Legal Counsel, Trade Support

Company Description

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.

The Trade Support lawyer we are seeking for this position will be based in Geneva to support LDC’s EMEA region. This lawyer will provide legal support and advice to LDC and its subsidiaries throughout EMEA, supporting commodities platforms, international shipping and commercial activities. The lawyer will have excellent communication skills and judgement, together with a commercial and business orientated mindset, to provide sound advice and direction to platform leaders.

The lawyer will also be pro‑active, driven and have the ability to manage and prioritise numerous competing matters and projects, thriving in a collegiate team setting within a complex, fast‑changing and challenging environment.

LDC’s lawyers typically manage their assignments themselves and therefore the successful candidate will be expected to take responsibility for their own matters and work independently with minimal supervision, yet as part of a wider Trade Support team. Where it is necessary to instruct external counsel, the lawyer will need to be able to supervise them and manage them effectively.

Provide business‑oriented legal advice to internal clients (trading, freight, credit risk, 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 trading and shipping operations, including day‑to‑day assistance, dispute resolution and support to trade and business development activities.

Structure, draft, review and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements in relation to trading and shipping in coordination with the various internal and external stakeholders.

Management of arbitration and litigation throughout the region.

Minimum 6 years PQE, ideally with both private practice and in‑house experience (secondments included). Experience in an agricultural, food and commodity trading company is an asset.

Experience with industry specific contracts (e.g. GAFTA, FOSFA, SAL / RSA).

Experience in dealing with day‑to‑day dry shipping queries and dispute resolution (LMAA, SIAC).

Strong individual with excellent communication skills is essential.

Team player and collaborative / collegiate approach.

Strong attention to detail and high levels of accuracy.

Must have the ability to assess situations quickly and propose effective solutions.

Ability to translate complexity into simple solutions and provide continuous feedback and to regularly follow up on all outstanding issues.

Ability to work within a small team, and across geographies in a large global company.

Fluent English (written and spoken).

Fluent French highly favoured.

Law degree.

Admitted to practice law in any jurisdiction (common law jurisdiction preferred).

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.

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.

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.

• Competitive salary
• Attractive social and financial benefits
• Flexible working environment
• Access to training and development