Legal Counsel

Role OverviewA leading luxury real estate development and construction group is seeking an experienced Legal Counsel to provide comprehensive legal support across its business operations, including real estate development, construction, Design & Build, commercial contracts and corporate matters.The successful candidate will be responsible for managing legal risks, drafting and reviewing contracts, advising on regulatory compliance and supporting the business across its development and operational activities. Working closely with senior management, finance, procurement, HR, commercial and project teams, the Legal Counsel will ensure that business activities are conducted in accordance with applicable UAE laws and regulations while protecting the organisation's legal and commercial interests. The ideal candidate will possess strong commercial legal experience, preferably within real estate development, construction, contracting or a related industry, with the ability to provide practical, commercially focused legal advice.Key ResponsibilitiesLegal Advisory & Corporate GovernanceProvide legal advice and guidance to senior management and internal departments on a broad range of legal and commercial matters.Advise on UAE laws, regulations and legal developments relevant to business operations.Identify potential legal risks and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies.Support corporate governance matters, internal policies and legal procedures.Assist with corporate structuring, company registrations, licensing and regulatory matters.Coordinate with external legal advisors, law firms and relevant government authorities where required.Contract Management & Commercial AgreementsDraft, review, negotiate and advise on a wide range of commercial contracts and legal agreements.Review construction, Design & Build, consultancy, subcontractor, supplier and service agreements.Review development agreements, joint venture agreements, NDAs, MOUs and other commercial arrangements.Ensure contractual terms adequately protect the organisation's commercial and legal interests.Identify contractual risks relating to liabilities, indemnities, warranties, payment terms, termination and dispute resolution.Support contract negotiations and provide practical recommendations to internal stakeholders.Maintain an organised contract management system and ensure appropriate documentation and approvals.Real Estate & Construction Legal MattersProvide legal support across real estate development, construction and Design & Build operations.Review and advise on property development agreements, sale and purchase agreements, lease agreements and related documentation.Support legal matters relating to land acquisition, property transactions and development projects.Advise on construction contracts, project disputes, claims, delays and contractual obligations.Review project-related contractual variations, extensions of time and claims in coordination with commercial and project teams.Ensure compliance with relevant UAE property, construction and regulatory requirements.Assist with legal due diligence for prospective acquisitions, projects and commercial transactions.Dispute Resolution & Risk ManagementManage and support the resolution of commercial, contractual and employment-related disputes.Liaise with external legal counsel on litigation, arbitration, mediation and other dispute resolution proceedings.Review legal claims, notices, settlement agreements and dispute-related correspondence.Assess legal exposure and recommend appropriate strategies to protect the organisation's interests.Support the preparation of legal documentation and evidence for disputes and claims.Monitor ongoing legal matters and provide updates to senior management.Regulatory ComplianceMonitor changes in UAE legislation and assess their impact on business operations.Ensure compliance with applicable corporate, commercial, employment and real estate regulations.Support the development and implementation of internal compliance policies and procedures.Advise departments on regulatory obligations and contractual compliance.Assist with legal audits, due diligence exercises and regulatory submissions.Internal Stakeholder SupportWork closely with Finance, HR, Procurement, Commercial, Development and Project Management teams.Provide timely legal advice on business decisions, transactions and operational matters.Support procurement and commercial teams during tendering, contract award and negotiations.Deliver practical legal guidance to non-legal stakeholders.Maintain confidentiality and ensure the secure handling of sensitive legal and corporate information.Candidate RequirementsBachelor's degree in Law (LLB) from a recognised university.Minimum 5–8 years of relevant legal experience, preferably within the UAE.Strong experience in commercial contracts, corporate law and contract negotiations.Previous exposure to real estate development, construction, contracting or Design & Build environments is highly desirable.Good understanding of UAE commercial legislation, corporate regulations and contractual frameworks.Experience drafting and reviewing construction agreements, consultancy contracts, supplier agreements and commercial documentation.Exposure to dispute resolution, litigation and arbitration matters.Strong legal drafting, negotiation and analytical skills.Excellent communication and stakeholder management capabilities.Ability to balance legal risk management with commercial business objectives.Fluency in English is essential; Arabic language skills would be advantageous.