Associate Counsel

Led by Rodolphe Saade, the CMA CGM Group, a global leader in shipping and logistics, serves more than 420 ports around the world on five continents. With its subsidiary CEVA Logistics, a world leader in logistics, and its air freight division CMA CGM AIR CARGO, the CMA CGM Group is continually innovating to offer its customers a complete and increasingly efficient range of new shipping, land, air and logistics solutions.

Committed to the energy transition in shipping, and a pioneer in the use of alternative fuels, the CMA CGM Group has set a target to become Net Zero Carbon by 2050.
Through the CMA CGM Foundation, the Group acts in humanitarian crises that require an emergency response by mobilizing the Group's shipping and logistics expertise to bring humanitarian supplies around the world.

Present in 160 countries through its network of more than 400 offices and 750 warehouses, the Group employs more than 150,000 people worldwide, including 2,900 in Marseilles where its head office is located.

Position Summary:

The Associate Counsel provides legal advice and support for U.S.-based companies in the CMA CGM Group under the direction of the Deputy General Counsel; provides legal advice and support on U.S. law and regulation to the Head Office under the direction of the Deputy General Counsel; provides support on all legal matters affecting the Group including commercial transactions, corporate governance, and civil litigation matters. Must be a team player, able to work across different departments and management levels, and focus on solving business and legal problems in a timely and practical manner.

This position will be responsible to:

• Structuring, drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and providing general support for commercial transactions, including corporate contracts, vendor sourcing, and customer agreements. 
• Respond to general legal inquiries from internal departments. Perform research, analysis, and draft legal memoranda as requested by the Deputy General Counsel.
• Assist with the preparation of legal advice and drafting of corporate legal documents (resolutions, bylaws/operating agreements, etc) in support of corporate governance and transactional projects.
• Provide general civil litigation support, including assisting with case management and litigation strategy, communications with and management of outside counsel, coordinating and communicating with internal stakeholders, drafting discovery responses, document review, assisting in settlement negotiations and attending mediations.

Skill Sets / Education & Experience Requirements: 

• 4-6 years prior general business legal experience in a law firm or in-house environment. Experience with drafting and negotiating contracts, commercial litigation, and/or corporate governance and transactional work. Maritime, transportation or government contracting experience a plus, but not required.
• Licensed to practice law in at least one jurisdiction; licensed or eligible to become licensed to practice law as in-house counsel in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Knowledge of general legal terminology and legal principles.
• Familiarity with legal concepts, statutes, and regulations.
• Experience with contract drafting and negotiation, corporate governance and transactions, and/or civil litigation.

• Ability to work independently under supervision of the Deputy General Counsel;
• Strong aptitude for managing and prioritizing multiple projects and deadlines;
• Advanced analytical, problem solving, decision making and coping skills;
• Advanced negotiation and project management skills; 
• Decisiveness, team player; proactive self-starter; 
• Strong oral and written communication skills including the ability to articulate complicated issues in a manner that others can understand; 
• Outstanding interpersonal skills including the ability to interact effectively with global clients and customers;
• Strong skills in use of legal reference materials, including electronic resources such as Lexis / Nexis and WestLaw; and
• Strong skills in use of MS Office, including MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Excel spreadsheet systems.

Come along on CMA CGM's adventure!  CMA CGM (America) LLC is committed to equal employment opportunity for all qualified persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, pregnancy, age, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected classification.