en

Jobs

Let our industry specialists listen to your aspirations and present your story to the most esteemed organizations in the Middle East, as we collaborate to write the next chapter of your successful career.

See all jobs

Exclusive Recruitment Partners

Explore the opportunities from a range of organisations that exclusively partner with Robert Walters for their hiring needs.

Learn more
Jobs

Let our industry specialists listen to your aspirations and present your story to the most esteemed organizations in the Middle East, as we collaborate to write the next chapter of your successful career.

See all jobs

Exclusive Recruitment Partners

Explore the opportunities from a range of organisations that exclusively partner with Robert Walters for their hiring needs.

Learn more
Candidates

Together, we’ll map out career-defining, life-changing pathways to achieve your career ambitions. Browse our range of services, advice, and resources.

Learn more
Services

The Middle East’s leading employers trust us to deliver fast, efficient hiring solutions that are tailored to their exact requirements. Browse our range of bespoke services and resources.

Read more
Insights

Whether you’re seeking to hire talent or seeking a new career move for yourself, we have the latest facts, trends and inspiration you need.

See all resources
About Robert Walters Middle East

We always put the interests of our clients and candidates first and aim to find the best fit for the employer and job seeker.

Learn more

Work for us

Our people are the difference. Hear stories from our people to learn more about a career at Robert Walters Middle East.

Learn more

Day in the life of a corporate lawyer

The Middle East has recently been ticking all the boxes as the location-of-choice for corporate lawyers seeking exposure across high-value, global transactions.

We explore just some of the considerations and accountabilities these lawyers face when looking to practice in the region.

What attracts corporate lawyers to the Middle East?

The Middle East is becoming a hot spot for commercial lawyers who want to be at the heart of high-value, cross-border transactions, as gross domestic product continues to grow and Europe continues to face economic struggles. Opportunities are similarly increasing as business continue to invest in areas such as Qatar and Dubai due to their favourable tax structures and regulation levels when compared to other global investment centres.

Accountabilities for a corporate lawyer

Corporate lawyers in the Middle East, as in any other part of the world, are generally defined by their specialist understanding of business and company law. Importantly, they are responsible for ensuring that the business transactions of their clients are structured and executed within the bounds of the law, while meeting the commercial goals of the business.

To that end, corporate lawyers are required to have a thorough understanding of their client’s businesses as well as the differences between varying legal entities and how to best utilise these across varying operations. Corporate lawyers also often specialise in legal transactions pertaining to mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property law, restructuring and bankruptcy law.

Corporate lawyers are required to have a thorough understanding of their client’s businesses as well as the differences between varying legal entities and how to best utilise these across varying operations

 

As a corporate lawyer in the Middle East, you will typically find yourself advising a diverse client base which may include sovereign wealth funds, governments, multinationals, investment banks and private equity firms. Whether it be advising on headline transactions such as the Qatar 2022 world cup bid or the launch of Abu Dhabi’s new financial free zone (the Abu Dhabi Global Market), the quality of work for a corporate lawyer in the region is high. 

Demand in the Middle East

Within the Middle East, there is a notable demand for corporate lawyers, however, the primary difference across the type of lawyer required will be associated with the relative size of transaction they are working on. As the value and size increases, so does the relative complexity and risk associated with the role. In this situation, larger firms are more often preferred as they hold specialist teams who specialise on transactions of this nature.

As investment increases, we have witnessed a notable surge of international law firms entering the market. The increasing presence of magic circle, white shoe and other international law firms in cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh and Jeddah have been particular evidence of this and we expect this to nurture and drive legal recruitment within the Middle East for quite some time.

Skills for corporate lawyer

First and foremost, corporate lawyers need not only a strong understanding of business but a thorough understanding of how each transaction fits context of the target business as a whole. Secondly - and arguably the most important skill is an intermit understanding of company law. In addition to this, you will find that corporate lawyers are typically skilled at drafting as well as being able to include and remove clauses from contracts to best suit the requirements of the client. 

Career progression for corporate lawyers

Corporate lawyers will generally find a broad range of opportunities available to them, given their relative exposure across commercial transactions as well as holding experience and understanding across many areas of the law.

If you are looking for a career in Law and require more information, please contact:

Jason Grundy
E:  jason.grundy@robertwalters.com
T:  +971 4 8180 102

Share this article

Useful links

Sign up for job alerts
Salary Survey
Career Advice
Get in touch

Find out more by contacting one of our specialist recruitment consultants

Related content

View All

How to Obtain a Working Visa in Saudi Arabia

A work visa to Saudi Arabia can open doors to exciting career opportunities in a country rich in history and culture. To help you navigate the application process with ease, our blog will walk you through each step, offering helpful hints and insights along the way. If you are considering working in

Read More

Understanding Saudization

Currently working in or planning to work in Saudi Arabia? Then you need to know how Saudization may affect your chances and learn what it means for foreigners in Saudi Arabia. Omer Zakaria, Manager of Saudi Arabian recruitment at Robert Walters, explains the impact of Saudization on expats. What is

Read More

Looking for a job in Saudi Arabia? Here are a few tips to help you get started

Today's globalised world makes Saudi Arabia an attractive professional location with many work options. To succeed in this vibrant nation, you need a structured strategy for your professional development. This comprehensive article will help you get a job in Saudi Arabia with important insights and

Read More

I'm Robert Walters Are you?

Come join our global team of creative thinkers, problem solvers and game changers. We offer accelerated career progression, a dynamic culture and expert training.