Senior Associate

Freshfields; Dubai; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm in Dubai seeks an Associate or Senior Associate to join their Global Transactions (Corporate) practice. The role involves working on high-profile M&A transactions and joint ventures for sophisticated clients in the MENA region. Candidates should have 5–8 years of experience and a strong academic background. The firm offers an opportunity to engage deeply with clients and lead transactions while working within a collaborative team environment. Willingness to relocate and travel across the MENA region is essential.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of relevant experience.
• Strong academic background.
• Must be committed to relocate to the Middle East.

Responsibilities

• Work on various transactions for a range of clients.
• Mentor junior colleagues and lead corporate transactions.
• Engage in business development activities.

Skills

5–8 years PQE in England and Wales terms (or equivalent)

Strong academic record and qualifications

Highly effective communicator (oral and written)

Strong technical and commercial background

Able to work effectively as part of a team

Confident self-motivated

Job description

Role Summary

We have advised clients in the MENA region for over 30 years and have been on the ground for over 10 years. During this time we have established the firm as a leader in the legal market acting on many of the best deals and winning over key regional clients.

After another strong year the MENA Global Transactions (Corporate) practice has a solid pipeline of work for the most high profile and highly sophisticated clients in the region. As a result we are looking to recruit an Associate or Senior Associate (subject to level of technical experience) to join the Global Transactions (Corporate) practice. The successful candidate will work on a broad mix of transactions with a primary focus on private and public M&A work and joint ventures. Most of the work will have a significant international dimension (bringing with it real visibility across our network) and will range from some of the largest and most complex transactions to smaller deals which provide greater responsibility.

Key Responsibilities and Deliverables

• Working on a wide variety of transactions for a range of clients
• Working on full scale worldwide acquisitions of existing businesses, new ventures and a variety of joint ventures
• Involvement in the highest profile transactions in the market not only regionally but globally
• Contributing to developing and deepening relationships with existing key clients
• Mentoring more junior colleagues and demonstrating leadership on corporate transactions
• Developing and managing client relationships
• Initiating specific business development activities

Key Requirements

• 5–8 years PQE in England and Wales terms (or equivalent)
• Committed to relocate and/or pursue legal career in the Middle East
• Strong academic record and qualifications
• Strong technical and commercial background
• Highly effective communicator (both oral and written)
• Able to work effectively as part of a team
• Confident self‑motivated and committed to providing excellent client service
• Able to manage a high degree of responsibility of work demands
• Enthusiastic participant in business development activities including networking, organising and delivering seminars, attending conferences and publishing as well as proactive involvement in knowledge management
• Our lawyers in Dubai work closely with colleagues in other offices and are responsible for transactions throughout the MENA region. The candidate must be willing and able to travel across the MENA region and further afield as and when required

Required Experience

Senior IC