Bilingual Senior Associate/Legal Director - Construction Litigation - Abu Dhabi

Overview

Reporting Line

Role Overview

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?
• This is an exceptional opportunity to play a pivotal role in building and shaping a premier Construction Litigation practice within one of the Middle East's leading law firms.
• The successful candidate will benefit from:
• 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.
• Please note that all applications must be submitted through our job portal, as we are not accepting profiles via recruitment agencies at this stage.
• *Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted*