Bilingual Senior Associate/Legal Director - Construction Litigation - Abu Dhabi
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Key skills for this role
About the Role
Al Tamimi & Company seeks an accomplished bilingual Senior Associate/Legal Director (10+ PQE) to join its Dispute Resolution practice in Abu Dhabi, focusing on construction litigation and major projects disputes.
Key Skills for This Role
Responsibilities
- Develop and expand the Construction Litigation practice in Abu Dhabi
- Drive business development initiatives and contribute to strategic growth
- Lead and manage complex construction and infrastructure disputes
- Prepare and review pleadings, submissions, witness statements, expert reports
- Act as trusted adviser to key clients and maintain long term relationships
- Mentor and develop junior lawyers
- Meet agreed billing, utilisation and collection targets
Requirements
- 10+ years' post qualification experience
- Fluent in Arabic and English
- Qualified lawyer from a recognised common law jurisdiction and/or Arabic civil law jurisdiction
- Experience with a leading international, regional, or top tier law firm
- Significant experience advising on construction and infrastructure disputes
- Strong understanding of litigation and arbitration procedures
- Excellent drafting, analytical and advocacy skills
- Proven client relationship management capabilities
- Demonstrable business development credentials and established network in UAE market
- Portable book of business or proven ability to generate client relationships
Full Job Posting
Role Overview
- We are seeking an accomplished and entrepreneurial bilingual Senior Associate / Legal Director (10+ PQE) to join our market leading Dispute Resolution practice in Abu Dhabi, with a specific focus on Construction Litigation and major projects disputes.
- This is a strategic growth hire and a unique opportunity to work directly with the Head of the Abu Dhabi Office and the Regional Managing Partner to further establish and expand the firm's Construction Litigation practice in Abu Dhabi.
- The role combines first class legal work with significant business development responsibilities and offers a clear pathway to partnership.
Essential Requirements
- 10+ years' post qualification experience.
- Fluent in both Arabic and English.
- Qualified lawyer from a recognised common law jurisdiction and/or Arabic civil law jurisdiction.
- Experience gained with a leading international, regional, or top tier law firm.
- Significant experience advising on construction and infrastructure disputes.
- Extensive exposure to contentious matters across the UAE and wider Middle East.
- Strong understanding of litigation and arbitration procedures.
- Excellent drafting, analytical and advocacy skills.
- Proven client relationship management capabilities.
- Commercially minded with the ability to provide pragmatic, business focused advice.
- Demonstrable business development credentials and an established network within the UAE market.
- A portable book of business and/or a proven ability to generate and develop client relationships.
Preferred Requirements
- Experience acting for contractors, developers, employers, government entities, and project sponsors.
- Expertise in disputes arising from construction, engineering, infrastructure, real estate, and major projects.
- Working knowledge of UAE Court procedures.
- Previous experience managing teams and mentoring junior lawyers.
Practice Development & Strategic Growth
- Work closely with the Head of Abu Dhabi Office and Regional Managing Partner to develop and expand the Construction Litigation practice.
- Drive business development initiatives and contribute to the strategic growth of the Abu Dhabi office.
- Leverage existing client relationships and market connections to originate new instructions and enhance the firm's profile.
- Identify cross selling opportunities across the firm's regional platform and broader practice groups.
- Represent the firm at industry events, conferences, and networking initiatives.
Dispute Resolution & Case Management
- Lead and manage complex construction and infrastructure disputes across the UAE and wider Middle East.
- Advise clients on contentious matters involving delay and disruption claims, variations, defects, payment disputes, termination issues, and professional negligence claims.
- Develop case strategies and provide commercially focused solutions aligned with clients' objectives.
- Oversee matters through all stages of litigation and arbitration proceedings.
Drafting & Advocacy
- Prepare and review pleadings, submissions, witness statements, expert reports, procedural applications and settlement agreements.
- Coordinate with external counsel, experts and quantum consultants.
- Provide strategic legal advice on high value and complex disputes.
Client Relationship Management
- Act as a trusted adviser to key clients and maintain long term relationships.
- Deliver exceptional client service and commercially pragmatic solutions.
- Work closely with clients, experts, opposing counsel, tribunals and government stakeholders.
Team Leadership & Collaboration
- Mentor and develop junior lawyers and contribute to the growth of the wider Dispute Resolution team.
- Foster collaboration across the firm's offices and practice groups.
- Promote knowledge sharing and contribute to thought leadership initiatives.
Financial & Commercial Responsibilities
- Meet agreed billing, utilisation and collection targets.
- Ensure effective matter management and profitability.
- Contribute meaningfully to the financial performance and continued growth of the Abu Dhabi practice.
Why Join Us?
- A strategic role working directly with the Head of Abu Dhabi Office and Regional Managing Partner.
- A genuine opportunity to build and lead a growing practice.
- Access to an established regional platform and blue chip client base.
- Exposure to some of the most significant construction and infrastructure disputes in the Middle East.
- Significant autonomy and visibility within the firm.
- A highly collaborative environment with strong cross practice support.
- A clear and transparent path towards Partnership for individuals with strong leadership and business development capabilities.
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