Legal Coordinator

Job Summary:

The Legal Coordinator will support the legal team in ensuring compliance with UAE laws, managing documentation, and coordinating contract management and regulatory matters. The role involves providing guidance on various legal issues, supporting risk management, and working closely with both internal teams and external legal counsel to protect the company’s interests. This position is critical in helping to align legal processes with business objectives in a fast-paced retail environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Advise management on legal issues by conducting research on UAE case law and relevant topics, including rental, customs, procurement, labor, regulatory, and consumer protection laws, providing recommendations to stakeholders on legal requirements.
• Draft, review, and negotiate contract terms with suppliers, vendors, landlords, and business partners to ensure contractual accuracy, completeness, and alignment with the company’s interests.
• Ensure contractual agreements are legally sound, protecting the company’s interests and minimizing legal risks, while managing databases of contracts, amendments, and related correspondence for easy access.
• Assist in handling legal disputes and litigation, including customer complaints, employment disputes, and commercial litigation. Conduct thorough reviews to assess legal merits, risks, and cost-benefit analysis for potential litigation matters.
• Collaborate with external counsel to develop litigation strategies, manage court proceedings, and represent the company’s interests in legal disputes.
• Support the protection of the company’s intellectual property rights, including trademarks, copyrights, and patents by conducting trademark searches, filing applications, and enforcing IP rights against infringers.
• Interface with regulatory agencies and industry associations to stay informed of regulatory developments and industry trends, and advise the company on regulatory compliance issues while representing its interests in proceedings.
• Ensure compliance with relevant laws governing retail operations, such as consumer protection, employment, data protection, and product safety. Monitor regulatory changes and advise on necessary policy and procedural adjustments to maintain compliance.
• Identify legal risks and vulnerabilities within the company’s operations and business strategies, and help develop mitigation strategies and risk management processes.
• Provide legal insights to employees on key issues impacting their roles, developing informational materials and conducting training sessions on compliance, contract management, and intellectual property protection.
• Assist in developing and updating internal policies and procedures to ensure legal compliance and alignment with industry standards, reflecting changes in laws and regulations.
• Conduct legal due diligence for intellectual property, mergers, acquisitions, and corporate transactions, identifying legal risks and advising on risk mitigation strategies for potential transactions.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Law or Legal Studies
• Experience: Minimum of 2 years of experience in a legal support or coordination role, preferably within the retail, FMCG, or consumer goods sector in the UAE.
• Knowledge: Familiarity with UAE laws, especially labor laws, commercial and contract laws, and consumer protection.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with high attention to detail in legal documentation.
• Strong interpersonal skills for collaborating with legal team members, internal departments, and external partners.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and legal document management systems.

Additional Requirements:

• Knowledge of Arabic is an advantage.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and meet tight deadlines.
• Commitment to confidentiality and ethical handling of sensitive legal information.