Senior Legal Counsel - Commodities & Shipping Firm

Description :
Job Title: Senior Legal Counsel Commodities & Shipping
Location : Singapore
About Our Client :
Our client is a global commodities trading company with a strong presence in metals and bulk commodities. The firm operates across key trading routes in Asia and the Middle East, partnering with producers, traders, shipowners, and end-users worldwide.
Role Overview :
Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Legal Counsel to support its metals and commodities trading business, with a primary focus on shipping, freight, and trade-related contracts. This is a front-line, deal-facing role requiring a commercially minded lawyer who can move quickly, manage risk pragmatically, and lead matters independently.
Key Responsibilities:

- Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of shipping and freight documentation, including:
- Contracts of Affreightment (COAs)
- Charterparties (voyage and time)
- Bills of Lading
- Demurrage and despatch provisions
- Claims and settlement agreements
- Draft and negotiate physical commodities trading contracts (sales and purchase agreements for metals and bulk commodities).
- Advise traders and operations teams on contractual risk, performance issues, and mitigation strategies.
- Manage and coordinate arbitration and disputes (SIAC, LMAA, GAFTA, FOSFA, or similar), including oversight of external counsel.
- Support deal structuring and execution from a legal and risk perspective.
- Develop, update, and maintain standard contract templates and negotiation playbooks.
- Monitor legal and regulatory developments relevant to commodities trading and shipping.
Must-Have Requirements :
- 10+ years PQE (or equivalent).
- Strong, hands-on experience with freight and shipping documentation and contracts.
- Solid exposure to arbitration and disputes in shipping and/or commodities.
- Prior legal experience within metals or commodities trading (in-house or at a trading-focused law firm).
- Commercial, deal-oriented mindset with the ability to balance risk and speed.
- Confident communicator able to hold firm with counterparties.
Nice-to-Have :
- Knowledge of trade finance, sanctions, and compliance in commodities.
- Regional experience across Asia and/or Middle East trading routes.