Legal Counsel

First Abu Dhabi Bank

Job Title
Legal Counsel Banking and Corporate Governance Abu Dhabi
Job Description
Legal Counsel Banking and Corporate Governance Abu Dhabi

Position Overview
First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), the UAE s largest financial institution, is seeking an experienced Legal Counsel to join the Group General Counsel s Office in Abu Dhabi. This role will focus on providing high-level legal advisory support across corporate governance, regulatory matters, non-performing loan recovery, and strategic M&A activities. It offers a unique opportunity for a senior legal professional to influence group-wide decisions and manage legal risk within a dynamic and high-stakes environment.

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