Legal Assistant | Commercial Dispute Resolution | Dubai (8-Month Contract) 8-mo

About the Firm

Our client is a leading international law firm with a well-established and highly regarded presence across the Middle East. With offices spanning the GCC, the firm is recognised for its depth of expertise across both contentious and non-contentious practice areas, working with sophisticated clients on high-value, complex matters. The Dubai office is home to a talented team of locally and internationally qualified lawyers who collaborate closely with colleagues across the firm's global network.

The Role

This is a fixed-term, parental leave contract opportunity for an experienced Legal Assistant to provide dedicated support to a Partner and the broader Commercial Dispute Resolution team in Dubai. The role is based full-time in the DIFC office and is available for an immediate start.

This is a busy and fast-paced position offering the chance to work alongside an experienced team on complex, high-value dispute resolution matters.

Candidates already based in Dubai are strongly encouraged to apply.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing comprehensive day-to-day secretarial and administrative support to a Partner and fee-earning team
• Preparing, amending, and proofreading legal documents and correspondence via copy typing and digital dictation
• Managing email correspondence and inboxes on behalf of the team
• Diary and calendar management, including scheduling meetings, calls, and appointments
• Coordinating and preparing legal documents including court briefs and dispute-related materials
• Organising travel arrangements and detailed itineraries
• Time entry, billing support, and expense processing
• Filing and maintaining electronic and physical records and databases
• Liaising with clients professionally by telephone, email, and in person
• Formatting documents in accordance with house style
• General ad hoc administrative tasks as required

Candidate Requirements

The successful candidate will be a polished and proactive legal administrator with proven experience in a fast-paced private practice environment.

• Minimum of three years' experience as a Legal Assistant, ideally within an international or global law firm
• Experience supporting a disputes, litigation, or contentious practice is highly regarded
• Strong and accurate typing skills with excellent document management capabilities
• Confident managing email and calendar systems on behalf of senior fee earners
• Sound knowledge of legal procedures, terminology, and billing processes
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise competing demands and meet tight deadlines
• High attention to detail and a commitment to delivering work to a consistently high standard
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; a team player with a proactive and solutions-focused approach
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and experience with legal matter management and billing systems
• Currently based in Dubai and available to commence in the immediate term

Why Apply

This is an excellent opportunity to join a highly respected international law firm and contribute to a close-knit, collaborative team. The role offers meaningful exposure to high-calibre dispute resolution work within a firm known for the quality of its practitioners and the depth of its regional practice. For experienced legal administrators seeking a substantive contract role with an immediate start, this is a compelling opportunity.

About Barratt Galvin

Established in 2014, Barratt Galvin is a specialist legal recruitment consultancy focused on the Middle East legal market. Laura Barratt, our founder, has been recruiting across the region since 2007, bringing close to two decades of expertise and long-standing relationships with law firms throughout Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, and Doha.

We partner with leading international and regional law firms to recruit Legal Assistants, Business Development, Marketing, and HR professionals. We are recognised for our strength in Middle East law firm recruitment and regularly advise on private practice opportunities and broader international law firm business services recruitment across the GCC.

With strong Australian market connections, we support both regional career progression and international relocation. Barratt Galvin delivers specialist insight, discretion, and access to exclusive opportunities across the Middle East legal sector.