Litigation Counsel

Led by Rodolphe Saadé, 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 155,000 people worldwide, including 4,000 in Marseilles where its head office is located.

­­­­­­­­­­­The Litigation Counsel provides legal advice and support for U.S.-based companies in the CMA CGM Group under the direction of the Deputy General Counsel; independently manages and oversees legal matters affecting the Group including FMC demands and litigation, major incidents, cargo claims, personal injury and property damage, 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.

• Manage with minimal supervision from Deputy General Counsel assigned litigation and pre-litigation dispute matters. 
• Provide commercially oriented and strategic legal advice to internal departments and comprehensive legal summaries for presentation to senior-level management as requested.
• Work with and provide critical legal support to the Group in connection with FMC litigation, demands, and threats; lead and coordinate the gathering and analysis of company data and information to defend against and respond to demands and claims of Shipping Act violations.
• Assist with the appointment and management of outside counsel, P&I correspondents, and expert witnesses; identify and evaluate evidence, analyze liability and quantum of damages, and litigate, arbitrate and mediate external disputes.
• Ensure proper notification, reporting, and tracking of high potential claims to relevant stakeholders, including senior company leadership, legal team management, insurers and other CMA CGM agents.
• Supervise and oversee the investigation and management of major incidents involving injuries to people, significant damage to property, and damage to multiple containers
• MISCELLANEOUS RELATED DUTIES or PROJECTS AS ASSIGNED

KNOWLEDGE:  

•    Knowledge of general legal terminology and legal principles.

•    Familiarity with legal concepts, statutes, and regulations.
•    Knowledge of Federal Maritime Commission rules, regulations, practice and procedures.
•    Familiarity with the Shipping Act, Ocean Shipping Reform Act, and the various regulations promulgated by the FMC implementing those statutes.
•    Experience with civil litigation, claims handling, outside counsel management.
•    Detailed understanding of admiralty and maritime legal principles.

• 4-6 years industry experience; prior admiralty and/or civil litigation legal experience in a law firm or in-house environment. Experience with handling complex claims and litigation matters. Experience litigating matters before the Federal Maritime Commission and/or other federal agencies.
• 6-8 years general experience
• 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.

SKILLS / ABILITIES 

•    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. 

Advanced Degree - Law Degree, Required

Please ensure you are familiar with the CMA CGM Corporate Internal Mobility guidelines