Senior Legal Counsel – Singapore

About the role

We are seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to join a leading trading company in Singapore. The successful candidate will provide expert legal support across freight, shipping, and commodities trading operations, ensuring contracts and disputes are managed efficiently.

Key responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate freight and shipping documentation, including COAs, charterparties, bills of lading, demurrage/despatch, and claims.
• Lead arbitration and dispute resolution matters, preferably before SIAC, LMAA, GAFTA, or FOSFA tribunals.
• Advise on trade finance, sanctions, and compliance matters related to commodities trading.
• Support commercial teams in fast‑paced deal negotiations while protecting the company’s interests.

Required profile

• 10+ years post‑qualification experience (PQE) in a relevant legal role.
• Hands‑on experience with freight/shipping documentation and banking contracts.
• Solid exposure to arbitration and dispute resolution in the commodities sector.
• Prior legal experience within metals or commodities trading, either in‑house or at a trading‑focused firm.
• Commercial, deal‑oriented personality capable of moving quickly and holding the line with counterparties.

Required skills

• Freight and shipping documentation (COAs, charterparties, bills of lading, demurrage, despatch, claims).
• Arbitration experience (SIAC, LMAA, GAFTA, FOSFA or similar).
• Trade finance, sanctions, and compliance knowledge.
• Legal expertise in metals and commodities trading.