Senior Legal Counsel - Commodities & Shipping Firm

Description

Job Title: Senior Legal Counsel Commodities & Shipping

Location : Singapore

About Our Client :

Our client is a global commodities trading company with a strong presence in metals and bulk commodities. The firm operates across key trading routes in Asia and the Middle East, partnering with producers, traders, shipowners, and end-users worldwide.

Role Overview :

Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Legal Counsel to support its metals and commodities trading business, with a primary focus on shipping, freight, and trade-related contracts. This is a front-line, deal-facing role requiring a commercially minded lawyer who can move quickly, manage risk pragmatically, and lead matters independently.

Key Responsibilities:

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of shipping and freight documentation, including:
• Contracts of Affreightment (COAs)
• Charterparties (voyage and time)
• Bills of Lading
• Demurrage and despatch provisions
• Claims and settlement agreements
• Draft and negotiate physical commodities trading contracts (sales and purchase agreements for metals and bulk commodities).
• Advise traders and operations teams on contractual risk, performance issues, and mitigation strategies.
• Manage and coordinate arbitration and disputes (SIAC, LMAA, GAFTA, FOSFA, or similar), including oversight of external counsel.
• Support deal structuring and execution from a legal and risk perspective.
• Develop, update, and maintain standard contract templates and negotiation playbooks.
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments relevant to commodities trading and shipping.

Must-Have Requirements :

• 10+ years PQE (or equivalent).
• Strong, hands-on experience with freight and shipping documentation and contracts.
• Solid exposure to arbitration and disputes in shipping and/or commodities.
• Prior legal experience within metals or commodities trading (in-house or at a trading-focused law firm).
• Commercial, deal-oriented mindset with the ability to balance risk and speed.
• Confident communicator able to hold firm with counterparties.

Nice-to-Have :

• Knowledge of trade finance, sanctions, and compliance in commodities.
• Regional experience across Asia and/or Middle East trading routes.