Career Clinic: In demand in Dubai

Skills in demand are an ability to speak at a basic level the Arabic language, graduated from a top 10 UK law school, experience (4-5yrs pqe) from a leading UK/US/Aussie City firm , relevant experience in project finance/islamic financing, having a physical body who can resist high temperatures outside office. In Dubai, there is no need for lawyers but there is a need for lawyers possessing transactional experience gained in the Uk and US. There are so many lawyers from the Middle Eastern region over here but the problem is that they are not at the same level as someone who has been educated and completed his training contract in the UK or the US. Also, if you are going to Dubai make sure you aware of problem regarding racism, daily technical problem with videoconferencing, your employer has the right to terminate your contract at any time under Dubai laws, your passport will be kept by your employer and should you be found guilty of any misconduct you will be banned to work and enter the region for a relevant period of time. Going there to work for a few months is OK but going there to settle down with a job, think twice. This is my personal taste of Dubai.

Associate in Dubai -22 Oct 2007 | 14:13

The response to the email is unfortunate. While I'm sure some have not had the best experience locally, the potential for the region and the careers of individuals is significant and I would hope you would find many more upbeat experiences. I can only speak for Clyde & Co, but we have seen a growing presence in the region in recent years and are continually looking to recruit talented individuals. In recent years there have been a number of individuals admitted to the partnership locally and the firm certainly attempts to operate at a standard consistent with its operations in the rest of the world. Regards

Matthew Gill - Middle East Operations Director, Clyde & Co -22 Oct 2007 | 17:37

You certainly don't need to speak Arabic. I've been in Dubai for four years, working as hard as I ever did in London, and enjoying a much broader range of work. You need to be comfortable working in an emerging market, both professionally and outside the office. Things sometimes get done a little differently out here.

Associate -23 Oct 2007 | 06:27

Clyde & Co does not even have a single vacancy for its Dubai office according to its website.

Magic Circle Lawyer -23 Oct 2007 | 07:41

I've just got back from time in Dubai. Skills currently in demand are corporate, finance (and you can learn Islamic finance there), project finance, property and increasingly intellectual property. Workload is heavy and generally of good quality though you'll find there are differences working in an emerging market, particularly if your clients aren't used to working with westernised lawyers. The type of work you do, the training and other support you receive will be dictated by the type of firm you are in. MC are better (though not perfectly) resourced, other UK wannabees less so. Don't assume that because the firm has a UK parent, it operates as you would expect to see the UK - many of them are run like personal fiefdoms which (because they are profitable at the moment) aren't made accountable to their parent. Arabic skills are helpful although unless you speak it to mother-tongue fluency you'd be foolish - and probably negligent - to try to negotiate transactions in it. Lifestyle is all you might expect to see from a workcamp by the sea. It's too hot for seven months of the year but very nice for the remaining five. There's a huge range of nationalities working there and there is quite a bit of stratification between the different racial groups. Some of the racist and homophobic attitudes quite shocking - as too are the differences between the well-paid professionals and the labourers on the building sites. Western expats seem to spend their lives whinging about the privileges accorded to UAE nationals and many behave as though the Empire never ended - even when acting as a lawyer in Dubai!

Anonymous -23 Oct 2007 | 11:46

Very few have answered the question: what particular skills/expertise are in demand?

Anonymous -23 Oct 2007 | 12:06

Skills needed depends on the firm - there's always projects/energy demand, but also a lot of supply. The magic circle and larger firms have demand for M&A and finance, and even capital markets now. The mid-tier firms demand more corporate/commercial experience.

Anonymous -24 Oct 2007 | 11:52

Why not ask a recruiter whose company operates with an office out there, or a partner with a firm that has an office out there and that is in demand? Qualified lawyers are, in general, always in demand anywhere where there is a vibrant market. It sounds as if you will be fine finding work.

headhunter101 -24 Oct 2007 | 17:05

In Dubai everyone has a two year limited contract - after which if both parties agree and you want to stay the contract converts into an unlimited contract. There is a months notice on either side of the contract - so no difference from UK. No company has the right to hold your passport either - it belongs to the Queen, the statement posted stems from the labour camps and illegal workers and you would have to have done something pretty illegal to get it held.

Anon -25 Oct 2007 | 11:43