Associate

What we will offer:

International and complex work - not only dry shipping disputes, but also commodities-related disputes, disputes arising out of asset finance arrangements, and non-contentious work in the shipping and commodities space including lease structures, shipbuilding, and long-term commodity supply contracts. With us, you can take ownership of your career have honest conversations throughout, and benefit from structured training and assessment programmes at all associate levels. 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 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.

Team structure

Stephenson Harwood has one of the world's leading marine and international trade 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.

From our offices in London, Dubai, Hong Kong, Paris, Piraeus, Singapore, Shanghai and Seoul we frequently act in high profile disputes involving complex legal and commercial problems. We often have to advise on cross-border and jurisdictional disputes which has resulted in a considerable pool of experience relating to the majority of important maritime jurisdictions. Our clients include many of the world's largest ship owners, shipyards, asset financiers, insurers, P&I clubs, energy services companies and commodities traders.

You would join our c.75 lawyer team in Singapore, covering international and permitted areas of Singapore law. Our lawyers cover the firm's core areas (in addition to transportation and trade, also decarbonisation, life sciences, private capital & funds, and technology). Many of our individual lawyers are recognised as leaders in their fields.

The size of the team globally and the depth of its experience means we are well positioned to advise on any shipping or trade-related concern, from the most complex marine incident or financing structure to the more straightforward cargo claim or sale and purchase dispute.

The opportunity

Due to the continued growth of the practice, we are seeking talented experienced associates for our Marine & International Trade 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.

Attributes / skills required

• Excellent academic and professional qualifications
• 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 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.