Trowers & Hamlins

International law firm, real estate specialists

Associate – International Projects - Energy & Infrastructure

Legal Counsel & Legal SupportUpdated on Nov 15

Full-timeAbu Dhabi - United Arab EmiratesNo salary listedHybrid

About the Job

Requirements

Be a qualified lawyer with 3–5 years of post-qualification experience.
Hold a law degree from a recognized university with a minimum of 2:1.
Have private-practice experience advising on the lifecycle of major construction and infrastructure projects.
Have experience drafting, undertaking risk reviews, advising on, and negotiating construction contracts and particular conditions, whether bespoke or based on a standard form such as FIDIC, and associated project documentation.
Speak English fluently.
Produce clear, concise, commercially focused advice through strong drafting and negotiation skills.
Organize and manage multiple matters concurrently, often under time pressure, while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
Prioritize competing demands and adapt to changing deadlines or client needs in a fast-paced, project-driven environment.
Demonstrate the ability and enthusiasm to undertake business development.
Demonstrate commercial awareness and strong case and time management skills.

Responsibilities

Draft, advise on, negotiate, and prepare construction contract documentation, including building contracts, particularly FIDIC standard forms, consultancy agreements, and ancillary security forms.
Provide strategic contract advisory services on live projects across the Gulf, including identifying and mitigating risks and interpreting contractual provisions.
Collaborate with in-house legal and project management teams to align advice with commercial and operational objectives.
Support the development of trainees and paralegals through mentoring.
Contribute to thought leadership through legal research, client briefings, and article publication.
Build, maintain, and develop client relationships.
Participate proactively in marketing initiatives.
Provide key-client training seminars and presentations.

Desired Qualifications

Experience working in the Middle East is advantageous but not essential.

This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and client-focused lawyer to build long-term relationships with high-profile clients, while contributing to the growth of a leading Construction practice in the region.

Based in Abu Dhabi, the new recruit will focus on supporting a key institutional client in the oil and gas sector. The role will involve advising on bespoke forms of contract and working closely with the client's in-house legal and project management teams to delivery pragmatic, business-focused solutions which are time sensitive.

You will be part of a dynamic team handling non-contentious construction matters across the firm's Middle East offices, advising on UAE and English Law in relation to a wide range of projects, including EPC, infrastructure, industry-specific and development projects. In addition to client-facing responsibilities, you will also play a key role in enhancing the visibility and reputation of the Construction team and the firm in the Abu Dhabi market.

Key responsibilities are but not limited to:

Drafting, advising upon, negotiating and preparing construction contract documentation including: building contracts (in particular FIDIC standard forms); consultancy agreements; and forms of ancillary security.
Providing strategic contract advisory services on live projects across the Gulf, including risk identification and mitigation and interpretation of contractual provisions.
Collaborating closely with in-house legal and project management teams to ensure alignment with commercial and operational objectives.
Supporting the development and mentoring of trainees and paralegals within the team. Contributing to thought leadership initiatives through legal research, client briefings, and publication of articles.

The new recruit will also be responsible for:

Building, maintaining and developing client relationships.
Pro-active participation in marketing initiatives.
Providing key client training seminars and presentations

The firm has a Career Development Framework which sets out the competencies we expect of those at the Associate grade. In particular for this role, the ideal candidate will have:

Qualified lawyer, 3-5 PQE
Degree in law from a recognised university -minimum of 2:1
Previous private practice experience of advising on the life cycle of major construction and infrastructure projects. Experience working in the Middle East is advantageous but not essential.
Experience of drafting, undertaking risk reviews, advising upon and negotiating forms of construction contracts and particular conditions to construction contracts, whether bespoke or based upon a standard form e.g. FIDC, and all associated project documentation.
Fluent English speaker
Can do, hardworking and flexible approach
Excellent drafting and negotiation skills, with the ability to produce clear, concise, and commercially focused advice.
Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple matters concurrently, often under time pressure, while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
Proven ability to prioritise competing demands and adapt to changing deadlines or client needs in a fast-paced, project-driven environment.
Ability and enthusiasm to undertake business development.
Drive and enthusiasm & commercial awareness
Interacts well with people at all levels
Commitment to exceeding client expectations
Strong case and time management skills

About the Company

Trowers & Hamlins

International law firm, real estate specialists

Trowers & Hamlins provides commercial legal services to businesses and governments, with deep expertise in real estate, banking and finance, social housing, private wealth, planning, tax, pensions and environment. It delivers advisory and transactional support through a large team of lawyers across a UK–based network and offices in the Middle East and Asia, plus regional desks for Korea and India. Its strength comes from sector leadership and a broad international footprint, enabling cross-border, tailored counsel. Its goal is to help governments and businesses shape how people live and work by solving tomorrow’s challenges with practical, business-focused legal guidance.

Company size: 501-1,000
Company stage: Not listed
Total funding: Not listed
Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Founded: 1777

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