Senior Associate – Legal

Modon; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Modon in Abu Dhabi seeks a senior in-house lawyer to lead corporate and real estate matters within a GCC-facing real estate group. You will structure, negotiate, and execute complex contracts, manage regulatory compliance, and coordinate with external counsel on disputes and transactions.

Ideal candidates have 6–8 years PQE, UAE licensing experience, and fluent English (Arabic a plus). A law degree (LLB) is required, with a Master’s preferred.

Qualifications

• 6–8 years of post-qualification legal experience in corporate/commercial, real estate, regulatory, and transactional matters.
• Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB); Master’s or postgraduate degree preferred.
• Admitted to practice law in a recognized jurisdiction; UAE experience preferred.
• Fluent in English; Arabic is a plus.
• Strong drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills.
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and prioritize effectively.
• High integrity and professional ethics; proactive and detail-oriented.

Responsibilities

• Assist in implementing group legal strategy aligned with UAE laws and GCC frameworks.
• Draft, review, and negotiate development, construction, leasehold, and consultancy contracts.
• Conduct due diligence and support corporate transactions, JVs, and REIT structuring.
• Maintain templates and improve internal contract management processes.
• Support regulatory reviews of real estate ownership and land matters across UAE.
• Manage disputes, litigation, and arbitration with external counsel.
• Collaborate with development, asset management, finance, and ESG teams to embed legal safeguards.
• Provide legal training to internal teams on compliance, contracts, and risk.

Skills

Drafting

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Multistakeholder management

Communication

Team collaboration

Commercial mindset

Integrity

Proactive

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB)

Master’s or postgraduate degree preferred

Job description

• Assist in implementing the group legal strategy, ensuring alignment with UAE laws, ADGM/DIFC regulations, and relevant GCC legal frameworks.
• Support the development, implementation, and periodic review of governance frameworks and compliance protocols.
• Prepare legal memoranda and board materials as needed.

2. Contract Management & Commercial Transactions

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of contracts including development agreements, construction contracts, leasehold and FM agreements, and consultancy contracts.
• Conduct legal due diligence and assist with the execution of corporate transactions, joint ventures, and REIT-related structuring.
• Maintain contract templates and improve internal contract management processes.

3. Regulatory Compliance & Licensing

• Support legal review of real estate ownership, registration, and land-related matters across UAE mainland and free zones.
• Assist in managing disputes, litigation, and arbitration proceedings in collaboration with external counsel.
• Prepare legal briefs, case summaries, and updates for internal stakeholders.
• Track legal claims and support risk mitigation efforts.

5. Internal Stakeholder & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Modon’s development, asset management, finance, and ESG teams to ensure legal considerations are embedded in strategic and operational activities.
• Provide legal training as required by General Counsel to internal teams on compliance, contracts, and risk awareness.
• Act as a business enabler while ensuring legal safeguards are in place.

6. Legal Operations & External Counsel Management

• Support the management of external counsel relationships, including budgeting, engagement terms, and deliverable tracking.
• Contribute to process automation and legal tech adoption.
• Support the General Counsel in structuring and executing M&A, real estate investments, partnerships, and financing transactions.
• Assist in post-transaction legal implementation and documentation.
• Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB); Master's or post-graduate degree preferred
• Admitted to practice law in a recognized jurisdiction; UAE legal experience preferred
• 6–8 years of post-qualification legal experience, with a strong background in corporate/commercial law, real estate, regulatory, and transactional matters
• Fluent in English; Arabic is a plus.

Experience and Competencies:

• Strong drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills.
• Sound understanding of UAE legal framework and regulatory landscape.
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and prioritize effectively.
• High integrity and professional ethics
• Proactive, detail-oriented, and commercially minded
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Team-oriented and able to work independently under pressure.