Maritime Lawyer/Legal Counsel

Responsibilities:

• Provide legal advice on maritime operations, shipping, vessel chartering, marine logistics, and offshore support services.
• Draft, review, and negotiate charter party agreements, vessel hire contracts, commercial agreements, and other business-related contracts.
• Advise on Nigerian maritime laws, regulatory compliance, vessel documentation, licensing, and applicable industry requirements.
• Manage maritime and commercial claims, disputes, litigation, and alternative dispute resolution processes.
• Review marine insurance arrangements and advise on contractual liabilities, indemnities, and operational risks.
• Provide commercial and corporate legal support to our maritime and other entities.
• Liaise with regulatory authorities, external solicitors, insurers, business partners, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Identify and mitigate legal risks, monitor contractual obligations, and provide timely legal advice to management.
• Maintain proper legal documentation and support the organization’s corporate governance and compliance obligations.

Requirements:

• LL.B. degree and call to the Nigerian Bar.
• 5 - 8 years’ relevant post-qualification experience in maritime law, shipping, commercial law, or a related legal practice.
• Demonstrable experience in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial contracts, preferably including charter parties, vessel hire agreements, and marine services contracts.
• Strong knowledge of Nigerian maritime law, shipping regulations, commercial law, and applicable industry requirements.
• Working knowledge of maritime claims, marine insurance, P&I arrangements, dispute resolution, and contractual risk management.
• Experience in shipping, offshore marine services, oil and gas, energy, or logistics will be an added advantage.
• Excellent legal drafting, negotiation, research, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to provide practical, commercially sound advice.
• Strong communication, organizational, and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work independently.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and electronic document-management tools.
• High standards of integrity, professionalism, confidentiality, and attention to detail.

Key Competencies:

• Maritime and commercial legal expertise.
• Contract negotiation and risk allocation.
• Regulatory compliance and legal risk management.
• Claims handling and dispute resolution.
• Commercial awareness and business judgment.
• Stakeholder management and relationship building.
• Strong organization, documentation, and deadline management.
• Proactive problem-solving and sound decision-making.
• Professional integrity and discretion.

What We Offer

• An opportunity to play a strategic legal role within a diversified business group.
• Direct exposure to maritime, offshore services, energy, and commercial transactions.
• The opportunity to work closely with senior management and operational teams.
• A challenging role with scope to strengthen the organization’s legal, contractual, and compliance frameworks.
• Competitive remuneration commensurate with experience and qualifications.