Zack currently works for the Insurance Association Skuld (Gjensidig), which is a marine insurance association. The association handles shipping liability and marine insurance in maritime transport, and Zack provides legal assistance to its members.
– The association is traditionally considered a "club" consisting of members (shipowners) who own the club, Zack explains. – The membership also consists of vessel operators and traders, and the club provides legal assistance and insures their legal liability to third parties. I am assigned the responsibility for a portfolio of members, and it is my job to provide legal assistance to the members and handle various incidents that may occur.
When asked what a typical workday looks like, Zack answers that because the shipping industry operates twenty-four hours a day, it can tick emails in the inbox about small and large issues at any time. It can be anything from a pure legal conflict between our members and their contracting parties, to a physical incident on board, problems with cargo operations or an issue regarding the crew, to name a few.
– And there is often a lot of money at stake, he adds. – Fortunately, we also have an emergency service that takes care of what happens at night and on weekends. Sometimes I come to my desk in the morning and new cases have come in that it may be urgent that I have to deal with.
He heard about the job through acquaintances. It was an open temporary position in the association, and after interviewing for the position, Zack got it.
– It is very unusual to go straight from school to such a job, so I was very lucky, says Zack and adds that he has since been given a permanent contract.
As an extension of the exam
The first questions that entered the email inbox seemed like exam questions, according to Zack. He feels the job is very relatable to the master's degree he has completed.
– Most lawyers who work in this industry have completed the Oslo master's degree. It is almost a prerequisite for a job, Zack clarifies.
He says that during the study they learned about all the different aspects within shipping and maritime law. They did not go into great detail on each topic, but the study served as a very good introduction to every part of the field.
– Shipping and law are so closely linked, he says. – But the field of law I work with is not related to a specific country. In principle, we work with "international law", and the applicable legislation may vary a great deal. In my experience, most of the major topics the master's degree introduced us, recur to a certain extent all over the world.
The first period at his new workplace, Zack had to ask lots of questions to understand how to do the job.
– When I received all these e-mails it was like this: I have heard about this, but I have no idea where to start! When studying, we acquired knowledge on many different topics, but we seldom applied it to solving practical problems. But fortunately with some time and experience, everything falls into place, he says.
Small shipping world
– The study taught us to think creatively about how to approach different issues, especially considering everything that is so unpredictable and complex in an international context, says Zack. – Another important thing I brought with me was how small the shipping world really is. The lecturers have written the textbooks themselves and have had a great impact on Norwegian maritime law. During my studies, I really felt that I was part of a tiny and limited maritime industry that takes place in the background, but which plays such a big role in world trade.
Interests come together
Zack has always had an interest in Scandinavia, but also in shipping and logistics. He had a dream of moving to Norway one day, and he knew that shipping could play a role when he studied law in the United States. And then little by little, everything came together.
– I think it's great that shipping combines so much; including contract law and tort law, finance, geopolitics and trade, says Zack. – And culture! I think you have to have interest and openness to other cultures, and that people around the world have other ways of working, he says.
Stay up to date
When asked whether Zack has tips for students who want to work in the same industry, he answers that it is first and foremost important to familiarize yourself with the subject and stay up to date.
– In addition, it is very important to build networks, advises Zack. – Beyond this, you should acquire good language skills. In law, the use of clear and precise language is very important. It helps all parties, especially when you work in an international environment with people from different cultures.
But he admits that he not always follows his own advice.
– Sometimes I write very long sentences with too many sections, Zack laughs.
Job satisfaction
Right now, Zack is very happy with the job and has no plans to change jobs.
– It is a great place to work, and what I work with is exciting and closely related to the master's degree I took. And, I have wonderful colleagues who are lawyers from all over the world, who make the job even more rewarding. I'm very grateful, Zack concludes.