Senior Associate (6+ PQE) - Employment

Charles Russell Speechlys; Dubai; Hybrid; AED 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Optical insurance

30 days annual leave

DEWS

Life assurance

Job summary

Charles Russell Speechlys in DIFC, Dubai seeks a Senior Associate (6+ PQE) to advise a diverse Middle East and international client base on strategic HR matters, employment litigation, workplace investigations, and transactional employment support.

The role requires qualification across Middle East onshore/offshore jurisdictions (DIFC/ADGM desirable), UAE residency, and a track record in GCC firm partnerships, with duties spanning guidance, due diligence, executive exit terms, and complex

Qualifications

• 6+ years PQE; experience in Middle East onshore/offshore jurisdictions.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal and strategic employment advice on documentation, policies, grievances, redundancies, and family-friendly workplace provisions.
• Conduct employment litigation, attend Preliminary Hearings, and handle case management steps.
• Perform due diligence on corporate transactions, draft warranties/indemnities, and identify red-flag employment risks.
• Advise senior executives on executive exit terms, severance packages, and restrictive covenants.
• Engage in client marketing, business development, and thought leadership initiatives to grow the firm's Middle East practice.

Skills

Employment law expertise

Client advisory

Litigation management

Due diligence

Education

Qualified inMiddle East onshore/offshore jurisdictions

DIFC/ADGM experience desirable

Job description

Senior Associate (6+ PQE) - Employment

C

Organising Institution / Firm

Charles Russell Speechlys

Rolling Basis (Official)

DIFC, Dubai, UAE

Competitive salary (with discretionary annual bonus, fee earner bonus, and benefits)

6+ years PQE; qualified across Middle East onshore and offshore jurisdictions (DIFC/ADGM experience preferred); must be currently located in the UAE region.

Law Firm Job

Full Opportunity Brief

Contextual Overview

International law firm Charles Russell Speechlys is inviting applications for a full-time Senior Associate (6+ PQE) position within its Employment practice group in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) office. The role involves advising a diverse Middle East and international client base—including corporations, senior executives, and entrepreneurs—on strategic HR advisory matters, employment litigation, workplace investigations, executive exits, restrictive covenants, and transactional employment support.

Key Eligibility Criteria

• Experience Level: Senior Associate with 6+ years of Post-Qualification Experience (PQE).
• Jurisdictional Qualification: Qualified across both Middle East onshore and offshore jurisdictions. Experience in DIFC and ADGM legal frameworks is highly desirable.
• Location Requirement: Candidates must already be located in the UAE.
• Practice Expertise: Proven experience managing GCC local firm partnerships, advising on corporate transaction employment aspects (buyer/seller), worker status, non-competes, grievances, and disciplinary procedures.

Responsibilities & Scope of Work

• Provide legal and strategic employment advice on documentation, policies, grievances, redundancies, and family-friendly workplace provisions.
• Conduct employment litigation, attend Preliminary Hearings, and handle case management steps.
• Perform due diligence on corporate transactions, draft warranties/indemnities, and identify red-flag employment risks.
• Advise senior executives on executive exit terms, severance packages, and restrictive covenants.
• Engage in client marketing, business development, and thought leadership initiatives to grow the firm's Middle East practice.

Stipend, Compensation & Mode

• Salary & Benefits: Competitive salary with annual salary review, discretionary annual bonus, and fee earner time-recording bonus.
• Perks: Premium international medical, dental, and optical insurance, 30 days annual leave, DIFC Employee Workplace Savings Plan (DEWS), and Life Assurance.
• Work Mode: Hybrid working approach (subject to managerial approval).