Paralegal / Junior Lawyer

Job description / Role

Looking to hire a bilingual (Arabic and English) paralegal / junior lawyer to work alongside the Head of Legal and Compliance (HLC). Responsibilities will include assisting HLC in the drafting and review of legal documentation, in particular as regards:

- Advising internal stakeholders regarding templates of the legal documentation as well as drafting amendments or side-letters for specific transactions;
- Review of customer corporate documentation and provide advice as regards the customer’s power to borrow and/or pledge;
- Review and negotiation of any documentation required to obtain, register or release security and liaising with the relevant authorities as regards such registration;
- In connection with the launch of security agency product, review and negotiation of documentation relating to specific transactions as well as on-going management of security agency portfolio;
- Assist HLC as regards certain company secretarial duties, including (i) renewal of any licenses in collaboration with the PRO, (ii) preparing the company’s convocation of general assemblies, board and committee meetings, (iii) prepare draft board resolutions, where appropriate, (iv) maintenance of the Company’s books and records.

Regarding litigation, duties will include:
- Coordination with Collections team as regards the commencement of legal proceedings against defaulting customers;
- Managing litigation matters and coordinating and liaising with external law firms, debt collection agencies and/or the Courts.
- Where appropriate, attending any direct negotiations/ discussions with the debtors, creditor meetings and managing, registering and drafting documents relating to any out of court settlements.
- Review all incoming legal correspondence in respect of ongoing litigation, advise if there are any relevant deadlines and notices, keeping track of such deadlines and notices and providing reminders periodically when necessary.
- Maintain shadow files of matters in litigation and update with all official court records and the written updates.
- Maintain up to date summary on all matters in litigation using an agreed summary template.

Requirements

- Fluent in Arabic (reading, speaking and writing)
- Degree in Law or Legal Executive accreditation
- NQ – 18 months PQE lawyer or accredited paralegal
- Knowledge of and experience of working in the UAE environment
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish rapport and credibility with business leaders as well as various authorities and regulators
- Proactive and detail-oriented with strong organization skills
- Banking and finance or litigation experience is preferable but not essential if the candidate is willing to learn.

About the Company

Michael Page is one of the world's leading professional recruitment consultancies, specializing in the placement of candidates in permanent, contract, temporary and interim positions with clients around the world.

The Group has operations in the UK, Continental Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas. In the Middle East we focus on the areas of:

Finance & Accounting Banking & Financial Services Procurement Property & Construction Engineering & Supply Chain Oil & Gas Technical and Engineering Human Resources Sales Marketing Technology Secretarial Executive Search Legal

The Group operates through 161 offices in 33 countries and employs over 5,000 employees worldwide.