Our client is a major Dubai based retail and leisure group with an increasing number of international overseas assets. They are now building an exciting legal function which requires a senior lawyer with at least 8 years experience reporting to the Chief Legal Counsel and Company Secretary. You will be required to provide a high quality, pragmatic legal advice to the Group's senior management and its various business units on legal matters. In particular, you will be responsible for providing legal support to the development of the Group's branded products and managing the Group Legal Department.
The Vice President & Senior Legal Counsel is expected to:
(a) Provide legal counsel and guidance to officers and senior management in relation to legal matters relevant to the Group;
(b) provide legal services for the development, management, operation, acquisition (where applicable) and financing of new products including: providing preliminary advice on proposed transactions with respect to confidentiality agreements, structuring the transaction, trade area restrictions etc; drafting and negotiating management agreements; drafting and negotiating leases and development agreements, handling legal due diligence, monitoring compliance with local laws; drafting and negotiating ownership structuring agreements, including joint venture, condominium and, occasionally, finance documentation; and providing advice on miscellaneous real estate and construction matters
(c) provide advice, draft and negotiate documentation in relation to a range of commercial matters, including, supply agreements, leases of real property or other fixed assets, licences, agency, distribution and franchising arrangements, information technology related agreements, software licences, outsourcing agreements, sponsorship, advertising, privacy and data protection;
(d) Provide advice, draft and negotiate documentation in relation to a range of intellectual property issues including trade marks, patents, copyright, designs and confidential information;
(e) Provide advice, draft and negotiate documentation in relation to the Group's participation in international joint ventures/shareholder arrangements and related transactions;
(f) Provide advice and draft documentation in relation to the creation of subsidiaries both inside and outside the UAE;
This position requires an independent and creative lawyer with the ability to effectively manage structure, negotiate, and execute multiple transactions in multiple jurisdictions. This position will require a lawyer with strong managerial skills. The lawyer will be required to supervise outside counsel and understand and resolve local law issues. Travel will be required. To qualify for this position you should be a qualified lawyer with a minimum of eight years post-qualification experience in a commercial law firm or in-house legal department. You will have a strong internal-client focus with an ability to work closely with others as a team member and have an ability to cope with competing demands without compromising deadlines.
