Paralegal / Junior Legal Counsel (Dubai)

For our client, a boutique service provider in Dubai, we are looking for a:

Paralegal / Junior Legal Counsel

Summary

Reporting to the Head of Legal and Compliance, you will be a well-rounded in-house lawyer. You shall be providing legal advice to a range of offshore and onshore clients in various jurisdictions. You will assist with handling communications and coordinating project rollouts from multiple external sources and clients. You will be required to liaise with clients in different jurisdictions, third party business partners and consultants, in a timely and efficient manner, maintaining a highly organized filing system, preparing documentation and performing a variety of administrative tasks.

You will also be directly involved in the planning and execution of key strategic initiatives to improve operational excellence, cost optimization and corporate hardening within the organization and will be required to report to senior management on the effectiveness of such initiatives.

Responsibilities

1. Complete incorporation, administration and liquidation of structures (i.e. holdings, foundations and trusts) in various jurisdictions (Offshore and Onshore).
2. Responsible for the maintenance and update of corporate documentation registers, day-to-day accounting, and monthly reporting as may be required from time to time.
3. Responsible for the preparation and review of standard legal documentation including Board and AGM minutes, PoA’s and resolutions.
4. Provide commercial and contractual advice to the business and its clients, including but not limited to the review and negotiation of customer agreements; procurement agreements for hardware, software and services and product supply agreements.
5. Research and respond to general legal enquiries relating to corporate, litigation, intellectual property and compliance matters.
6. Company secretarial support and internal management of corporate entities including legal, administrative and banking activities for client companies.
7. Fully understand the client’s activities and ensure that any action taken is consistent with the client company’s purpose, and is within the legal and economic framework of the company.
8. Develop existing and new business relations and expand client base; obtain additional work from clients as well as seek referrals and develop a larger client base.
9. Undertake and perform relevant follow up on various administrative tasks, including the preparation of letters, client invoices and payment instructions as may be required from time to time.
10. Develop relationships with clients in line with internal procedures (i.e. gathering of KYC documentation, bank account openings), working closely with the Regional Account Representative and Client Account Managers.
11. Building and maintaining personal contact with clients, advisors and other related parties.
12. Being the point of entry for processing client requests such as account opening, account maintenance and trading.
13. Communicate with government agencies, notaries’ offices, law firms and translators as necessary.

Minimum Requirements

1. Law degree to University level (Common law background preferable).
2. LPC or postgraduate legal studies preferable.
3. Minimum of 1-4 years of experience (pre or post qualification) in a similar function, in-house or corporate.
4. Experience in company incorporation and administration of structures within the UAE.
5. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
6. Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word and Outlook; PowerPoint is an advantage).
7. Hands-on personality with the flexibility of taking over tasks beyond the job description.
8. Proactive approach, able to work independently, but being a team player.
9. Excellent communication and organization skills and an ability to meet tight deadlines.
10. Strong interpersonal communication skills, highly discreet, client-oriented, ability to integrate in a multinational environment and motivated to develop your career.

Please note that the role is in Dubai, UAE and will be performed there. Someone already living in Dubai is preferred; however, someone traveling to Dubai is also welcome to apply.