Commodities Trade Finance Associate (3-6+ Year PQE) – Geneva
We are currently looking to recruit an Associate with +3-6 years’ PQE experience, to join the Commodities Trade Finance team.
The firm
HFW is a leading global law firm in the commodities, shipping, aerospace, construction, energy and insurance sectors. The firm has over 700 fee‑earners, including 180 partners, based in 20 offices across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. As true industry specialists, we take a progressive approach to our roles in commercial business – thinking creatively and pragmatically to support our clients. HFW prides itself on its deep industry expertise and its entrepreneurial, creative and collaborative culture.
Geneva is the world’s leading hub for physical commodities and trade finance across diverse sectors such as coffee, cocoa, grains and soft commodities, oil and energy and metals.
The role
An opportunity exists in our fast-growing and highly regarded Commodities Trade Finance group for a 3 to 6+ years PQE Associate to join our team in Geneva. The team is ranked as one of the best in the market by leading directories, such as Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners, for its expertise in trade finance and sustainability-linked finance. In the role, you work directly with Associates, Partners and clients across a range of jurisdictions on interesting, upbeat and often complex matters. You should have excellent drafting skills and be able to work independently as well as part of a team.
About you
We are seeking candidates who:
- are admitted as solicitor in England & Wales or another common law jurisdiction
- have three to six years of trade finance or banking & finance experience, ideally with a leading City law firm
- speak fluent English (French, German or Italian a plus)
- have excellent English communication and drafting skills
- demonstrate a genuine passion for international trade, banking, trade finance and the applicable laws
- have a solid understanding of trade finance structures and needs in the commodities sector, on which they are enthusiastic to build
- are willing to think out of the box to find and implement innovative structures
- are willing to learn and strive to be the best lawyer they can be
- are efficient and can demonstrate excellent time management
- understand that providing outstanding client service is paramount
- willing to understand the client’s business to best meet its objectives
- can maintain strong internal and external relationships
On offer
The successful candidate will join a reputable and thriving practice, and work with a high performing and supportive team who view the broader success of the firm as paramount. Clients are global and diverse, among commodity trading and shipping firms and banks located in Switzerland, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Eastern Europe or Africa. Along with an attractive salary package, you will be eligible for bonuses and offered training programmes and a clear career progression path. The position is full-time based in Geneva.
Additional information
This job description is not contractual. It is reviewed periodically and may be amended or altered 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.
HFW collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants to manage its recruitment process. The firm is committed to being transparent about how it collects and uses that data and to meeting its data protection obligations. For information on how the firm will process your data, please click here to view our Privacy Notice, under the section “What we collect and how we use it”.
About HFW
HFW is a global law firm with deep, sector-focused expertise. We have over 700 lawyers working across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. We take a progressive approach to our roles in commercial business – thinking creatively and pragmatically to support our clients.
Whether we are solving complex issues within the construction, aviation or shipping industries, or providing advice across insurance, commodities and energy we are specialist lawyers here to add value to our clients. We think about the commercial solution first, and then underpin our advice with a solid foundation of legal expertise.
Our core values are being entrepreneurial, creative and collaborative.