Senior Lawyer - Data Privacy in City of London

Would you like to join one of the world’s most prestigious law firms? We are offering a fantastic opportunity for a professional, technically strong and engaging individual to join us as a senior data privacy lawyer in our London-based Technology, Data, Digital and Intellectual Property (TDDI) group. This is a unique and exciting opportunity for an experienced and ambitious data privacy professional to join the leadership team of the TDDI group at Slaughter and May.

Coming in as either a senior-level Associate or Senior Counsel in the team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the firm’s data privacy practice, initially supporting our Head of Privacy and with a view to succeeding them as the most senior dedicated data privacy specialist at the firm in the short to medium term. You will bring deep expertise in UK and EU data privacy law and regulation, with additional experience in other international jurisdictions considered a valuable asset. This role is ideal for someone who is not only technically excellent but also highly motivated to drive strategic growth, innovation, and operational excellence within a thriving and well-supported practice.

Working closely with our Head of Privacy and a group of partners from across our Technology and Cyber practices, you will have a lead role in the day-to-day management of our Data Privacy Practice, supervise and develop a growing team of fee earners, and serve as a central point of contact for all data privacy matters. You will also be instrumental in raising the profile of the firm’s data privacy offering—both internally and externally—leveraging the firm’s exceptional client base and global reputation.

A typical varied workload for our data privacy lawyers would include:

• Data protection support on M&A transactions, global investigations and pension scheme arrangements;
• The privacy implications for tech such as blockchain or AI;
• Data breaches – both preparedness and incident response and ICO investigations;
• Individuals’ rights;
• International transfers of personal data;
• Data sharing and/or processing agreements with differing levels of complexity;
• The applicability of the various privacy regimes around the world;
• Direct marketing rules and cookies;
• General data privacy compliance issues such as DPIAs, LIAs and other policies.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The key responsibilities of this role are set out below and there may be others which are not listed. You will be required on occasion to work outside our normal working hours of 9:30am to 5:30pm.

• Advising on data privacy aspects of a wide range of transactions including public and private M&A, pension de-risking, insurance transfers, joint ventures and long-term commercial contracts;
• Advising on data sharing, data analytics, data privacy aspects of AI, marketing, cookies and general GDPR advisory matters;
• Working on contentious data and cyber matters, including data breaches, regulatory investigations, data claims and complex data subject access requests;
• Assisting with sector-specific market engagement, including responding to consultations, contributing to regulator engagement and developing relationships with other organisations within the privacy sector, including our relationship firms in other jurisdictions;
• Contributing to business development initiatives and raising the profile of the firm’s Data Privacy practice, such as through writing articles for journals, presenting to clients and at conferences and drafting posts for our Lens blog;
• Developing professional relationships with clients and other parts of the firm;
• Managing and mentoring junior legal team members as needed.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Candidates for this position must have:

• A minimum of 5 years of post-qualification experience focused on data privacy;
• Deep knowledge of UK and EU level privacy laws, regulator guidance, and market practice, with practical experience applying them in a corporate environment;
• Strong contract negotiation and drafting skills, particularly in relation to M&A transactions;
• Strong analytical skills;
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex legal requirements into actionable business advice;
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and influencing skills.

We welcome applications irrespective of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, belief or marital status.