Senior Associate- Shipping & Trading

LAW Absolute Recruitment Ltd; Guildford; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A top-tier international law firm in Guildford is seeking a talented Senior Associate to join their Energy, Marine & Natural Resources team. This role involves advising on shipping and trading disputes, acting for leading international clients, and supporting junior colleagues. The ideal candidate will be an England & Wales qualified lawyer with 8+ years PQE and strong advocacy skills.

Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer with ideally 8+ PQE.
• Solid understanding of legal/commercial aspects of the energy, marine, or natural resources sectors.

Responsibilities

• Advise on live shipping and trading issues.
• Act for international clients in high-value litigation and arbitration proceedings.
• Lead client relationships and deliver commercial advice.

Skills

Strong experience in shipping and/or trading disputes

Excellent written and oral advocacy skills

Confident managing clients directly

Education

England & Wales qualified lawyer

Job description

An outstanding opportunity has arisen for a talented Senior Associate to join the Energy, Marine & Natural Resources team at a top-tier international law firm, globally recognised for its work in the shipping, trading and offshore energy sectors.

This is a chance to work at the forefront of dispute resolution and international arbitration, acting on high-profile, cross-border matters for leading oil majors, trading houses, and charterers. The role offers both responsibility and visibility, advising clients on fast-moving shipping and trading matters, as well as managing complex disputes.

The Role

• Advise on live shipping and trading issues, including charterparty, COA, bills of lading, and sale contracts.
• Act for international clients in high-value litigation and arbitration proceedings.
• Lead client relationships, delivering pragmatic, commercial advice. Draft pleadings, submissions, and evidence, and work closely with counsel and industry experts.
• Support the development of junior colleagues and contribute to business development initiatives.

About You

• England & Wales qualified lawyer, ideally 8+ PQE.
• Strong experience in shipping and/or trading disputes, including arbitration.
• Solid understanding of the legal and commercial aspects of the energy, marine, or natural resources sectors.
• Excellent written and oral advocacy skills.
• Confident managing clients directly and working both independently and collaboratively.

Why Apply?

Join one of the largest, most respected energy and marine practices in the world , a firm known for its international reach, high-quality work, and supportive culture. You’ll gain exposure to complex, global matters and the opportunity to make a real impact in a market-leading team.

Please note our advertisements use PQE/salary levels purely as a guide. However we are happy to consider applications from all candidates who are able to demonstrate the skills necessary to fulfil the role.

At LAW Absolute we endeavour to respond to all applications within 48 hours. However due to the volume of applications we receive we may not be able to respond to every candidate individually.

If you have not heard from us within a 48 hour timeframe your application has not been successful and your details have not been retained. LAW Absolute acts as an employment business for temporary recruitment and as an employment agency for fixed term contract and permanent recruitment.