Legal Counsel

Louis Dreyfus Company is a leading merchant and processor of agricultural goods. Our activities span the entire value chain from farm to fork, across a broad range of business lines, we leverage our global reach and extensive asset network to serve our customers and consumers around the world. Structured as a matrix organization of six geographical regions and ten platforms, Louis Dreyfus Company is active in over 100 countries and employs approximately 18,000 people globally.

Main Responsibilities

• Provide legally sound and business-oriented assistance to internal clients (freight & commodities business units, support functions and, when required, management) in relation to all aspects of the physical trading of commodities, contentious and non-contentious, at a global level;
• Provide all-round legal support to the business operations, including day-to-day assistance (sales contract queries, payment disputes, defaults, drafting bespoke charterparty clauses, hire disputes, laytime/demurrage disputes, P&I-related matters), formal dispute resolution and support to trade and business development activities;
• Structure, draft, review and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements in relation to the business operations (e.g., offtake and tolling agreements, long term supplies and chartering arrangements), in coordination with the various internal and external stakeholders;
• Management of arbitration (LMAA, GAFTA, FOSFA, RSA/SAL) and litigation in a wide variety of jurisdictions, including management of external counsel.

Interactions:

• The number and nature of relationships, both within the Group and outside, are often complex. 
• In this role the person will typically handle about 20 live issues at any one time, requiring interaction/collaboration/advising traders and heads of platforms, senior managers in other support functions, legal colleagues globally, and external counsel and other advisers. 
• The person has to be a very quick thinker and able to jump between matters adeptly, to adapt to changing circumstances, identify and address priorities.

Experience

• 6-8 years of relevant experience, of which minimum 4 years PQE.
• Solid legal skills in international trade and dry shipping a must
• Commodities trading house experience a plus.

Other skills

• Ability to build and maintain productive work relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong communication skills, with experience of working in an international environment.
• Robust analytical skills to identify the relevant issues in any given situation and provide practical solutions.
• Team-player, able to work independently as much as in team.
• Ability to work well under pressure, to respect deadlines and to assume responsibilities.
• Ability to understand legal and commercial issues quickly, to digest and analyze a factual background, to form hypotheses, to draw inferences and to question assumptions, to test ideas, to propose solutions, to discuss and argue constructively. 
• Self-motivated, diligent and detail-oriented

Problem solving

• The role is intellectually sophisticated and challenging; it will often involve the need to provide assistance under time constraint.
• Providing sound legal advice is necessary but not sufficient; the person will take ownership of the matter to bring it to a resolution, often in coordination with other stakeholders.
• Requests for assistance arise from the most junior to the most senior ranks of the company, the person will need to address each query in a timely and suitable manner.

Languages

• Proficient spoken and written English.

Academics

• English law, alternatively common law, qualified solicitor a must.

Diversity & Inclusion

LDC is driven by a set of shared values and high ethical standards

Diversity is part of our DNA. LDC strives to create a diverse and inclusive work environment where people can thrive regardless of gender, sexuality, ethnicity or background.

Sustainability

Sustainable value is at the heart of our purpose as a company

We are passionate about creating fair and sustainable value, both for our business and for other value chain stakeholders: our people, our business partners, the communities we touch and the environment around us

Diversity & Inclusion

LDC is driven by a set of shared values and high ethical standards, with diversity and inclusion being part of our DNA. LDC is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity, equity and inclusion.

LDC encourages diversity, supports local communities and environmental initiatives. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Sustainability

Sustainable value is at the heart of our purpose as a company.

We are passionate about creating fair and sustainable value, both for our business and for other value chain stakeholders: our people, our business partners, the communities we touch and the environment around us

What We Offer

We provide a dynamic and stimulating international environment, which will stretch and develop your abilities and channel your skills and expertise with outstanding career development opportunities in one of the largest and most solid private companies in the world.

We offer

• A workplace culture that embraces diversity and inclusivity
• Regular events that foster team engagement
• Access to Training and Development
• Hybrid work arrangement offered (availability varies by role).
• Comprehensive insurance coverage and flexible benefits