Legal Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION

We are seeking a highly skilled, detail-oriented, and proactive Legal Manager

to join our team in Dubai. The ideal candidate will play a key role in safeguarding the company’s legal and commercial interests, ensuring compliance with international maritime regulations, and providing strategic legal support across our global trading and shipping operations.

This role requires a versatile professional with strong expertise in maritime law, international trade, shipping contracts, and risk management. The successful candidate will oversee contractual negotiations, manage legal and regulatory matters, mitigate operational and commercial risks, and support the CEO and management team in navigating the legal complexities of the international fertilizer and commodity trading industry.

KEY RESPONSABILITIES

This is a full-time, on-site position, responsible for handling all legal matters related to the company’s trading activities.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Maritime Contracting: Draft, negotiate, and review charter parties, bills of lading,

international sales contracts (e.g., FOB, CIF), and other agreements related to dry bulk shipping, ensuring compliance with relevant international laws and conventions.

• Compliance and Regulation: Monitor and ensure full compliance with national and international maritime regulations (e.g., IMO, SOLAS, MARPOL), as well as customs and import/export laws in countries such as China and Mexico. A strong knowledge of UAE laws and regulations is essential.
• Risk Management and Dispute Resolution: Identify and mitigate legal risks associated with maritime transport and international trade. Handle and resolve disputes (e.g., demurrage, cargo damage, delays, contractual issues), including negotiation,arbitration, or litigation, in cooperation with external counsel when necessary.
• Internal Legal Advisory: Provide strategic and operational legal advice to management and to various departments (operations, commercial, logistics) on all matters related to shipping, logistics, and international fertilizer trade.
• Due Diligence: Conduct legal due diligence on trading counterparts, vessels, and ports, as required.
• Marine Insurance: Understand and manage issues related to marine insurance (P&I, H&M, cargo), liaising with brokers and insurers for claims handling.
• Contract Development: Contribute to the optimization and standardization of

corporate contract templates to improve efficiency and reduce risk.

Candidate Profile: Requirements and Skills

Strong legal research, drafting, and contract interpretation skills are essential.

• Law degree (LLB or Juris Doctor) from an accredited university.
• Minimum of 2–3 years of experience as a lawyer or legal counsel, with significant specialization in maritime and/or international commercial law, preferably in the dry bulk or commodities sector.
• Experience in corporate law and commercial transactions.
• Knowledge of standard charter party agreements (e.g., Gencon, Norgrain) and maritime industry practices.
• Familiarity with international maritime conventions (e.g., Hague/Hague-Visby Rules, Hamburg Rules, Rotterdam Rules).
• Proven skills in drafting, negotiation, and contract analysis in an international context.
• Strong understanding of commercial and logistics dynamics in international trade, particularly between Asia and Latin America.
• Ability to identify issues, offer practical solutions, and make informed decisions under pressure.
• Fluency in English and Spanish is a strict requirement.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a team-oriented mindset and

the ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.

• Results-driven, proactive, and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Experience:

• lawyer or legal counsel: 1 year (Required)
• Hands-on charter party drafting, review and negotiation: 1 year (Required)
• FOB, CFR and CIF: 1 year (Required)
• demurrage, cargo claims and shipping disputes: 1 year (Required)
• trading, shipping or a specialist maritime law firm: 1 year (Required)

Language:

• Spanish (Preferred)

Work Location: In person