Candidate Profile:

- Qualified lawyer with 10-12+ years of post-qualification experience in corporate law and private client advisory.

- Strong exposure to cross-border structuring and regulatory frameworks (UAE experience preferred).

- Proven expertise in M&A transactions and high-value contract negotiation.

- Demonstrated experience advising promoters, family businesses, and private wealth clients.

- Strong commercial judgment with the ability to balance legal precision and business practicality.

- Excellent drafting, analytical reasoning, and stakeholder communication skills.

- Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to operate autonomously in a leadership capacity.

Job Overview:

- We are seeking an accomplished legal professional to join our leadership team as Associate Director - Legal Advisory. The role is designed for a senior practitioner with demonstrated expertise in corporate structuring, M&A transactions, private client advisory, and governance frameworks.

- The Associate Director will play a strategic role in building and leading the legal vertical, advising promoters, family-owned enterprises, and cross-border investors on complex structuring and regulatory matters. This position requires strong technical acumen, commercial orientation, and the ability to operate as a trusted advisor to business owners and senior stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

Transaction Advisory & M&A:

- Lead end-to-end advisory on domestic and cross-border mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and restructurings.

- Structure transactions from tax, regulatory, and governance perspectives in coordination with financial and tax advisors.

- Oversee legal due diligence, risk assessment, negotiation strategy, and transaction documentation.

Family Business & Private Client Advisory:

- Advise promoter-driven and family-owned businesses on succession planning, governance frameworks, and ownership realignment.

- Design and implement family charters, shareholder arrangements, and long-term wealth transition strategies.

- Act as a strategic advisor to family offices and HNIs on structuring and asset protection.

Trusts, Foundations & Wealth Structures:

- Structure and advise on trusts, foundations, and holding vehicles, including entities incorporated in Dubai International Financial Centre Abu Dhabi Global Market

- Coordinate with fiduciary service providers and regulatory authorities.

- Ensure compliance with applicable governance and reporting frameworks.

Corporate & Commercial Advisory:

- Draft, review, and negotiate complex commercial agreements (SHA, SPA, JVA, investment agreements, ESOP documentation, etc.).

- Provide ongoing company law advisory and governance support to clients across jurisdictions.

- Develop standardized documentation templates and internal legal protocols to enhance efficiency and risk control.

Corporate Service Provider (CSP) Oversight:

- Oversee incorporation and ongoing administration of companies across mainland, free zone, and offshore jurisdictions.

- Supervise corporate secretarial services including board documentation, annual filings, statutory registers, and regulatory submissions.

- Ensure compliance with Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO), AML and related regulatory frameworks.

- Interface with registered agents, regulators, and financial institutions for licensing and corporate maintenance.

- Establish internal compliance protocols and quality control systems for CSP service delivery.

- Support clients with business setup structuring aligned with commercial and regulatory objectives.

Leadership & Practice Development:

- Contribute to strategic growth of the legal division, including client acquisition and relationship management.

- Mentor and supervise junior legal professionals.

- Collaborate closely with audit, tax, and advisory teams to deliver integrated solutions.