Habib Al Mulla and Partners

Overview

Founded in 1984 and led by Dr. Habib Al Mulla, Habib Al Mulla and Partners is a leading UAE law firm advising both foreign and local clients on doing business in the UAE and the wider MENA region. The firm combines long-standing involvement in drafting UAE legislation with full-service capability across corporate, tax, disputes, real estate, financial services and regulatory matters. It positions itself as a market-facing adviser on complex cross-border transactions, family wealth structures and high-value disputes, and is regularly instructed by banks and major corporates.

Headquarters: Dubai
Founded: 1984

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

International Arbitration
Banking & Finance
Corporate & M&A
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
Data Protection & Privacy
Real Estate
Employment
Insolvency & Restructuring
Tax
Intellectual Property
Regulatory & Compliance
Technology & Digital
Media & Entertainment
White Collar Crime
Professional Negligence
Construction & Engineering
Private Client & Wealth

Geographic Focus: Primary market focus is the UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) with a broader regional practice across the GCC and MENA. The firm also maintains an international footprint and engagement in jurisdictions such as Turkey (Istanbul), Russia (Moscow) and Egypt (Cairo), and positions itself to work for inbound foreign clients and international corporates operating in the region.

Training Contract

The firm runs a Rotational Programme for a UAE National Trainee Lawyer designed to provide comprehensive exposure across multiple legal departments and practice areas. The internship offering and rotational trainee role indicate seat rotations across core practices; the firm emphasises mentorship, structured learning paths and budgets for professional certifications.

Seat Options

Litigation
Corporate
Arbitration
Banking & Finance
Family Business
Tax and Financial Crimes
Real Estate
Business Support

Mentorship

The firm states it provides mentorship and structured learning paths; careers pages refer to mentorship, partner supervision and internal training budgets as part of career development.

Apply on the Habib Al Mulla and Partners website →

Programmes & Schemes

Internship

Structured internship intake that invites students and recent graduates to upload CVs and select preferred departments (Litigation, Corporate, Arbitration, Banking and Finance, Family Businesses, Tax and Financial Crimes, Real Estate, Business Support). The programme is positioned as practical exposure to firm practice areas and an introduction to firm life.

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Notable Matters

Dubai Islamic Bank PJSC and Noor Bank PJSC v. NMC (2021–2023) — major recovery litigation

Acted on the high‑profile matter between Dubai Islamic Bank PJSC and Noor Bank PJSC and NMC (2021–2023). The firm's team was recognised for its role in the dispute and the matter was awarded "Case of the Year" at the Lexis Nexis Middle East Legal Awards, underlining the firm's capability in large‑scale banking and recovery litigation.

Dispute Resolution & Litigation

Court of Cassation (CIF contract) — Turkish public joint stock company vs. buyer (CIF shipment dispute)

Represented a Turkish public joint stock company in proceedings before the UAE Court of Cassation, successfully overturning an appellate decision and reaffirming core CIF contract principles under UAE law. The ruling confirmed the seller's entitlement to the contract price once goods were shipped and documents tendered, clarifying risk allocation for documentary sales.

Shipping & Maritime

Representation on corporate tax and restructuring guidance matters (FTA guides commentary and client advice)

Regularly advises clients on UAE corporate tax implementation, restructuring relief, small business relief and registration of juridical persons — providing guidance and representation on tax compliance and disputes tied to Federal Tax Authority guidance and legislation. Partners from the firm author detailed client briefings and client-facing commentary on FTA guides and tax administration practice.

Tax

What Habib Al Mulla and Partners Looks For

Key Competencies

Commercial awareness
Teamwork and collaboration
Attention to detail
Resilience and adaptability
Commitment to continuous learning
Regional / UAE legal awareness

Evidence Signals

Practical experience as an intern or paralegal
Relevant coursework or certifications (tax, arbitration, data protection)
UAE qualification or experience working under UAE law
Demonstrable interest in family business, corporate tax or disputes
Language skills and regional exposure (Arabic/English)

Benefits & Wellbeing

Competitive Salary & Benefits
Flexible work arrangements / Work‑Life Balance
Structured learning paths and mentorship
Budgets for certifications and courses
Comprehensive wellbeing support (described generically)

Awards & Recognition

Case of the Year — Lexis Nexis Middle East Legal Awards (June 2024)
Shortlisted: Dispute Resolution Team of the Year (year not specified)
Shortlisted: Tax Team of the Year (year not specified)
Shortlisted: Arbitrator of the Year (year not specified)
Lawyers recognised in The Legal 500 annual list (April 2023)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Diversity & Empowerment
Website accessibility programme (multiple disability profiles and AI‑based accessibility tool)

Innovation

The firm's website uses an AI‑based application to optimise accessibility (remediating HTML, providing ARIA attributes, image OCR for ALT text and screen‑reader optimisations). This demonstrates an investment in digital accessibility; the website accessibility functionality is well documented and designed to support users with visual, cognitive and motor impairments. No named internal legal‑tech platforms or matter‑management tools are published.

AI‑based accessibility application (website)
Accessibility interface with disability profiles and assistive functions

Quick Application Angles

Reference the firm’s recent banking litigation work (Dubai Islamic Bank PJSC and Noor Bank PJSC v. NMC) when demonstrating litigation experience or interest in large‑value banking disputes.
Show commercial awareness of UAE corporate tax developments (Business Restructuring Relief, Small Business Relief) and cite the firm’s tax commentary to evidence fit for tax or corporate seats.
If applying to family business or private client roles, discuss succession and family foundation structuring and the firm’s approach to fiscal transparency under the UAE Corporate Tax regime.
Emphasise practical exposure (internships, paralegal work) and willingness to rotate across seats — the firm promotes structured rotations and mentorship.
For data protection or tech roles, highlight any experience with data protection compliance or cybersecurity, and mention the firm’s recruitment of a Data Protection Officer in Cairo to signal interest in privacy practice growth.