Dubai-Based In-House Counsel – UAE & Middle East

SoftwareOne; Dubai; Hybrid; AED 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

SoftwareOne is seeking a capable Legal Counsel for its UAE operation based in Dubai. You will act as the primary day-to-day legal contact for the local business, drafting and negotiating commercial agreements and providing practical legal guidance to cross-border teams.

The role requires fluent Arabic and English, UAE licensing readiness, and the ability to work independently in a hybrid Dubai environment. You will collaborate with the Group Legal Department across EMEA, manage local matters

Qualifications

• Completed law degree with strong knowledge of UAE legal principles and procedures.
• Fluent in Arabic and English with ability to communicate legal matters in both languages.
• Admitted, licensed, registered, or eligible to practise law in the UAE.
• Experience drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial agreements (software licensing/IT services is a plus).
• Ability to work independently, manage priorities and take ownership of matters.
• Sound judgement on when to escalate to specialists or external counsel.
• Long-term ambition for an in-house career across commercial, regulatory, technology and data protection.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary day-to-day legal contact for the UAE business.
• Review, draft and negotiate a range of commercial agreements including software licensing and IT services.
• Provide practical, commercially focused legal guidance to internal stakeholders.
• Manage local legal requests from initial assessment through completion or escalation.
• Support regulatory, authority-related and dispute matters with external counsel as needed.
• Maintain legal documentation, contract records and follow-up activities.

Skills

Contract drafting

Software licensing

Independent work

Arabic fluency

English fluency

UAE license to practice

Data protection awareness

Judgement

Education

Law degree

Job description

SoftwareOne is seeking a capable Legal Counsel for its UAE operation based in Dubai. You will act as the primary day-to-day legal contact for the local business, drafting and negotiating commercial agreements and providing practical legal guidance to cross-border teams.

The role requires fluent Arabic and English, UAE licensing readiness, and the ability to work independently in a hybrid Dubai environment. You will collaborate with the Group Legal Department across EMEA, manage local matters