Legal Counsel/Senior Legal Counsel

Wadkins Associates is seeking a talented Legal Counsel or Senior Legal Counsel with a maritime and shipping focus to join a respected, boutique in-house legal team based in the United States.

About the Role

This full-time position sits within the established legal function of a well-regarded shipowner, where you will provide substantive legal guidance across a diverse portfolio of business lines spanning European, Asian, and Middle Eastern jurisdictions. The team operates with the depth of a specialist practice and the breadth of an international commercial operation — making this an exceptional opportunity for a shipping lawyer ready to take on cross-border complexity at a senior level.

What You'll Do

• Advise internal stakeholders on a full spectrum of maritime and commercial legal matters, including charter parties, vessel acquisitions, and shipbuilding contracts
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements across multiple jurisdictions
• Support regulatory compliance efforts in European, Asian, and Middle Eastern markets
• Manage and coordinate external counsel on disputes, arbitrations, and contentious matters
• Provide timely, practical legal advice to business units operating across diverse geographies
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of contract templates, legal processes, and risk frameworks

What We're Looking For

• Qualified attorney with meaningful experience in shipping, maritime, or international trade law
• Strong working knowledge of charter party structures, bills of lading, and vessel transaction documentation
• Demonstrated ability to handle multi-jurisdictional legal matters with minimal supervision
• Commercially minded with the ability to communicate complex legal issues clearly to non-legal audiences
• Experience in an in-house environment or specialist shipping law firm is highly valued
• Candidates at both the Legal Counsel and Senior Legal Counsel level are encouraged to apply; seniority and scope will be calibrated to your experience

About Wadkins Associates

Wadkins Associates is a specialist legal recruitment firm with deep expertise in placing high-caliber legal professionals across the maritime, energy, and international trade sectors. We partner exclusively with reputable organizations and work to match exceptional candidates with roles that genuinely advance their careers. This search is conducted on behalf of a well-regarded shipowner with a boutique but firmly established in-house legal function and a strong international footprint.

How to Apply

To apply, complete your application directly on this page, or you'll be redirected to the employer's application platform to finish submitting there.