Role overview
Our client is a leading DIFC-regulated financial services group with banking, wealth management and brokerage operations across the GCC and North Africa. Following increased regulatory scrutiny and a growing volume of multi-jurisdictional investigations, they are seeking a Financial Crime and AML Lawyer to join their legal and compliance function in Dubai.
Key responsibilities
- Advise on anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing and fraud-related matters across the group's operations
- Support internal investigations and manage responses to requests from the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit, DFSA and international bodies including Interpol
- Draft and maintain the group's AML and CFT policies, procedures and risk assessment frameworks
- Advise on customer due diligence, enhanced due diligence and suspicious transaction reporting obligations
- Liaise with external counsel and regulators on cross-border enforcement matters and mutual legal assistance requests
- Provide training to front office and operations teams on financial crime red flags and regulatory expectations
Candidate profile
- Common law qualified with 4 to 8 years' PQE
- Experienced in financial crime, AML and CFT and/or regulatory investigations, ideally across multiple jurisdictions
- Technically strong with a working knowledge of UAE Federal AML legislation, DFSA rules and international standards (FATF)
- Experienced at a recognised international firm, financial institution or regulatory body
- A pragmatic communicator capable of managing relationships with internal stakeholders and external regulators under pressure
About Meyssa Legal
Meyssa Legal places lawyers across private practice and in-house roles in the UAE, with deep experience in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. We work consultatively with leading firms, in-house teams, and senior counsel across banking and finance, disputes, corporate, regulatory, and TMT.
Our approach prioritises judgment over targets and discretion over volume. We brief every role in confidence, submit only candidates we genuinely believe fit, and treat every conversation as the start of a long-term relationship.
