Data Privacy Lawyer

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Data Privacy Lawyer to join our Risk team, based in A&O Shearman's Belfast office.


Risk team - Belfast

Join our team and you’ll be part of a flexible, inclusive culture underpinned by openness and consistent support for one another. Our culture enables people to define their own career path based on their strengths, while our ambitious outlook ensures we continue to provide each person with opportunities to thrive. We’re also committed to supporting a culture that drives diversity and inclusion. Every day, we’re working hard to create an environment where you feel you can bring your authentic self to work. To be comfortable and confident to be who you are in the workplace. To feel like you belong. If you’re ready to play your part in defining the future of law: It’s Time.

We are seeking an experienced individual to form part of the firm’s global Data Privacy Team and support all aspects of the work of the firm’s Chief Privacy Officer. It is a broad, fast paced and challenging privacy role. The successful candidate will carry out tasks which draw on a wide skill set. The role would be suited to lawyers of 1 to 4 years PQE.

A&O Shearman’s Risk function, led by partner, Simon Fuge, is comprised of teams of market leading experts and is at the heart of sustainability and success of our firm. It has a core responsibility to uphold the values of Allen & Overy and support the strategic objectives of the business. Our lawyers and industry experts provide high quality legal and risk advice to the global firm, its senior management, governance bodies and partners.

The mission of the Data Privacy Team is to foster a strong culture of data protection compliance throughout A&O while providing pragmatic and business-focussed advice in a highly regulated area. The Data Privacy Team advises on data privacy and information security issues affecting A&O Shearman, including:

• The creation and maintenance of a global programme of measures and documentation designed to ensure on-going compliance with privacy laws globally
• The legal aspects of information security and data management to meet legal and regulatory requirements
• Incident response and remediation
• Dealing with individual rights requests
• Data export restrictions and data localisation requirements with a view to preserving international data flows
• Working closely with fee earners, IT and others on technology and data innovations to ensure privacy and information security by design
• Devising and delivering the firm’s privacy training programmes
• ​​​Advising on, and ensuring compliance with, applicable regulatory reporting requirements.

What you will do ​​​​​​​

• Assisting in the support and maintenance of the existing global programme of measures designed to comply with privacy laws globally
• Helping to manage, support and deliver a global programme of work designed to comply with recent changes to European data protection law
• Support the work of the department more generally, including incident response and individual rights requests
• Working closely with a range of stakeholders on technology and data innovations, including AI governance, to help ensure good data handling practices and privacy by design
• Helping to gather and analyse data to support the work of the Data Privacy Team
• Conducting data privacy impact assessments, including in relation to software, systems and processes
• Establishing and maintaining good relations with key stakeholders globally to help support and roll out changes to the privacy compliance programme
• Advising and guiding colleagues across the firm on privacy and data protection issues and policies
• Developing and delivering training and communication plans in order to bring about/embed change
• Creating content for and delivering presentations and reports
• Helping to create and maintain policies, guidance and pro-forma documentation in connection with data protection compliance within the firm

What you will have

Essential

• The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following skills and experience:
• 2:1 or above at degree level
• Qualified lawyer with demonstrable experience advising on data privacy and data handling issues
• An enthusiasm for technology and the ability to understand, explain and advise on technical processes using business-friendly language.
• Experience of dealing with and advising a wide range of business stakeholders in determining requirements and priorities, as well as resolving issues
• The ability to understand, explain and advise on technical processes using business-friendly language
• Excellent IT skills (Microsoft Office suite of applications and other software, such as eDiscovery or other specialist software)
• A proven ability to work independently and proactively and to manage and prioritise a busy workload
• Self-motivation and the ability to manage new and varied challenges
• Excellent attention to detail; and
• A collaborative approach and the ability to work well in a small team and on cross-departmental projects

Desirable

• Experience in providing directive and pragmatic advice on data privacy, information security and data handling issues
• A relevant data privacy qualification such as CIPP/E and/or CIPM
• Experience of working in an international corporate or professional services environment
• Experience of working in a risk function or equivalent

What we can offer you​

We recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, holiday trading, online discounts and lifestyle management services.​

We recognise the value of flexible working and embrace hybrid working, allowing our people to work from home up to 40% of their working time. We do, however, remain committed to working together in person for the remaining 60% of time so that we can learn, grow and succeed together.

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.


About A&O Shearman

A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in 29 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world’s most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.

We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world’s leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.

Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to an inclusive environment, and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing.

What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.