Legal Counsel, Family Office

About the role

Taylor Wessing has partnered with an international family office to appoint a Legal Counsel for its Dubai operation, which supports a large portfolio of international companies, investments, real estate and other assets. The role is based in Dubai and works closely with the family office's principals. It starts with broad legal support and evolves into a more commercial and operational position, taking the lead on transactions and the build-out of the Dubai office.

Key responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate corporate and commercial agreements, including shareholders' agreements, investment documentation and other commercial contracts.
• Advise on corporate governance and company secretarial matters across an international portfolio.
• Lead transactions and investments, coordinating external law firms and professional advisers across multiple jurisdictions.
• Support matters relating to international assets, including commercial real estate, liquid investments, corporate structures, trusts and wider investment activity.
• Advise on employment, legal and commercial risk, and increasingly support the operational development, hiring and build-out of the Dubai office.

Required profile

• 6-10 years of post-qualification experience as a qualified lawyer, ideally admitted in England & Wales or another recognised common law jurisdiction.
• Strong corporate and commercial experience, preferably with a well-regarded international law firm or a sophisticated in-house environment.
• Experience across corporate transactions, shareholders' agreements, governance and commercial contracts, with the ability to take the lead and manage external counsel.
• Exposure to investments, international corporate structures, commercial real estate, trusts or private wealth is advantageous.
• A pragmatic, commercially minded lawyer comfortable working autonomously, interested in a broader commercial and operational remit.