Senior Legal Counsel (M&A)

Overview

The Legal and Compliance Department of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to support its legal and compliance functions. This role involves working closely with the investment teams, providing specific expertise in corporate transactions, and coordinating external legal support to ensure the organization succeeds in its duties. The ideal candidate will possess strong experience in corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, and investment-related legal matters.

Key Responsibilities

Provide legal counsel in the structuring and execution of transactions for Strategic Assets and support of portfolio companies’ legal requirements

Provide legal counsel in structuring and executing transactions for Strategic Assets and support the legal requirements of portfolio companies.

• Offer commercial and corporate legal advice to the General Counsel and Executive Management on all legal matters relating to EIA, its businesses, operations, and investment activities.
• Draft correspondence and filings to ministerial and regulatory bodies as required.
• Assist in drafting constitutional documents and decrees.
• Support in drafting and issuing EIA shareholder resolutions and shareholder guarantees for portfolio companies.
• Coordinate with key parties regarding the corporate structure of the organization, including creating special purpose vehicles to mitigate liability and invest in a tax-efficient manner.
• Oversee and execute direct and indirect investments, conduct due diligence, and negotiate investment terms.
• Draft, negotiate, and review various agreements, including confidentiality agreements, letters of intent, memorandums of understanding, binding and non-binding offers, term sheets, and other related documents.
• Proactively manage and oversee larger transactions outsourced to external law firms.
• Liaise with ministerial and regulatory authorities to ensure compliance with legal standards.

Support for Asset Management

• Manage the legal structuring and execution of transactions in various industries and major capital markets, specifically in Private Equity, Equities, Real Estate, Infrastructure, Fixed Income, and Private Credit.
• Review, comment, and negotiate on fund documentation, including IRS and MFN related forms.
• Review and draft deal documentation (i.e. letters of intent, memoranda of understanding, shareholders’ agreements, stock purchase agreement, asset purchase agreements, limited partnership agreement, board resolutions approving investments, etc.)
• Review, comment, and negotiate ISDA agreements.
• Assist in developing and implementing transactional legal standards to ensure a comprehensive approach to transactions.
• Advise on legal, regulatory, and reputational topics across a range of transactions, including corporate governance of domestic and international legal entities.
• Evaluate and provide high-quality legal advice on all matters associated with current operations.

Coordination with External Legal Support

• Coordinate the involvement of external legal counsel for selected transactions.
• Build and maintain relationships with external legal counsel and preferred advisors.

Governance and Compliance

• Provide corporate secretarial support, including attending investment committee meetings, management committee meetings, taking minutes, and following up on action points.
• Manage and assist with compliance reporting and training; monitor restricted investments; liaise with compliance officers or external parties to ensure adherence to EIA’s compliance policies.

Knowledge Sharing

Coach and mentor UAE nationals, especially in relation but not limited to the Legal function.

Requirements

Education

• Graduate degree in Law with a strong academic background.
• Admitted as a Solicitor or member of an internationally recognized Bar.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of post-qualification experience with a major reputable US/international or recognized UK law firm, or in-house legal function, or a combination of both.
• Extensive experience in general corporate matters, mergers and acquisitions, and alternative investments.
• Strong experience in handling a wide range of investment related legal matters.
• High-level understanding of corporate law.
• Proven track record of managing and overseeing significant corporate transactions.
• Experience working in the UAE and familiarity with local laws and regulations.
• Previous experience in the financial services sector, particularly in Sovereign Wealth Fund, Private Equity and fund management
• UAE National preferred

Skills and Competencies

• Bi-lingual proficiency in legal drafting in English and Arabic.
• Excellent communication and client management skills.
• Ability to think strategically and provide innovative legal solutions.
• Strong organizational and methodological skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team.
• High level of integrity and professionalism.