Welcome to Baker International Resolutions
Arbitrator, Mediator and Businessman with strong background in international law, energy, shipping, operations, management and associated dispute resolutions including arbitration and litigation.
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James Baker has over 30 years’ experience in dispute resolution in the downstream energy sector specializing in maritime and commodity trading. He has held both senior legal and senior management roles during his career with The Coastal Corporation, Valero Energy, Fuel And Marine Marketing (Chevron), Mercuria Energy, BP, Chemoil Energy Ltd and most recently as General Counsel for Thome Ship Management Pte Ltd. located in Singapore.
James E. Baker
Baker International Resolutions
Arbitration / Mediation
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SCMA, LMAA, CIArb
Phone:
+44 (0) 75357 85877
Email:
Address:
London, United Kingdom
EXPERIENCE
BAKER INTERNATIONAL RESOLUTIONS
2018 to Present
As the principal at Baker International Resolutions, I am a full time maritime and commercial arbitrations and mediator.
Head of Legal and Corporate Secretary
2015 to 2018
THOME GROUP OF COMPANIES
Thome is a provider of integrated ship management services to the international shipping and offshore industries.
Based in Singapore, Thome represents a unique combination of the best elements of Scandinavian shipping tradition with the modern drive of Asian business enterprise. From ship management to offshore structure management, port agency, vessel inspection and crew training, Thome offers a complete range of services & products under one roof. Thome is recognised as one of the world's leading independent international ship managers with more than 300 vessels under full technical management serviced by 650 shore staff and 11,000 crew members.
As the first in house lawyer in the Company my responsibilities include establishing a legal department, managing all contract activities and associated dispute issues including associated arbitration and litigation. Along with general corporate matters, my responsibilities include drafting and negotiating BIMCO Shipman and JV agreements and corporate compliance matters.
Managing Counsel APAC
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PTE LTD,
Singapore
2014 to 2015
ERM is a leading global provider of environmental, health, safety, risk and social consulting services.
Provided full legal support for SE Asia, specifically China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia and Singapore.
General Counsel - Corporate Secretary- Head of Compliance
2011 to 2014
CHEMOIL ENERGY LTD,
Singapore
Chemoil is a major global supplier of marine fuels, aviation fuel and land diesel. It also owns oil terminals and ships.
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Responsible for legal, corporate and compliance matters for this multicultural Company with 20 global offices. Managed all litigation and arbitration matters involving bunker purchased and supply agreements, quality and quantity disputes vessel arrests, government investigations and employment matters. Served as Corporate Secretary for this SGX listed Company
Senior Attorney IST Global Oil
2008 to 2011
BP Plc.,
Chicago, Illinois / Singapore
Provide complete legal support for all physical benches with special emphasis on residual oil, marine sales, middle distillates and crude along with associated sanction and anti-bribery compliance and dispute resolution.
General Counsel
2004 to 2007
MERCURIA GROU LTD.,
LARNACA, CYPRUS / LONDON, UK
Mercuria is a privately owned global energy trading company formed in 2004.
As the company’s initial General Counsel, created a “Greenfield” legal department to handle both corporate and legal issues for this multicultural Company. Set up trading companies/joint ventures in China, South Africa, Canada and the United States. Manage all dispute resolution issues. Drafted or manage the drafting of all contracts including term and spot crude, oil products, petrochemical agreements, vessel charter parties, pipeline, terminal agreements, joint ventures, and projects including a bio-diesel plant in Amsterdam and oil terminals in Estonia and the Netherlands.
Board of Directors
2005 to 2006
AGEAN MARINE PETROLEUM NETWORK INC.,
Piraeus, Greece
Founding independent director and member of the compensation committee with Aegean, a NYSE listed global supplier of marine bunker fuel.
Vice President, Fuels - Europe
General Council, Corporate Secretary
2000 to 2003
CHEVRON CORPORATION (FAMM),
London, UK / White Plains, NY, USA
FAMM, (Fuel and Marine Marketing LLC), a Chevron subsidiary. FAMM was a $3 billion global leader in marine fuel and lubricants for deep sea, inland marine and power stations. In 2003, FAMM Europe represented a $1 billion gross revenue operation in marine/utility fuels operating in 13 countries.
Vice President, Fuels – Europe
Reorganized European fuel business which reduced costs by $3 million achieving 2003 plan of $8.5 million in first 6 months of year.
General Counsel, Corporate Secretary
Managed all litigation and arbitration matters. Utilized technology to efficiently manage the global legal demands of the business resulting in turnaround of 90% of contracts within 24 hours.
Consultant
1998 to 2000
BUNKER HILL ASSOCIATES,
Houton, TX, USA
Boutique law firm that specialises in turnarounds, workouts and acquisitions. Teamed with owner to analyse cost structure and market opportunity for an international software training company.
Project Manager
Manager, Marine Sales/Transportation
Managing Attorney
VALERO ENERGY CORPORATION,
Houton, TX, USA
1985 to 1998
Valero is a major US independent refining and marketing company.
Project Manager
Directed a multi-disciplined team to analyse requirements and locate multimillion-dollar supply chain management IT system. The system was located within project time limits and budget.
Manager, Marine Sales/Transportation
Built relationships with and empowered various groups within the manufacturing/delivery chain at the refinery improving inventory turnover by 300%. Increased sales volumes from 35,000 barrels per month to 200,000 and tripled annual contribution to earnings to $1 million by reducing blend stock costs and focusing marketing efforts on customer needs. Managed operations department learning all aspects of the downstream transportation of petroleum products including pipelines, terminals, barge/ship chartering and lightening operations.
Managing Attorney
Directed all legal matters for the refining and trading division. Major emphasis on corporate compliance and refinery related environmental matters. Sat second chair in four arbitration's. Participated in custom designed training program at the refinery that resulted in significant insight into the complexity surrounding the operation of a modern refinery.
Senior Attorney
THE COSTAL CORPORATION,
Miami, FL, USA / London, UK / Houston, TX, USA
1976 to 1985
Senior Attorney for a large independent global oil and gas company.
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Advised senior management regarding all aspects of the maritime (tug/barge) operations including environmental matters, Jones Act, fuel quality issues and terminal operations. Directed all litigation, arbitration and bankruptcy matters, sat second chair in eight arbitration's. Established initial London legal office resulting in improved reaction time and reduction of outside legal services by $500,000 per year.
ABOUT JAMES
Education
University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
MBA
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Texas Tech University, Lubbock Texas
Juris Doctorate
BBA. Finance
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Memberships
LMAA, SIAC, HKIAC, CIArb
SCMA and KLRCA Panel of Arbitrators
SMC Panel of Maritime Mediators
Speaker / Moderator Appointments
Energy Risk Asia 2013
Platt's Refining Asia 2014
6AMLC/4SCMA Asian Maritime Arbitration Conference 2014
LegalWeek Corporate Counsel Forum Singapore 2014
7AMLC Asian Maritime Arbitration Conference 2015
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University of Miami Law School
Adjunct Profession
Oil and Gas Law
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
SHIP MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS
CHARTERPARTIES
BUNKERS
COMMODITY CONTRACTS
JONES ACT
COMPLIANCE