Legal Counsel

Careers at UAE; Dubai; On-site; AED 300,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

Careers at UAE is seeking a Legal Counsel in Dubai. The ideal candidate has 6-8 years of PQE experience, with expertise in negotiating contracts and ensuring legal compliance within the Middle East business.

You will advise on legal matters, support strategic projects, and manage external legal counsel. Fluency in English is mandatory, while Arabic is advantageous.

This role emphasizes strong core values and commitment to integrity and excellence.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 6-8 years of post-qualification experience.
• Admitted to legal practice in UK, USA, Australia, Canada or equivalent.
• Fluency in English is essential; Arabic is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Advise on legal matters and risk mitigation.
• Draft, review, and negotiate client contracts.
• Engage and supervise external legal counsel.
• Provide legal training to the business.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Legal compliance

Risk mitigation

Corporate structuring

Dispute resolution

Fluent English

Fluent Arabic

Education

Bachelor of Laws degree

Job description

Legal Counsel

THE OPPORTUNITY

Our Legal team is looking for a 6-8 year PQE level Legal Counsel who will perform a key role in the Legal/Compliance function of the Middle East business. If you have the relevant skills and experience, your responsibilities will include protecting the company’s rights in contract negotiations, settlements, and litigation, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations. You will advise on recent changes in laws and regulations that affect the company alongside undertaking a broad range of transactional and corporate structuring work which will add immense value to your MENA legal outlook.

Project Work

As advisor:

• Advise the Company on legal matters and risk mitigation across the Middle East based on a strong understanding of strategic objectives.
• Work closely with the business lines including senior leaders on high profile projects, a broad array of transactions, commercial arrangements, disputes and litigation, regulatory compliance, and employment matters.
• Support Head of Legal in anticipating and identifying legal issues of concern and assist in the development of legal strategies and solutions.
• Provide prompt, concise and commercially focused legal advice to resolve complex or sensitive legal issues.
• Provide flexible support to assist the business as it grows and expands into new business lines, including navigating new regulation relevant to different service lines or jurisdictions.
• Maintain awareness of evolving trends and risks, and regulatory regimes that could impact the business, including an up-to-date legal knowledge in areas of special interest to the Company. Provide relevant training to the business where necessary.

In the Commercial realm:

• Provide assistance with the implementation of corporate decisions relating to mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and restructuring.
• Draft, review, and negotiate client contracts and other legal documents related to the provision of real estate services including significant brokerage, property management transactions and valuation/consulting transactions.
• Work with the wider business to improve precedents and protocols to manage legal risk efficiently. Assist with the creation of legal bulletins to alert the company of important developments in the law.
• Assist in liaison with regulatory authorities as required for any commercial applications, extensions of licenses or other matters.
• Provide support in respect of Company secretarial matters, assisting in the smooth administration of the legal entities including compliance with corporate governance standards.
• Dispute Resolution.
• Assist with contentious issues as they arise, working towards practical solutions, settlement or dispute strategy where appropriate. Provide relevant training to the business on lessons learned.
• Engage, supervise and coordinate the work of external legal counsel, as needed.

Commitment to Values

Ability to adhere to a set of core values and act in line with our CBRER.I.S.E.values:

• RESPECT – Treat everyone with dignity, value their contributions, and help one another succeed.
• INTEGRITY – Uphold the highest ethical standards in our business practices.
• SERVICE – Dedicate ourselves to making a meaningful impact with our clients and in our communities.
• EXCELENCE – Aspire to be the best in everything we do and drive for continuous improvement.

Our Ideal Person Is Someone Who:

• Possesses a Bachelor of Laws degree with a minimum of 6 – 8 years of post-qualification in-house or private practice experience.
• Has been admitted to legal practice in UK, USA, Australia, Canada or equivalent common law jurisdiction.
• Is fluent in English, verbal and written. Fluency in Arabic, verbal and written, would be highly advantageous.