Senior Legal Counsel Group Legal Affairs

First Abu Dhabi Bank

Position Overview
First Abu Dhabi Bank is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to support high-level legal, regulatory, and corporate governance matters within the Group General Counsel Office. Based in Abu Dhabi, this role involves managing legal risks, supervising internal legal staff, and coordinating with external counsel to ensure FAB's legal interests are protected. Ideal for a seasoned legal professional with international qualifications and experience in financial services law.

Job Details
Location: United Arab Emirates
Location: Abu Dhabi
Industry: Legal
Function: Legal
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any
Candidate Preferred Location: Any
Job Type: Full-time

Key Responsibilities

* Provide legal advisory support on corporate, governance, and regulatory matters
* Collaborate with the Group General Counsel on sensitive legal issues including M&A, NPL recovery, and structuring
* Supervise legal team members including a Paralegal and Legal Associate
* Manage legal reporting, budgeting, and engagement with external law firms
* Oversee trademark, litigation, compliance documentation, and regulatory filings
* Monitor legal developments and advise on legislative impact and risk mitigation
* Develop internal training initiatives and share legal best practices across teams
* Ensure timely preparation of legal MIS reports and assist with risk assessments

Ideal Profile

* Bachelor s degree in Law; Master s degree preferred
* Qualification as a lawyer in the UK, US, Australia, or recognized Commonwealth jurisdiction
* Minimum 10 years experience in a law firm or in-house bank legal department
* Strong command of English; Arabic fluency highly preferred
* In-depth understanding of financial services regulations, corporate governance, and compliance
* Proven experience in managing legal teams, projects, and multi-stakeholder environments