Senior Legal Counsel, Family Office

Senior Legal Counsel

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Summary:

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Legal Counsel to join a dynamic Family Office in Dubai. This role offers an exciting opportunity to work across multiple jurisdictions, focusing on corporate governance and compliance in the UAE (70%) and Hong Kong (30%). The ideal candidate will possess a minimum of 6 years of experience in corporate law, with a strong understanding of UAE free zone regulations (DIFC, DMCC, ADGM) and a background in Hong Kong legal frameworks being a significant advantage. You will handle corporate registrations, immigration matters, and contract management while ensuring compliance with local laws and managing cross-border operations. This position features a hybrid working environment for a legal professional ready for a challenging and rewarding career.

UAE Operations:

• Provide legal guidance on daily operational matters within the UAE.
• Handle corporate registrations, resolutions, and compliance matters.
• Ensure compliance with free zone regulations in key jurisdictions, including Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).
• Manage relationships with service providers (telecommunications, utilities, etc.).
• Oversee immigration matters, including visa monitoring and renewals.
• Address other technical and regulatory issues for UAE operations.
• Draft and review corporate resolutions.
• Assist in preparing and translating documentation for KYC and related requests.

Hong Kong Operations:

• Provide legal support for obtaining tax rulings and certificates in Hong Kong.
• Facilitate the structuring and management of assets under Hong Kong jurisdiction.
• Oversee corporate and legal compliance for the Hong Kong entity, including registrations and governance matters.
• Manage immigration and operational issues for the Hong Kong office.
• Coordinate with service providers for operational support.
• Address lease agreements and labor law matters related to Hong Kong personnel.

Reporting to: Head of Legal

Requirements:

• Education: Bachelors degree in Law (LLB or equivalent); advanced legal qualifications are a plus.
• Experience: Minimum of 6 years of experience in corporate law and contract management, preferably within the UAE free zones (DIFC, DMCC, ADGM) and/or Hong Kong.
• Legal Expertise:
  • Strong knowledge of UAE corporate and commercial law.
  • Experience in English law is highly desirable.
  • Familiarity with Hong Kong laws is a significant advantage.
  • Experience with real estate transactions is advantageous.
• Languages: Proficiency in English and Russian is mandatory; knowledge of Arabic is highly desirable.
• Skills:
  • Strong drafting and negotiation skills.
  • Ability to work independently and handle multi-jurisdictional responsibilities.
  • Excellent organizational and problem-solving abilities.

Benefits:

• Hybrid working schedule.
• Exposure to multi-jurisdictional legal practices.