Shipping Litigation Associate (Marine, trade and offshore)

Stephenson Harwood LLP; Singapore; Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking law firm with a leading maritime practice in Singapore. This exciting role offers the chance to work on complex shipping and commodity disputes, providing you with early responsibility and the opportunity to make a significant impact. You will collaborate with a talented team of lawyers, engage in business development, and build strong relationships with clients. The firm values individuality and commitment, fostering a diverse work environment where your contributions are recognized. If you are a qualified lawyer with a passion for maritime law and an ambition to grow, this position is perfect for you.

Benefits

Life assurance

Private health care

Dental care

Volunteering leave

Wellbeing strategy

Family friendly policies

Qualifications

• Proven experience in shipping and commodity disputes is essential.
• Qualified lawyer with strong attention to detail and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Advise on shipping, shipbuilding, and offshore disputes.
• Draft and negotiate contracts including shipbuilding contracts and charterparties.

Skills

Shipping and commodity disputes

Legal research

Documentation preparation and drafting

Client liaison

Business development

File management

Mandarin communication

Organizational skills

Resilience under pressure

Team collaboration

Education

Qualified lawyer

3 to 8 years PQE

English law qualification

Singapore law or common law qualifications

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 get 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. This forms part of our internal promise to you, The Deal, between the firm and its employees.

You can expect:

• A competitive salary and a host of family friendly policies
• Life assurance, private health and dental care for you and your family
• The opportunity to support the firm's charity through volunteering leave
• 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.

Team Structure

Stephenson Harwood has one of the world's leading maritime, trade and offshore practices, offering a breadth of services to clients in the shipping, asset finance, insurance, offshore and commodity sectors that few other firms can match. In Singapore, we are ranked Tier 1 for Shipping by Legal 500, and Band 1 for Shipping Finance and Band 2 for Shipping Litigation by Chambers.

You would join our c.75 lawyer team in Singapore, covering international and permitted areas of Singapore law. The core areas of our firm's work that our lawyers in Singapore cover include transportation & trade and private capital & funds. Many of our individual lawyers are recognised as leaders in their fields.

Due to the continued growth of the practice, we are seeking talented experienced associates for our marine, trade and offshore team. In this role you will advise on all types of shipping, shipbuilding and offshore disputes, as well as work-outs and asset financing-related disputes. You will also undertake non-contentious work acting for shipyards and shipowners in drafting and negotiating contracts including shipbuilding contracts, charterparties, MoAs and contracts of affreightment, or traders in their long-term supply contracts.

Main Responsibilities

• Technical skills and research
• Clear, concise and unambiguous preparation and drafting of documentation
• Matter management
• Liaising with clients and other third parties
• Managing experts and counsel efficiently and proactively
• Developing own informal internal and external network of contacts
• Building excellent working relationships with clients and peers within SH
• Attending business development and profile raising events
• Managing more junior level staff where applicable

The current firm policy generally allows working from home two days a week, with specific days to be determined in discussion with the team overall.

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.

Attributes/Skills Required

• Qualified lawyer with proven experience in shipping and commodity disputes and ideally with exposure to and an interest in the marine and international trade sector
• Ideally 3 to 8 years PQE (or any equivalent relevant experience).
• English law qualification is preferred. Singapore law or other common law qualifications are acceptable.
• Ability to acquire, consolidate and apply fundamental and up-to-date knowledge of the law
• Excellent diligence, accuracy and attention to detail
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Business level Mandarin capability will be viewed as very attractive but a lack thereof will not bar an otherwise strong candidate from consideration
• Good housekeeping and file management practices; manages and records time promptly and accurately
• A good understanding of the firm’s position in the market and how it distinguishes its services from its competitors
• Organised and able to work to strict deadlines with the ability to prioritise realistically
• Resilient with the ability to handle setbacks and pressure
• A self-starter, able to work alone and within a small team
• Cooperative and collaborative in approach and able to develop excellent working relationships at all levels and roles
• Able to operate professionally and proactively at all times

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

With 8 offices worldwide and with our headquarters based in London, Stephenson Harwood is a law firm where our people are committed to achieving the goals of our clients - listed and private companies, institutions and individuals across the globe. Our mix of expertise and culture results in a combination of deep local insight and the capability to provide a seamless international service.

Our values

• Individuality: We encourage creativity and develop talent.
• Commitment: To be the best and deliver the highest standard.
• Teamwork: We work together to build close, long-term relationships.
• Straight talking: We say what we mean and do what we say.

We particularly encourage applications from underrepresented demographics.