Junior Associate - Shipping Finance

Practice Group / Department:

Banking Team Leadership - Athens

Job Description

Norton Rose Fulbright is a global law firm with a deep commitment to our clients, their businesses and industries and our people. We are a trusted advisor to global and local organizations the world over, offering a broad range of legal services across key industries, including financial institutions; energy, infrastructure and resources; technology; transport; life sciences and healthcare; and consumer markets.

With 7,000 people across 50 offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East, we work as one team to solve issues wherever they arise, no matter how complex they are.

For more information, see nortonrosefulbright.com.

The Team

Our global Shipping practice provides the full range of legal services required by sophisticated shipping businesses. The team advises banks, financial institutions, lessors, private equity investors, shipowners and operators on international shipping finance, corporate shipping transactions and the acquisition, disposal, construction and operation of vessels. The role will sit within a collaborative team handling matters across our international network, with particular exposure to the Greek and wider European shipping markets.

The Role

This is an opportunity to build a strong foundation in shipping finance and transactional work. You will work closely with partners and senior lawyers on loan and security documentation, sale and purchase transactions, sale and leasebacks, joint ventures, shipbuilding contracts and related corporate matters. You will receive structured supervision while taking increasing ownership of defined workstreams and day-to-day matter management. 

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with the drafting, review and negotiation of facility agreements, security documents, guarantees and conditions precedent. 
• Support vessel sale and purchase, sale and leaseback, shipbuilding and joint venture transactions. 
• Carry out legal research and prepare clear, practical notes on shipping, finance and corporate law issues. 
• Coordinate signing and completion processes, including transaction checklists and post-completion filings. 
• Liaise professionally with clients, local counsel, registries and other transaction parties. 
• Contribute to know-how, training, business development and the wider activities of the Shipping team. 

Key Skills and Experience

• Qualified lawyer, or due to qualify, with approximately 0-3 years of relevant post-qualification experience; equivalent experience will be considered. 
• A demonstrable interest in shipping, asset finance, banking or corporate transactions. 
• Strong drafting, research, analytical and organisational skills, with close attention to detail. 
• Ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and work effectively as part of an international team. 
• Clear written and spoken English; Greek language capability would be advantageous for an Athens-based role. 
• A proactive, commercial and client-focused approach, with enthusiasm for learning and development.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

To attract the best people, we strive to create a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone can bring their whole selves to work, have a sense of belonging, and realize their full career potential. 
Our new enabled work model allows our people to have more flexibility in the way they choose to work from both the office and a remote location, while continuing to deliver the highest standards of service. We offer a range of family friendly and inclusive employment policies and provide access to programmes and services aimed at nurturing our people’s health and overall wellbeing. Find more about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion here.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams. We strive to create an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for all candidates. If you require any tailored adjustments or accommodations, please let us know here.