Master Mariner – Marine Adviser (Legally Qualified or Non-Qualified)

Location: London (City)

Practice area: Shipping, Admiralty and Casualty Management

Background: Master Mariner (Unlimited), with or without a legal qualification

Experience: Significant sea-going experience at Master level, with shore-side or advisory experience an advantage

About the Role

Our client, a leading international law firm with a well-established marine trade and energy offering, is seeking a Master Mariner to join its City of London shipping team. You will bring real-world command experience to a busy practice, working side by side with partners and lawyers on disputes, casualties and emergency response for shipowners, operators, charterers, salvors, insurers and traders.

This role suits a Master Mariner who wants to move ashore and apply their operational knowledge in a legal and commercial setting. A legal qualification is welcome (including a solicitor or barrister in England and Wales, or equivalent), but it is not required. Candidates without one will be fully supported, and a route to further professional development may be available for the right person.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing expert nautical and operational input to the legal team on dry and wet shipping disputes, casualties and trade matters
• Attending and supporting emergency response to marine incidents, including groundings, collisions, fires, flooding, cargo loss, general average events and pollution incidents
• Reviewing and interpreting ship’s documents, logbooks, VDR data, charts, passage plans, weather data and other technical evidence
• Advising on safety management, navigation, seamanship, cargo operations, port practice and industry standards
• Helping prepare cases for arbitration (including LMAA) and litigation, including chronologies, technical analysis, witness preparation and liaising with experts and surveyors
• Supporting salvage, wreck removal and offshore/energy matters, working with salvors, surveyors, classification societies and other specialists
• Contributing to charterparty, bills of lading, demurrage and off-hire disputes, where operational understanding is key
• Translating technical issues into clear, practical advice for lawyers and clients
• Helping with business development through client meetings, articles, training sessions and industry events

About You

Essential

• Master Mariner (Unlimited) certificate of competency, with command experience on sea-going vessels
• Strong technical knowledge of ship operations, navigation, safety management and the ISM and ISPS Codes
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical issues clearly to non-specialists
• Sound judgement and composure under pressure, including out-of-hours incident response
• Analytical, detail-focused and organised, with a commercial outlook
• Right to work in the UK and willingness to travel at short notice

Desirable

• A legal qualification (England and Wales or other jurisdiction), or a law conversion
• Experience on a range of vessel types, such as bulk carriers, tankers, container ships or offshore vessels
• Previous experience in a shore-side, marine superintendent, P&I, surveying, expert or consultancy role
• Familiarity with LMAA arbitration, maritime litigation or expert witness work
• An interest in business development and in building industry profile

What’s on Offer

• A rare chance to move from sea to shore in an established, internationally recognised shipping team
• Regular, direct work with partners and lawyers on complex, high-profile matters
• A varied caseload spanning casualty response, disputes and international trade
• Support for professional development, including legal training where relevant
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Flexible, hybrid working, with availability for urgent response as needed