Associate - Banking & Finance Lawyer - Dubai - 3 PQE+

We are Eversheds Sutherland, a global law firm, with 5,000+ colleagues in more than 30 countries. We're full service with deep niche and sector experience. Whatever challenge, wherever in the world, we're equipped and ready to meet it. We live our values, we're purposeful and purpose-led. So although the world is fast-moving and rapidly changing, we see it as a place where everyone can thrive. We're ambitious for our clients, our communities and for you. Whether you're starting out on your career or well established, whether you're a lawyer or in business services. If you're looking for what's next, we are too.

What to expect

As a lawyer, you enjoy a variety of work: regional to international and across practice groups. With us, you grow your global mindset. You're encouraged to put ideas into action and there's always something new and different to get involved in. We see the fast-moving world as a place where we can all thrive and succeed. We're excited for what's next, so with us, you can be too.

Our team

We are a Banking Practice Group based in Dubai focused on advising clients on bespoke and innovation financing transaction structures both in the GCC and internationally.

Having recently strengthened our platform with senior hires from top-tier global firms we are entering a new growth phase and are building a team that is excited about shaping the future of finance in the region.

We work with an exceptional mix of clients, regularly advising borrowers and lenders on a broad range of financing transactions (both conventional and Shari'ah compliant) including private credit and restructurings.

The breadth and quality of work that we undertake sets us apart from many of our competitors. On the majority of transactions we act opposite Magic Circle and large U.S. firms. Many of our Partners and Associates have joined the team from Magic Circle, US and similar high quality finance practices, and work alongside Associates and Partners who have been with the firm from the early stages of their careers.

We are looking for an ambitious lawyer who will be part of a collaborative team, with the opportunity to grow quickly and work directly and closely with the finance partners on complex financing matters.

Key responsibilities

• Play a key role in assisting the team on advising borrowers and lenders on a broad range of financing transactions in the GCC, as well as financing transactions outside of the region.
• Review, negotiate and agree LMA Facility Agreements, security documents and other finance documents.
• Manage conditions precedent (CP) checklists and coordinate completion across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring timely and accurate delivery.
• Provide legal support on financing transactions, including private credit, real estate finance, and Islamic finance.
• Conduct due diligence on borrowers, guarantors, and collateral, identifying risks and proposing mitigants.
• Advise on security packages and oversee perfection steps.
• Draft and review legal opinions and coordinate with local counsel.
• Conduct legal research.

Skills & Experience

• English qualified lawyer with approximately three years post-qualification experience.
• Training from a Magic Circle or top-tier UK firm would be ideal.
• Strong banking and finance expertise with exposure to Islamic finance or real estate finance considered an advantage.
• Ability to work on cross-border deals.
• Thorough understanding of LMA Facility Agreements, security documents, and CP management.
• Demonstrate strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Strong commercial awareness and excellent drafting and negotiating skills.
• Ability to manage CP checklists and coordinate multi-jurisdictional transactions.
• Able to work independently as well as with other members of the team.
• Effective communication and strong client and stakeholder management skills
• Fluency in English, both spoken and written is mandatory. Fluency in Arabic is preferable but not essential.

What's in it for you

At Eversheds Sutherland, we provide benefits focused on looking after you: your development, your performance, your financial future and your health, as well as providing the opportunity to make a contribution to the world.

• We're fair, transparent and equitable.
• We share in the success of the firm, reward alignment to our values, going above and beyond and your individual performance.
• We support flexible ways of working through our remote working policy and commitment to flexible, agile and hybrid ways of working.
• We support your health and performance through our dental, healthcare and wellness support.
• We support everything you are and all you bring through our powerful commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• We provide a platform for your career, whatever your ambitions through our structured professional and personal training, mentoring and development programs.
• We provide experience and opportunity through international and cross-function exposure.
• We provide an opportunity to give back through our pro bono work and community engagement.

Diversity and inclusion

At Eversheds Sutherland, Inclusive is a core business value. We bring together different skillsets, global mindsets and approaches. We foster diversity of thought and the freedom to put ideas into action. We have an inherent respect for the individual. We have a strong belief in collaboration and teamwork. Sharing ideas, asking questions, solving challenges and meeting our clients goals: together.

We want all our people to thrive at work and reach their full potential and we work hard to continue to build a diverse and inclusive culture, monitor and report on our progress and impact, and develop our approach. This is reflected in our policies, systems and processes, and in our work with diversity membership organisations.

Many of our people work flexibly in some way and we are open to considering how we can accommodate flexible working arrangements alongside role requirements. If this is important to you, please talk to us about it during the recruitment process.

We want you to perform at your best during our recruitment process. If there is any adjustment or support you need, please contact us so we can discuss how we can best assist you.

For you, for your success. And for what's next.