Legal Counsel (UAE)

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Legal Counsel to join our team in the United Arab Emirates. The role involves providing comprehensive legal support across commercial, employment, corporate, and intellectual property matters, ensuring compliance with UAE laws and protecting the company’s interests.

Key responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate English commercial agreements (agency, distribution, procurement, marketing, NDA, service contracts) with a focus on UAE Commercial Agency Law.
• Ensure full‑cycle HR legal compliance under UAE Federal Labour Law, draft employment documents and support employee dispute resolution.
• Manage UAE entity governance, including license renewal, UBO declaration, economic substance compliance and corporate documentation.
• Provide ongoing legal advice on business operations, marketing, IP and corporate governance while monitoring regulatory updates.
• Conduct local IP registration, enforcement and manage commercial dispute negotiation, litigation and settlement.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Law with a valid legal qualification; overseas LLB/LLM preferred.
• 2‑5 years of in‑house legal experience, preferably with China‑based enterprises operating in the UAE/Middle East and exposure to DIFC/ADGM.
• Strong knowledge of UAE mainland and free‑zone legal frameworks, especially commercial agency rules.
• Fluent in written and spoken English and Chinese, capable of handling English legal documents and liaising with authorities.

Required skills

• Contract drafting and negotiation
• Legal research and regulatory compliance
• Intellectual property registration and enforcement
• Employment law compliance