Legal Counsel - Banking/Finance

To provide legal advisory support as a key contributor within the Legal team and to proactively support the bank's businesses' transactions, products development and initiatives, ensuring alignment with applicable legal, regulatory, market and internal standards.

Job Accountabilities:

• Support on UAE banking transactions by effectively collaborating with other lawyers in the legal team, and advising internal business stakeholders and ensuring transactions are executed efficiently and with minimal legal risk.
• Develop, enhance and standardize legal documentation and templates for various banking and IT products to improve clarity, reduce risk, and promote consistency across the bank.
• Collaborate with product teams and other stakeholders to structure innovative banking products, providing legal guidance on parameters and compliance frameworks that support sustainable business growth.
• Demonstrate expertise and hands-on experience with syndications, derivatives, and structured finance legal frameworks.
• Draft, review and negotiate a variety of commercial agreements including, but not limited to, software licensing, services, procurement, subscription and payment services arrangements.
• Draft, review and negotiate all types of lending and security documentation for corporate and retail customers including, but not limited to, credit facility agreements, term loans, assignments, pledges, corporate and personal guarantees, movable security agreements, car financing, mortgages and real estate financing related matters.
• Sound working knowledge of Islamic Finance documentation structures including Ijara and Murabaha structures.
• Solid knowledge of UAE laws relating to corporate, commercial, financing, real estate and security transactions.
• Tailor wholesale and retail banking documentation to specific deals including facilities and covenant packages.
• Provide training and communication to business teams to enhance understanding of legal documentation and fostering a culture of informed compliance.
• Manage legal and regulatory risks by identifying potential issues early and advising on appropriate mitigating strategies, thereby protecting the bank's reputation and business interests.
• Oversee and manage external counsel engagements, ensuring clear scopes of work, quality outputs, cost controls, and effective matter management aligned with the bank's standards.
• Strong capability to foster collaboration across legal, business, and functional teams, building and maintaining productive relationships that facilitate smooth execution of mandates.
• Skilled in upholding high standards of conduct and ethical behavior, promoting transparent decision-making and adherence to internal and external legal requirements.
• Excellent analytical abilities and business acumen, with the capacity to align legal advice with commercial objectives and regulatory considerations.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in law or equivalent from any jurisdiction.
• Common Law qualification preferred.
• minimum of 5 years post-qualification experience specializing in banking and finance, ideally spanning private practice and in-house counsel roles handling complex legal matters.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.