Legal Counsel - Commodity and oil trading

Legal Counsel - Commodity and oil trading

Dubai, United Arab Emirates Posted on 03/26/2026

An international trading company operating across commodity and oil trading sectors, including agricultural products, raw materials, and petroleum products.

The company is engaged in cross-border transactions, physical trading, and complex deal structuring, managing a full contractual chain across suppliers, buyers, logistics providers, and financial counterparties.

Role Overview

We are seeking a commercially driven Legal Counsel to support commodity and oil trading operations, with a strong focus on contracts, claims management, and legal support of trading transactions.

The role will cover legal matters across trading deals, including contract structuring, dispute resolution, and risk mitigation in a fast-paced international environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Contracting & Deal Support

Draft, review, and negotiate international trading contracts across commodities and oil trading

Build and maintain the full contractual chain (suppliers, buyers, logistics providers, storage, inspectors)

Support structuring of complex trading transactions, including prepayments and trade finance elements

Advise on title transfer, risk allocation, and Incoterms application

Handle claims and disputes (quality, delivery, delays, non-performance)

Prepare and manage documentation packages for claims

Support and manage arbitration / litigation processes

Work with external legal counsel where required

Identify legal and commercial risks and propose mitigation strategies

Advise on sanctions, regulatory, and compliance matters (including OFAC / price cap where applicable)

Ensure compliance with applicable laws across jurisdictions

Monitor regulatory developments in commodity and oil trading

4. Business Partnering

Act as a legal advisor to trading, operations, and finance teams

Provide practical, commercially driven legal advice

Support development of internal policies and procedures

Requirements

Requirements

• Law degree
  
• Qualified lawyer is an advantage
  
• Professional Experience
  
• 4-8+ years of legal experience
  
• Experience in: Commodity trading (grains, agri, metals) and/or oil trading companies, OR
  
• Law firms advising trading / oil & gas clients
  
• Experience with international contracts and cross-border transactions
  
• Exposure to Russian-speaking markets is a strong advantage
  
• Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills
  
• Experience in claims and dispute resolution
  
• Understanding of: Incoterms, Trading structures and supply chains, Experience with GAFTA / FOSFA contracts (for agri commodities) is a plus, Knowledge of sanctions / compliance frameworks (OFAC, price cap) is highly desirable
  
• Languages: Fluent Russian and English (mandatory)
  
• Competitive compensation and incentive
  
• Working hours - 9.00-18.00
  
• Medical Insurance
  
• 30 calendar days of annual leave
  
• Opportunity to grow together with the company