444 Dla Piper jobs in the United Arab Emirates

Experienced Shipping/Litigation Lawyer to provide strategic legal advice on contentious and non-contentious matters including S&P transactions, charter party disputes, ship financing, and regulatory compliance. Work with internal stakeholders and external counsel to mitigate risks and drive favorable outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Manage complex litigation and arbitration across multiple jurisdictions

Work with external counsel on FDD cases, ship arrests, cargo claims, and enforcement

Provide strategic dispute resolution advice

Charter Party Contracts & Disputes

Draft, review, and negotiate charter party agreements

Advise on charter party disputes and resolution through arbitration or litigation

Support ship S&P transactions including MOAs, delivery conditions, and title transfer

Manage disputes from contractual breaches and advise on ship financing structures

Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management

Conduct due diligence ensuring compliance with international regulations

Draft internal legal policies aligned with maritime and commercial laws

Monitor industry legal developments and represent company at industry events

Requirements

Qualifications

Qualified lawyer with 3+ years in shipping litigation, arbitration, and maritime law

Strong knowledge of charter parties, BIMCO agreements, and S&P agreements

Ability to work under pressure in fast-paced international environments

Strong negotiation, drafting, and advocacy skills

In-house legal counsel experience with ship-owning group preferred

Proficient with MS Office and in-house IT systems

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• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of corporate documentation, including joint venture and shareholder agreements.
• Advise on corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and company formation in the UAE.
• Manage litigation cases and disputes in collaboration with external advisors (e.g., experts, claims consultants) and law firms.
• Prepare appropriate legal documents for trials or court proceedings and review expert reports.
• Draft and review pleadings, memoranda, and legal submissions in Arabic.
• Analyze the probable outcomes of cases using knowledge of legal precedents.
• Manage relationships with external law firms; monitor and report on external legal costs.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully manage large-scale construction claims and disputes, including claims preparation, negotiation, adjudication, mediation, and all forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
• Involved in non-contentious matters, including dispute avoidance, training and workshops, drafting agreements and standard terms and conditions, contract reviews and negotiations, and providing practical advice to management and site teams on specialist, large-scale, complex, or problematic projects.
• Proven track record in providing end-to-end support in the management of contentious matters.
• Strong knowledge of applicable laws and regulations impacting all facets of operations.
• Familiarity with local court systems and arbitration forums (e.g., ICC, DIAC, DIFC).
• Ability to analyze and interpret legal issues and prepare legal opinions.
• Ability to supervise and train employees, including organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments.
• In-depth knowledge of current and emerging legal issues and trends in the area of expertise.
• Ability to supervise and coordinate the work of legal professionals, paraprofessionals, and consultants.
• Strong ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
• Knowledge of financial and business analysis techniques.
• Understanding of legal documentation procedures and requirements.
• Ability to develop and implement effective legal strategies and solutions.
• Knowledge of community legal resources.
• Skilled in developing and delivering professional presentations.

Qualifications

• BSc degree in Law or J.D. degree.
• MSc in Construction Law and Dispute Resolution, and fluency in Arabic and / or French will be considered an advantage.
• Minimum of 3 years PQE, ideally with experience in project finance, PPP, infrastructure, and construction projects.
• Proven experience as legal counsel in a business environment.
• Full understanding of the external factors influencing a corporation.
• Demonstrated ability to develop defensive or proactive legal strategies.
• High degree of professional ethics and integrity.
• Sound judgment and strong analytical skills.
• Highly analytical with strong attention to detail.
• Exceptional managerial and negotiation abilities.

Additional Information

We believe our employees are key to our success, hence, we offer an inspiring working environment where our people feel rewarded & engaged. Career opportunities & training programs are offered to help you develop both personally and professionally and we offer attractive additional benefits to your monthly remuneration.

• Provide clear, practical and business-oriented legal advice to internal business teams.
• Advise on and draft client and vendor agreements for the company.
• Update and manage contract templates.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues in legal and other central support functions (including privacy and finance).
• Manage external lawyer relationships.
• Attend meetings and calls with clients/vendors.

• University level qualification in Law (or equivalent).
• Sound experience in a law firm and/or as in-house legal counsel.
• Familiar with working in an international environment.
• Highly proficient in business English and Arabic (speaking and writing). Arabic advantageous but not essential.
• Strong knowledge of general contract law and data privacy legislation.
• Highly motivated, pro-active, and business-oriented problem solver.
• Team player who works well with other lawyers and commercial teams.
• Good negotiation skills.
• Confidence in dealing with all levels of the organisation, including commercial management.

• Provide clear, practical and business-oriented legal advice to internal business teams.
• Advise on and draft client and vendor agreements for the company.
• Update and manage contract templates.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues in legal and other central support functions (including privacy and finance).
• Manage external lawyer relationships.
• Attend meetings and calls with clients/vendors.

• University level qualification in Law (or equivalent).
• Sound experience in a law firm and/or as in-house legal counsel.
• Familiar with working in an international environment.
• Highly proficient in business English and Arabic (speaking and writing). Arabic advantageous but not essential.
• Strong knowledge of general contract law and data privacy legislation.
• Highly motivated, pro-active, and business-oriented problem solver.
• Team player who works well with other lawyers and commercial teams.
• Good negotiation skills.
• Confidence in dealing with all levels of the organisation, including commercial management.

