Associate (Maritime, Trade and Offshore Finance)

VIRTUS LAW LLP; Singapore; Hybrid; SGD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Life insurance and private health

Dental care

Wellbeing program

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Virtus Law LLP in Singapore seeks a qualified lawyer with 3–4 years PQE to join the Maritime, Trade and Offshore Finance Team. The role involves advising on ship, offshore and asset finance, and related banking matters across domestic and cross-border transactions.

You will work with an international network, gain early responsibility, and contribute to a leading practice in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer in Singapore with approximately 3 to 4 years' PQE.
• Experience or interest in ship finance, asset finance, banking and finance, or related transactional work.
• Strong ability to analyse financial statements and reporting information.

Responsibilities

• Advising on ship finance, offshore finance, asset finance and other banking and finance matters.
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating loan, security and other transaction documents.
• Managing legal due diligence, transaction execution and closing processes.
• Coordinating with clients, lenders, borrowers, counterparties and other advisers on domestic and cross-border transactions.
• Conducting legal research and preparing internal and client-facing memoranda and advice.
• Assisting with know-how, precedent development and business development initiatives.
• Working with colleagues across the Stephenson Harwood (Singapore) Alliance and international network on multi-jurisdictional matters.

Skills

Ship finance

Asset finance

Banking and finance

Drafting

Communication

Project management

Job description

What we will offer

We will offer you a place where you can be yourself and where there are no limits on what you can achieve. With us, you can take ownership of your career and have honest conversations throughout. You would join an ambitious firm with a clear strategy for profitable growth where you can gain early responsibility and early involvement in growing the business. Here you can expect a competitive and fair reward as well as recognition based on all round performance.

You can expect

• A competitive salary and a host of family friendly policies
• Life assurance, private health and dental care for you
• A wellbeing strategy that focuses on preventative measures to maintain overall health, and tools and support for when our people experience physical or mental difficulties. The strategy focuses on four pillars: physical, emotional, financial and social aspects.
• Most of our roles are hybrid, allowing colleagues to enjoy the flexibility of both office and remote work each week, in accordance with business and team needs.

We are an equal opportunity organisation, committed to having a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, culture, or any other protected characteristics. We aim to create a culture where everyone can be themselves and is valued for their strengths and unique perspectives.

Team structure

This role sits within the Maritime, Trade and Offshore Finance Team, working closely with Colin Jarraw and colleagues across the Singapore office and the wider Stephenson Harwood international network. Recognised as one of the world's leading shipping and offshore practices, the team advises shipowners, offshore energy companies, financial institutions, lessors, private equity sponsors, insurers and commodity trading companies on a broad range of maritime, offshore and asset finance transactions. The team is known for its collaborative and supportive culture, providing associates with direct access to partners, meaningful client exposure and responsibility from an early stage of their careers. Associates can expect to work on sophisticated, high-value cross-border transactions, gain exposure to a diverse international client base, and develop specialist expertise in a market-leading practice. The role offers excellent opportunities for mentoring, professional development and long-term career growth within a close-knit team that values technical excellence, commerciality and teamwork.

Main responsibilities

The successful candidate will work on a broad range of ship finance, offshore finance, asset finance and banking transactions.

Key responsibilities include:

• Advising on ship finance, offshore finance, asset finance and other banking and finance matters.
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating loan, security and other transaction documents.
• Managing legal due diligence, transaction execution and closing processes.
• Coordinating with clients, lenders, borrowers, counterparties and other advisers on domestic and cross-border transactions.
• Conducting legal research and preparing internal and client-facing memoranda and advice.
• Assisting with know-how, precedent development and business development initiatives.
• Working with colleagues across the Stephenson Harwood (Singapore) Alliance and international network on multi-jurisdictional matters.

Attributes / Skills required

• Qualified lawyer in Singapore, with approximately 3 to 4 years' post-qualification experience (PQE).
• Experience in, or a strong interest in developing a practice focused on ship finance, asset finance, banking and finance, or related transactional work.
• Strong understanding of financing concepts, transaction structures, and financial documentation, with an ability to analyse financial statements and financial reporting information.
• Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify and assess legal, commercial, and transactional risks.
• Excellent drafting, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with clients, counterparties, and colleagues.
• Strong organisational and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple transactions and competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• High level of attention to detail, commercial awareness, and professional judgment.
• Proactive, collaborative, and client-focused approach to delivering practical legal solutions.
• Ability to work effectively within international teams and to coordinate matters across different jurisdictions, cultures, and time zones.

This job description is indicative only and does not represent an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The firm reserves the right to alter or change the responsibilities at any time, in line with the firm's strategy and business needs.

About the firm

Virtus Law is a leading Singapore law firm providing corporate, commercial, dispute resolution, shipping and finan