JONATHAN T. NYANHANDA
Dubai,UAE
Summary
Dynamic Business Development Manager in Legal Services with extensive experience in client engagement, corporate legal support, and driving business growth within UAE law firms and professional services. Skilled in generating and converting leads, managing the full business development lifecycle, and securing mandates across civil, corporate, real estate, and family law. Experienced in drafting proposals, engagement letters, NDAs, service agreements, and vendor contracts, as well as supporting pitches, tenders, and high-value RFPs. Recognized for building strong client relationships, delivering strategic insights, and leveraging CRM and pipeline reporting to drive sustainable business growth within the UAE legal market.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Business Development Manager in Law
AH Legal Co.
Dubai, UAE
10.2025 - Current
- Generating qualified leads in the UAE legal services sector through strategic marketing initiatives, targeted outreach, and continuous market intelligence activities.
- Developing strategic partnerships with corporations, SMEs, and government entities to build sustainable referral pipelines for legal and notary services.
- Converting leads into active legal clients by presenting customised legal solutions, coordinating with internal teams, and managing client inquiries.
- Building strong client relationships through continuous communication, proactive support, and ongoing needs assessment to ensure long-term retention.
- Drafting professional proposals, engagement letters, fee quotations, and service presentations aligned with client requirements and firm standards.
- Leading the full client onboarding process, overseeing KYC, due diligence, documentation, and compliance with internal and regulatory policies.
- Collaborating with legal practitioners to align client needs with firm expertise, case strategies, and applicable regulatory requirements.
- Monitoring UAE market trends, regulatory updates, and competitor activities to identify emerging opportunities within the legal consultancy sector.
Business Development Head & Legal Associate
HHS Lawyers
Dubai, UAE
09.2022 - 10.2025
- Drove revenue growth in legal services through innovative business development strategies.
- Established strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to enhance service delivery opportunities.
- Led contract negotiations, ensuring advantageous terms while safeguarding legal and operational interests.
- Drafted proposals and client presentations, accurately reflecting scope of work and compliance obligations.
- Monitored business development performance, refining strategies to maximise efficiency and revenue targets.
- Conducted market research to identify emerging legal service opportunities and industry trends.
- Managed review and negotiation of legal documents, ensuring compliance with UAE laws and quality standards.
- Collaborated with legal teams to customise offerings that aligned with clients' needs and objectives.
Legal Assistant
Hitesh Gupta & Advocates
, India
05.2020 - 02.2022
- Assisted business development team by conducting lead research and managing client database.
- Coordinated preparation of client proposals, engagement letters, and service presentations for legal review.
- Collaborated with marketing teams on campaigns, social media outreach, and client communications.
- Maintained consistent communication with existing clients through follow-ups and updates.
- Provided general legal support, including drafting correspondence and managing case files under supervision.
- Facilitated client onboarding by collecting KYC documents and ensuring completeness of documentation.
- Supported senior lawyers in monitoring market trends and competitor activities within legal sectors.
Education
B.A. LL.B - Law
Parul University
India 01.2016 - 01.2021
Skills
- MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) – drafting proposals, preparing presentations, and tracking client communications
CRM & Business Development Platforms – managing client leads, tracking pipelines, and supporting business development initiatives
Document Management Systems – organising legal files, engagement letters, contracts, and client records efficiently
Virtual Communication Platforms – coordinating client meetings, presentations, and follow-ups via Teams, Zoom, or Webex
Data Analysis & Reporting – analysing market trends, lead generation data, and competitor activities to support strategic BD decisions
Client Relationship Management – maintaining relationships with prospects and existing clients, supporting client retention efforts
Market & Competitor Research – conducting sector-specific research to identify emerging business opportunities in legal services
Proposal & Presentation Preparation – assisting in the creation of tailored legal service proposals, engagement letters, and presentations
Lead Generation & Prospecting – supporting targeted outreach campaigns, referrals, and networking initiatives
Compliance & KYC Support – assisting in client onboarding and due diligence processes in line with regulatory requirements
REFERENCES
Can be furnished upon request.
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Contract Management
- Legal Compliance & Regulatory Support
- Internal & External Legal Advisory
- Corporate Governance
- Business Development and Client Acquisition
- Proposal Drafting, Contract Negotiation & Pitching Expertise
- Cross-Functional Liaison (Clients, Authorities & Legal Stakeholders)
- Strategic Networking & Partnership Development
Timeline
Business Development Manager in Law
AH Legal Co.
10.2025 - Current
Business Development Head & Legal Associate
HHS Lawyers
09.2022 - 10.2025
Legal Assistant
Hitesh Gupta & Advocates
05.2020 - 02.2022
B.A. LL.B - Law
Parul University
01.2016 - 01.2021