Associate Director- Legal Advisory

Candidate Profile

• Qualified lawyer with 1012+ years of post-qualification experience in corporate law and private client advisory. (Pref. industry- Top big4- PWC,KPMG, Deloitte, EY or Top Law firm)
• Strong exposure to cross-border structuring and regulatory frameworks (UAE experience preferred). Proven expertise in M&A transactions and high-value contract negotiation.
• Demonstrated experience advising promoters, family businesses, and private wealth clients. Strong commercial judgment with the ability to balance legal precision and business practicality.
• Excellent drafting, analytical reasoning, and stakeholder communication skills. Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to operate autonomously in a leadership capacity.

Job Overview:

We are seeking an accomplished legal professional to join our leadership team as Associate Director Legal Advisory. The role is designed for a senior practitioner with demonstrated expertise in corporate structuring, M&A transactions, private client advisory, and governance frameworks. The Associate Director will play a strategic role in building and leading the legal vertical, advising promoters, family-owned enterprises, and cross-border investors on complex structuring and regulatory matters. This position requires strong technical acumen, commercial orientation, and the ability to operate as a trusted advisor to business owners and senior stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Transaction Advisory & M&A

• Lead end-to-end advisory on domestic and cross-border mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and restructurings.
• Structure transactions from tax, regulatory, and governance perspectives in coordination with financial and tax advisors.
• Oversee legal due diligence, risk assessment, negotiation strategy, and transaction documentation.

Family Business & Private Client Advisory

• Advise promoter-driven and family-owned businesses on succession planning, governance frameworks, and ownership realignment.
• Design and implement family charters, shareholder arrangements, and long-term wealth transition strategies.
• Act as a strategic advisor to family offices and HNIs on structuring and asset protection.

Trusts, Foundations & Wealth Structures

• Structure and advise on trusts, foundations, and holding vehicles, including entities incorporated in Dubai International Financial Centre Abu Dhabi Global Market
• Coordinate with fiduciary service providers and regulatory authorities.
• Ensure compliance with applicable governance and reporting frameworks.

Corporate & Commercial Advisory

• Draft, review, and negotiate complex commercial agreements (SHA, SPA, JVA, investment agreements, ESOP documentation, etc.).
• Provide ongoing company law advisory and governance support to clients across jurisdictions.
• Develop standardized documentation templates and internal legal protocols to enhance efficiency and risk control.

Corporate Service Provider (CSP) Oversight

• Oversee incorporation and ongoing administration of companies across mainland, free zone, and offshore jurisdictions.
• Supervise corporate secretarial services including board documentation, annual filings, statutory registers, and regulatory submissions.
• Ensure compliance with Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO), AML and related regulatory frameworks.
• Interface with registered agents, regulators, and financial institutions for licensing and corporate maintenance.
• Establish internal compliance protocols and quality control systems for CSP service delivery.
• Support clients with business setup structuring aligned with commercial and regulatory objectives.

Leadership & Practice Development

• Contribute to strategic growth of the legal division, including client acquisition and relationship management.
• Mentor and supervise junior legal professionals.
• Collaborate closely with audit, tax, and advisory teams to deliver integrated solutions.