Head of Legal
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Key skills for this role
About the Role
Koshan Development & Investment seeks an experienced Head of Legal to lead the legal function in Abu Dhabi. The role involves overseeing all legal, regulatory, governance, and compliance matters, providing strategic advice to senior management, and managing legal risks.
Key Skills for This Role
Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the Legal Department, ensuring efficient delivery of high quality legal services across the organization
- Serve as principal legal advisor to the Board of Directors, CEO, and senior management on all legal and regulatory matters
- Develop and implement the company's legal strategy in alignment with business objectives
- Provide legal advice on corporate, commercial, employment, real estate, construction, intellectual property, finance, regulatory, and dispute resolution matters
- Draft, review, negotiate, and approve a wide range of commercial contracts, shareholder agreements, joint venture agreements, investment agreements, financing documents, and other legal instruments
- Lead legal support for mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, investments, corporate restructurings, and strategic partnerships
- Oversee all litigation, arbitration, mediation, and dispute resolution matters
- Manage intellectual property matters including trademarks, patents, copyrights, industrial designs, licensing, technology transfer, and portfolio protection
- Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, licensing requirements, and corporate governance standards
- Identify legal risks and develop strategies to mitigate potential liabilities
- Develop and maintain company policies, legal procedures, governance frameworks, and compliance programs
- Oversee legal due diligence for acquisitions, investments, financing transactions, and other strategic projects
Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree in Law (LL.B.)
- Master's Degree (LL.M.) preferred
- Licensed to practice law in at least one jurisdiction
- Membership in a recognized Bar Association or Law Society
- Minimum 12–15 years of post qualification legal experience
- At least 5 years in a senior legal leadership or management role
- Extensive experience in corporate and commercial law, mergers and acquisitions, dispute resolution, regulatory compliance, governance, and contract negotiation
- Experience advising executive management, boards of directors, multinational corporations, investors, and government entities highly desirable
- Fluent in English; Arabic is an advantage
Full Job Posting
Job Summary
- We are seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Legal to lead and manage the legal function of the organization.
- The successful candidate will oversee all legal, regulatory, governance, and compliance matters, provide practical legal advice to senior management, manage legal risks, and ensure the organization operates in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
- The Head of Legal will also supervise the legal team, manage external counsel, and support the company's commercial objectives through sound legal and business judgment.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the Legal Department, ensuring the efficient delivery of high quality legal services across the organization.
- Serve as the principal legal advisor to the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, and senior management on all legal and regulatory matters.
- Develop and implement the company's legal strategy in alignment with its business objectives and long term growth plans.
- Provide legal advice on corporate, commercial, employment, real estate, construction, intellectual property, finance, regulatory, and dispute resolution matters.
- Draft, review, negotiate, and approve a wide range of commercial contracts, shareholder agreements, joint venture agreements, investment agreements, financing documents, and other legal instruments.
- Lead legal support for mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, investments, corporate restructurings, and strategic partnerships.
- Oversee all litigation, arbitration, mediation, and dispute resolution matters, working closely with external legal counsel where necessary.
- Manage intellectual property matters, including trademarks, patents, copyrights, industrial designs, licensing, technology transfer, and portfolio protection.
- Ensure the organization complies with all applicable laws, regulations, licensing requirements, and corporate governance standards.
- Identify legal risks and develop strategies to mitigate potential liabilities while supporting business growth.
- Develop and maintain company policies, legal procedures, governance frameworks, and compliance programs.
- Oversee legal due diligence for acquisitions, investments, financing transactions, and other strategic projects.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Law (LL.B.)
- Master's Degree (LL.M.) is preferred.
- Licensed to practice law in at least one jurisdiction.
- Membership in a recognized Bar Association or Law Society.
Experience
- Minimum 12–15 years of post qualification legal experience.
- At least 5 years in a senior legal leadership or management role.
- Extensive experience in corporate and commercial law, mergers and acquisitions, dispute resolution, regulatory compliance, governance, and contract negotiation.
- Experience advising executive management, boards of directors, multinational corporations, investors, and government entities is highly desirable.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong leadership and people management skills.
- Excellent legal drafting, negotiation, and analytical abilities.
- Strategic thinking with strong commercial and business acumen.
- Exceptional communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Proven ability to manage complex legal matters and multiple priorities.
- Strong risk management and problem solving capabilities.
- High ethical standards, professionalism, and sound judgment.
- Ability to work effectively with senior executives, government authorities, and external counsel.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and legal research platforms.
- Fluent in English; Arabic is an advantage.
Preferred Practice Areas
- Corporate & Commercial Law
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Corporate Governance
- Regulatory & Compliance
- Banking & Finance
- Real Estate & Construction
- Intellectual Property
- Employment Law
- Dispute Resolution & Arbitration
- Foreign Investment
- Commercial Contracts
- Risk Management
What We Offer
- Opportunity to work with local and international clients.
- Exposure to high profile intellectual property matters.
- Collaborative and professional working environment.
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