Job Description

Roles & Responsibilities

Your key responsibilities

Litigation Management: Lead all aspects of litigation, including pre-litigation strategy, pleadings, discovery, trial preparation, and settlement negotiations across commercial, regulatory, and professional disputes.
Legal Advice: Provide expert guidance to internal stakeholders, ensuring alignment with legal, commercial, and strategic priorities.
Case Strategy Development: Evaluate case merits, assess risks, and advise on settlement options.
Compliance & Regulatory Affairs: Ensure adherence to all relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards. Stay updated on legal developments impacting the firm.
External Counsel Management: Oversee external law firms, monitoring costs, progress, and quality of services.
Risk Management: Identify legal risks associated with disputes and provide proactive mitigation strategies.
Legal Research & Drafting: Conduct thorough research and draft, review, and amend legal documents, including pleadings, motions, briefs, and submissions.
Collaboration & Training: Work with cross-functional teams and provide guidance to junior legal members on litigation strategy and risk mitigation.
General Legal Support: Advise the firm s service lines and internal functions such as real estate, procurement, finance, HR, IT, and marketing. Act as the legal lead on firm-wide projects where applicable.

Skills and attributes for success

Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent law degree; admitted to practice in a MENA country or a common law jurisdiction (e.g., UK/US) with MENA experience.
15+ years post-qualification experience in litigation within a corporate environment or leading law firm.
Strong expertise in complex litigation, civil law, common law, and regulatory matters.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and advocacy skills.
High level of professionalism, credibility, and trust-building capabilities.
Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills; able to work independently under tight deadlines.
Experience managing external counsel and legal budgets.
Bilingual fluency in Arabic and English (spoken and written).
High ethical standards and integrity.

Ideally, you ll also have

Have sector experience in professional (audit) or financial services.
Knowledge of international arbitration and cross-border dispute resolution.
Ability to influence senior stakeholders and build credibility across all levels.

Desired Candidate Profile

We are seeking an experienced Senior Legal Counsel Litigation to join our dynamic MENA Legal team, based in Doha, Qatar. This role reports to the MENA General Counsel and forms part of EY s global legal function.

The successful candidate will manage a diverse caseload across the MENA region, providing strategic legal advice, managing regulatory and litigation matters, and representing the firm in both civil and common law contexts. This role requires exceptional experience in handling complex litigation cases, excellent negotiation skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Associate Director - MENA Legal Counsel Litigation - Doha Ernst & Young AE