Legal Counsel

IFFCO Group; Dubai; On-site; AED 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

IFFCO Group in the United Arab Emirates seeks a seasoned Legal Counsel to support the legal team in drafting and vetting contracts, providing counsel, and handling mergers & acquisitions. This role covers litigation, corporate governance, and regulatory matters across multiple regions, with a focus on protecting IP rights and managing external counsel.

The ideal candidate has 10–12 years of total legal experience, GCC exposure, and a strong track record in high-value commercial transactions

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Law from a recognized university.
• Master's degree in Law is preferred.
• Admission to the Bar or practising licence is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Drafting and review of Contracts and Agreements to minimize legal risks.
• Provide timely and appropriate legal advice to business units.
• Handle mergers and acquisitions, including JV and share purchase agreements.
• Coordinate with external lawyers on litigation matters.
• Manage corporate secretarial matters including board/shareholder documents and governance.
• Conduct legal research and inform management of regulatory changes across regions.
• Protect intellectual property rights in coordination with trademark counsel.
• Help control legal service costs through internal resources and external counsel.
• Maintain relationships with external legal counsel.

Skills

Contract drafting

Vetting major contracts

Commercial transactions

Mergers & Acquisitions

Corporate governance

Company incorporation

Intellectual property rights

Trademark protection

Legal research

Litigation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Law

Master's degree in Law (preferred)

Bar admission/licence (preferred)

Tools

Contract management systems

Legal technology tools

Job description

Championing "People": IFFCO Group's Core Value

At IFFCO Group, we are fully dedicated to our core value of "People" We are devoted to fostering our employees' growth, providing them with limitless opportunities for personal and career advancement. Our enticing benefits and inclusive work environment have garnered recognition as a certified Great Place to Work® in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Empowerment Through Diversity: Crafting Your Journey at IFFCO Group

Within IFFCO Group, every role—be it an internship, a graduate opportunity, or a job opening; offers you the autonomy to shape your professional trajectory. You'll encounter abundant prospects for personal and professional flourishing when collaborating with visionary brands and individuals driving our vision and business expansion. We believe that an entrepreneurial mindset drives success, and our dedicated workforce is the heartbeat of our achievements.

Job Summary

The Legal Counsel will provide all the needed support to our legal team in drafting and vetting of contracts and agreements, legal counseling, mergers & acquisitions, litigation, and corporate matters etc.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Drafting and Review of Contracts and Agreements: Draft, review, and vet major corporate contracts and commercial agreements, including lease and tenancy agreements, know-how licence agreements, and trademark usage agreements, to minimize legal risks and liabilities.
• Legal Advisory: Provide timely and appropriate legal advice and support to business units and entities across the IFFCO Group.
• Mergers and Acquisitions: Draft joint venture agreements, share purchase agreements, and other transaction-related documents to reflect commercial objectives and protect IFFCO's interests. Handle related corporate and secretarial documentation and coordinate with external lawyers on legal due diligence.
• Litigation: Issue legal notices, prepare case summaries, draft pleadings, and coordinate with external lawyers on litigation matters involving civil, criminal, labour, property, consumer, tort, and trademark-related disputes, both for and against IFFCO Group companies.
• Corporate Matters: Handle company incorporations and the establishment of representative offices and branches across various countries. Manage corporate secretarial matters, including drafting board and shareholder meeting documents and resolutions, preparing memoranda and articles of association, and obtaining the necessary licences and regulatory approvals.
• Legal Research: Conduct legal research as required to provide effective and timely advice to management and business units. Keep management informed of amendments to applicable laws and regulations across the regions in which IFFCO operates and assess their potential impact on IFFCO Group businesses.
• Intellectual Property Rights: Protect the intellectual property rights of the IFFCO Group in coordination with the Group's trademark attorney in India.
• Legal Expenses: Help control legal service costs through the effective use of internal resources and external counsel.
• External Counsel Management: Maintain effective working relationships with external legal counsel

KPIs

• % of cases handled and successfully closed
• Adherence to service level agreements (SLA) on contracting
• Adherence to timelines as per Corporate Governance calendar
• Zero faults in IPR and trademarks
• Total resolution cost for litigation
• % adherence to legal budget
• Minimum legal liabilities and risk exposure to IFFCO in all regions

Skills

Work Experience Requirement

• 10 to 12 years of total legal experience, ideally 5 to 6 years in the GCC.
• A track record of independently managing legal matters in large, reputable organizations, preferably multinational companies in FMCG, retail, food, pharmaceutical, sales, logistics, or diversified holding groups.
• Strong expertise in high-value commercial transactions, contract drafting and vetting, compliance, and litigation.
• Broad knowledge of mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, company incorporation, intellectual property rights, trademarks, and brand protection.
• Strong legal research skills, with the ability to interpret applicable laws and regulations and provide practical legal advice aligned with business needs and commercial objectives.
• Familiarity with customs matters and legal technology tools, including contract management systems, is an advantage.

Qualification

• Bachelor's degree in Law from a recognized university. A Master's degree in Law is preferred.
• Admission to the Bar, a valid legal practising licence, or qualification as a practising attorney is preferred.
• Prior experience as a practising advocate or associate in a reputable law firm in the Middle East is an advantage, particularly where it includes court proceedings and litigation.
• Proficiency in English is required. Arabic or French proficiency is an advantage.

Enriching Lives Since 1975: IFFCO Group's Legacy

Since its establishment in 1975, IFFCO Group has thrived into a multinational conglomerate headquartered in the United Arab Emirates. Our influential FMCG brands and diverse portfolio of industry solutions and services enrich the lives of countless consumers and customers across the globe. In 2023, IFFCO Group proudly carries the distinction of being certified as a Great Place to Work® in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.