Company Description Kanaan Legal Consultants is a law firm based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, providing advisory and representation services to corporate and individual clients. The firm offers legal support across a range of practice areas and focuses on delivering practical, business-oriented solutions. Team members work in a professional environment that values confidentiality, accuracy, and client service. The firm encourages collaboration, high ethical standards, and ongoing professional development for its staff.
Role Description The Legal Personal Assistant to the Managing Partner is a full-time, on-site role based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The role involves provision of high-level administrative, operational, client support, and matter management assistance to the Managing Partner and legal team at the law firm. The role is critical in ensuring the smooth day-to-day functioning of the office, efficient coordination of matters across corporate, litigation and arbitration services, accurate tracking of assignments and time, full billing compliance, and maintaining excellent bilingual communication with clients. The Legal Personal Assistant will report directly to the Managing Partner.
Key Objectives
- Support the efficient delivery of legal and administrative services.
- Act as a central point of coordination for internal stakeholders.
- Maintain accurate tracking of all assignments, tasks, and time entries to ensure complete and timely billing.
- Uphold high standards of professionalism, confidentiality, and accuracy in a fast-paced legal environment.
- Ensure seamless bilingual (English and Arabic) communication and documentation.
Key Responsibilities
- Track all assignments and tasks (including internal allocations to lawyers and support staff) in the designated forms/systems, monitor progress, follow up on deliverables, and ensure timely completion.
- Liaise with team members to track matter progress, assignments, and deliverables. Monitor deadlines and ensure timely submission of documents. Track and update the Principal and Senior Legal Consultants on all litigation matters.
- Ensure all billable and non-billable work is accurately recorded, reviewed, and submitted for invoicing on a timely basis, with follow-up on any missing time entries or unbilled matters.
- Support client onboarding, KYC and document collection, and ensure legal services agreement signed. Serve as a main contact point of clients, ensuring professional and timely responses.
- Maintain and update client files, matter databases, and physical/digital archives.
- Prioritize the Principal’s activities, following up on business development activities in coordination with the firms’ principal, and client follow-ups ensuring timely delivery, and overall management of the Principal’s calendar and tasks.
- Support knowledge management and archiving of templates, precedents, and case materials.
Other Duties
- Perform any additional tasks assigned by the Principal consistent with the role’s seniority and the firm’s needs.
Qualifications and Experience
- Minimum 3–5 years of relevant experience as a Coordinator/Executive Assistant, in a law firm, corporate legal department, or professional services environment in the UAE.
- Proven track record supporting senior professionals with experience in time tracking and billing processes.
Language Requirements
- Fluency in both English and Arabic is mandatory.
- Written and verbal communication skills in both languages, including drafting, translation, and proofreading of legal and business correspondence.
- Ability to prepare bilingual documents (English/Arabic) accurately and professionally.
Skills and Competencies
- Strong organizational and multitasking abilities with high attention to detail.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), legal practice management software, timesheet/billing systems, and digital filing systems.
- Excellent interpersonal and client-service skills.
- Discretion and ability to handle confidential and sensitive information.
- Problem-solving mindset and proactive approach, particularly in following up on assignments and billing matters.
- Time management skills and experience with productivity tools (e.g., timesheets, task tracking forms).
Personal Attributes
- Professional demeanor and strong work ethic.
- Cultural adaptability in a multicultural UAE environment.
- Commitment to continuous improvement and team collaboration.
