We will offer you a place where you can be yourself and where there are no limits on what you can achieve. With us, you can take ownership of your career and have honest conversations throughout. You would join an ambitious firm with a clear strategy for profitable growth where you can get early responsibility and early involvement in growing the business. Here you can expect a competitive and fair reward as well as recognition based on all round performance. This forms part of our internal promise to you, The Deal, between the firm and its employees.
You can expect:
The role
You will focus primarily on litigation and arbitration matters. Litigation work will typically be before the Commercial Court in London but may involve co-ordinating proceedings in other jurisdictions. Arbitration work may be institutional (typically ICC, LCIA or SIAC), on LMAA Terms or ad hoc.
You will develop your legal skills as a contract lawyer (particularly with respect to charterparty disputes and the carriage of goods) and be given exposure to a wide range of clients. You will also broaden your skillset to include drafting and advisory work.
The opportunity
Due to the continued growth of the practice, we are seeking talented and experienced associates for our shipping team. You can expect to advise on all types of shipping, shipbuilding and offshore disputes, as well as work-outs and bank enforcements.
You will work for a diverse range of clients located in Europe and worldwide, including some of the largest shipowners and charterers, their P&I and defence clubs, shipyards and banks.
With us, you would develop your career working with recognised colleagues on some of the most significant maritime and offshore matters in the industry, supported by a team that focuses on collegiality, learning, and support in growing your own network and profile.
Stephenson Harwood has recently launched a new, international Maritime, Trade and Offshore (MTO) practice group to combine its ship finance, shipping, and trade and commodities expertise. The group offers a breadth of services to clients active in the shipping, offshore, commodity and finance sectors that few other firms can match. Our practice is international in nature and serviced by specialist lawyers operating out of our London, Dubai, Greater China, Seoul, and Singapore offices.
We frequently act in high profile disputes involving complex legal and commercial problems. We often have to advise on cross-border and jurisdictional disputes which has resulted in a considerable pool of experience relating to the majority of important maritime jurisdictions. Our clients include many of the world's largest ship owners, shipyards, insurers, P&I clubs, energy services companies, commodities traders and banks.
The size of the team both in London and globally and the depth of its experience means we are well positioned to advise on any shipping or trade-related concern, from the most complex marine incident or financing structure to the more straightforward cargo claim or sale and purchase dispute.
Day to day case management, including:
Marketing, including:
Most of our roles are hybrid, meaning that colleagues benefit from working in our office and remotely. We are happy to discuss this and other flexible working arrangements with you as part of the application and interview process.
We are an equal opportunity organisation, committed to having a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, culture, or any other protected characteristics. We aim to create a culture where everyone can be themselves and is valued for their strengths and unique perspectives.
This job description is indicative only and does not represent an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The firm reserves the right to alter or change the responsibilities at any time, in line with the firm's strategy and business needs.
About the firm
With 8 offices worldwide and with our headquarters based in London, Stephenson Harwood is a law firm where our people are committed to achieving the goals of our clients - listed and private companies, institutions and individuals across the globe. Our mix of expertise and culture results in a combination of deep local insight and the capability to provide a seamless international service.
Our experience encompasses corporate, commercial litigation and arbitration, employment, pensions and private wealth, finance, marine and international trade, and real estate and projects.
We assemble teams of bright thinkers to match our clients' needs and give the right advice from the right person at the right time. Dedicating the highest calibre of legal talent to overcome the most complex issues, we deliver pragmatic, expert advice that is set squarely in the real world.
We understand the power of diversity in delivering that high calibre advice to our clients. We want to attract diverse talent and we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented demographics.
Our values
Individuality
We encourage creativity and develop talent.
Commitment
To be the best and deliver the highest standard.
Teamwork
We work together to build close, long-term relationships
Straight talking
We say what we mean and do what we say.
These values express the personality of the individuals within our firm. They are the behaviours we encourage in our people and the standards which inform our decisions and actions.
Our vision into 2026
To be a successful firm where talented people work together in an entrepreneurial environment, building long term client relationships.
This vision is about who we want to be, as well as who we are. It is as much about our values as about our character – the attributes we want to see from all of our people. That's how we unlock our entrepreneurial spirit, advising our clients with top performing teams.
A key part of the 2026 strategy is to focus on five core sectors: decarbonisation, life sciences, private capital & funds, technology, and transportation & trade. These have been identified as crucial in the drive for accelerated profitable growth.