Senior Legal Counsel

About FAB

FAB, the UAE’s largest bank and one of the world’s largest financial institutions offers an extensive range of tailor-made solutions, and products and services, to provide a customised experience. Through its strategic offerings, it looks to meet the banking needs of customers across the world via its market-leading Corporate and Investment Banking and Personal Banking franchises. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi in Khalifa Business Park, the bank’s international network spans over 19 countries across the world, providing the global relationships, expertise and financial strength to support local, regional and international businesses seeking to do business at home and abroad. 

Senior Legal Counsel

We are looking for dynamic Senior Legal counsels who are proficient in drafting, reviewing and negotiating complex agreements. Handling and providing legal support in relation to customer requests to amend standard documentation in the UAE and abroad.

Under the supervision of the Head of Legal for either Loan Markets/ Corporate & Transactional banking/ Market & Group Funding/ Personal Banking business the Senior Legal Counsel will be responsible for managing potential disputes and customer complaints in the concerned business area in the UAE and abroad.

Job Purpose

The role assists the Head of Legal (Loan Markets/ Corporate & Transactional banking/ Market & Group Funding/ Personal Banking) manage legal risk in all the geographies where FAB operates in relation to FAB Loan Markets activities in accordance with FAB Group legal policies and procedures. The role holder should be able to work autonomously, but should seek the Head of Legal’s input on unusual situations, complex matters, and issues which may pose significant legal, financial and/or reputational risk to FAB Group

Core Responsibilities

Legal Advisory 

• Provides legal advice and support to the business while keeping in mind FAB’s strategic and business objectives.    
• Provides direction and guidance to facilitate FAB’s compliance with all applicable international and domestic laws, rules and regulations.
• Collaborates with the Head of Legal to establish, disseminate and implement the FAB’s Group legal policies.    
• Completes legal tasks and projects in a timely manner and responds to legal queries assigned to him/her by the Head of Legal 
• Supports FAB subsidiaries and international branches by providing general legal oversight on legal risks associated with FAB Loan Markets products and services.

Litigation         

• Supervises and is responsible for the adequate management of litigation or disputes between the business and its customers in the UAE and abroad.
• Represents FAB before the Notary Public, court experts, courts, and the police to resolve matters in the best interest of FAB.
• Reports relevant litigation matters to the Group General Counsel and Head of Legal and provides updates to the relevant stakeholders.

Legal Documentation and Review

• Drafts, reviews and negotiates contracts and other legal documents in order to maximise the FAB Group’s legal protections whilst simultaneously minimising risks. 
• Produces and regularly updates standardised legal agreements, contracts and standard terms and conditions for FAB in compliance with international best practices and applicable legal requirements.
• Assists the business in launching new products and conducts legal and regulatory due diligence on such products, including identifying risks and mitigants in all applicable geographies.

Knowledge of External Environment

• Stays abreast of new laws and regulations through continuous legal education, attending professional conferences, and participating in professional associations.
• Provides updates to the FAB Group senior business persons on new legislation and regulatory developments that may have an impact on the FAB Group and advises FAB on how to comply with such new legislation and regulations.

Knowledge Sharing

• Works closely and develops a positive professional relationship with the other members of the legal function and shares legal knowledge and best practices with legal colleagues, including providing formal and informal training sessions at the direction of the Group General Counsel and Head of Legal.

Stakeholder Management

• Liaises with the concerned external authorities such as courts and law firms to ensure effective resolution of all legal matters affecting FAB.

Learning and Development 

• Functions as a subject matter expert and provides input on learning and development initiatives including training content to ensure value addition and relevance.

MIS and Reports

• Ensures that all reports related to own area are prepared in a timely and accurately manner, and meet the FAB Group’s requirements, policies, and standards.

People Management Responsibilities

• Defines goals and key performance indicators for own reports and ensures effective implementation of the FAB performance management process.
• Develops talent within the team by providing guidance and coaching to achieve the defined goals.

Minimum Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in law
• Master’s degree in law is preferred

Minimum Experience

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in a reputed bank or law firm, with at least 2 years in a similar role