Counsel - Litigation & Disputes

BP PLC; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - GBP 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A global energy company is seeking a skilled lawyer to join its litigation and disputes team in London. The ideal candidate will have a UK legal qualification and a minimum of four years’ experience in dispute resolution, handling complex international arbitrations and litigation. Responsibilities include managing legal risks, collaborating with diverse teams, and overseeing external legal costs. Excellent analytical and communication skills are essential, as well as a commitment to fostering an inclusive work environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in handling disputes in both common and civil law jurisdictions.
• Ability to recognize and assess business needs alongside independent risk assessment.
• Thorough understanding of the English Civil Procedure Rules.

Responsibilities

• Identify and manage legal, financial, and reputational risks.
• Oversee international arbitrations and litigation.
• Collaborate effectively with internal and external teams.

Skills

Legal qualification

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Project management

Education

UK legal qualification and current practicing certificate

At least four years as a specialist dispute resolution lawyer

Job description

Overview

bp’s London based Litigation and Disputes Team ("the Team") is seeking to add a new lawyer to the Team. As part of bp’s global group of specialist litigation and disputes lawyers, the Team is responsible for managing the major non-US commercial disputes the bp group of companies are involved in throughout the world. The Team’s work includes handling complex, high value international arbitrations, litigation in courts in England and numerous other common and civil law jurisdictions, expert determinations and ADR processes. The Team plays a crucial role in bp’s management of significant legal, financial and reputational risks. In doing so, Team members work closely with bp’s commercial lawyers and business teams in locations across the globe and from bp’s various businesses and activities including: production and operations; customer and products; trading and shipping and gas and low carbon energy.

As a member of bp’s specialist global legal team, you will work closely with people from a wide variety of cultures, backgrounds and subject areas, and have the opportunity to work in a truly collaborative environment. The Team’s portfolio of cases covers a wide variety of commercial energy disputes arising, including disputes relating to Concession Deeds/Production Sharing agreements; Joint Operating agreements; Gas Supply agreements; EPC contracts; de-commissioning agreements; equipment leases; Sale and Purchase agreements; a wide variety of novel agreements and licences arising in the low carbon space; climate related claims; tort based claims and claims involving alleged breaches of statutory provisions and/or civil codes. Another important component of the team’s work involves advisory work. This includes providing advice concerning the selection, drafting and negotiation of dispute resolution mechanisms; advising bp commercial lawyers and businesses on the merits of bp’s position regarding potentially contentious matters; and devising and deploying strategies to mitigate legal risks and (where appropriate) avoid formal disputes. The role involves handling a very diverse workload and as a member of the Team you will be directly involved in and responsible for all aspects of leading sophisticated contentious legal risks arising in a global business.

Key Accountabilities

• Identifying legal, financial and reputational risks arising from major non-US commercial disputes and potential disputes involving bp companies, and developing and implementing strategies and tactics to communicate, mitigate and successfully manage those risks.
• Direct oversight and management of international arbitrations, litigation, expert determinations and ADR processes occurring in jurisdictions throughout the world.
• Active management of external costs to ensure value for money and efficiency.
• Close and effective collaboration with other members of the Team, bp’s commercial lawyers and other bp specialist lawyers.
• Co-ordinating and leading teams of internal bp lawyers, business personnel and external lawyers.
• Developing and deploying effective settlement strategies and tactics.

Education

Hold a UK legal qualification and current practicing certificate.

Have practiced for at least four years as a specialist dispute resolution lawyer acting and advising in relation to international arbitration, litigation and ADR processes.

Job Requirements

• Experience in handling disputes in both common and civil law jurisdictions (including on matters involving cross-border legal issues, multi-jurisdictional proceedings and foreign law).
• Strong analytical skills that ensure thorough and timely identification and assessment of short and longer term risks arising in complex contentious matters.
• Ability to recognise, understand and take account of business needs whilst also providing an independent assessment of risk.
• Excellent communications skills including strong writing and drafting skills.
• Pragmatic approach when problem solving.
• Ability to succinctly and effectively communicate and explain complex legal issues to non legal audiences at all levels of a large global company.
• Desire to undertake intellectually challenging work.
• Understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Experience in building trusted relationships and influencing multiple collaborators.
• Ability to effectively prioritise competing demands, including in situations involving time sensitivities.
• Equally comfortable in: (i) working autonomously; (ii) having a specific role as part of a tailored team; and (iii) establishing and leading a group of internal and external lawyers and business personnel responsible for managing a particular dispute.
• Thorough understanding of the English Civil Procedure Rules and the rules of the leading international arbitration institutions.
• Proven planning and project management skills.
• Possess the interpersonal skills and confidence to thrive in a collaborative environment.
• Desirable criteria: Experience of working on matters involving a multidisciplinary legal team comprised of dispute resolution lawyers and other specialist legal teams (e.g. anti-bribery and corruption; Human Rights; competition/anti trust; international trade regulations/sanctions).

Legal Disclaimer

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, socioeconomic status, neurodiversity/neurocognitive functioning, veteran status or disability status. Individuals with an accessibility need may request an adjustment/accommodation related to bp’s recruiting process (e.g., accessing the job application, completing required assessments, participating in telephone screenings or interviews, etc.). If you would like to request an adjustment/accommodation related to the recruitment process, please contact us. If you are selected for a position and depending upon your role, your employment may be contingent upon adherence to local policy. This may include pre-placement drug screening, medical review of physical fitness for the role, and background checks.