Legal Counsel – UAE (Commercial & Employment Law)

About the role

We are seeking a proactive Legal Counsel to join our team in the United Arab Emirates. The role focuses on commercial contracting, employment compliance, and corporate governance, ensuring the business operates within the legal framework of the UAE.

Key responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate English commercial agreements, including agency, distribution, procurement, marketing, NDA and service contracts, with a focus on UAE Commercial Agency Law.
• Ensure full‑cycle HR legal compliance under UAE Federal Labour Law, prepare employment documents and support dispute resolution.
• Manage UAE entity governance tasks such as license renewal, UBO declaration and economic substance compliance.
• Provide ongoing legal advice on business operations, marketing, intellectual property and corporate governance, monitoring regulatory updates.
• Handle IP registration, enforcement and commercial dispute negotiation, including litigation and settlement processes.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Law with a valid legal qualification; overseas law degree (LLB/LLM) preferred.
• 2‑5 years of in‑house legal experience, preferably with China‑based enterprises operating in the UAE/Middle East.
• Knowledge of UAE mainland and free‑zone legal differences, especially DIFC/ADGM regulations.
• Strong problem‑solving ability with a business‑oriented mindset.
• Fluent in written and spoken English and Chinese.

Required skills

• Expertise in UAE Commercial Agency Law and Federal Labour Law.
• Experience in contract management, employment compliance and commercial dispute handling.
• Ability to draft and negotiate English legal documents and liaise with local authorities and law firms.