Legal Counsel

Company Overview

Offering a complete ecosystem of maritime services, including broking, finance, port services and research, Clarksons is at the heart of global shipping. Our unrivalled reach, expertise, and depth of experience, combined with leading research, enables us to partner with clients across every sector to meet the demands of the world’s rapidly evolving maritime, offshore, trade and energy markets. Building on our unique heritage and harnessing our insights to see further, faster, we work with our clients and communities to create strategies that have a positive impact on the industry and the world around us. Dedicated to excellence, it’s our people that drive success for our clients. To understand more including day-to-day life at Clarksons, visit us at www.clarksons.com

Division Overview

Our dedicated team deliver sea, air and road freight services, providing first-class logistical support with global coverage and round the clock attendance. Experts in international air-sea-road freight forwarding services that are tailored to business requirements. Coordinated from three key hubs, we provide global coverage 365 days a year.

Discover more at www.clarksons.com/port-services

Role Summary

We have an exciting newly created opportunity for an experienced commercial lawyer to join our CPS Division, based in Aberdeen. As a key member of the management team, and supported by the wider Group Legal function, you will provide pragmatic legal counsel across a broad range of commercial and operational matters. The role encompasses a diverse portfolio of projects spanning offshore wind, oil & gas, marine logistics, customs, freight forwarding, equipment supply, crew operations, terminal handling, and the Group's growing integrated energy offering. This is a highly visible role, working closely with the Managing Director (CPS) and senior leadership team to support the successful delivery of increasingly sophisticated projects while helping the business identify, manage and mitigate commercial risk. You will play a key role in enabling complex operational and commercial solutions for clients across the UK and internationally. This is an opportunity to become a trusted adviser to an established yet ambitious business operating at the forefront of its market. Offering a broad and varied workload, the role provides genuine commercial involvement and the chance to influence strategic decision-making.

What you’ll be doing

Some of what you will be advising on includes (but is not limited to):

• Negotiating, reviewing and drafting commercial contracts, including customer and supplier terms, framework agreements, and service schedules.

• Build and maintain standard contract suite for service lines including liability structures, insurance requirements. 

• Managing contractual liability and commercial risk.

• Disputes and claims.

• Negligence issues.

• Customs and regulatory matters.

• Procurement and logistics contracts, subcontractor and partnership agreements including MOU to contract conversions.

• Acquisitions and corporate projects.

• Property and lease matters.

• Providing day-to-day legal support to an international operational business.

• Additional ad hoc duties as required, in order to meet the needs of the business.

What we’re looking for

We welcome applications from candidates who share our Company Values and key attributes, as follows:

• Integrity and respect – acting thoughtfully and ethically to do the right thing in accordance with Conduct Rules, and to promote and foster a respectful work environment for all.

• Drive – self-motivation and the desire and commitment to succeed, deliver excellence and make positive change.

• Relationship building – excellent communicator to effectively build strong, long-lasting relationships with colleagues, clients and others.

• Collaboration – working well with others across diverse backgrounds to share information, develop skills and deliver results.

• Resilience - persisting and adapting to changing or difficult situations, and adopting a positive and focused approach.

• Smart - problem-solving and analytical abilities, with a curious and inquisitive mind, and an openness to new ideas.

Other requirements

• PQE 5-6 years

• Experienced in commercial contracts.

• Experience gained in-house or in private practice will both be considered.

• Previous experience of shipping, offshore energy, logistics or other operational businesses would be advantageous, but is not essential.

• Commercially minded and pragmatic.

• Confident dealing directly with senior stakeholders.

• Strong communication skills (both verbally and written) and listening skills, with the ability to explain to non-lawyers.

• Someone who sees their role as a solutions provider rather than a problem finder.

• Comfortable making sound decisions rather than simply identifying legal issues.

• Demonstratable experience in negotiating liability, indemnity and insurance positions in service contracts.

• Comfortable working autonomously, in a fast-paced commercial environment.

• Proactive and self-motivated, able to work well independently as well as within a team.

• Able to work calmly under pressure and adapt quickly to changes.

• Strong attention to detail with focus on accuracy.

• Able to use initiative and problem-solve.