Maritime Lawyer
Nature of the Work
As a Maritime Lawyer or Legal Assistant / Associate, you will render advice and representation support to clients in ‘dry’ and ‘wet’ contentious and non-contentious shipping matters, as well as for matters pertaining to shipping finance.

Traditional ‘wet’ work areas include rendering advice on rights and liabilities, and disputes arising from casualties, ship arrests, marine pollution, salvage, and accidents.

‘Dry work’ areas include advice on charter-parties and insurance policies as well as disputes arising from such contracts. New and growing areas in ‘dry work’ include ship building, repair and conversion contracts.

Shipping finance matters cover all work relating to the financing of vessels and shipowning companies. This includes legal documentation required for sale & purchase, mortgages, mergers & acquisitions, public listing, etc.

Typical employers include:
• Local or international law firms
• Shipping / marine companies and oil majors / petro-chemical companies with in-house legal advisers
• Protection & Indemnity Clubs, their correspondents / managing agents and marine insurers / brokers.National, inter-governmental, non-governmental (NGOS) and international maritime organizations

Working Conditions
Depending on business demand, working hours can be long and demanding but the remuneration is attractive. You may be required to travel as shipping is a global and dynamic industry.

Qualification, Training and Advancement
Required: A degree in Law

It is preferred if the individual has read legal modules related to maritime law and arbitration, such as:
• Carriage of Goods by Sea
• Marine Insurance
• Admiralty Law
• International Trade
• Public International Law
• Conflicts of Law
• International Commercial Arbitration
• Ocean Policy and International Regulation of Shipping

Post-graduate studies in maritime law are available at the National University of Singapore, as well as foreign universities such as University of Southampton and University of Cardiff.

Opportunities abound for overseas attachments and continual upgrading through training courses, seminars and conferences organized by the legal and maritime industry.

A typical career progression track for good performers can be:
Maritime Legal Associate -> Junior Partner-> Equity Partner

Personal characteristics & Core competencies
You should possess the following key traits:
• Analytical
• Highly motivated
• International outlook
• Strong reasoning skills
• Able to work independently and in a team

Job availability
Maritime lawyers are in demand due to the increase in shipping trade activities globally, and the consequent high demand for ships to transport the cargo.

Earnings
Starting pay can be more than $4,000, attractive and on par with other specialized areas of law. Bonuses are discretionary and vary from firm to firm.