Mid-Level Shipping Litigation Associate

Associate – Shipping Disputes (Dry Focus, 3+ PQE)

Location: London (City)

Practice area: Shipping – Dry / Marine Trade

Qualification: Solicitor of England and Wales

Experience: 3+ years’ PQE

About the Role

Our client, a leading international law firm with a well-established marine trade and energy offering, is seeking a mid-level Associate to join its City of London shipping team. You will work alongside a number of partners on a broad and high-quality caseload, centred on dry shipping disputes but with exposure to wet shipping, casualty and wider marine trade matters.

The team acts for shipowners, operators, charterers, traders, insurers and other industry players. This is an excellent opportunity for a shipping lawyer who wants real responsibility on complex, international matters and a clear path to progression.

Key Responsibilities

• Handling dry shipping disputes, including charterparty (voyage and time), bills of lading, contracts of affreightment, demurrage and despatch, cargo and freight claims
• Acting in London arbitration (including LMAA) and international arbitration, as well as High Court and Admiralty Court proceedings
• Supporting partners on commodities and international trade disputes, including sale contract issues
• Assisting with marine casualty and emergency response matters, such as groundings, collisions, fires, general average, salvage and wreck removal
• Running matters day to day with appropriate supervision, from initial advice through to final resolution
• Preparing pleadings, submissions, witness statements, expert and disclosure materials and clear, commercial advice notes
• Drafting and reviewing charterparties, vessel sharing agreements and related shipping and trade documentation
• Contributing to business development, including writing articles, presenting, attending client and industry events, and building your own network
• Mentoring junior lawyers and trainees

About You

Essential

• Qualified solicitor in England and Wales with at least 3 years’ PQE
• Strong dry shipping experience, ideally in a contentious setting
• Experience of English law arbitration and/or litigation relating to shipping or international trade
• Excellent drafting, analytical and advocacy skills, with a practical, commercially minded approach
• Confident dealing directly with clients, counterparties and experts, and comfortable working under pressure on urgent matters
• A collaborative team player who is also able to work independently

Desirable

• Experience of wet shipping, casualty response or offshore/energy disputes
• Exposure to commodities, insurance or P&I work (including secondments)
• Experience of international arbitration under institutional rules such as LCIA, SIAC or SCMA
• An interest in business development and in building industry profile

What’s on Offer

• Regular, direct work with several partners across a varied, international caseload
• Complex, high-value matters for well-known industry clients
• Strong training, development and progression opportunities
• Opportunities to build your profile through writing, speaking and networking
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Flexible, hybrid working