Associate

The department

Our global shipping group consists of around 250 lawyers working across our fully integrated network of international offices. We service clients across the full shipping life cycle, and all maritime sectors (including containers, dry bulk, tankers, offshore and renewables, cruise, ferry, large yachts and projects), with our clients being drawn from the full cross section of industry stakeholders (including ship owners, banks, alternative lenders and investors, P&I clubs and marine insurers, cargo owners and commodities traders etc.).

Within the shipping group sits the transactional shipping team whose practice covers the whole spectrum of transactional shipping from shipbuilding, projects, sale and purchase and ship finance to refit and repair, long term employment arrangements, ship management and regulatory matters and recycling.

The role

We are looking for an experienced English law qualified transactional shipping lawyer of 3 – 6 years’ PQE to join our shipping team. The successful candidate will become an integral member of the transactional shipping team, advising shipowners, operators, financiers and investors on a wide range of domestic and cross‑border shipping transactions.

In particular you will be actively supporting transactions involving:

• Ship building
• Ship sale and purchase
• Ownership and vessel registration arrangements
• Ship finance
• Restructuring and workouts
• Bareboat charters and sale and leaseback arrangements
• Long-term time charters and pooling agreements 
• Ship management and other operational matters
• Ship recycling and its associated regulatory landscape

Whilst you will be focused on commercial shipping matters, there will also be an opportunity to support work of HFW’s market leading yacht team.

You will also work with our corporate colleagues on a range of corporate and commercial agreements related to the transactional shipping practice, including shareholder and joint venture agreements, inter‑company arrangements, management and technical services agreements, and other ancillary documentation supporting shipping transactions.

The successful candidate will have significant experience of and a desire to learn more about ship sale and purchase and shipbuilding, across a range of vessel types. You will be expected to draft and take part on the negotiation of shipbuilding contracts and related documentation.

The role requires close coordination with internal stakeholders, including a range of partners and others, clients, brokers, registries, financiers and counterparties. You will be expected to proactively drive your transactions and have considerable client contact from the outset. 

Key skills and experience required

• 3 – 6 years’ PQE, currently operating at a mid-senior English law qualified associate level or equivalent.
• You will have excellent drafting and transaction management skills.
• You will be a team player, able to support others and know when to delegate and seek support.
• You will be motivated, enthusiastic and able to thrive in a fast-paced working environment.
• You will have a willingness to learn and develop new skills.
• You will relish client contact and have strong business development and client engagement skills.
• You will play an active role in business development.
• International travel will from time to time be required.

Additional information

This role profile is designed to be indicative of the sort of work you will do and the experience we seek. It does not form a contractual description of the role and we reserve the right to make changes to meet the needs of the firm.

HFW aims to ensure equality of opportunity and we are actively working towards improving the diversity of our staff. All applications will be considered only on merit and the applicant’s suitability to meet the requirements of the role.

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