Internal Lawyer – Real Estate Developer
Guildhall is running the search for an established European real estate group building a new development and brokerage platform in Dubai. You'll be the first internal lawyer for the Dubai operation, covering development contracts, real estate regulation and corporate matters across a lean team of five to six. The group has secured multiple plots across the city, with several projects moving into construction and sales over the coming months, and legal cover needs to be in place before that volume lands. It's a rare seat for an in-house lawyer who wants to build a legal function from the ground up and work directly with senior leadership.
The role
- Act as the first internal lawyer for a new Dubai development platform.
- Draft and review development, sale and purchase, and reservation agreements.
- Advise on Dubai Land Department, RERA and off-plan regulatory requirements.
- Support corporate structuring across development, brokerage and future related entities.
- Manage day-to-day commercial contracts including supplier, consultancy and agency agreements.
- Report directly to senior leadership as the sole legal function.
What you'll bring
- In-house legal experience with a Dubai or UAE property developer.
- Strong drafting and review skills across real estate development contracts.
- Working knowledge of Dubai real estate regulation and off-plan rules.
- Comfortable operating as a standalone legal function in a small team.
- Broad commercial contract experience across multiple business lines.
What's on offer
- Direct exposure to senior leadership from day one.
- Broad legal remit spanning real estate, corporate and commercial matters.
- Ground-floor role building the legal function as the platform scales.
- Future scope across construction, property management and related businesses.
Why apply through Guildhall
- Boutique executive search firm in Dubai, established 2010.
- 8x independent industry awards since 2020.
- 4.9-star Google rating from over 250 reviews.
- Direct access to the consultant running this search, throughout.
Hiring an Internal Lawyer in Dubai
An Internal Lawyer at a Dubai property developer typically owns the full legal side of the business, from development and sale agreements to Dubai Land Department and RERA compliance. In smaller or newly established developers, this person often works as the sole legal hire, reporting straight to senior management rather than into a larger legal department. Demand for this profile tends to rise sharply when a developer moves several projects into construction and sales at the same time, since contract and regulatory volume increases quickly. Candidates with prior in-house experience at a Dubai developer are usually best placed, since the role calls for a broad, commercial generalist rather than a narrow specialist.
Common questions
What does an Internal Lawyer do in Dubai?
An Internal Lawyer at a Dubai developer manages the legal side of property development, from drafting sale and development agreements to advising on Dubai Land Department and RERA requirements. In smaller teams, they often also handle corporate structuring and general commercial contracts across the business. The scope tends to be broad rather than narrowly specialised.
What experience do I need to apply?
Employers typically look for in-house legal experience with a Dubai or UAE property developer, along with strong drafting skills across development and commercial contracts. A working knowledge of Dubai real estate regulation, including off-plan rules, is usually expected. Experience operating as part of a small or standalone legal function is a strong advantage.
How do I apply?
Apply directly on this page. A Guildhall consultant reviews every application personally and will follow up with suitable candidates on a confidential basis.