Legal Counsel

Job Description

The Legal Counsel will offer practical legal advice and solutions that support the smooth operation of various business units, helping to manage legal risks and protect the group's interests.

The role includes drafting and reviewing contracts, advising on legal compliance, resolving disputes, and ensuring that all legal documentation is in place to safeguard the company's operations. The Legal Counsel will be a key point of contact for day-to-day legal issues, working closely with internal teams to address legal concerns and facilitate business operations efficiently and effectively.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide ongoing legal support to various corporate departments and subsidiaries, ensuring that legal issues are identified and addressed promptly.
• Offer practical legal advice on corporate, commercial, real estate, and regulatory matters to facilitate business operations and minimise legal risk.
• Ensure that business activities comply with applicable laws, including UAE mainland, DIFC, and ADGM regulations, and industry regulators as applicable.

• Draft, review, and negotiate a range of contracts and legal agreements, including commercial contracts, leases, procurement agreements, and shareholder agreements.
• Collaborate with internal business teams to ensure contracts reflect the company's objectives and safeguard its interests while meeting legal requirements.
• Assist with the execution of agreements and ensure proper documentation is in place for all legal transactions.

• Advise on corporate governance matters, including the preparation and review of board resolutions, shareholder agreements, and internal policies.
• Provide legal support on corporate structuring, including matters related to mergers, acquisitions, and reorganizations.
• Ensure compliance with corporate laws and regulatory requirements across different jurisdictions in the UAE.

• Support real estate and development projects by providing legal guidance on property transactions, including purchases, sales, and leasing (residential, commercial, and retail).
• Advise on compliance with UAE real estate laws and regulations, ensuring that all development activities adhere to zoning, planning, and construction laws.
• Assist with dispute resolution related to leasing and property management-related issues, working to protect the group's interests in these matters.

• Monitor and ensure compliance with local, regional, and international regulations, including those related to corporate governance, real estate transactions, and investments.
• Advise on compliance within legal frameworks such as anti-money laundering (AML) regulations, data privacy laws, and other relevant legal requirements.
• Assist with the implementation of internal policies to ensure ongoing legal and regulatory compliance across the group.

• Work closely with other departments and subsidiaries to understand their legal needs and provide tailored legal support.
• Foster collaboration with key business units to ensure that legal considerations are addressed in day-to-day operations and business decisions.
• Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders to ensure that legal concerns are understood and managed across various departments.

Experience, Education, and Skills:

• Proficiency in English, spoken and written, is a must.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Law (LLB/LLM) from a reputable institution, with a strong foundation in corporate, commercial, and real estate law.
• 5-8 years of legal experience in UAE corporate law, commercial law, and real estate law, in the real estate, investment, or family business sectors.
• Knowledge of UAE mainland, DIFC, and ADGM regulations, with hands-on experience in these legal environments.
• Experience in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts and legal documentation across different business functions.
• Practical experience in advising on real estate transactions, including leasing, property sales, and related disputes.
• Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to understand the company's strategic goals and provide legal solutions that enable growth and minimise risk.
• Exceptional contract drafting, negotiation, and legal documentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly to non-legal stakeholders.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse departments and business units and understand their unique legal requirements, translating legal needs into practical solutions.
• Proficient in understanding rental disputes, leasing practices, and property laws, with experience managing real estate-related legal issues.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work seamlessly with senior leadership, external counsel, and regulatory authorities.
• Highly adaptable with a solution-oriented mindset, able to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while maintaining attention to detail and high-quality standards.
• Ability to manage multiple work streams simultaneously.