Legal Counsel - Commercial Contracts

Swisslinx Middle East; Dubai; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fintech company in Dubai is seeking a Legal Counsel specializing in Commercial Contracts. The role involves drafting and negotiating contracts, providing legal support across compliance and operational matters, and ensuring alignment with UAE laws. Ideal candidates have 3-5 years of legal experience, strong expertise in commercial agreements, and excellent bilingual communication skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3–5 years of post-qualification legal experience in the UAE.
• Strong expertise in commercial contracts in both English and Arabic.
• Excellent communication skills in English and Arabic.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate various commercial agreements.
• Provide general legal advice across corporate and operational matters.
• Ensure compliance with UAE laws and regulations.

Skills

Drafting commercial contracts

Legal compliance

Bilingual communication (Arabic and English)

Legal risk assessment

Problem-solving abilities

Education

Bachelor of Laws (LLB)

Master of Laws (LLM)

Job description

Overview

Our client is a Fintech company based in the UAE, dedicated to enhancing the competitiveness of Capital Markets in the UAE by introducing the latest financial technologies and innovations to the region. With its origins as a market maker, it has since expanded its scope, utilizing its expertise in Capital Markets to provide a brokerage platform that leverages cutting-edge technologies.

Role Summary

The Legal Counsel – Commercial Contracts will provide legal support with a primary focus on drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial contracts. The role will also provide broader legal support across corporate, compliance, and regulatory matters as required. This role will cover a wide range of contractual arrangements, including agreements with stock exchanges, brokerage firms, institutional and retail clients, insurance providers, and other key service partners.

Reporting directly to the CEO, this position provides a unique opportunity to work closely with leadership and business teams, ensuring that contracts and legal matters are aligned with the company’s strategic objectives and compliance framework. The Legal Counsel will work in both English and Arabic, serving as the company’s key point of contact for contract-related issues and general in-house legal support.

Key Objectives of the Role

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including vendor contracts, client agreements, partnership agreements, NDAs, and service-level agreements.
• Provide general legal advice across the business, including corporate governance, compliance, HR, and operational matters.
• Ensure that all contracts and legal documents comply with UAE laws, regulations, and company policies.
• Support the CEO and business leaders with legal risk assessment, regulatory interpretation, and contract strategy.
• Monitor and interpret legal and regulatory developments affecting the company, particularly in financial services, fintech, and capital markets.
• Develop and maintain contract templates, legal policies, and procedures to enhance efficiency and consistency.
• Liaise with regulators and external counsel where specialized legal advice is required, ensuring effective management of external resources.
• Translate contracts and key legal documents between Arabic and English with precision and consistency.
• Support dispute resolution, contract claims, and legal escalations, advising the CEO on risks and recommended approaches

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from a recognized university; Master of Laws (LLM) is an advantage.
• Minimum of 3–5 years’ post-qualification legal experience, ideally gained in a law firm and / or in-house legal team in the UAE.
• Strong expertise in commercial contracts (drafting, review, negotiation) in both English and Arabic.
• Direct experience handling agreements with financial institutions, exchanges, brokers, and insurance companies is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of UAE corporate and commercial law, with exposure to financial services, fintech, or capital markets considered an advantage.
• Proven ability to provide business-oriented legal advice to senior management.
• Excellent communication skills in both English and Arabic (written and verbal).
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Legal