Assistant Legal Counsel

Role Overview

Assistant Legal Counsel at Apparel Group. The role manages active litigation, employee disputes, and criminal complaints while ensuring robust contract documentation across all business lines. It liaises between internal stakeholders and external advisors, maintaining oversight of case progress and legal risk.

Role Purpose

This position manages active litigation, employee disputes, and criminal complaints while ensuring robust contract documentation across all business lines. It liaises between internal stakeholders and external advisors, maintaining oversight of case progress and legal risk.

Key Responsibilities

Litigation & Dispute Management

• Manage litigation cases independently from inception through resolution, coordinating all procedural steps and deadlines.
• Handle police cases, criminal complaints, and employee disputes, ensuring timely and well-documented responses.
• Instruct and coordinate external lawyers, monitor case progress, and maintain up-to-date status reports for senior management.
• Prepare and review litigation-related documentation, pleadings, and correspondence in both Arabic and English.
• Advise internal stakeholders on litigation risks, likely outcomes, and recommended courses of action.

Contract Drafting & Review

• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts in Arabic and English across retail, real estate, F&B, and franchise operations.
• Ensure contractual terms adequately protect the Group's interests while remaining commercially practical and enforceable.
• Maintain a structured contract repository and tracking system to support renewals, expirations, and compliance obligations.
• Provide clear and concise legal commentary to business units on contractual risks and proposed amendments.

Legal Advisory & Stakeholder Support

• Advise cross-functional teams on day-to-day legal matters including employment, commercial, and regulatory issues.
• Support HR and operations on employee disputes, disciplinary proceedings, and labor law compliance.
• Coordinate with external counsel and regulatory bodies to obtain timely legal opinions and approvals.
• Communicate legal positions clearly and concisely to non-legal stakeholders in both Arabic and English.

Regulatory Monitoring & Compliance

• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments across relevant jurisdictions and assess their impact on business operations.
• Prepare and circulate timely legal updates to keep internal teams informed of new or amended requirements.
• Support the development and maintenance of internal legal policies, templates, and compliance frameworks.
• Assist in ensuring the Group's operations remain aligned with applicable laws, regulations, and licensing requirements.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Law (LLB or equivalent) from a recognized institution; postgraduate legal qualification is an advantage.
• Minimum 4 to 7 years of legal experience, with substantial hands-on litigation and dispute resolution practice.
• Proven experience managing police cases, criminal complaints, and employment disputes independently.
• Demonstrated ability to instruct external lawyers, track case progress, and report to senior stakeholders effectively.
• Sound understanding of UAE and/or GCC commercial, labor, and regulatory laws applicable to retail and multi-brand environments.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills in both Arabic and English across commercial and operational contexts.
• Full professional fluency in Arabic and English, with excellent written and verbal communication skills in both languages.
• Ability to manage multiple matters simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• High degree of professional integrity, discretion, and sound judgment in handling sensitive legal matters.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools and legal document management systems.