Middle East Legal Recruitment

Legal Jobs in the Middle East

Burgess Paluch specialises in finding roles for lawyers keen to secure roles and organisations seeking successful recruitment outcomes in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and beyond. With a broad client base including leading global law firms and in-house teams, we offer access to a broad range of lawyer, attorney and in-house legal counsel vacancies in the Middle East region. The centre of gravity of world commerce has shifted greatly over recent decades, and not just to the South East Asian power houses. The oil economies of the Arabian Gulf have rapidly increased in significance, propelled by the need to diversify and diminish their dependence on oil and gas. Sovereign wealth funds actively seeking developmental investment have greatly increased the demand for in-house legal talent.

The Gulf States welcome expatriate workers. State-of-the-art accommodation and facilities rub shoulders with Bedouin antiquity, making these extremely congenial places to live and work. There are around 15,000 Australians already living and working in the Emirates. Longstanding and leading recruiters in the area, we provide informed and strategic advice to lawyers wanting to relocate to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia and work with lawyers from 2 years post-qualification to partner level. Our aim is to assist private practice lawyers and attorneys and in-house counsel to achieve their career goals. Our approach to the legal recruitment market ensures the next step in your career is an informed one. Lawyers we have assisted in the Middle East include General Counsels, Partners, Senior Associates, in-house counsel and more junior or associate level lawyers. Our aim is to provide sensible, pro-active advice and understanding. We offer up to the minute advice on the strengths of the market, appropriate salary advice for lawyers and a broad range of vacancies.

Legal Jobs in Dubai & Beyond

While expatriates are welcome in the Gulf States, local knowledge of the housing options, to say nothing of issues like schooling, is essential. At Burgess Paluch we pride ourselves on being able to help successful candidates make the move, settle in and quickly become a productive member of their new team. Our vacancy list reflects a blend of UK, US, large local firms and in-house corporate legal teams. So if you think a law job in the Middle East might be for you, or you have a vacancy that needs filling promptly with the best possible talent, call Doron Paluch on +61 3 8676 0302 to find out more.

United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates comprises the Emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras al Kaimah, Fujairah, Ajman, and Umm al Quwain, and is the leading trade point entering into the Arabian Gulf and the broader Middle East. Its large oil and natural gas reserves position the UAE as a major energy market player, but it is also currently diversifying its economy, particularly in Dubai and the capital, Abu Dhabi, into the IT, cleaner energy and tourism sectors. The banking, infrastructure and business culture are highly developed and easily amenable to those familiar with Western practices. The per capita income ranks among the highest in the world and as there is no income tax imposed it is widely considered the most attractive personal tax hot spot globally.

Australians in the UAE

There is a large Australian community in the UAE, particularly in Dubai, with an estimated 15 000 Australians living and working there. Over 300 Australian businesses have a presence as well, particularly within infrastructure projects, and the trade relationship was work close to AU$4.5 billion in 2009-2010, leaving Australia with a prominent place and strong reputation commercially. A free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council is in the process of being negotiated.

Abu Dhabi and Dubai

The two primary commercial cities in the UAE both combine ultra modern infrastructure with rich artistic and religious traditions and the distinctly hospitable Bedouin culture. Both Abu Dhabi and Dubai are situated by the Gulf, providing each with spectacular and leisurely cornices to take a stroll, jog or coffee. Short drives further afield into each Emirate provide opportunities to experience spectacular mountain and desert scapes, dotted with oases. Abu Dhabi, UAE’s island capital, maintains its quiet charm despite its cosmopolitan outlook, and has attractions for all ages and lifestyles, including pristine swimming beaches and resorts and the gardens and fountains.

Dubai, meanwhile, is much more of a lifestyle hub, hosting multiple international sporting and cultural events taking place throughout the year, and a vibrant nightlife, including Western style pubs and nightclubs. The city is also the world’s second-most popular shopping destination after the United States.

Qatar

The kingdom of Qatar, comprising a peninsula to the north of the UAE, has a similar economic focus on oil and natural gas. Qatar is the world’s second largest producer of natural gas, with reserves calculated to last for another 300 years, but the economy is currently undergoing some diversification in the field of petrochemicals and other manufacturing. International investment is strongly encouraged, including in the Doha Securities Market, and compared with other markets in the region the business environment is very accessible for Westerners. For Australia in particular, total trade topped $500 million in 2008 and Qatar is also a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council with whom Australia is negotiating a free trade agreement.

Qatar’s development also encompasses frequent hosting of world class sporting events, including the Qatar Open as part of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Tour, and the Qatar Masters in golf on the European PGA Tour, as well as gaining the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Doha, site of the annual WTO negotiations, has been described as “a great city in the making," with parks and gardens emerging add liveability to the rapidly expanding infrastructure. Qatar’s peninsular geography also provides over 500km of beaches and a unique inland sea at Khor Al Adaid.

Search our vacancies on this page or email a CV on [email protected] or call Doron Paluch on +61 3 8676 0302 to find out more