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Virtual Counsel
Is the pressure of daily legal work distracting you from strategically important, business-critical matters? Virtual Counsel by Support Legal offers on-demand access to our team of senior lawyers, designed to alleviate this burden.
Recruited from top-tier international law firms and multinationals, our team are experienced at providing on-demand legal support to businesses of all sizes, serving as a flexible, cost-effective extension of your legal function. Our lawyers are skilled in assisting with:
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Everyday legal tasks
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Addressing capacity challenges during busy periods
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Providing flexible assistance during staff turnover and absences
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Supporting with specific projects
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Offering specialist expertise as needed
How it works
1. Schedule a call
2. Agree a custom plan
3. Get started

Here to help
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- 01One of our defining features is our fee‑share model. Instead of a fixed salary, our lawyers retain most of the revenue they generate, with additional credit for client origination. We also impose no billing or time‑recording targets, giving you freedom from the constraints of traditional firms. You also have complete autonomy over how you price and structure your engagements - whether fixed fees, retainers, hourly rates, or alternative models. You work directly with clients to agree what works best for them and for you. At Support Legal, you can build and scale the practice you want. From day one, you can collaborate with a global network of senior professionals across a wide range of corporate and commercial disciplines, supported by an active internal referral network. We also support a multi‑specialist approach, encouraging lawyers to maintain a broad scope of work. This keeps your practice varied and engaging while giving clients well‑rounded, strategic advice. With access to premium legal resources and dedicated support services, you can shape a practice that plays to your strengths and delivers meaningful, high‑quality work.
- 02At Support Legal, we seek lawyers who combine strong interpersonal skills with a commercial mindset and a commitment to excellence. We value intellectual rigour and relevant experience, but just as importantly, we look for individuals who bring energy, ambition, and a collaborative spirit to their work. Our team is made up of professionals from a wide range of educational backgrounds, cultures, and personal interests - there is no single “Support Legal type.” What unites us is a shared dedication to quality and a belief in the power of collective expertise. We operate a flat structure, distinct from the traditional pyramid model adopted by many law firms. Our lawyers typically have at least ten years of post‑qualification experience, gained at leading international law firms and multinational corporations, and operate without the need for layers of senior supervision. We look for lawyers who demonstrate: • Strong legal, commercial and analytical skills • A solid academic background (generally equivalent to a high 2:1 or above) with proven intellectual rigour • Training and 10+ years’ PQE from a leading international law firm (in‑house experience is welcome but not essential) • Proven business development and client relationship capabilities • Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management skills • Impeccable attention to detail • High levels of professionalism, integrity and ethical standards • A collaborative mindset and the ability to work effectively with colleagues • Experience contributing to diverse and inclusive teams We welcome applications from all qualified lawyers and barristers, regardless of race, colour, nationality, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, belief or marital status.
- 03When you are the sole fee earner and source partner for your work, your compensation is calculated on a simple, transparent basis: • 70% of all fees generated up to USD 500,000 • 75% of all fees generated between USD 500,000 and USD 725,000 • 80% of all fees generated above USD 725,000 In addition, if you introduce a client to another part of the firm, you receive an agreed share of the revenue from that work. As guidance, we typically recommend 15%. Click here to see what this looks like in practice.
- 04As a member of Support Legal, you will have access to a comprehensive suite of resources designed to help you build, grow, and support your practice: • A collaborative internal network of experienced Principals and Legal Directors • Revenue share on internal referrals, typically 10–15% of the net bill • $1 million professional indemnity insurance coverage • Finance and invoicing support, including billing and collections • Access to premium legal research platforms, including PLC and LexisNexis • Compliance and client onboarding support • CLPD training to support your professional development • Document production and legal secretarial support, available at an additional cost
- 05Much of our work focuses on the common law jurisdictions of the DIFC and ADGM, alongside advisory matters relating to UAE law. We therefore seek experienced lawyers from common law backgrounds whose qualifications and expertise provide a transferable skill set aligned with our regional focus. We also welcome applications from lawyers based outside the UAE, provided they can demonstrate the requisite knowledge and experience. All consultant lawyers must hold a valid practising certificate or an equivalent professional certification.
- 06Support Legal is a licensed law firm operating through its entities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai: • Support Legal Limited is a limited liability company authorised and licensed as a legal consultancy firm by Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) under licence number 000000571. • Support Legal (DIFC) Limited is a limited liability company registered in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) under licence number CL4815, and authorised as a legal consultancy firm by the Dubai Legal Affairs Department (DLAD) under registration number CF‑2021‑00156. All our lawyers practising in Dubai are required to register as Foreign Legal Consultants with the DLAD. This registration is undertaken individually and at the lawyer’s own expense.
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