Associate

The Department

Our Shipping lawyers provide a comprehensive service to the global maritime business community. We have over 200 lawyers and 8 Master Mariners worldwide, specialising in maritime law, reflecting our long involvement in this field. In the Middle East, we are a team of 6 Partners and 13 Associates and widely recognised as the leading maritime practice in the jurisdiction.

Our maritime lawyers have a sound understanding of how the market works across dry shipping, admiralty & crisis management, and transactional work. We represent the full spectrum of those involved in the industry, including shipowners and charterers, P&I Clubs, banks, international agencies, shipyards, marine insurance underwriters, governments and brokers.

The Role

The role will encompass a broad mix of mainly wet & dry shipping work, with a particular focus on disputes under charterparties, bills of lading, EPC contracts, ship-building / ship-repair contracts and sale of goods contracts. Some work is also likely to involve advising on casualties and offshore incidents such as collisions, allisions, etc. The role will largely involve overseeing claims before both domestic and
international arbitral forums including DIAC, SCCA, LMAA, GAFTA, FOSFA, LCIA and ICC, as well as before the English High Courts.

Key Responsibilities

• Reviewing factual documentation and providing analysis of the same.
• Undertaking legal research.
• Managing disclosure exercises.
• Working with factual witnesses to prepare statements and working with expert witnesses.
• Managing preparations for mediation, trial or arbitration.
• Preparing the first drafts of advice to the client.
• Preparing correspondence to the client, court and opposing side.
• Preparing documentation for the court or arbitral tribunal.
• Contributing to case strategy discussions.
• Liaising with counsel and overseas counsel.
• Attending client meetings and conference calls with counsel

Key Skills & Experience Required

• England and Wales qualified lawyer with 3-5 years’ PQE, currently operating as a mid-level
• Associate up to Senior Associate level.

• Strong Shipping litigation experience

• Knowledge and experience of advising on physical transport contracts (charterparties, bills of lading, contracts of affreightment, sale contracts, ship management agreements etc) and handling disputes in the English High Court and arbitration.
• Excellent drafting skills.
• You will be motivated, enthusiastic, and able to thrive in a fast-paced working environment.
• You will relish client contact, with strong business development and client engagement skills.
• You will also be expected to play an active role in practice and business development, including writing articles and briefings for HFW publications / clients in relation to the Maritime Legal Transport practice.
• International travel to our other offices may be required.

Additional Information

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”