Senior Legal Counsel - Real Estate

About the role

A leading UAE construction and real estate development firm, which executes large-scale high-rise residential projects, is hiring a full-time Senior Legal Counsel in Dubai. The role leads all legal aspects of property acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures, project financing and off-plan developments, and advises on contracts, compliance and litigation.

Key responsibilities

• Lead legal work on property acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures, project financing and off-plan developments, including due diligence, transaction structuring and negotiation of SPAs, financing and security documents, in line with DLD, RERA, Oqood and other regulations.
• Draft, review and negotiate construction, consultancy, FIDIC-based, subcontract and development agreements, advising on commercial risk, variations, delays, liquidated damages and dispute prevention.
• Ensure compliance with UAE real estate, construction, corporate and data protection laws, manage corporate governance, statutory filings, licenses and trademarks, and maintain legal policies and templates.
• Manage litigation, arbitration and construction disputes, contractor and purchaser claims, oversee external counsel, and advise senior management, commercial, procurement, finance and sales teams.
• Manage external legal advisors and budgets, standardise legal documentation, deliver legal training and support day-to-day legal needs.

Required profile

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD); LLM in Construction Law, Commercial Law or International Arbitration highly preferred.
• Admission to practice in the UAE, UK, Australia or another recognised jurisdiction highly desirable.
• Minimum 10-12 years of post-qualification legal experience, including at least 7 years in real estate and construction law in the UAE.
• Proven track record in high-value real estate transactions, including land acquisition, off-plan sales, project financing and FIDIC construction contracts.
• Strong experience in construction disputes, claims management and arbitration, including proceedings before UAE courts, DIAC and international forums.
• In-depth knowledge of UAE real estate legislation, including RERA, DLD and Dubai Municipality regulations; Arabic is an advantage.