Role overview
Our client is a substantial Abu Dhabi-based organisation with an active pipeline of major construction and infrastructure projects. They are looking to hire a Senior Legal Counsel to sit at the centre of the projects legal function in Abu Dhabi. The successful candidate will cover the full life cycle of construction legal work, from procurement and tendering through contract negotiation and project delivery to claims. This is an excellent opportunity for a construction specialist who wants to run a whole portfolio, working closely with the commercial, technical and delivery teams.
Key responsibilities
- Draft and negotiate FIDIC-based, EPC, EPCM, O&M and design and build contracts, consultancy appointments and subcontracts
- Advise project teams through procurement, tendering and contract award
- Support live projects on variations, extensions of time, payment and performance security
- Manage claims and early dispute avoidance, instructing external counsel where proceedings arise
- Advise on contractor, consultant and supplier appointments, including prequalification and frameworks
- Keep contract templates and playbooks up to date
Candidate profile
- 8+ years' PQE with a strong construction and projects focus
- Common law qualified, trained at a respected international or regional firm, or with comparable in-house projects experience
- Deep knowledge of FIDIC and how it is amended in the Gulf
- Experience across the project life cycle, from procurement to claims
- GCC experience preferred, Abu Dhabi experience an advantage
About Meyssa Legal
Meyssa Legal places lawyers across private practice and in-house roles in the UAE, with deep experience in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. We work consultatively with leading firms, in-house teams, and senior counsel across banking and finance, disputes, corporate, regulatory, and TMT.
Our approach prioritises judgment over targets and discretion over volume. We brief every role in confidence, submit only candidates we genuinely believe fit, and treat every conversation as the start of a long-term relationship.
