Legal Counsel Banking and Corporate Governance

First Abu Dhabi Bank

Job Details
Job Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Industry: Banking
Function: Legal
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any
Job Type: Full-time

Position Overview
As Legal Counsel, you will report directly to the Group General Counsel and play a pivotal role in protecting FAB's legal interests. You ll work independently on complex legal issues, support major initiatives, and manage a small legal support team. Your expertise will be critical in advising the executive leadership on matters of strategic legal importance, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance.

What You ll Do

* Provide legal counsel across a wide range of matters including corporate structuring, M&A, governance, and litigation
* Collaborate closely with the Group General Counsel on high-impact projects and sensitive legal issues
* Review, interpret, and advise on new legislation and regulatory changes affecting the bank
* Draft internal legal reports, opinions, and documentation as required
* Liaise with external legal firms and regulatory bodies to manage litigation or specialized matters
* Supervise paralegal and legal associate staff for functions like invoice processing, reporting, and compliance documentation
* Oversee legal MIS, litigation dashboards, and risk self-assessments (RCSA) for the department
* Support budget planning and special projects within the Group Legal Office
* Conduct internal training and knowledge-sharing with legal colleagues to build capability

Ideal Profile

* Bachelor s degree in Law (Master s preferred) from a reputable international institution
* 10+ years of legal experience in a bank or top-tier law firm, ideally with a focus on corporate governance or regulatory advisory
* Qualified lawyer in a common law or European jurisdiction preferred (e.g. UK, USA, Australia)
* Fluent in English; Arabic proficiency is highly desirable (drafting capability preferred)
* Demonstrated ability to advise on high-value, high-risk legal issues with sound judgment
* Strong leadership skills with experience managing legal support staff
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills
* Able to handle confidential matters with discretion and professionalism