Legal Counsel - Commodities Trading (5+ PQE)

We’re supporting a global commodities trading group with a lean but active Singapore hub as they hire an in-house Legal Counsel to support international trading and overseas operations.

This is a hands-on, broad role suited for someone comfortable owning matters end-to-end in a trading environment — supporting commercial teams day-to-day while interfacing closely with risk, compliance, and senior management.

Key ResponsibilitiesReviewing and advising on international trade and commercial contracts (largely common law), including trading, logistics, and performance-related documentationSupporting the business on trade disputes and claims, working with external counsel on arbitration/litigation where neededActing as a frontline legal partner to trading and risk teams on live issues and execution risksManaging external law firms across common law jurisdictionsCovering overseas compliance matters, including export controls, competition/antitrust, and cross-border regulatory issuesProviding general in-house legal coverage for the Singapore platform, with some interface with HQ

(Note: This is not an M&A-heavy role; focus is on trading, operations, and legal ownership.)

Key RequirementsQualified lawyer (Singapore / UK / US / HK), common law–trainedExperience in commodities trading, international trade, shipping, or a trading-house environmentComfortable handling both disputes and non-contentious work in a practical, business-facing wayAble to operate independently in a sole or small-team in-house setupMandarin and English proficiency to liaise with Chinese- and English-speaking stakeholdersHands-on, adaptable, and comfortable in a fast-paced trading environment

Why this roleGenuine ownership and breadth — not a narrow specialist seatDirect exposure to trading desks, risk, and senior managementOpportunity to be the key legal point person for a growing Singapore platformSuitable for lawyers coming from private practice or in-house, who want to be closer to the business and senior management