Legal Counsel - Reinsurance

Reporting to the Regional Head of Legal and based in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the In-house Legal Counsel will act as a legal business partner to the Lockton MENA Limited team, supporting all aspects of the reinsurance business. The role will focus on commercial legal support and business-related day-to-day legal operations, including contract drafting and negotiation, risk management, contract review, and practical legal guidance, working closely with the Compliance team. As Lockton MENA expands its reinsurance distribution model into Africa (and potentially other jurisdictions), the role will also support expansion activities, including potential new company incorporations, and will act as an escalation point for KSA reinsurance matters arising from interactions between the businesses. The successful candidate will bring prior in-house experience and relevant reinsurance industry experience, with a sound understanding of the DIFC, DFSA and UAE legal and regulatory frameworks, and a proven ability to provide pragmatic, commercially focused legal advice to senior leadership and business stakeholders. Key Responsibilities • Manage day-to-day legal matters across the reinsurance business, including contracts, placements, reinsurance wordings, claims and disputes. • Partner closely with the Regional Head of Legal and Compliance team to support compliance with DIFC, DFSA, UAE and wider regional legal and regulatory requirements. • Monitor emerging legislation and regulatory developments across reinsurance, data protection, sanctions and related areas, translating these into practical guidance for the business. • Support strategic growth initiatives across MENA and Africa, including market entry, distribution arrangements, regulatory licensing, legal due diligence and corporate structuring. • Develop and maintain effective legal processes, contract management and governance frameworks, working with external legal counsel where required. • Build strong relationships with stakeholders across the business, acting as a trusted legal partner and supporting the continued growth of the reinsurance business. • Support the expansion of Lockton MENA’s reinsurance distribution model into Africa, including legal due diligence, market-entry and regulatory licensing assessments, and the structuring and documentation of distribution arrangements with local partners, in coordination with the Regional Head of Legal and the Compliance team. Required Qualifications • Qualified lawyer with a minimum of 4 years’ post-qualification experience. 4-6 PQE preferred • Relevant industry experience in reinsurance is required, ideally gained within a reinsurance broker, reinsurer or insurance company, together with experience in a regulated business environment. • Experience supporting cross-border expansion, market entry or new entity incorporations, ideally in Africa, is desirable. • Fluency in French (written and spoken) is preferred, with the ability to draft and review legal documents in French. Arabic language skills are a plus. • Strong knowledge of contract law and a solid understanding of the DIFC, DFSA and UAE regulatory frameworks. • Basic knowledge of data privacy and data protection principles, including familiarity with the DIFC Data Protection Law and the UAE Personal Data Protection Law, and their application to contracts and day-to-day business operations. • Proven experience operating in an advisory, business partnering capacity, with the ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders. • Excellent communication, negotiation, and legal drafting skills, with strong attention to detail. • Self-motivated and able to work independently and collaboratively within a regional legal and compliance team, demonstrating initiative and sound judgment. About Lockton MENA Headquartered in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Lockton in MENA is home to over 500 associates delivering expert (re)insurance and people solutions. We are trusted by major corporate clients across the UAE and the wider region, offering innovative, tailored protections that meet their evolving needs. Serving clients across the Middle East and North Africa, we customise solutions with precision and care. Lockton in MENA was the first broker in the region to secure its own Lloyd’s Broker license and holds an exclusive global partnership with the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) under the International Professional Partner Firm (IPPF) programme - an endorsement of our commitment to professional excellence and industry best practices. With operations across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Jordan, Egypt and Morocco, we continue to invest in our people, capabilities and regional growth.

Qualified lawyer with a minimum of 4 years’ post-qualification experience. 4-6 PQE preferred. Relevant industry experience in reinsurance is required, ideally gained within a reinsurance broker, reinsurer or insurance company, together with experience in a regulated business environment. Experience supporting cross-border expansion, market entry or new entity incorporations, ideally in Africa, is desirable. Fluency in French (written and spoken) is preferred, with the ability to draft and review legal documents in French. Arabic language skills are a plus. Strong knowledge of contract law and a solid understanding of the DIFC, DFSA and UAE regulatory frameworks. Basic knowledge of data privacy and data protection principles, including familiarity with the DIFC Data Protection Law and the UAE Personal Data Protection Law, and their application to contracts and day-to-day business operations. Proven experience operating in an advisory, business partnering capacity, with the ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders. Excellent communication, negotiation, and legal drafting skills, with strong attention to detail. Self-motivated and able to work independently and collaboratively within a regional legal and compliance team, demonstrating initiative and sound judgment.

Manage day-to-day legal matters across the reinsurance business, including contracts, placements, reinsurance wordings, claims and disputes. Partner closely with the Regional Head of Legal and Compliance team to support compliance with DIFC, DFSA, UAE and wider regional legal and regulatory requirements. Monitor emerging legislation and regulatory developments across reinsurance, data protection, sanctions and related areas, translating these into practical guidance for the business. Support strategic growth initiatives across MENA and Africa, including market entry, distribution arrangements, regulatory licensing, legal due diligence and corporate structuring. Develop and maintain effective legal processes, contract management and governance frameworks, working with external legal counsel where required. Build strong relationships with stakeholders across the business, acting as a trusted legal partner and supporting the continued growth of the reinsurance business. Support the expansion of Lockton MENA’s reinsurance distribution model into Africa, including legal due diligence, market-entry and regulatory licensing assessments, and the structuring and documentation of distribution arrangements with local partners, in coordination with the Regional Head of Legal and the Compliance team.