Senior Legal Counsel – Litigation, 12 – 15 years PQE

Position: Senior Legal Counsel – Litigation

Reporting to: General Counsel

 

About EY: 

 

EY is a global network of professional services firms engaged in advisory, transaction, assurance, and tax services with member firms in over 170 countries worldwide. The MENA region covers more than 15 countries and has over 8,000 employees. The MENA Legal team is a well-established team led by MENA General Counsel, Salam Atoui, and comprises more than 12 legal professionals and support personnel. The MENA Legal team also forms part of the Global legal function.

 

The Opportunity:

 

 We are seeking an experienced Senior Legal Counsel with at least 12 years post-qualification experience, specializing in regulatory and litigation matters, with a focus on professional and commercial-related litigations. The successful candidate will join our dynamic legal team covering the MENA region and will be responsible for managing a diverse caseload, providing strategic legal advice, and representing the company in various processes. This role requires extensive experience in handling complex litigation cases (common law cases) and experience in managing civil law cases (employment matters are pluses), excellent negotiation skills, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

 

Your Key Responsibilities:

 

Litigation Management: Handle all aspects of litigation, including pre-litigation strategy, pleadings, discovery, trial preparation, and settlement negotiations in a wide range of contentious matters (e.g., commercial, regulatory, employment disputes) in common law-based jurisdictions such as ADGM and DIFC in UAE, as well as civil law case management. Legal Advice: Provide expert legal advice to internal stakeholders on potential or actual disputes, ensuring that decisions align with legal, commercial, and strategic considerations. Case Strategy Development: Develop and implement effective litigation strategies, evaluating the merits of cases, assessing risks, and advising on settlement options. Compliance and Regulatory Affairs: Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards related to litigation and contentious matters. Stay updated on relevant legal developments, industry trends, and emerging issues that may impact the company. External Counsel Management: Work closely with and manage external law firms when necessary, including overseeing costs, progress, and quality of legal services. Risk Management: Identify legal risks associated with potential litigation and advise the business on mitigating actions. Legal Research & Drafting: Conduct thorough legal research and draft, review, and amend various legal documents, including pleadings, motions, briefs, and other court submissions. Collaboration: Collaborate with other legal team members and cross-functional departments (e.g., compliance, finance, operations) to ensure effective handling of disputes and support in internal investigations. Training & Development: Provide training and guidance to junior members of the legal team and to internal departments on litigation and risk mitigation strategies. General: Provide legal advice to the firm’s service lines and its other internal support functions such as real estate and facilities, procurement, finance, HR, IT, knowledge, and marketing, and the opportunity to be the legal lead on firm-wide projects. Act as the focal point of contact reporting to MENA General Counsel.

 

To Qualify for the Role, You Must Have:

 

Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent law degree; admitted to practice law in a foreign jurisdiction such as UK/US with experience in the MENA region (admission to practice law within one of the Middle East & North Africa countries is considered a plus). 12 or more years of post-qualification experience in litigation, preferably within a corporate environment or leading law firm. Demonstrated experience in handling complex litigation and contentious matters across a broad range of legal issues. Strong understanding of litigation procedures, dispute resolution mechanisms, and court processes. Excellent communication, negotiation, and advocacy skills, with the ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner. Ability to provide practical legal advice and support with a high degree of professionalism in a fast-paced environment and to establish a high degree of credibility, respect, and trust at all levels. Strong analytical skills and the ability to assess legal risks and make strategic recommendations. Ability to work independently and manage multiple cases simultaneously under tight deadlines. Experience in managing external counsel and legal budgets. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. A proven level of English fluency, both spoken and written. High level of professional ethics and integrity.

 

Ideally, You’ll Also Have:

 

A proven level of Arabic fluency, both spoken and written is highly desirable. Experience in a specific sector such as professional (audit) or financial services. Knowledge of international arbitration and cross-border disputes: Managing dispute resolution processes including mediation, arbitration, and negotiations with the aim of reaching favorable outcomes while mitigating risks. Proven ability to establish a high degree of credibility, respect, and trust at all levels, including with senior members within the firm, some of whom have a considerable understanding of the law.

Key Competencies:

Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. Excellent interpersonal and team management abilities. Strong team player with excellent negotiation and communication skills. Leadership in driving litigation strategy and risk management. Adaptability and capability to work in a high-pressure environment. Keeps calm and copes well with conflicting and ever-changing deadlines. Ability to lead, provide a view, take responsibility and ownership of issues, including an ability to take difficult decisions and provide substantiated arguments. Commercial awareness of the business issues facing us as we evolve, coupled with an active desire to get alongside our business, offering legal insight and support. A pragmatic solution-oriented mindset and interest in supporting the business in reaching its objectives.

Why Join Us?

 

Great opportunity: you get to work on high-profile and complex legal matters. Continuous learning: you’ll develop the mindset and skills to navigate whatever comes next. Success as defined by you: we’ll provide the tools and flexibility, so you can make a meaningful impact, your way. Transformative leadership: you will get the insights, coaching, and confidence to be the leader the world needs. Collaborative and Diverse Culture: you get to work in a supportive and inclusive work environment and culture.

Working Conditions:

 

Office-based role with flexibility to work remotely on some days of the week, and the possibility of occasional travel within the MENA region. Flexibility to work beyond standard business hours to meet the demands of the role.

This job description provides a general overview of the role and is not exhaustive. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned as needed.

 

If you can demonstrate that you meet the criteria above, please contact us.

 

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