Corporate Lawyer - Manager

Client of James Douglas Middle East

Our client is a prominent real estate development company based in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. They specialize in creating master-planned communities, luxury residential properties, and hospitality developments. The companys portfolio includes upscale residential projects, shopping malls, hotels, and resorts, along with retail and leisure properties. They focus on delivering high-quality developments that cater to both local and international markets. Their projects are designed to offer luxury living, community-centric amenities, and sustainable solutions.

They are seeking a high-calibre Corporate Lawyer (Manager level) to strengthen their in-house legal function within a growing real estate organization. The role will support complex real estate transactions, contract structuring, regulatory compliance, and commercial risk management across development, land acquisition, and property operations.

This is a hands-on role requiring strong UAE legal knowledge, excellent drafting and negotiation skills, and prior exposure to real estate development contracts.

Key Responsibilities

Real Estate & Commercial Contracts

• Draft, review, negotiate, and redline a wide range of real estate contracts including:
  • Sale & Purchase Agreements (SPA)
  • Land acquisition agreements
  • Jointly Owned Property Declarations (JOPD)
  • Property Management & Common Areas Management agreements
  • Construction and consultancy contracts (where applicable)
  • Commercial leases and service agreements

Legal Advisory & Compliance

• Provide legal advice on UAE laws and regulatory frameworks impacting real estate development and operations.
• Interpret and apply relevant regulations from land departments, free zone authorities, and regulators.
• Support internal stakeholders with legal guidance on transactional risks, compliance requirements, and dispute avoidance.

Transaction Support

• Support land acquisitions, project structuring, development agreements, and joint ventures.
• Coordinate with external counsel where required and manage legal deliverables efficiently.
• Participate in negotiations with counterparties, agents, and external advisors.

Risk Management & Governance

• Identify legal risks and propose mitigation strategies.
• Maintain contract standards, templates, and approval workflows.
• Support corporate governance documentation and internal compliance processes.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Work closely with development, finance, sales, and operations teams to enable business execution.
• Provide pragmatic legal solutions balancing risk and commercial realities.

Key Qualifications

• Strong working knowledge of UAE laws and regulations.
• Proven experience in real estate contracts, including:
  • SPA
  • Land acquisition agreements
  • JOPD
  • Property management and common area contracts
  • Contract reviews, assessments, and redlining

• In-house legal role with a real estate developer is a plus
• Law firm experience supporting real estate or corporate transactions is preferred
• Exposure to construction contracts or contracting firms is preferred

Candidates from contracting or engineering firms with strong contract exposure may also be considered.