Legal Counsel Expert Pakistan

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.

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Legal Counsel to oversee all legal and compliance aspects of the agency in Pakistan. Reporting to the General Manager in Pakistan, this role provides comprehensive legal support across corporate, commercial, transactional, employment, governance, and regulatory matters, and ensures compliance with local laws and Group policies.

Key areas include managing commercial contracts, supporting business development and projects, handling and resolving legal disputes and regulatory matters, supervising corporate governance in collaboration with the Company Secretary, and overseeing claims in Pakistan. The role also deploys Group ethics and compliance policies (economic sanctions, anti-bribery, and data privacy), designs and implements third-party due diligence, supports risk management, delivers legal training, and guides teams on regulatory requirements.

The Legal Counsel acts as a trusted, business-oriented advisor to management and plays a key role in enabling the safe, compliant, and successful growth of the Group's business in Pakistan.

Key Responsibilities

Legal Advisory & Strategy

• Provide legal counsel to senior management and business units on corporate, commercial, transactional, antitrust, intellectual property, real estate, tax, employment law, corporate governance, and general business operations.
• Conduct legal research and analysis, interpreting applicable laws, regulations, and case materials, and prepare clear guidance, opinions, and memos for stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with Pakistani legislation, maritime law, and international trade regulations (including customs, shipping & logistics laws, maritime, port, customs, anti-corruption, sanctions, competition, and employment laws).
• Liaise with government authorities (e.g. Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Karachi Port Trust, Port Qasim Authority, Pakistan Customs, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP)) and regulators when required.

Contract Management

• Structure, draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of contracts, letters, policies, and compliance documents with third parties, including real estate, procurement, services, commercial, financial, and logistics service agreements.
• Support cross-border transactions and liaise with global legal teams on international matters.

Business Development & Projects

• Support the Group's organic and external growth in Pakistan by assessing legal feasibility, preparing and negotiating pre-contracts (such as MOUs and NDAs), reviewing, drafting, and executing definitive agreements, and providing legal support for the launch and development of operations.

Dispute Resolution & Litigation

• Manage and resolve legal disputes and claims, including customer complaints, incidents, litigation, arbitration, and mediation, with the support of two direct reports.
• Support or lead regulator interactions and coordinate with external counsel on complex matters, ensuring cost-effective and timely resolution.
• Represent the company in negotiations and settlement discussions, as necessary.

Corporate Governance

• Oversee company secretarial matters for Group legal entities in Pakistan in collaboration with the Company Secretary, including board meetings, annual general meetings, dividend distribution, administrative changes, and all matters from company setup to winding-Up ; ensure the Group corporate database is accurately maintained and up to date.
• Ensure timely filings and adherence to corporate requirements under the local applicable regulations.

Ethics & Compliance

• Advise on ethics & compliance matters in Pakistan; implement and monitor policies, training, approvals, recordkeeping, and compliance programs in close coordination with MEG Compliance Team.
• Design and implement due diligence processes for suppliers, customers, intermediaries, and other business partners; oversee second-level controls.
• Handle internal queries on regulatory requirements and compliance policies and procedures.
• Assist in developing and implementing communication strategy and compliance training programs to increase employee awareness of applicable legal and ethical standards.
• Provide relevant regulatory and compliance advisory support and disseminate regulatory changes across the business.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Provide training and guidance to internal departments on legal matters and risks.
• Collaborate closely with regional and global Legal, Compliance, Finance, HR, Procurement, and Operations teams.

Requirements

• LL.B. or postgraduate degree in Law or a related field; admitted to the Pakistan Bar Council (or a relevant Provincial Bar Council). Master's degree preferred.
• At least 5-8 years of post-qualification legal experience, including 3 years in a managerial or leadership role; experience within the maritime/shipping industry strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of Pakistani laws, shipping laws, port and country regulations, and exposure to maritime, logistics, and trade-related legal matters.
• Prior experience in a multinational company or law firm dealing with shipping, logistics, or transportation will be an added advantage.
• Experience handling government liaison and regulatory matters in Pakistan.
• Fluent in English; proficiency in additional regional languages is a plus.
• Strong legal analysis, commercial negotiation, and data analysis skills, with the ability to prepare detailed reports.
• Strategic mindset, balancing business targets with operational and legal realities.
• Leadership and people management capabilities.
• High integrity and strong ethical standards.
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders, priorities, and projects while meeting deadlines and working under pressure.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills; proactive judgment and sound business acumen.

Come along on CMA CGM’s adventure !