Associate, Shipping

The Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity to join HFW, a leading international law firm with a strong footprint in the Asia-Pacific region and a long-standing history in international commerce. HFW offers excellent opportunities for professional development and growth, with a diverse and collaborative team of over 700 lawyers, including 180 partners, and over 400 business services professionals based in offices across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific. HFW prides itself on its deep sector-focused expertise and its entrepreneurial, creative, and collaborative culture. We are, unapologetically, true sector experts. Clients come to us because of our deep industry knowledge and ability to talk their language. Bearing the commercial solution in mind, we underpin our advice with a solid foundation of legal expertise. Come join us and be a part of our growing Singapore office, dynamic team environment, and create impactful work.

Key Responsibilities

Dispute Resolution & Advisory

• Advise on a range of commercial and cross‑border disputes, with a focus on international trade and shipping‑related matters.
• Represent clients in arbitration and litigation, including proceedings before the English courts and under recognised international arbitration rules.
• Manage matters from initial case assessment and pre‑action strategy through to hearings, enforcement, and settlement negotiations.

Casualty & Admiralty Matters

• Advise on maritime casualty matters, including incidents involving cargo, groundings, collisions and pollution.
• Handle disputes relating to general average, salvage, jurisdiction, security, and limitation of liability.
• Support clients in emergency response situations, including advising on response procedures and coordination with relevant stakeholders.
• Assist with the management of multi‑jurisdictional matters and coordination of external counsel where required.

Commercial & International Matters

• Advise on disputes arising from commercial contracts commonly used in international trade and transport.
• Act on claims involving performance, delivery, payment, and enforcement issues.
• Support enforcement, security, and related actions across multiple jurisdictions where required.

Client & Practice Development

• Work closely with a diverse international client base and external stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships and deliver clear, practical, and commercially focused advice.
• Contribute to business development initiatives and support the ongoing development of the practice.

Required Skills & Experience

• Qualified lawyer with 7-8 years post‑qualification experience (PQE) in commercial litigation, international arbitration, or dispute resolution.
• Strong experience in English law litigation and/or international arbitration.
• Exposure to cross‑border disputes and international clients is required sector‑specific experience in trade or transport is advantageous but not essential.
• Familiarity with institutional and ad hoc arbitration frameworks is desirable.

• Experience managing complex disputes in an international or commercial context.
• Ability to work effectively across multiple matters and jurisdictions.
• Experience gained in private practice, in‑house, or within a claims or disputes‑focused environment will be considered.

• Strong analytical, drafting, and communication skills.
• Commercially aware and solutions‑driven.
• Comfortable working autonomously while contributing effectively within a team.

On offer

Along with an attractive salary package commensurate to your experience and expertise, you will be eligible for bonuses and entry into our global training programs. The firm is focused in developing their top talent for success to ensure the broader success of the firm as a whole.

If you are looking to develop your career working with a leading international law firm, with a high performing and supportive team or if you are looking for a change of setting to enhance what you can offer, submit your CV and Resume : https://myhfw.elmotalent.com.au/careers/hfw/job/view/122

Additional Information

Kindly note that this job description is not contractual. It will be reviewed periodically and may be amended or altered to meet the needs of the firm.

If you are looking to develop your career working with a leading international law firm, with a high performing and supportive team or if you are looking for a change of setting to enhance what you can offer, then contact us for a confidential discussion by forwarding a cover letter and resumé to [Confidential Information].

HFW aims to ensure equality of opportunity and we are actively working towards improving the diversity of our staff. All applications will be considered only on merit and the applicant's suitability to meet the requirements of the role.

HFW collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants to manage its recruitment process. The firm is committed to being transparent about how it collects and uses that data and to meeting its data protection obligations. For information on how the firm will process your data, please see our Privacy Notice on our website (www.hfw.com/Privacy-Notice), in the section What we collect and how we use it.