First Abu Dhabi Bank
Senior Legal Counsel
- Permanent
- Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Experience 5 - 10 yrs
- Urgent
Job expiry date: 23/11/2025
Job overview
Date posted
09/10/2025
Location
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Salary
AED 30,000 - 40,000 per month
Compensation
Comprehensive package + relocation
Experience
5 - 10 yrs
Seniority
Senior Manager
Qualification
Bachelors degree
Expiration date
23/11/2025
Job description
Based at First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), Al Qurm Business Park, Abu Dhabi, within the Group Legal sub-division and Group Risk Management division, the Senior Legal Counsel assists the Head of Legal ā Consumer and Private Banking to manage legal risk in all geographies where the FAB Group operates in relation to Private Banking activities, in accordance with FAB Group legal policies and procedures. The role provides legal advice and support aligned to the FAB Groupās strategic and business objectives; directs and guides compliance with applicable international and domestic laws, rules, and regulations; collaborates to establish, disseminate, and implement legal policies; completes legal tasks and projects and responds to legal queries; and supports subsidiaries and international branches by providing legal oversight on legal risks associated with Private Banking products and services. Litigation responsibilities include supervising and managing litigation or disputes between the business and customers in the UAE and abroad, representing FAB and subsidiaries before the notary public, court experts, courts, and the police, and reporting relevant litigation matters to the Group General Counsel and Head of Legal ā Consumer and Private Banking with stakeholder updates. Legal documentation responsibilities include drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts and other legal documents to maximize protections and minimize risks; producing and updating standardized legal agreements, contracts, and standard terms and conditions in line with international best practices and applicable legal requirements; assisting the business in launching new products; and conducting legal and regulatory due diligence on such products, identifying risks and mitigants in all applicable geographies. The role requires staying abreast of new laws and regulations through continuous legal education, conferences, and associations, and providing updates to senior businesspersons on legislative and regulatory developments with advice on compliance. Knowledge sharing includes working closely with other members of the legal function, sharing legal knowledge and best practices, and providing formal and informal training sessions as directed.
Required skills
Key responsibilities
- Provide legal advice and support to Consumer and Private Banking while aligning with FAB Group strategic and business objectives
- Direct and guide compliance with applicable international and domestic laws, rules, and regulations across relevant geographies
- Collaborate with the Head of Legal ā Consumer and Private Banking to establish, disseminate, and implement FAB Group legal policies
- Complete legal tasks and projects in a timely manner and respond to legal queries assigned by the Head of Legal ā Consumer and Private Banking
- Support subsidiaries and international branches by providing legal oversight on legal risks associated with Private Banking products and services
- Supervise and manage litigation and disputes between the business and customers in the UAE and abroad
- Represent FAB and its subsidiaries before the notary public, court experts, courts, and the police to resolve matters in the Groupās best interest
- Report relevant litigation matters to the Group General Counsel and Head of Legal ā Consumer and Private Banking and update stakeholders
- Draft, review, and negotiate contracts and other legal documents to maximize legal protections and minimize risks
- Produce and regularly update standardized legal agreements, contracts, and standard terms and conditions in compliance with best practices and legal requirements
- Assist the business in launching new products and conduct legal and regulatory due diligence, identifying risks and mitigants in applicable geographies
- Monitor new laws and regulations through continuous legal education, conferences, and associations, and provide updates and compliance advice to senior businesspersons
- Work closely with legal colleagues to share legal knowledge and best practices and provide formal and informal training sessions as directed
- Liaise with external law firms and relevant authorities to ensure effective resolution of legal matters affecting the FAB Group
- Provide subject matter input on learning and development initiatives, including training content
- Ensure all requisite legal reports are prepared accurately and on time to meet FAB Group requirements, policies, and standards
- Define goals and KPIs for direct reports, ensure effective performance management, and develop talent through guidance and coaching
- Assist with developing and rolling out new wealth management-related products and services
- Draft, review, and negotiate wealth management-related documents including investment documentation, platform agreements, and distribution agreements
- Assist in managing potential disputes and customer complaints in the UAE and abroad and recommend improvements to policies and processes to improve efficiency and turn-around time
Experience & skills
- Hold a Bachelorās degree in law
- Demonstrate strong English communication and drafting skills
- Ability to read, write, and communicate in Arabic is beneficial but not mandatory
- Bring a minimum of 5 yearsā experience in a reputed bank or law firm, with at least 2 years in a similar role
- Demonstrate familiarity with wealth management products and services
- Demonstrate familiarity with other retail banking products and services (beneficial but not mandatory)
- Demonstrate familiarity with UAE laws and regulations (preferred)
