Legal Counsel - Metals Trading - LLB/LLM

Job Description:

We are seeking an experienced Legal Counsel to join a leading international metals trading company based in Singapore. The successful candidate will serve as a trusted legal advisor to the commercial, trading, shipping, and risk management teams, providing practical legal support across complex international trading transactions.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Commercial Agreements:

- Draft, review, negotiate, and advise on a wide range of commercial agreements, including physical metals trading contracts, master trading agreements, purchase and sale agreements, supply and offtake agreements, agency and brokerage agreements, and warehousing and storage agreements.

2. Shipping and Maritime Contracts:

- Advise on shipping and maritime-related contracts, including Charter Parties (Voyage & Time Charter), Bills of Lading, Contracts of Affreightment (COA), Shipping Instructions, Freight and Logistics Agreements, and Terminal and Port Service Agreements.

3. Regulatory and Compliance:

- Provide legal advice on international trade regulations, sanctions, import/export compliance, customs regulations, and trade finance documentation.

- Support the business on matters relating to Incoterms, title transfer, risk allocation, force majeure, and international sales laws.

4. Dispute Resolution and Risk Management:

- Manage claims involving cargo shortages, quality disputes, demurrage, detention, delayed shipments, and marine insurance.

- Coordinate with external counsel on arbitration and litigation matters before international forums such as SIAC, LMAA, ICC, and other dispute resolution bodies.

- Advise on maritime law issues, shipping liabilities, marine insurance, and vessel-related disputes.

- Work closely with traders, operations, finance, compliance, and risk teams to mitigate legal and commercial risks.

- Monitor changes in international trade laws, sanctions, and maritime regulations impacting global trading activities.

Desired Candidate Profile:

- LLB or equivalent law degree from a recognized university.

- Qualified lawyer admitted to practice in Singapore, the UK, India, Australia, or another common law jurisdiction is preferred.

- 14-18 years of post-qualification experience.

Prior experience with:

- International commodities trading companies, metal or mining companies, commodity merchants, energy or bulk trading houses, maritime or shipping companies, or international law firms with a strong shipping and commodities practice.

Strong understanding of:

- International trade law, maritime law, shipping documentation, commodity trading structures, trade finance documentation (LCs, SBLCs, Guarantees), and sanctions and export control regulations.

- Experience handling international arbitration and cross-border commercial disputes is highly desirable.

- Commercially minded with excellent negotiation, drafting, and stakeholder management skills.

- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced international trading environment.

Preferred Industry Background:

Candidates currently working with or having prior experience in the following organizations will be preferred: Metals and commodity trading companies, steel trading organizations, mining companies, international commodity merchants, shipping and maritime companies, bulk logistics operators, commodity-focused law firms, and global trading houses (e.g., Trafigura, Glencore, Mercuria, IXM, Gerald Group, Noble Resources, Cargill Metals, Louis Dreyfus Company, Mitsubishi Corporation, Marubeni, Mitsui & Co., Sumitomo Corporation).