Senior Legal Counsel Corporate and Transactional Banking

First Abu Dhabi Bank; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading banking institution in Abu Dhabi is seeking a Legal Advisor to assist in managing legal risks across its operations. The role involves providing legal advice, drafting contracts, overseeing litigation, and ensuring compliance with regulations. With a minimum of 7 years' experience in a reputed bank or law firm, the candidate should be qualified in jurisdictions such as the UK, US, Australia, Canada, or Europe. The position is full-time and does not allow for remote work.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of experience in a reputed bank or law firm.
• At least 2 years in a similar legal role.

Responsibilities

• Provides legal advice and support to business objectives.
• Drafts and negotiates contracts and legal documents.
• Oversees litigation matters and represents FAB in court.
• Stays updated with new laws and regulations.
• Liaises with external authorities on legal issues.

Skills

Legal advisory

Contract negotiation

Stakeholder management

Regulatory compliance

Litigation management

Education

Bachelor's degree in law

Master's degree in law (preferred)

Qualification in UK/US/Australia/Canada/Europe

Job description

The role assists the Head of Legal Corporate and Transactional Banking manage legal risk in all the geographies where FAB operates in relation to FAB Corporate and Transactional Banking activities in accordance with FAB Group legal policies and procedures. This includes bilateral lending on inhouse template documentation trade finance and cash management activities for all branches around the world except India and Egypt. The role holder should be able to work autonomously but should seek the Head of Legal Corporate and Transactional Bankings input on unusual situations complex matters and issues which may pose significant legal financial and/or reputational risk to FAB Group.

Core Responsibilities

Legal Advisory

• Provides legal advice and support to the business while keeping in mind FABs strategic and business objectives.
• Provides direction and guidance to facilitate FABs compliance with all applicable international and domestic laws rules and regulations.
• Collaborates with the Head of Legal Corporate and Transactional Banking to establish disseminate and implement the FABs Group legal policies.
• Completes legal tasks and projects in a timely manner and responds to legal queries assigned to him/her by the Head of Legal Corporate and Transactional Banking.
• Supports FAB subsidiaries and international branches by providing general legal oversight on legal risks associated with FAB Corporate and Transactional Banking products and services.

Product and legal documentation / process development and review

• Drafts reviews and negotiates contracts and other legal documents in order to protect FAB Groups legal interests whilst simultaneously mitigating risks.
• Produces and regularly updates standardized legal agreements contracts and standard terms and conditions for FAB in compliance with international best practices and applicable legal requirements.
• Assists the business in launching new products services and processes and conducts legal and regulatory due diligence on them including identifying risks and mitigants in all applicable geographies.

Litigation

• Supervises and is responsible for the adequate management of designated litigation or disputes pertaining to Corporate and Transactional Banking between the business and its customers in the UAE and abroad.
• Represents FAB before the Notary Public court experts courts and the police to resolve matters in the best interest of FAB.
• Reports relevant litigation matters to the Group General Counsel and Head of Legal Corporate and Transactional Banking and provides updates to the relevant stakeholders.

Knowledge of External Environment

• Stays abreast of new laws and regulations through continuous legal education attending professional conferences and participating in professional associations.
• Provides updates to the FAB Group senior business persons on new legislation and regulatory developments that may have an impact on the FAB Group and advises FAB on how to comply with such new legislation and regulations.

Knowledge Sharing

• Works closely and develops a positive professional relationship with the other members of the legal function and shares legal knowledge and best practices with legal colleagues including providing formal and informal training sessions at the direction of the Group General Counsel and Head of Legal Corporate and Transactional Banking.

Stakeholder Management

• Liaises with the concerned external authorities such as courts and law firms to ensure effective resolution of all legal matters affecting FAB.

Learning and Development

• Functions as a subject matter expert and provides input on learning and development initiatives including training content to ensure value addition and relevance.

MIS and Reports

• Ensures that all reports related to own area are prepared in a timely and accurately manner and meet the FAB Groups requirements policies and standards.

Specific roles

• Specific project work may be part of the role.

#LIMA3

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification

• Bachelors degree in law
• Masters degree in law is preferred
• Qualified in the United Kingdom the United States Australia Canada or European jurisdiction

Minimum Experience

• Minimum of 7 years experience in a reputed bank or law firm with at least 2 years in a similar role

Remote Work

No

Employment Type

Fulltime