Associate (Arabic Speaking) – International Arbitration

Laborde Law is looking to hire an Arabic-speaking associate to join its international arbitration practice in Dubai.

Laborde Law is a specialist international disputes and arbitration firm focused on complex, high-value, cross-border disputes. Our work encompasses investor–State and commercial arbitration, enforcement and annulment proceedings, sovereign-related disputes, and public international law matters.

Our work frequently sits at the intersection of:

• international arbitration;
• enforcement and annulment proceedings;
• sovereign and public international law issues;
• complex transnational litigation strategy.

Operating across offices and networks in Dubai, Paris and Belgrade, we act on matters spanning multiple jurisdictions, legal systems and industries.

I. The Role

The successful candidate will work directly with the firm’s leadership and assume meaningful responsibility from the outset. The role will include:

• Drafting and reviewing pleadings, submissions, witness statements, and legal memoranda in international arbitration proceedings;
• Conducting rigorous legal research on procedural and substantive issues arising under various arbitral rules (ICC, UNCITRAL, etc.);
• Contributing to the case strategy, document production, and evidentiary matters;
• Reviewing and analysing Arabic-language contracts, legislation and evidence;
• Participating in meetings and calls with Arabic-speaking clients, counsel and other stakeholders;
• Contributing to the continued development of the firm’s arbitration practice in the Middle East and internationally;
• Preparing articles, client alerts, presentations and other thought-leadership materials;
• Helping identify prospective arbitration clients and opportunities, and preparing tailored pitches and proposals; and
• Representing and supporting the firm at conferences, panels, workshops and other professional events.

The position combines sophisticated international arbitration work with an opportunity to contribute actively to the development of a growing specialist practice.

II. The Candidate

We are looking for candidates with:

• One to three years of post-qualification experience (PQE), including experience in the international arbitration practice of a leading international law firm;
• Admission to practice in a recognised jurisdiction;
• Native or near-native proficiency in Arabic and complete professional fluency in English;
• Outstanding analytical and legal research skills;
• The ability to write clear, elegant and rigorous legal prose in English;
• Excellent attention to detail and consistently high standards of execution;
• A genuine interest in contributing to the growth and development of the firm’s practice.

Experience in investment arbitration, public international law or disputes involving States and State entities would be particularly valuable. The ability to draft sophisticated legal prose in Arabic would also be an advantage.

III. What We offer

This is an opportunity to work at the heart of a specialist law firm handling complex, high-value international disputes.

The successful candidate will benefit from:

• Direct involvement in cutting-edge, cross-border matters;
• Close collaboration with the firm’s leadership;
• Substantive responsibility and client exposure from an early stage;
• A collegial and internationally oriented working environment;
• Genuine opportunities for professional development and increasing levels of responsibility;
• Competitive compensation.

Location: Dubai, UAE

Position: Full-time

Start Date: Flexible

Visa sponsorship is available for the successful candidate relocating to the UAE.

IV. How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a short cover note explaining your interest in the position and why you are a good fit for this role to [email protected].

We will review applications on a rolling basis. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited for an interview.

We look forward to hearing from you,

Laborde Law Team