M&A Associate (2-4 PQE) – Dubai or Abu Dhabi

M&A Associate (2-4 PQE) – Dubai or Abu Dhabi

Job description

We are recruiting an Associate to work in our Corporate M&A team in either of our Abu Dhabi or Dubai offices.

Department purpose

A&O Shearman advises across the full spectrum of corporate work including public takeovers, private M&A, Private Equity, ECM, complex joint ventures, disposals and corporate restructurings, as well as general commercial, antitrust and corporate governance issues. We are a truly global adviser with an enviable geographic footprint. Our corporate team spans all of our offices and works seamlessly with a global community of relationship law firms. This platform provides our clients with the confidence that they will receive the highest quality advice in both their domestic markets and as they expand into new territories.

We are a leading adviser on strategic M&A and have received extensive recognition of our market-leading position through being ranked in the top tier by each of the leading independent guides to the legal profession. Advising on high-profile, innovative and often ‘market first’ transactions has led to our corporate team consistently being ranked top of the M&A league tables (including, most recently, top of the M&A league tables by deal value in 2023 and 2024 (LSEG)).

In the last decade IFLR has awarded us the prestigious accolades of International Firm of the Year five times and M&A Deal of the Year three times and most recently, Legal 500 awarded us Commercial, Corporate and M&A Firm of the Year at the Legal 500 MENA Awards 2024. No other firm has matched our success.

As a result associates coming to this team will obtain some of the best experience available in the market. We are focussed on growing our people so that they can fulfil their potential and become the best transactional lawyers.

Role and responsibilities

• Drafting, reviewing and amending documentation
• Providing strategic guidance to clients
• Managing client expectations and project delivery appropriately
• Business development – development of personal plan, assistance with and implementation of business development campaign
• Legal research

Key requirements

• Qualified lawyer 2-4PQE
• Strong technical knowledge with regards to corporate M&A
• Strong transactional experience
• Intellectual curiosity and versatility
• Self-starter with the desire and ability to continuously acquire, build upon and share know ledge
• Detail-focused and self-motivated approach
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines
• Excellent client relationship skills
• Ability to operate at associate level within a complex international organisation
• Strong commercial/business acumen with the ability to deliver creative and pragmatic solutions and advice
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interface at all levels and particularly to win
• the respect of the partner and fee-earner community, building strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders
• Collaborative team player with the ability to develop and work in a fast paced, intellectually rigorous environment
• A person of sound judgment, able to establish a high level of credibility

A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in 28 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world’s most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.

We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world’s leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work,  helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.

Whether you’re helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to an inclusive environment and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing.

What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.