Lawyer

We are looking to hire a highly skilled Lawyer (Generalist) to join a dynamic multi-family office of our business partners in Dubai. A strong knowledge of UAE laws and local practices—including corporate, commercial, shareholder, and contract matters is essential.

This is a sole legal counsel position, requiring someone senior enough to work independently, while also coordinating with the broader inhouse legal teams on complex matters. Given the family and ownership context, the role requires the highest level of discretion and confidentiality.

Key Responsibilities

1. Family Office Workstream

Support holding-related matters and private asset structures that serve both personal and commercial interests, including:

• Corporate oversight of special purpose vehicles (SPVs) and holding companies in the UAE and abroad (e.g. Oman).
• Structuring and documenting intragroup loans.
• Reviewing and negotiating lease agreements.
• Providing legal support to small-scale operating businesses.
• Supporting dividend flows and distributions through compliant structures.
• Reviewing and advising on a variety of commercial agreements (trading, supply, consultancy, agency contracts, etc.).

2. Corporate Workstream

Support direct ownership and governance of companies in collaboration with the PRO:

• Handling incorporations, restructurings, and share transfers across UAE free zones and onshore (DED).
• Coordinating with company secretaries and corporate service providers.
• Drafting and reviewing shareholder and board resolutions, POAs, amendments to AOA/MOA, and other governance documents.
• Ensuring compliance with UAE company laws, free zone regulations, and group governance policies.

3. Corporate Governance & Entity Management

• Coordinate incorporations, share transfers, restructurings, liquidations, and attestations with DED, notaries, and free-zone registrars.
• Oversee statutory filings, license renewals, and maintain a regulatory deadline calendar.
• Maintain organized corporate records in line with KYC and retention policies.
• Assist in the preparation and review of corporate documentation (Articles of Association, share transfer forms, Powers of Attorney, option agreements, resolutions, minutes, etc.).
• Manage and monitor modifications to corporate documents for compliance with applicable laws.
• Prepare and submit KYC documentation and other regulatory filings.

4. Commercial Contracting

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements (share purchase, supply, consultancy, services, licensing, and more).
• Negotiate terms and support deal structuring where required.
• Evaluate contract compliance and advise on contractual rights and obligations.

5. General Legal Support & Administration

• Provide legal support to internal teams across trading, logistics, financial, and investment operations.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory frameworks.
• Handle sensitive and confidential information with utmost discretion.
• Stay updated on changes in UAE law and advise senior management accordingly.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Law or equivalent legal qualification from a recognized institution.
• 6–8 years PQE, ideally in a mix of private practice and in-house roles, with at least 3 years in the UAE.
• Strong experience in UAE corporate, commercial, and shareholder law.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as a sole legal counsel while engaging with wider legal teams when necessary.
• Experience dealing with free zone authorities and DED on legal and corporate filings.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Fluency in English is required; Arabic language proficiency is an advantage.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Proactive mindset with strong attention to detail and the ability to work under pressure.