Senior Legal Counsel – Retail & Commercial

We’re Hiring: Senior Legal Counsel – Retail & Commercial Location: Dubai, UAE Industry: Retail / Fashion / Franchise / Distribution Experience: 7–10+ Years Employment Type: Full-Time About the Role We are seeking a highly experienced, commercially minded Senior Legal Counsel to join our retail business in Dubai. The ideal candidate must have strong hands-on experience in retail leasing, mall agreements, commercial negotiations, franchise and distribution agreements, and UAE employment law. We are looking for a proactive legal professional who can go beyond traditional legal advisory responsibilities, independently manage complex commercial matters, negotiate effectively, resolve disputes, and provide practical, business-oriented legal solutions. Key Responsibilities 1. Retail Leasing & Mall Agreements * Draft, review, negotiate, and manage retail lease agreements with shopping malls and commercial landlords. * Lead negotiations with mall management regarding rental increases, lease renewals, service charges, marketing fees, penalties, and other commercial terms. * Handle landlord disputes, legal notices, contractual breaches, and commercial claims. * Negotiate lease restructuring, early termination, settlements, and exit arrangements. * Prepare formal legal responses to mall management and landlords. * Protect the company’s commercial interests while maintaining strong relationships with mall operators. 2. Franchise & Distribution Agreements * Draft, review, and negotiate franchise, distribution, agency, and supply agreements. * Advise on exclusivity, territory rights, royalties, performance obligations, termination clauses, and contractual liabilities. * Manage contractual disputes and negotiate commercially viable settlements with franchisors, distributors, and suppliers. 3. Employment Law & HR Support * Provide legal advice on UAE Labour Law and employment-related matters. * Review employment contracts, HR policies, disciplinary procedures, and termination arrangements. * Support HR in employee grievances, internal investigations, labour disputes, and end-of-service matters. * Ensure compliance with applicable UAE employment laws and regulations. 4. Commercial Disputes & Legal Advisory * Draft legal correspondence, notices, settlement agreements, and contractual amendments. * Independently negotiate and resolve commercial disputes before escalation to litigation. * Provide practical legal advice to management on operational and commercial matters. * Coordinate with external law firms and legal authorities when required. * Identify and mitigate legal, financial, and contractual risks. Qualifications & Requirements * Bachelor’s degree in Law (LL.B.) or equivalent. * Minimum 7–10 years of relevant legal experience, preferably within the UAE retail sector. * Proven hands-on experience dealing directly with shopping mall management and retail landlords in the UAE is essential. * Strong expertise in retail leasing, commercial contracts, franchise agreements, and distribution arrangements. * Solid knowledge of UAE Labour Law and commercial regulations. * Demonstrated experience in commercial negotiations, dispute resolution, and settlement agreements. * Excellent legal drafting, communication, and negotiation skills. * Fluency in English is essential; proficiency in Arabic is highly preferred. * Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and provide commercially practical solutions. Ideal Candidate Profile We are particularly interested in candidates who: * Have worked as in-house legal counsel for a multi-brand or multi-store retail company. * Have successfully negotiated with major shopping malls and landlords in the UAE. * Can confidently handle rental disputes, lease renewals, rental increases, and commercial settlements. * Have experience managing franchise and distribution relationships. * Understand retail business operations and the financial impact of legal and contractual decisions. * Are strong negotiators, solution-oriented, commercially aware, and proactive. #Hiring #SeniorLegalCounsel #LegalJobs #DubaiJobs #UAEJobs #RetailLegal #CommercialLaw #RetailLeasing #Franchise #Distribution #InHouseCounsel Show more Show less

Bachelor’s degree in Law (LL.B.) or equivalent. Minimum 7–10 years of relevant legal experience, preferably within the UAE retail sector. Proven hands-on experience dealing directly with shopping mall management and retail landlords in the UAE is essential. Strong expertise in retail leasing, commercial contracts, franchise agreements, and distribution arrangements. Solid knowledge of UAE Labour Law and commercial regulations. Demonstrated experience in commercial negotiations, dispute resolution, and settlement agreements. Excellent legal drafting, communication, and negotiation skills. Fluency in English is essential; proficiency in Arabic is highly preferred. Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and provide commercially practical solutions.

1. Retail Leasing & Mall Agreements – Draft, review, negotiate, and manage retail lease agreements with shopping malls and commercial landlords; Lead negotiations with mall management regarding rental increases, lease renewals, service charges, marketing fees, penalties, and other commercial terms; Handle landlord disputes, legal notices, contractual breaches, and commercial claims; Negotiate lease restructuring, early termination, settlements, and exit arrangements; Prepare formal legal responses to mall management and landlords; Protect the company’s commercial interests while maintaining strong relationships with mall operators. 2. Franchise & Distribution Agreements – Draft, review, and negotiate franchise, distribution, agency, and supply agreements; Advise on exclusivity, territory rights, royalties, performance obligations, termination clauses, and contractual liabilities; Manage contractual disputes and negotiate commercially viable settlements with franchisors, distributors, and suppliers. 3. Employment Law & HR Support – Provide legal advice on UAE Labour Law and employment-related matters; Review employment contracts, HR policies, disciplinary procedures, and termination arrangements; Support HR in employee grievances, internal investigations, labour disputes, and end-of-service matters; Ensure compliance with applicable UAE employment laws and regulations. 4. Commercial Disputes & Legal Advisory – Draft legal correspondence, notices, settlement agreements, and contractual amendments; Independently negotiate and resolve commercial disputes before escalation to litigation; Provide practical legal advice to management on operational and commercial matters; Coordinate with external law firms and legal authorities when required; Identify and mitigate legal, financial, and contractual risks.