Director Legal Counsel

du; Dubai; On-site; AED 350,000 - 650,000; Full time

Job summary

du, a leading UAE-based firm, seeks a Senior Legal Counsel to steer investigations, disputes, and corporate transactions within the UAE.

You will oversee external counsel, provide strategic risk assessments and regulatory guidance, and ensure governance, compliance, and effective risk management across M&A, financing, and corporate projects.

This role requires UAE-specific experience and the ability to advise at senior levels while balancing commercial objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB); Master’s degree (LLM) preferred.
• Minimum 10–16 years’ experience in a leading law firm and/or in-house legal function with UAE specific experience.
• Strong experience in investigations, M&A and corporate transactions.
• Preferably telecom and regulatory sector experience, including familiarity with UAE-specific frameworks.
• Exposure to data protection, cyber incident response, and governance frameworks is an added advantage.
• Experience in advising senior stakeholders on Chief level

Responsibilities

• Investigations: assess internal investigations relating to fraud, misconduct, and compliance violations.
• Identify gaps in information and provide guidance where needed.
• Oversee incident response protocols, ensuring timely and effective management of legal risks arising from operational incidents.
• Lead and manage existing and potential litigation and arbitration matters, including civil, criminal, commercial, employment, and other contentious proceedings, as well as arbitration.
• Oversee the scoping, engagement and management of external counsel in litigation and arbitration matters, ensuring alignment with business objectives, effective cost control and sound strategy.
• Provide strategic legal advice and risk assessment in relation to litigation and arbitration matters, potential disputes, investigations, and enforcement actions.
• Review and validate submissions to UAE Courts/ judicial authorities.
• Deliver proactive and practical advisory support to business units on dispute resolution, risk mitigation, and legal compliance.
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments in the UAE and advise on implications for the business.
• Develop reports and internal material as needed in relation to any potential and/or ongoing litigation and arbitration matters catered to differing audience and levels of seniority.
• Working with Finance as needed to ensure the correct provisioning is in place in relation to existing and potential litigation and arbitration matters.
• Preparing and overseeing all the material needed to be submitted to the UAE Accountability Authority

Skills

Analytical skills

Investigative skills

Negotiation

Drafting & advisory

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Governance & compliance

Education

LLB degree

LLM preferred

Job description

Job Description:

Key Accountabilities:

• Investigations
  • Assess internal investigations relating to fraud, misconduct, and compliance violations.
  • Identify any gaps in information and providing guidance where needed.
  • Oversee incident response protocols, ensuring timely and effective management of legal risks arising from operational incidents.
  • Conduct legal risk assessments and provide recommendations to management on mitigation strategies
• Disputes, Litigation & Legal Advisory
  • Lead and manage existing and potential litigation and arbitration matters, including civil, criminal, commercial, employment, and other contentious proceedings, as well as arbitration.
  • Oversee the scoping, engagement and management of external counsel in litigation and arbitration matters, ensuring alignment with business objectives, effective cost control and sound strategy.
  • Provide strategic legal advice and risk assessment in relation to litigation and arbitration matters, potential disputes, investigations, and enforcement actions.
  • Review and validate submissions to UAE Courts/ judicial authorities.
  • Deliver proactive and practical advisory support to business units on dispute resolution, risk mitigation, and legal compliance.
  • Monitor legal and regulatory developments in the UAE and advise on implications for the business.
  • Develop reports and internal material as needed in relation to any potential and/or ongoing litigation and arbitration matters catered to differing audience and levels of seniority.
  • Working with Finance as needed to ensure the correct provisioning is in place in relation to existing and potential litigation and arbitration matters.
  • Preparing and overseeing all the material needed to be submitted to the UAE Accountability Authority
• Corporate & M&A Transactions
  • Lead legal aspects of strategic corporate projects including mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and corporate restructuring.
  • Draft, review and update company incorporation documents, resolutions, Memorandum/Articles of Association, share purchase agreements, shareholders’ agreements, ancillary documents and any other related documents.
  • Coordinate the legal due diligence processes, including managing and liaising with internal stakeholders, external counsel, and oversee legal workstreams to identify and mitigate transaction risks.
  • Manage relationships with external legal advisors/counsel to ensure efficient delivery, quality control, and alignment with business objectives and budgets
• Financing & Commercial matters
  • Advise on corporate financing transactions.
  • Review and advise on financing agreements, security documents, and related arrangements.
  • Instruct and coordinate with external counsel on financing transactions, ensuring alignment on structure, timelines, risk allocation and budget
• Compliance & Risk Management
  • Ensure alignment with corporate governance standards and internal compliance frameworks in accordance with applicable UAE laws and regulations.
  • Review the company’s corporate policies from a legal perspective to ensure compliance with applicable UAE laws and regulations.

  • Collaborate with Compliance & Risk, Security teams, Internal Audit and other functions to strengthen controls and provide support on legal matters

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB); Master’s degree (LLM) preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum 10–16 years’ experience in a leading law firm and/or in-house legal function with UAE specific experience.
• Strong experience in investigations, M&A and corporate transactions, and corporate finance.
• Preferably brings telecom and regulatory sector experience, including familiarity with UAE-specific frameworks.
• Exposure to data protection, cyber incident response, and governance frameworks is an added advantage.

• Experience in advising senior stakeholders on Chief level

Skills:

• Core Competencies & Leadership Capabilities
  • Strong analytical, investigative, and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent legal drafting, advisory, and negotiation capabilities.
  • High level of integrity, discretion, and professional judgment.
  • Ability to manage complex, high-risk, and sensitive matters under pressure.
  • Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, including engagement with regulators and external counsel.
  • Proven leadership, team management, and capability development experience.

  • Ability to operate within and enhance internal governance, compliance, and risk management frameworks

Key Success Factors:

• Effective management of high-profile litigation, arbitration, disputes and investigations with minimal legal and reputational exposure.
• Successful execution of strategic transactions, including M&A and financing initiatives.
• Proactive identification, escalation, and mitigation of legal risks.
• Effective delivery of internal reports and key updates.
• Strong knowledge of the UAE laws, regulations and frameworks.
• Strong experience in drafting and negotiating transactions/agreements.
• Ability to balance legal frameworks with commercial objectives and exercise a pragmatic approach to legal risk.
• Clear, confident communication with senior and non-legal stakeholders.
• Ability to operate independently, as well as cooperatively as part of a cohesive team.
• High attention to detail with a solution driven mindset.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills.
• Approachable and focused on building positive relationships within the business and legal team, and making a positive impact.

Requirements: