Global Career Link:Law

Working in Law

The British are coming and so are the Yanks

It used to be that a posting to the Gulf was like being stuck in the backwater. But the regions new found wealth has spurred the growth of the British firms in the Middle East. Close on the heels are the large US practices (often coming in and stealing entire teams out of existing firms).

Add to this the fact that the regulatory environment and framework is still being mapped out in the Middle East and you have a period of unprecedented growth going on in law. While this is creating an abundance of opportunity the employers are now starting to be more choosey having been burnt by rapid hires in the past few years.

The demand is strongest for professionals who have worked at branded companies

Quality is key. Employers want to see that you have footed it with the best so generally speaking they are after top quality private practice lawyers or in-house out of large multi-nationals.

What people earn and how it stacks up

Generally speaking you will earn good money

The unprecedented growth of Dubai (with a population that doubles every ten years) has driven the need for law professionals which has in turn driven up their salaries in the Gulf. This means that annual salaries are comparable with what can be earned in London and are significantly higher than those earned in New Zealand and Australia.

Position	AED	GBP	AUD	NZD
UK firms
Newly qualified	360,000	51,000	104,000	130,000
One year PQE	393,000	55,000	114,000	142,000
Two years PQE	438,000	61,000	127,000	158,000
Three years PQE	504,000	71,000	146,000	182,000
Four years PQE	540,000	76,000	156,000	195,000
Five years PQE	585,000	82,000	169,000	211,000
Six years PQE	606,000	85,000	175,000	219,000
Seven years PQE	669,000	93,000	194,000	242,000

Position	AED	GBP	AUD	NZD
UK magic circle/US firms
Newly qualified	480,000	67,000	139,000	174,000
One year PQE	516,000	72,000	150,000	186,000
Two years PQE	624,000	87,000	181,000	225,000
Three years PQE	660,000	92,000	191,000	238,000
Four years PQE	720,000	101,000	208,000	260,000
Five years PQE	780,000	109,000	226,000	282,000
Six years PQE	840,000	117,000	243,000	303,000
Seven years PQE	900,000	126,000	260,000	325,000

^{1. AUD and NZD salaries are conversions only, not what you would be paid if you were in Australia or New Zealand}

Don't expect a contract job though...

There is no real contracting market to speak of in Dubai with nearly all the jobs being permanent. Therefore, there does not tend to be the same turnover in roles as countries such as the United Kingdom. There is still an over supply of opportunity as new jobs are being created constantly.

Things you need to know to make the most of it

Prepare for your interviews

Remember you are not a pioneer in going to Dubai anymore and so will be competing with many other talented individuals for jobs. You therefore need to be prepared.

Choose your job wisely

Choose your job carefully. Switching jobs is not easy in Dubai so it is best to make sure you choose a company that you really want to work for - as your visa will depend on them.

Register with us now and take the next step in your career.

TOP OF PAGE

"Global were a pleasure to work with and I will be sending more people their way!"

CR, Working at Mykobo as a Comms Manager

Tips

Join our LinkedIn group - http://tinyurl.com/linkedin-global

Always attend all interviews that you are booked into, even if you are not 100% sure

Ensure you achieve what you want during your time overseas

Your employment references should be written on company letterhead

Dress for success – particularly in the UK where image is everything

Know your CV inside and out as it will make interviewing easier

Go prepared to employer interviews with a few questions to ask

Focus on getting a foot in the door for your first role in the Middle East

Research is worth its weight in gold in impressing potential employers