise on UAE corporate, commercial, and labour law, ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Support governance and entity structuring; maintain licensing, registration, and documentation requirements.
• Oversee contract risk management and mitigation for current and future projects.
• Liaise with regulatory bodies, external counsel, auditors, and authorities on legal matters.
• Review and maintain internal policies covering anti-bribery, data protection, sanctions, and confidentiality.
• Monitor UAE law developments; interpret US/UK law for cross-border contracts.
• Support dispute prevention and resolution, including arbitration and litigation oversight.
• Provide pragmatic, business-oriented legal advice balancing compliance and commercial objectives.

Skills

UAE law

Contract drafting

Compliance

Cross-border

English fluent

Negotiation

Governance

Project experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB)

LLM in Corporate/Commercial Law

Job description

Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Employment Type: Full-time, On-site 12+ months employment.

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Legal Expert on behalf of our client, a reputable international engineering and project-management company operating across industrial, oil & gas, and infrastructure sectors.

The successful candidate will act as the internal legal advisor, providing strategic legal and contractual guidance to support the company’s corporate, commercial, and project operations in the UAE and across international jurisdictions. This position requires strong knowledge of UAE legislation, corporate governance, and contract law, with familiarity with U.S. and British law considered a strong advantage.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day legal counsel to senior management and project teams.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements including EPC, consultancy, supply, joint venture, and subcontracting contracts.
• Advise on UAE corporate, commercial, and labour law, ensuring full compliance with applicable regulations.
• Support corporate governance and entity structuring; maintain compliance with licensing, registration, and documentation requirements.
• Oversee contract risk management and recommend practical mitigation measures for ongoing and future projects.
• Liaise with regulatory bodies, external counsel, auditors, and authorities on corporate and legal matters.
• Review and maintain internal policies and legal frameworks covering anti-bribery, data protection, sanctions, and confidentiality.
• Monitor legal developments in UAE law, with ability to interpret U.S. and British legal principles relevant to cross-border and international contracts.
• Support dispute prevention and resolution, including claims management, arbitration, and litigation oversight.
• Provide pragmatic, business-oriented legal advice balancing compliance and commercial objectives.

Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB) required; Master’s degree or LLM in Corporate or Commercial Law preferred.
• Qualified lawyer (UAE or other common-law jurisdiction)
• 8–10 years of post-qualification experience, ideally gained in the UAE or GCC region within project-based or industrial sectors.
• Proven expertise in UAE law with strong understanding of contractual, corporate, and labour frameworks.
• Knowledge of British law is a significant advantage, particularly for cross-border or multi-jurisdictional matters.
• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills with a commercial and solution-driven mindset.
• Strong analytical skills, integrity, and ability to handle confidential information with professionalism.
• Languages: English – fluent (mandatory); other languages will be considered a strong asset.

What the Client Offers

• Opportunity to join a dynamic and international organisation involved in large-scale engineering and industrial projects.
• Professional working environment with clear growth prospects.