Associate/Senior Associate

The team

Our Shipping lawyers provide a comprehensive service to the global maritime business community. We have over 200 lawyers and 13 Master Mariners worldwide, specialising in maritime law, reflecting our long involvement in this field. In London, we are a team of 27 Partners, 47 Associates, and 9 Trainees.

Our maritime lawyers have a sound understanding of how the market works across dry shipping, admiralty and 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.

Within the Shipping group, we are growing our market-leading Sustainable Maritime Legal Transport practice, which involves both decarbonisation and low carbon/net zero emission fuels and sustainable (ESG) practices. Our team is experienced in dealing with international maritime environmental compliance and regulatory issues, including those relating to MARPOL (air pollution, energy efficiency and low carbon fuels), sustainability, decarbonisation, emissions trading and renewable energy. This is an opportunity to join this practice as part of a dynamic and forward-thinking team, delivering on solutions for clients in a cross-sectoral and evolving maritime industry.

The role

The ideal candidate will have at least 2 years’ experience in the maritime and transport sector, advising on physical transport contracts and disputes arising there from, however, we would also welcome applications from individuals with strong Shipping Litigation experience and a demonstrable interest in Sustainability. The role will involve advising clients across the entire physical transport chain in the green and sustainable maritime space, with a focus on maritime (air pollution) regulations and environmental compliance, decarbonisation, ESG, alternative and sustainable maritime fuels and technologies/solutions.

Key skills & experience required

• Qualified lawyer with a minimum of 2 years’ PQE, currently operating as a mid-level Associate up to Senior Associate level.
• Strong Shipping Disputes experience, in the absence of specific Maritime Legal Transport
  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.
• England and Wales qualified lawyer
• Some knowledge and experience dealing with global (MARPOL) and regional regulations (EU Fit for 55) impacting the maritime sector is desirable. For example, Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), EEXI and the EU ETS.
• Some knowledge and experience of advising on fuel / bunker disputes is desirable.
• 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 Sustainable
  Maritime Legal Transport practice.
• International travel may be required.

Additional information

Kindly note that this role profile is not contractual. It will be 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.

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