Legal Counsel (4–8 Years PQE)

The Role
We are seeking a talented Legal Counsel (4–8 years PQE) to join the group-level in-house legal team of an Abu Dhabi Government entity. This is a broad in-house generalist role with a strong emphasis on conventional and Islamic financings, alongside strategic commercial, corporate, and cross-border advisory matters. Reporting directly to a Legal Director, you will play a central role in supporting financing initiatives, international expansion, and complex commercial projects within a fast-paced and high-impact environment. Responsibilities: 1. Lead end-to-end conventional and Islamic financing transactions, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating facility agreements and associated documentation. 2. Advise on financing structures, regulatory considerations, and risk allocation. 3. Support expansion into new jurisdictions, including legal risk assessments, regulatory advisory, corporate structuring, and cross-border contracting. 4. Draft and negotiate strategic partnership agreements, master services agreements, and commercial and franchise agreements. 5. Advise on data-related and digital infrastructure contracts. 6. Support corporate governance and company secretarial matters. 7. Promote legal, compliance, and risk management best practices across the organisation. 8. Manage multiple workstreams in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Requirements
1. Qualified lawyer in a common-law jurisdiction (preference for England & Wales) with strong academic credentials. 2. 4–8 years’ post-qualification experience. 3. Minimum of 6 years’ experience in private practice at a reputable international law firm, including at least 2 years of training and 4+ years post-qualification experience. 4. Strong grounding in banking and finance law, including conventional and Islamic finance. 5. Experience in project finance or debt capital markets will also be considered. 6. Demonstrated experience handling complex commercial and technology transactions. 7. In-house experience within a multinational, high-growth, or technology environment is strongly preferred. 8. Strong knowledge of English, UAE, and ADGM legal frameworks. 9. Excellent drafting and communication skills in English. 10. Commercially minded, detail-oriented, and able to operate effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. 11. Must be Abu Dhabi-based or willing to relocate. 12. Salary up to AED 65,000 per month, dependent on experience and qualifications.

About the company
MENA Recruit came to fruition in response to a growing need for international legal talent in London and Dubai. Its initial focus began in the Legal sector, evolving as a service provider for other sectors such as Administration, Marketing, Business Development, HR, IT, Finance and C-Suite positions. Over the last two decades, with roots firmly planted in the Middle East and operations expanding into the APAC region, MENA Recruit has gained intuitive industry knowledge and expertise. With its unique, people-focused approach, the firm has yielded competitive advantage for its clients and rewarding careers for the professionals it has supported throughout the years. The company is dedicated to delivering the highest quality of talent and service to its clients while working tenaciously towards helping them achieve higher retention rates. For this reason, MENA Recruit is considered by both candidates and clients as a consultant in the truest sense of the word, offering guidance to both people and organizations on how to adapt to the constant change in market conditions and how to anticipate present and future challenges. Presently, MENA Recruit provides services to organizations and professionals in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, and the United Kingdom. With such an extensive global reach, strong brand value, decades of expertise, and an innovative approach towards business challenges, its clear why MENA Recruit is the partner of choice for both in-house recruiters and candidates internationally.