Legal Counsel

NW ENERGY SDN. BHD.; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

NW ENERGY SDN. BHD. in Malaysia seeks a Legal Counsel to support regional operations across Singapore, Malaysia, UAE and China.

You will advise on contracts, risk, and regulatory issues, drafting and negotiating commercial agreements while coordinating with external counsel across jurisdictions. The role requires an LLB and admission to practice in Malaysia or a Commonwealth jurisdiction, with 7–12 years of post-qualification experience, including cross-border work in energy, shipping, or

Qualifications

• 7–12 years of post-qualification experience (including in-house or top-tier law firm).
• Exposure to cross-border corporate and commercial work, UAE/China jurisdictions.
• Strong grasp of contract law, corporate law, and regulatory compliance.
• Advantageous: maritime, energy, or trading industries.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, agreements, and MOUs including JV agreements and NDAs.
• Advise on corporate structuring, incorporations, directorships, and shareholding arrangements.
• Monitor compliance with Companies Act, DMCC Regulations, PDPA, Employment Act, and other laws.
• Develop and maintain compliance frameworks and internal policies.
• Liaise with regulators, company secretaries, and external counsel across jurisdictions.
• Provide legal input for mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures; support due diligence.
• Advise on energy, shipping, and logistics contracts; manage external counsel.

Skills

Drafting

Negotiation

Contract Law

Regulatory Compliance

Education

LLB and admitted to practise in Malaysia/Singapore/Commonwealth

Job description

The Legal Counsel will provide comprehensive legal support to the Group's regional operations across Singapore, Malaysia, UAE, and China. The role covers a broad range of corporate, commercial, and regulatory matters, ensuring that all business units operate within applicable legal and compliance frameworks. The Counsel will serve as a key advisor to management on contracts, risk management, cross-border transactions, and regulatory issues.

Key Responsibilities:

Corporate & Commercial Law

Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, agreements, and MOUs including JV agreements, service agreements, supply contracts, agency and manning contracts, NDAs, and shareholder agreements.

Advise on corporate structuring, company incorporations, directorships, and shareholding arrangements across Singapore, Malaysia, UAE (DMCC), and China entities.

Ensure all board resolutions, share allotments, and corporate filings comply with local statutory requirements.

Compliance & Regulatory

Monitor compliance with laws and regulations in all operating jurisdictions - including Companies Act (Singapore & Malaysia), DMCC Regulations, PRC corporate laws, PDPA, Employment Act, and MLC 2006 (for maritime-related entities).

Develop and maintain compliance frameworks, internal policies, and standard operating procedures.

Liaise with regulators, company secretaries, and external counsel in respective jurisdictions.

Transactions & Projects

Provide legal input for corporate transactions, mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures.

Support commercial negotiations, financing arrangements, and due diligence.

Advise on energy, shipping, and logistics contracts, including charterparty, port, and supply agreements.

Identify legal risks and propose mitigation strategies.

Manage external counsel in litigation, arbitration, or regulatory matters.

Maintain contract and case management systems to track legal exposure.

Job Requirements:

Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and qualified to practise in Malaysia, Singapore, or Commonwealth jurisdiction.

7-12 years of post-qualification experience (including in-house or top-tier law firm).

Exposure to cross-border corporate and commercial work, ideally involving UAE/China jurisdictions.

Strong grasp of contract law, corporate law, and regulatory compliance.

Advantageous: Familiarity with maritime, energy, or trading industries.

This role will be based in Malaysia.

Core Competencies

Excellent drafting, analytical, and negotiation skills.

Strong commercial acumen and ability to work with diverse business units.

Proactive, independent, and able to manage multiple jurisdictions simultaneously.

Sound judgment and professional ethics.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent