Legal Officer

About the Role

To lead and manage all legal activities of the company in the UAE. The role ensures compliance with local laws (UAE Federal Law, Dubai regulations, DIFC/ADGM laws), advises senior management, mitigates legal risks,

Responsibilities

• Legal Advisory
• Provide legal advice to senior management and operational teams.
• Monitor legal developments in the UAE (UAE Federal Law, DIFC/ADGM regulations, commercial law, corporate law, economic law, etc.).

• Contract Management & Negotiation
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of contracts (commercial, distribution, services, NDAs, partnerships, suppliers).
• Ensure all agreements comply with UAE legislation and applicable international standards.

• Governance & Compliance
• Manage corporate governance documentation (General Assemblies, Board resolutions, etc.) in close coordination with the Legal Department at Headquarters
• Implement and maintain internal compliance policies, including anti-corruption, AML, sanctions, data protection, and code of conduct (in close link with HQ Legal & Compliance teams).
• Ensure compliance with key regulatory requirements such as:
• UAE Commercial Companies Law
• Economic Substance Regulations (ESR)
• Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO)
• DIFC/ADGM frameworks (if applicable)

• Litigation & Claims Management
• Oversee disputes in coordination with external law firms and Headquarters Legal Department.
• Prepare legal documentation and represent the company in administrative, regulatory, or arbitration matters.

• Regulatory & Government Affairs
• Oversee business licensing, renewals, and regulatory filings with local and free zone authorities.

• Team Management
• Supervise and support the in-house legal assistant to ensure effective delivery of legal tasks.
• Ensure proper guidance, task assignment and adherence to legal and compliance standards.
• Provide internal legal training to employees when required.

Qualifications

• Technical Competencies
• Strong knowledge of corporate and commercial law.
• Familiarity with UAE law (Civil Code, Corporate Law).
• Understanding of free-zone regulations (DIFC/ADGM a plus).
• Excellent contract drafting skills in English.
• Knowledge of international contract standards.
• Solid understanding of compliance frameworks (AML, KYC, sanctions, data protection).

Education & Experience

• Master’s degree in Law (Business Law / International Law preferred).
• 8–12 years of legal experience, ideally in an international environment.
• Experience in both law firms and in-house roles is a plus.
• Regional experience in the Gulf is a plus.
• Languages: Fluent English required; French or Arabic are a plus.