Legal Director - Corporate, MENA

We have an exciting opportunity for a Legal Director to join our MENA Corporate team based out of our Dubai office. The role sits within the Firm's MENA Corporate practice and supports the team in advising a diverse and international client base on a broad range of complex, high value corporate and commercial transactions, with a particular focus on cross border and Middle East related work.

This role is suited to an experienced corporate transactional lawyer with strong technical expertise, sound commercial judgment and excellent people skills, who is looking to play a senior leadership role within a highly regarded and collaborative international Corporate practice.

You will work across the full spectrum of corporate matters, including, where relevant:

• Corporate advisory and governance matters
• Private capital, structuring and shareholder arrangements
• Acquisitions and Disposals
• Investments, joint ventures and strategic partnerships
• Commercial contracts ancillary to transactions
• Group reorganisations and restructurings

The work will frequently involve cross border elements, including transactions involving the UAE, wider GCC region, the UK and other international jurisdictions. The role will involve working closely with colleagues across the Firm's international offices and with external counsel as required.

The Corporate team advises a wide range of clients, including Governments, Central Banks, regulators, multinational corporates, financial institutions, private capital investors, entrepreneurs, family offices and high net worth individuals. While the team secures its own work and client relationships, it also works closely with other practice areas - including Private Wealth, Litigation, Regulatory, Employment and Real Estate - to deliver joined up advice on complex matters.

The Corporate team benefits from a strong knowledge sharing culture, supported by a comprehensive training programme, established know how systems and access to specialist support.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Delivering high quality, commercially focused corporate advice on transactions, drawing on technical expertise and sound judgment to achieve optimal outcomes for clients.
• Working closely with Partners and other senior lawyers on high value and strategically important matters, taking primary responsibility for day to day transaction management, leading defined workstreams and supervising more junior team members.
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating transaction documentation with minimal supervision, ensuring accuracy, clarity and commercial relevance.
• Providing input on transaction strategy, structuring, risk allocation, timing and delivery, including managing multi jurisdictional aspects of matters.
• Building, maintaining and strengthening trusted relationships with key clients, acting as a senior point of contact and contributing to client retention and development.
• Playing an active role in the development and growth of the Corporate practice in the Middle East, including involvement in business development initiatives, pitches, thought leadership and internal and external events.
• Providing guidance, supervision and informal mentoring to junior lawyers, supporting their technical and professional development and contributing to a high performing, collaborative team culture.
• Contributing to the Firm's knowledge sharing culture, including know how initiatives, training, precedents and continuous improvement within the Corporate group.
• Living by and promoting the Firm's values and reputation, demonstrating professionalism, leadership and a client focused approach in all internal and external interactions.

Qualifications and Experience

• Qualified solicitor in a common law jurisdiction (England & Wales qualification preferred but not essential). With a minimum of 10+ years' PQE or equivalent,
• Substantial experience in complex corporate transactional work, including cross border transactions.
• Experience of advising clients in the GCC region.

Personal Attributes

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of client objectives and commercial drivers, balancing technical excellence with pragmatic, solutions focused advice.
• Exhibit sound legal and commercial judgment, with the confidence to advise on complex and sensitive matters.
• Be proactive, resilient and adaptable, with the ability to perform effectively in a fast paced, international environment.
• Communicate clearly and persuasively, both verbally and in writing, with sophisticated and international clients.
• Possess strong organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex matters simultaneously.
• Be comfortable supervising and delegating workstreams, providing guidance and informal mentoring to junior lawyers.
• Be confident using technology and systems to support efficient transaction management and service delivery.
• Demonstrate a collaborative mindset and a commitment to the Firm's values and responsible business agenda.

Hybrid working

We adopt a hybrid and flexible working approach, dependent on the requirements of the role and subject to manager approval.