Senior Legal Counsel

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and support to Private Banking and Wealth Management businesses across FAB Group jurisdictions, aligned with FAB Group strategic and business objectives.
• Guide and implement legal policies and ensure compliance with applicable international and domestic laws, rules and regulations.
• Draft, review and negotiate contracts, platform agreements, distribution agreements, investment documentation and standard legal templates to protect FAB Group interests and minimise legal risk.
• Supervise and manage litigation and disputes involving customers in the UAE and abroad; represent FAB before courts, notaries and relevant authorities.
• Support product launches by conducting legal and regulatory due diligence and identifying risks and mitigants for new wealth management and retail banking products.
• Liaise with external law firms and regulators; coordinate case management and reporting to Group General Counsel and senior stakeholders.
• Share legal knowledge, provide training and collaborate with the wider legal function to ensure consistent legal practices and continuous professional development.
• Define goals and KPIs for direct reports, coach and develop team members, and ensure timely preparation of required legal reports.

Requirements

• Law degree
• 5+ years
• Banking experience
• Wealth management
• Litigation experience
• Contract drafting
• UAE laws
• English drafting
• Arabic beneficial

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a leading UAE bank or reputable international law firm
• Prior exposure to cross‑border private banking and wealth management regulatory regimes
• Membership of a recognised Bar or legal professional body
• Advanced legal qualifications (e.g., LLM) or specialised training in financial services regulation

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package
• Health and medical insurance
• Annual leave
• UAE visa support and assistance
• Learning and development opportunities including professional training

About the Company

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) is the UAE's leading bank and one of the region's most prestigious financial institutions. FAB serves a broad client base across the UAE and internationally, offering corporate, retail, private banking and wealth management services. The legal team plays a key role in supporting strategic growth, managing legal and regulatory risk, and enabling product innovation across the Group. This position is based in Abu Dhabi and offers the opportunity to work on complex cross‑jurisdictional matters within a market‑leading organisation.