• Provide clear, practical and business-oriented legal advice to internal business teams.
• Advise on and draft client and vendor agreements for the company.
• Update and manage contract templates.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues in legal and other central support functions (including privacy and finance).
• Manage external lawyer relationships.
• Attend meetings and calls with clients/vendors.

• University level qualification in Law (or equivalent).
• Sound experience in a law firm and/or as in-house legal counsel.
• Familiar with working in an international environment.
• Highly proficient in business English and Arabic (speaking and writing). Arabic advantageous but not essential.
• Strong knowledge of general contract law and data privacy legislation.
• Highly motivated, pro-active, and business-oriented problem solver.
• Team player who works well with other lawyers and commercial teams.
• Good negotiation skills.
• Confidence in dealing with all levels of the organisation, including commercial management.

The Legal Counsel will support the Group's legal function across commercial contracts, governance, and restructuring initiatives. This role requires autonomy, strong drafting skills, and the ability to work across jurisdictions and departments.

A regionally headquartered diversified group with international operations, undergoing accelerated organic and inorganic growth.

• Draft and negotiate high-value commercial agreements and tenders.
• Support M&A, restructuring, and entity establishment projects.
• Advise on governance, board matters, and regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with Finance, HR, and external advisors on legal risks.
• Coordinate with regulators and corporate registries across jurisdictions.
• Contribute to legal process improvements and internal training.
• Represent Legal team in cross-functional project teams and committees.

• 4-7 years PQE with corporate commercial background.
• GCC legal experience is essential.
• Must be common law qualified, civil law qualification a plus.
• Strong drafting, negotiation, and project management skills.
• Experience in regulated or service-based industries preferred.
• Commercially minded, collaborative, and detail oriented.

• Attractive compensation package.
• Opportunity to work closely with leadership in an exciting organisation.

corporate, commercial, common law qualified, M&A, governance

As a Legal counsel, you will be part of a high-performing legal team where your expertise in M&A and commercial law will shape strategic decisions across diverse sectors. This role offers dynamic exposure, flexible portfolio alignment, and the chance to make a tangible impact in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

This is an established and successful conglomerate in the Middle East, with broad range of consumer-focused businesses in their portfolio and exciting future plans.

• Act as a key legal advisor on business transactions, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and risk management.
• Lead contract negotiations and provide clear, actionable legal guidance to internal stakeholders.
• Support the development of new ventures and ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks.
• Review and refine legal documentation to uphold governance standards and mitigate exposure.
• Collaborate across departments to deliver practical legal solutions that drive business outcomes.
• Interpret financial and operational data to inform legal decision-making.
• Maintain strong relationships with external counsel and regulatory bodies to stay ahead of legal developments.

• Must have a bachelor's degree in law from a reputable institution; international qualifications (UK/US) are essential.
• Minimum of 4 years PQE.
• Strong foundation from a top-tier law firm or a large, complex corporate environment.
• Solid experience in M&A and/or commercial law, with the versatility to handle a broad range of legal matters.
• Robust English drafting skills, with a sharp eye for detail and clarity.
• Uphold the highest ethical standards and thrive in a collaborative, team-oriented culture.
• Comfortable working across sectors, with a flexible mindset and a proactive approach to learning.

• Attractive compensation package.
• Opportunity to work within a high performing team in a well-established and successful organisation in the Middle East.

• corporate
• m&a
• commercial
• US qualified
• UK Qualified
• legal
• law

Key Responsibilities:

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of contracts related to power generation, transmission, and distribution (e.g., EPC contracts, PPAs, O&M agreements, JV agreements).
• Prepare and review Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) and other confidentiality arrangements with partners, contractors, and stakeholders.
• Provide legal advice on regulatory compliance, licensing, environmental laws, and government policies affecting the electricity and energy sector.
• Support the company in bidding processes, tenders, and commercial transactions.
• Handle disputes, litigation, and arbitration matters in coordination with external counsel.
• Advise senior management on risk exposure, contractual obligations, and legal implications of business decisions.
• Stay updated on industry-specific laws, regulations

• Bachelor's degree in Law (LLB); Master's degree or LLM is a plus.
• Minimum 5–8 years of experience as a legal counsel, preferably within the power, electricity, or utilities industry.
• Strong knowledge of international laws and regulations.
• Proven experience in handling infrastructure or energy-related projects.
• Excellent contract drafting, negotiation, and legal research skills.
• Proven experience in drafting, negotiating, and managing NDAs and other contractual documents.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Previous work experience in multinational corporations and energy firms.
• Understanding of renewable energy regulations (optional but valued).

Fantastic 6 month secondment opportunity for a lawyer with strong regional M&A experience to join a market leader in Abu Dhabi.

Our client is looking for a legal counsel / senior legal counsel to join their M&A team.

• Minimum 5 PAE gained at a leading international firm
• Strong M&A experience working with clients in the UAE / GCC
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• In-house experience within a listed company setting
• ADGM experience

• Mid-Senior level

• Contract

• Legal

Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates