LEGAL COUNSEL - Shipping

Candidate Profile

This is a rare opportunity for the right candidate. The ideal candidate would probably have 5–10-year post-qualification experience, preferably as a solicitor in England and Wales. Previous experience of shipping law is required; previous experience in the energy and/or trading area would be a considerable advantage.

You must be proficient in legal drafting under English law (and fluently speak, read and write in English). Legal knowledge of another European jurisdiction (or US law) is an advantage, as is a command of French and/or another major European language.

You should thrive working both as a team player and autonomously, and demonstrate effective communication skills with all levels of the organisation. You also should have solid negotiation skills, a solution-oriented attitude, a collaborative mind-set, and be proactive.

At TotalEnergies, we believe that our employees’ fulfilment has its roots in the wealth of the experiences they are offered. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to respecting diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard for race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, military status, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender.

Candidates with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We will provide necessary accommodations upon request.

Activities

We are looking for an experienced shipping lawyer to join our Legal Team based in Geneva, which provides legal support to Trading & Shipping and Gas & Power divisions at TotalEnergies.

About Us

Become one of the drivers of energy transition and build a fulfilling career path with TotalEnergies

TotalEnergies has developed a strong expertise in oil and biofuels, natural gas and electricity trading. Trading entities are based in Geneva, Paris, Houston and Singapore.

TotalEnergies installed its European trading hub across in Geneva, which now bring together very large teams around trading activities: TotalEnergies Trading & Shipping (T&S) and TotalEnergies Gas and Power (TGP).

What you will do

As Legal Counsel, you will be closely working with Chartering and Shipping teams, Trading teams, and support functions, ensuring that the company is able to achieve its commercial objectives in compliance with laws and regulations, properly managing and minimising legal risks, and providing solution-oriented legal services: practical, commercial, timely and cost effective.

Your missions would typically include the following:

• Provide legal advice on a broad range of contentious and non-contentious shipping and trading matters;
• Review and advise on time/ voyage charterparties, contracts of affreightment, and bills of lading for crude oil, oil products, LNG, dry bulk, biofuels etc…and related documentation;
• Handle cargo contamination and cargo shortage claims against shipowners; advise on marine incidents and off-spec bunker issues, and liaise with internal shipping and trading clients and relevant P&I Club and insurers;
• Participate in crisis cells following any major incident/emergency situation and advising thereon;
• Provide shipping legal support, if required, to other TotalEnergies Group entities outside T&S and Gas divisions;
• Advise on related trading issues, in particular in connection with bills of lading and sale contracts;
• Assist the demurrage department with claims against shipowners and commercial counterparties.

More generally:

•  Negotiation - assist internal clients in commercial and contractual negotiations with third parties;
• Risk – advise on legal risks and minimise the impact of legal risks for the business;
• Disputes – assist in the management of legal disputes for the Company and advise on the risks and outcomes (litigation, arbitration, mediation);
• Laws and regulations - monitor and advise on applicable shipping laws and international conventions;
• Assist in the instruction of external counsel and actively monitor and minimise external legal costs.

Context & Environment

You will evolve in an international, fast-paced and dynamic trading environment with time-sensitive, business critical activities requiring responsiveness, proactivity, strong planning and organisational skills and attention to details. The decisions must be quick and require excellent mastery of legal topics.

Our Culture:

We are committed to meet the energy needs of a growing population and we are committed to the energy transition. The volatility of the energy trading markets requires excellence in risk management and a culture of innovation. We are fully embracing the digital revolution.

Our people flourish in an environment that promotes expertise, entrepreneurship spirit, agility and a purpose-driven culture, generating boundless opportunities to learn, grow and achieve collaborative success.

Reinforcing the competencies of our people is a key pillar of our culture: we train our people to ensure their development and we pledge to encourage safety in all our actions.

We look for passion, ambition and open-mindedness. While we evolve in a demanding industry that requests to be always on the edge, we cultivate a friendly workplace where our people feel good, where team spirit and respect guide our daily routine, where the diversity of our people and their skills create a nourishing experience for all of us.