Corporate Lawyer (corporate & commercial)

About this opportunity

The Corporate Lawyer delivers the firm's corporate and commercial practice: commercial contracts, company formation and governance, and transactional work — including M&A support, joint ventures, and due diligence — across UAE mainland, free zones, and DIFC, with cross-border elements involving other jurisdictions. The role exists to (i) execute transactions and corporate advisory independently end-to-end, (ii) manage assigned client relationships as a trusted advisor, and (iii) deliver bilingual (Arabic/English) documentation to the firm's standard. Responsibilities Within scope Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of commercial and corporate agreements, including NDAs, MOUs, Shareholders Agreements, Joint Venture Agreements, Loan Agreements, Consultancy Agreements, Sale and Purchase Agreements, Tenancy Agreements, Settlement Agreements, and ancillary documents — in Arabic and English. Advise clients on general UAE corporate, commercial, and contractual matters. Assist with and progressively lead corporate transactions, due diligence exercises, and general legal advisory matters. Advise on company formation, structuring, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance across UAE mainland, free zones, and DIFC. Handle cross-border contracts and multi-jurisdictional compliance, coordinating with foreign counsel where required. Liaise with government authorities, regulators, registries, and free-zone authorities on behalf of clients. Maintain and manage client files, deadlines, and transaction documentation to the firm's standards; record time accurately and daily. Maintain strong client relationships and deliver practical legal solutions; manage multiple matters simultaneously and independently. Coordinate with the litigation team on corporate disputes and settlement documentation. Maintain and improve the firm's corporate precedent bank; supervise and mentor junior lawyers (developmental). 4.2 Out of scope (unless expressly assigned in writing) Court representation and litigation conduct (referred to the litigation team, with support as agreed). Agreeing fees, estimates, discounts, or write-offs with clients. Accepting new engagements or making commitments in the firm's name. Final sign-off on firm opinions in practice areas new to the employee during the first [6] months (partner review applies). Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of commercial and corporate agreements, including NDAs, MOUs, Shareholders Agreements, Joint Venture Agreements, Loan Agreements, Consultancy Agreements, Sale and Purchase Agreements, Tenancy Agreements, Settlement Agreements, and ancillary documents — in Arabic and English. Advise clients on general UAE corporate, commercial, and contractual matters. Assist with and progressively lead corporate transactions, due diligence exercises, and general legal advisory matters. Advise on company formation, structuring, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance across UAE mainland, free zones, and DIFC. Handle cross-border contracts and multi-jurisdictional compliance, coordinating with foreign counsel where required. Liaise with government authorities, regulators, registries, and free-zone authorities on behalf of clients. Maintain and manage client files, deadlines, and transaction documentation to the firm's standards; record time accurately and daily. Maintain strong client relationships and deliver practical legal solutions; manage multiple matters simultaneously and independently. Coordinate with the litigation team on corporate disputes and settlement documentation. Maintain and improve the firm's corporate precedent bank; supervise and mentor junior lawyers (developmental). Out of scope (unless expressly assigned in writing) Court representation and litigation conduct (referred to the litigation team, with support as agreed). Agreeing fees, estimates, discounts, or write-offs with clients. Accepting new engagements or making commitments in the firm's name. Final sign-off on firm opinions in practice areas new to the employee during the first [6] months (partner review applies). Bachelor’s degree in law (LL.B.) or equivalent legal qualification; UAE legal qualification is an advantage. Minimum 5 years of post-qualification legal experience, preferably gained in a law firm or legal consultancy. Mandatory: fluency in Arabic and English, both written and spoken, including legal drafting in both languages. Strong knowledge of UAE corporate and commercial laws, with experience across UAE mainland, free zones, and DIFC. Proven experience in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial and corporate agreements. Experience in company formation, corporate structuring, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance. Practical experience in corporate transactions, M&A, due diligence, and joint ventures. Experience handling cross-border transactions and multi-jurisdictional matters is an advantage. Strong legal research, analytical, drafting, negotiation, and problem-solving skills. Strong client-handling and relationship-management abilities, with the ability to provide practical and commercially focused legal advice. Proven ability to manage multiple matters independently, meet deadlines, and maintain accurate legal documentation and files. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with clients, colleagues, government authorities, and external counsel. Attention to detail and ability to work to high professional standards. Experience supervising or mentoring junior lawyers is an advantage. Candidates currently based in the UAE are preferred.