Legal Consultant - Dry Bulk Commodities

Overview

This role involves serving as a legal advisor for a global dry bulk trading business, providing support across physical commodities transactions, trade finance documentation, shipping operational matters, and compliance with international legal requirements.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate international physical purchase and sale agreements for dry bulk commodities, ensuring optimal risk allocation.
• Review trade finance documentation, including Letters of Credit (L/Cs), parent company guarantees, and structured financing agreements.
• Advise on shipping operational issues, including laytime and demurrage, cargo claims (damage/shortage), off-hire events, safe port/berth disputes, and bills of lading issues.
• Conduct continuous legal risk assessments on supply chain bottlenecks, port disruptions, and geopolitical risks.
• Manage commercial defaults, contract breaches, and the invocation of Force Majeure or hardship clauses.
• Monitor and advise on international trade sanctions, export controls, anti-bribery, and corruption (ABC) laws.
• Ensure shipping and trading operations comply with evolving maritime regulations.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years’ experience specializing in commodities and shipping law.
• Experience in trading-related work such as allocation, market disruption, and force majeure.
• Deep knowledge of English maritime/commercial law.
• Thorough understanding of standard charterparty forms.
• Strong familiarity with trade finance mechanisms and international sanctions frameworks.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive compensation.
• Health benefits and paid time off.
• Access to professional development resources and learning and development programs.

Location

• Remote and/or on-site with clients, depending on client and business preferences.

Equal Opportunity

The employer is an equal opportunity employer. Equal employment opportunity is provided in recruitment and employment without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, nationality, national or ethnic origin, religious creed or belief, political opinion, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity, age, disability, alienage or citizenship status, marital (or civil or other partnership recognized by law) status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, sexual orientation, military service, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Accommodation for Individuals with Disabilities

Upon request and consistent with applicable laws, reasonable accommodations will be provided for individuals with disabilities to participate in each stage of the recruitment process.

Additional Notes

Employment may be contingent upon successful completion of a background check, providing proof of identity, and possessing the necessary legal authorization to work.

Submission of an application acknowledges that information provided is correct and accurate to the best of the applicant’s knowledge.