Junior Corporate Counsel

Margaritaville At Sea; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Margaritaville at Sea is seeking a Corporate Counsel to support contracts, claims, and compliance across the business. You will report to the Chief Legal and Administration Officer and handle day-to-day work with a small team, escalating matters as needed.

The role requires a JD from an ABA-accredited school, an active Florida-licensure, and 1–3 years of relevant experience. Strong drafting skills and MS 365 proficiency are essential.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school (preferably with honors).
• Active license to practice law, in good standing, preferably in Florida.
• One to three years of legal experience at a law firm, in-house legal department, or government agency.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements, including vendor and supplier, services, technology, marketing, sponsorship, entertainment, charter and port-related agreements, as well as non-disclosure agreements.
• Review counterparty paper against the Company's contract positions, prepare redlines, and summarize key business and legal risks for internal stakeholders in plain language.
• Track contract status, renewals, insurance requirements, and key obligations; maintain organized contract records.
• Support management of guest and crew claims, including intake, investigation, evaluation, and reserve recommendations.
• Provide legal support to Human Resources on employment matters, including shoreside employment questions and seafarer contract issues.

Skills

Legal drafting

Attention to detail

Judgment

Microsoft 365

Education

Juris Doctor (ABA-accredited)

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: Orlando Office - Orlando, FL 32801, ABOUT MARGARITAVILLE AT SEA

Classica Cruise Operator, Ltd., doing business as Margaritaville at Sea ("MVAS" or the "Company"), is a cruise line operating a fleet of Bahamas-flagged vessels from Florida homeports. Our ships sell escape. Our Legal team makes sure the escape is built on sound contracts, fair claims handling, and real compliance with the laws that govern life at sea.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Corporate Counsel is a generalist, in-house lawyer who supports the business across contracts, claims, and compliance. Reporting directly to the Chief Legal and Administration Officer, the Corporate Counsel handles a high volume of day-to-day legal work independently, escalates sensitive matters with judgment, and grows into a trusted adviser to operational, commercial, and shipboard leaders. This is a hands-on role on a small team: the work is varied, the turnaround is real, and the exposure to the business is immediate.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

CONTRACTS AND VENDOR MANAGEMENT

• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements, including vendor and supplier, services, technology, marketing, sponsorship, entertainment, charter and port-related agreements, as well as non-disclosure agreements.


• Review counterparty paper against the Company's contract positions, prepare redlines, and summarize key business and legal risks for internal stakeholders in plain language.


• Track contract status, renewals, insurance requirements, and key obligations; maintain organized contract records.

CLAIMS AND LITIGATION SUPPORT

• Support the management of guest and crew claims, including intake, investigation, evaluation, and reserve recommendations.


• Coordinate with outside counsel on litigated matters: gather documents and witness information, review drafts, and help prepare discovery responses.


• Issue and track legal holds.


• Support the maintenance of accurate claim and matter records and report status to the Chief Legal and Administration Officer.

COMPLIANCE AND POLICY

• Advise on maritime and regulatory compliance, including the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act (CVSSA), the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006), and privacy and consumer-protection requirements.


• Draft and update Company policies, standard operating procedures, and forms and support their rollout and training.


• Provide legal support to Human Resources on employment matters, including shoreside employment questions and seafarer contract issues.


• Assist with regulatory inquiries, incident response, and internal investigations as directed.

GENERAL LEGAL SUPPORT

• Answer day-to-day legal questions from business teams accurately and promptly, and know when to


• Conduct legal research and prepare clear, concise memoranda.


• Perform other legal duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS: QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED

• Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school (preferably with honors)


• Active license to practice law, in good standing, preferably in Florida


• One to three years of legal experience at a law firm, in-house legal department, or government agency.


• Excellent legal writing and drafting skills, with strong attention to detail.


• Sound judgment, discretion with confidential information, and the ability to manage several matters at once.


• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint).

PREFERRED

• Experience with commercial contracts, litigation, particularly in maritime, cruise, hospitality, or travel.


• Familiarity with maritime law and regulation or employment law.

FLORIDA PRACTICE REQUIREMENT

A candidate who is not a member of The Florida Bar must be eligible for, and obtain, certification as Authorized House Counsel under Chapter 17 of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, and must maintain that certification throughout employment. Authorized House Counsel may provide legal services only to the employing organization and may not appear as counsel in Florida courts unless specially admitted.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

A certificate of good standing from each jurisdiction of admission will be required before an offer is extended.

RELOCATION

This position is based in Orlando, Florida. The successful candidate must reside in, or be willing to relocate to, the Orlando area by the start date.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Regular in-office days in Orlando as set by the Chief Legal and Administration Officer.


• Occasional travel to the Company's homeports and aboard Company vessels.


• Cruise operations run around the clock; after-hours availability is required for urgent matters as necessary.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Margaritaville at Sea is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. The Company may change this description at any time. This job description does not create a contract of employment.