Dispute Resolution Associate

Roles and responsibilities

1. Legal Expertise & Knowledge

• Litigation Expertise: Strong understanding of civil procedure, courtroom procedures, and the litigation process, including filing motions, preparing briefs, managing discovery, and presenting arguments.
• Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): Knowledge of ADR methods such as mediation, arbitration, and negotiation, which are often used to resolve disputes outside of court.
• Dispute Resolution Mechanisms: Understanding the various dispute resolution mechanisms, such as international arbitration, settlement negotiations, and judicial review, to choose the most effective method based on the client's goals.
• Legal Research: Conducting thorough legal research into case law, statutes, and regulations relevant to a case, and advising clients on legal strategies.

2. Client Interaction & Advisory

• Client Consultation: Meeting with clients to understand the nature of their disputes, advising them on legal options, and explaining the pros and cons of different resolution approaches (litigation vs. ADR).
• Strategic Advice: Providing guidance on the best strategy to resolve a dispute, whether it's taking the matter to court or exploring mediation or arbitration.
• Case Management: Managing client expectations throughout the dispute resolution process, providing regular updates, and ensuring that the client’s needs are prioritized.
• Confidentiality & Trust: Maintaining confidentiality while handling sensitive client matters, and ensuring trust throughout the dispute resolution process.

3. Negotiation Skills

• Settlement Negotiations: Leading or participating in settlement negotiations to reach a favorable resolution for the client without resorting to litigation or further conflict.
• Drafting Settlement Agreements: Drafting clear and enforceable settlement agreements that resolve disputes and meet the client’s interests.
• Mediation and Arbitration: Participating in or representing clients in mediation and arbitration proceedings to reach resolutions outside of the court system.
• Collaborating with Opposing Counsel: Negotiating with opposing counsel to resolve disputes amicably, balancing assertiveness with professionalism.

4. Litigation Support & Court Representation

• Court Filings & Pleadings: Drafting and filing legal documents such as complaints, motions, briefs, and pleadings with the court, ensuring compliance with procedural requirements.
• Discovery & Evidence Gathering: Managing the discovery process (e.g., collecting evidence, deposing witnesses, and reviewing documents) to build a strong case for trial or settlement.
• Trial Preparation: Preparing for trial by organizing evidence, drafting witness statements, creating exhibits, and coordinating with expert witnesses.
• Court Appearances: Representing clients in court hearings, settlement conferences, and trials, arguing motions, presenting evidence, and cross-examining witnesses.

5. Case Strategy & Risk Assessment

• Risk Analysis: Assessing the merits of a case, identifying potential legal risks, and advising clients on the likelihood of success or failure in litigation or ADR.
• Strategic Case Planning: Developing and implementing effective legal strategies based on case facts, legal principles, and client goals.
• Budgeting & Cost Management: Managing the costs associated with litigation or dispute resolution, including estimating legal fees, court costs, and the potential cost-benefit analysis of going to trial vs. settling.

6. Document Drafting & Legal Writing

• Legal Drafting: Drafting legal documents such as complaints, motions, responses, settlement agreements, and arbitration briefs that are clear, concise, and well-reasoned.
• Legal Writing for ADR: Writing persuasive documents such as mediation statements, arbitration submissions, or pre-hearing briefs that outline the legal arguments in favor of the client’s position.

Desired candidate profile

The work will include drafting and reviewing cases in Arabic on disputes related to Real Estate Disputes, Civil Disputes, Construction Disputes, Maritime Disputes and Aviation Disputes. In addition, The Dispute Resolution Associate will be managing and training the more Junior and Mid-Level Associates in the team.

To be considered for this role, the ideal candidate will be excellent in Arabic drafting, based in the UAE and have been in a managerial position for a minimum of 3 years.

• Legal Research Platforms: Westlaw, LexisNexis, Bloomberg Law for research on case law, statutes, and legal precedents.
• Case Management Software: Clio, PracticePanther, or MyCase for organizing cases, tracking deadlines, and managing client communication.
• Document Management Tools: iManage, NetDocuments, or M-Files for organizing legal documents, managing case files, and collaborating with teams.
• Collaboration Tools: Slack, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams for coordinating with team members, clients, and opposing counsel.

Example of Responsibilities:

• Managing Litigation & ADR: Oversee a range of dispute resolution matters, including commercial disputes, regulatory actions, and employee grievances, using both litigation and ADR processes.
• Discovery Process: Manage the discovery process for clients, including document collection, review, and production, and coordinate with experts or consultants to support the case.
• Court Appearances: Represent clients in hearings, depositions, and settlement conferences, and prepare trial exhibits and witness testimony for court proceedings.
• Client Updates: Regularly communicate with clients regarding case status, timelines, and strategy updates, keeping them informed and involved in the decision-making process.
• Settlement Negotiations: Lead or assist in negotiating favorable settlements for clients and drafting settlement agreements to avoid lengthy trials.