Abu Dhabi and Dubai offer bright and committed lawyers and support staff the opportunity to work in unique legal jurisdictions within the Middle East. The legal system of the UAE continues to develop in line with ever-increasing sophistication in the market, and the partners and employees of Hadef & Partners get the chance to contribute to some of the region's most high profile and complex matters. Our partners are hands-on, and lawyers of all levels are encouraged to play significant roles in our transactions and assignments.

We continue to recruit high calibre lawyers and support staff. We seek applicants with a sound academic background, relevant professional experience, commercial acumen and an understanding of business development. We provide services in local and international transactions, and, although Arabic is not essential, candidates who are fluent in Arabic and English are strongly encouraged to apply.

If you are interested in learning more about opportunities at Hadef & Partners, please go to the vacancies section of this page to view current requirements, or fill in an application form.

TESTIMONIALS

Omar Ali
Associate, Abu Dhabi office

 

“I joined Hadef in March 2008. Prior to this, I was with a law firm in Boston, Massachusetts (USA).

I had been contemplating a move to the Middle East region for a while. As an Egyptian American, I grew up between two cultures – frequently traveling back and forth between the U.S. and Egypt – so I always felt equally at home on both sides of the Atlantic.

Incidentally, my first job after graduating from college in the U.S. was in Egypt; however, prior to this I had the opportunity to spend some time in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The UAE struck me then as it does now as somewhat of a paradox:  an ambitiously modern yet proudly traditional Arab state.

I was introduced to Hadef by a dear friend and soon discovered that the firm was different. Unlike the international firms I interviewed with in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Hadef was clearly unrivaled with respect to government relations and local presence.  Moreover, the sense of camaraderie was palpable – even before commencing my employment. 

Since joining Hadef, I have been involved in matters ranging from representing Global Fortune 500 companies to advising the UAE federal government on new legislation. Each day poses new challenges that require me to constantly hone my skills as a lawyer. It has truly been a rewarding experience thus far and I look forward to further enrichment in the years to come”.
 

Alex McGeoch
Head of Employment, Dubai office  

“I well remember the day I joined Hadef. We sat round a table in the conference room and had a cup of tea together. There were about 10 of us in total – all the lawyers in Hadef's Dubai office at that time and myself. I was introduced to my new colleagues and then encouraged to speak about my varied career as a commercial lawyer in the Gulf region. I was immediately struck by the relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

That occasion was just five years ago (the autumn of 2003). Hadef has grown spectacularly since then and now operates along more corporate lines, with lawyers grouped according to specialization. In a large firm it is not always easy to maintain the same level of friendliness and intimacy that can exist in a small office. However, I have been continually impressed by the efforts the firm has made to engender a happy working environment and collaborative ethos.

As head of the Employment practice, I have had the rewarding task of building up a team in an area of law that has hitherto (so far as the Gulf region is concerned) been much neglected. I like to think that I and my colleagues in the department have helped to spread the word that good HR practice makes good management sense.

For a long time prior to joining Hadef, I had been looking for a strong local firm – one which, as well as being fully engaged with the legal life of this country and in harmony with its language and culture, was at the same time looking towards wider horizons and, consistent with such international aspirations, also committed to maintaining a high standard of professionalism. In Hadef, I found such a firm”.