Legal Counsel

Job summary: The Legal Counsel is part of a solution-driven and collaborative team responsible for legal and compliance matters globally, from maritime disputes, to commercial contract review, to structuring of corporate structure, compliance and beyond. At the heart of it, this role will be part of a team that seeks to better governance, control, risk understanding and legal knowledge within the organization, whilst being a strong partner to the business. The role is also expected to embrace and effectively utilise technology, including artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital tools, to enhance productivity, knowledge management, legal service delivery and decision-making. The successful candidate should be comfortable incorporating AI-enabled tools into daily work processes, while exercising appropriate professional judgment, maintaining confidentiality and ensuring compliance with applicable legal and company requirements.

• Manage contentious and non-contentious legal matters, providing robust legal support to the PIL group of companies and its business units worldwide.
• Collaborate closely with the Compliance team to establish, assess, and continuously enhance compliance programs, focusing particularly on sanctions, anti-bribery, corruption, and anti-trust regulations.
• Deliver authoritative legal advice on maritime issues, including but not limited to issues arising from bills of lading, agency agreements, charter parties, vessel sales and purchase agreements, as well as the issuance of Letters of Indemnity (LOIs) and guarantees.
• Manage general corporate matters, such as handling loan agreements, overseeing mergers and acquisitions, and facilitating joint ventures.
• Review and negotiate commercial contracts, including vessel sharing agreements, terminal service agreements, leasing contracts, and procurement agreements.
• Advise on corporate structuring and governance strategies.
• Keep abreast of and advise on legal developments impacting the PIL group of companies, evaluating how changes in law may influence company policies.
• Support the Marine Insurance Department with insurance claim matters, when necessary.
• Leverage technology and AI-enabled tools, where appropriate, to improve efficiency, streamline legal processes, enhance knowledge management, support legal research and review, and identify opportunities to optimise workflows while maintaining appropriate legal oversight and judgment.

Job Requirements

• Degree in Law from a recognised University
• At least 6 years post-qualification experience in practice and/or in-house
• Possess excellent legal analytical skills, drafting and negotiation skills
• Strong business acumen to understand business goals and strategy
• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship building skills
• Good initiative, able to drive projects and with a strong sense of accountability
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• A good team player
• Independent and able to execute with minimal supervision
• Ability to work under pressure and tight timelines
• Strong knowledge of maritime laws, carriage of goods by sea, commercial and corporate law preferred (but other experience will also be positively considered.