In-house Contracts Paralegal

In-house Contracts Paralegal

Join Our Client as a Contracts Paralegal and become an integral part of a fast-paced, forward-thinking company where your expertise will truly make an impact! They are looking for a contract-savvy professional with experience in the legal, insurance, or marine industries to help drive their corporate and compliance legal operations. This is a unique opportunity to combine your legal knowledge with your passion for strategic business growth, all while enjoying the flexibility of only 3 days in-office per week. You’ll have the chance to work on a variety of high-level contracts, tackle complex legal challenges, and collaborate with a vibrant team of experts in an industry that’s always evolving. If you’re ready to bring your skills to a workplace that values innovation, work-life balance, and the power of legal insight, we want to hear from you!

Salary: Up to $100K

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare, review, and manage complex contracts related to shipping, chartering, marine services, and contracts of affreightment, ensuring compliance with BIMCO standards, ECTOA guidelines, marine insurance requirements, and applicable industry regulations.
• Draft and adapt project-specific agreements, such as charter parties, service contracts, and joint ventures, with a focus on clarifying obligations, liabilities, and risk management for critical marine initiatives.
• Address legal and compliance issues in marine transportation, including demurrage claims, laytime disputes, and force majeure clauses, utilizing industry-standard terms and practices.
• Collaborate with external legal counsel, insurance providers, and regulatory bodies to resolve disputes, manage claims, and minimize marine liabilities while delivering concise risk assessments to leadership.
• Proactively manage project risks by ensuring contracts address essential elements such as cargo liability, seaworthiness, and time-bar clauses.
• Stay up-to-date on maritime law, international shipping standards, and emerging technologies through professional development, training, and industry seminars.
• Provide strategic guidance on complex marine projects by integrating operational, legal, and regulatory considerations through close collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Ensure compliance in areas such as vessel operations, port security, maritime liens, vessel mortgages, and salvage claims.
• Maintain a secure, centralized archive for project documents, ensuring proper version control, security, and adherence to compliance requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, law, or a related field (paralegal certification is a plus).
• 5+ years of experience in a legal support or contract management role, with a strong focus on maritime statutes, case law, and international conventions (e.g., Hague-Visby Rules, SOLAS, MARPOL, UNCLOS).
• Excellent organizational, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work independently and effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• High level of professionalism and discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information.

To apply, please forward your resume to Zaheeda Merali, Manager – Executive Search at zaheeda@cartelinc.com