Paralegal - Corporate and Dispute Resolution

The opportunityWe are looking for a talented and experienced Paralegal to support our UAE offices. The roleholder will be expected to provide support to the Corporate and Dispute Resolution teams in the UAE by delivering high-quality legal and administrative support across corporate transactions and dispute resolution matters.The firmBird & Bird opens a world of possible for lawyers and professionals everywhere. Working for a leading international law firm like Bird & Bird means working alongside people who are truly collegiate in the way they work with everyone. We work as one global team, with over 70% of work involving people from across the firm. And that’s only increasing! It is this common purpose and shared approach that make it a more productive and collaborative place to work. Your firm. Your future.The teamYou’ll be joining our Corporate and Dispute Resolution teams in the UAE, working closely with lawyers and senior stakeholders across the firm to support the delivery of excellent client service, strengthen client relationships and contribute to the growth of the practices.The teams operate in a fast-paced and supportive environment, where collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement are highly valued. You will work alongside experienced legal professionals and have the opportunity to build strong relationships across the firm while contributing to the success and continued growth of the UAE practices.What you'll doThe main duties and responsibilities for the role are as follows:Conduct legal and regulatory research using the firm’s online resources, subscription databases and other relevant tools, and monitor developments in applicable laws and regulations.Assist with the establishment, ongoing maintenance and winding up of free zone and onshore entities, including preparing and submitting applications and related documents, maintaining corporate records, and managing licensing renewals, filings, notifications and other compliance requirements.Support corporate transactions and closings, including preparing ancillary and corporate documents, maintaining transaction, action and post-completion lists, following up on outstanding matters, and assisting with legal due diligence reviews of contracts and other documents.Prepare, review, proofread and finalise legal documents, reports and correspondence accurately and within required timeframes, including resolutions, articles of association, minutes of meetings and due diligence reports.Assist with the preparation, filing and service of court and arbitration documents, ensuring compliance with applicable procedural rules, deadlines and filing requirements.Monitor litigation and arbitration timetables, key dates, hearing schedules and filing deadlines, and support the preparation of hearings, mediations, expert meetings, witness interviews and client meetings.Prepare and maintain electronic and hard-copy hearing bundles and assist with document review, disclosure and e-discovery exercises, including managing large volumes of documents.Organise and maintain matter files, drafts, templates and know-how resources, ensuring documents are appropriately named, filed and kept up to date.Draft, review and finalise Arabic translations of legal and business documents, and coordinate external translation and transcription providers to ensure quality, efficiency and cost-effectiveness.Review legalisation, notarisation, attestation and apostille requirements and liaise with UAE notaries, government bodies and other competent authorities regarding the submission of legal documents and applications on behalf of clients.Build a strong understanding of client transactions and disputes to respond effectively to enquiries and provide proactive support to fee-earners.Contribute to knowledge management initiatives, including preparing legal updates, articles, training materials and other know-how resources for the Corporate and Dispute Resolution teams.Act as a superuser for relevant firm tools and solutions and support their effective use within the practice groups.Work closely with internal teams, including the secretarial team, Office Services, Finance and IT, to facilitate the smooth delivery of legal support services.Provide general administrative and matter support to the Corporate and Dispute Resolution teams as required.About youThe successful candidate will have the following:A minimum of two years’ experience as a Corporate and/or Dispute Resolution Paralegal within an international law firm or comparable legal environment.A proactive, adaptable and approachable manner, with a can-do attitude and willingness to learn and develop new skills.A collaborative approach and the ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels and from diverse cultural backgrounds.Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a high standard of written and spoken Arabic and English.The ability to prioritise effectively, manage competing deadlines and remain composed under pressure in a fast-paced environment.Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint, and in document management systems. Experience with Relativity and/or Nuix Discover is desirable.A high level of accuracy and attention to detail.Initiative, enthusiasm and the ability to contribute effectively across a range of matters and projects.A legal qualification or completion of, or progress towards, a CILEx paralegal qualification.The main responsibilities of this role are outlined above; however, this description is not exhaustive, and the roleholder may be required to undertake additional duties from time to time to ensure the smooth running of the department. The role may require some work outside our normal working hours of 9:00 am–5:00 pm.In the event that we make an offer to you, and you accept, we will conduct pre-engagement background checks, where permitted by local legislation and according to the nature of the role that may include right to work, professional and academic qualifications, criminal records and references from previous employers.