Senior Associate

TEJI | COWIE – The Superyacht Lawyers is a specialist law firm with offices in London and Hong Kong, dedicated exclusively to the superyacht sector. Founded by experienced lawyers Antony E.J. Cowie and Alex Teji, the firm provides discreet, high-touch legal services to clients around the world. The practice focuses on complex, cross-border matters involving superyacht ownership, operation, construction, and finance. Team members work closely with an international client base, including owners, family offices, shipyards, brokers, and financial institutions. The firm’s culture emphasizes professionalism, confidentiality, and tailored service in a niche, high-value market.

This is a full-time, on-site role based in the London Area, United Kingdom. The Senior Associate will manage and advise on a broad range of superyacht-related matters, including sale and purchase transactions, newbuild and refit contracts, charter arrangements, and financing and security structures. Day-to-day responsibilities include:

• Drafting and negotiating complex contracts
• Managing cross-border transactions
• Coordinating with counterparties, brokers, surveyors, and other advisors

The role involves providing strategic advice on regulatory, compliance, and risk issues affecting superyacht ownership and operation, as well as supporting dispute avoidance and, where necessary, dispute resolution. The Senior Associate will also contribute to client relationship management, mentoring junior team members, and supporting business development initiatives in the superyacht sector.

Qualifications:

• Qualified lawyer in England & Wales (or another common law jurisdiction) with substantial post-qualification experience in shipping, yachting, asset finance, or related transactional work.
• Proven experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex commercial agreements, ideally including sale and purchase, construction, refit, charter, and finance documentation.
• Strong advisory skills in regulatory and compliance matters, ideally with exposure to flag, ownership, tax, or sanctions issues relevant to yachts or other high-value assets.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multi-jurisdictional transactions, coordinate external stakeholders, and deliver work to tight deadlines with a high degree of accuracy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex legal concepts clearly to a non-legal audience and maintain client confidence and discretion.
• Track record of effective client relationship management, including developing new matters, identifying commercial opportunities, and contributing to business development activities.
• Experience mentoring or supervising junior lawyers or trainees, with a collaborative approach to teamwork and knowledge sharing.
• Comfort working in a boutique, specialist environment, showing initiative, sound judgment, and the ability to operate autonomously where appropriate.
• Strong organizational skills.