Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES
LANGUAGES
Timeline
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PONNU TOM

PONNU TOM

Mumbai,India

Summary

Qualified lawyer with over six years of experience specializing in legal research and risk advisory within LNG industry and international commodity trading. Expertise in LNG commercial concepts, shipping and admiralty law, and international commercial law. Strong skills in alternative dispute resolution and strategic thinking. Proficient in Microsoft Office suite, enhancing efficiency in legal documentation and analysis.

Overview

7
7
years of professional experience

Work history

Team Lead, LNG Contracts

Trafigura Global Services Private Limited
Mumbai, India
01.2024 - 09.2025
  • Drafted and reviewed LNG contracts, including MSPAs, CNs, TUAs, and LT SPAs.
  • Drafted and advised on complex LNG structures like financial swaps, buy-back deals, off-setting arrangements, put option agreements, regasification, tripartite agreements and gas-up/cool-down agreements.
  • Reviewed LNG-specific concepts, ensuring compliance with US trade law and EU regulations like US export authorisations, EU methane regulation etc.
  • Advised commercial teams on risk mitigation strategies during deal negotiations to ensure business interests are preserved, including advisories on FTT, FTD and off-spec provisions of LNG master agreements.
  • Reviewed and Advised commercial on LNG tender documents in relation to various global government trading entities.
  • Developed contract templates to facilitate effective risk exposure training for oil teams.

Senior Legal Analyst /Contract Analyst (LNG)

Trafigura
07.2020 - 12.2023


  • Analysed LNG contractual documents to ensure compliance with organisational policies and legal requirements.
  • Developed and maintained relationships with key stakeholders to facilitate effective contract negotiation processes.
  • Negotiated transactional legal documentation to safeguard company interests and mitigate liability especially in the LNG and LPG industry.
  • Conducted critical analysis of GTCs (LPG) and MSPAs(LNG).
  • Provided advisory support on contract benefits and risks to stakeholders for profitable outcomes.
  • Negotiated LNG spot sale and purchase contracts, ensuring compliance with oil and gas trade regulations.


Associate

Callidus Legal, Corporate and Maritime Consultants
Kochi, India
11.2019 - 06.2020
  • Drafted various legal documents including plaints, statements, and applications for High Court of Kerala with respect to maritime disputes and custom matters.
  • Represented clients in various court proceeding for arrest of vessel, maritime lien, insolvency proceedings, insurance and cargo loss claims.
  • Addressed employment issues regarding seafarer fatalities, disability compensation, and gratuity matters.

Junior Associate

Bose & Mitra & Co.
Mumbai, India
08.2018 - 08.2019
  • Drafted various court legal documents including under CPC, CrPC, IBC and Constitution of India.
  • Represented clients in Court regarding maritime lien issues and ship arrest proceedings.
  • Collaborated with High Courts across India for various legal matters and court submissions in relation to vessel arrests, demurrage claims and maritime lien proceedings with application of ports acts, merchant shipping act and other international conventions.

Education

B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) -

National University of Advanced Legal Studies

Skills

  • Legal research
  • Communication excellence
  • Microsoft office suite competency
  • Strategic thinking capabilities
  • Areas of Interest – Shipping and admiralty law, LNG commercial contracts, trading and international commercial law, alternate dispute resolution

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES

  • Qualified under All India Bar Association Exam (AIBE)
  • Member of Bar Council of Kerala High Court, India
  • Qualified for legal representation within the jurisdiction of India

LANGUAGES

English (Full professional proficiency)

Timeline

Team Lead, LNG Contracts

Trafigura Global Services Private Limited
01.2024 - 09.2025

Senior Legal Analyst /Contract Analyst (LNG)

Trafigura
07.2020 - 12.2023

Associate

Callidus Legal, Corporate and Maritime Consultants
11.2019 - 06.2020

Junior Associate

Bose & Mitra & Co.
08.2018 - 08.2019

B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) -

National University of Advanced Legal Studies
PONNU TOM