Legal Counsel, Tech and Data

Exchange House Services Ltd - London; Greater London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, a leading global law firm, seeks a lawyer to join the Team General Counsel and Risk in London. You will advise on data and technology, shape data governance and drive compliance across the firm.

You will work across jurisdictions, guiding senior leaders, and collaborating with the AI Governance team to establish data standards for AI systems while supporting the wider GC&R portfolio.

Qualifications

• Technically astute lawyer with interest in data and technology.
• Strong knowledge of data privacy laws.
• Ability to interpret complex legal issues across jurisdictions.
• Decisive, pragmatic, and commercial approach.
• Minimum 3 years PQE; qualified in a common law jurisdiction.
• Leadership or innovation experience in professional services is welcome.

Responsibilities

• Advise internally on legal issues related to data and technology.
• Determine how data is captured and utilised and where it is stored.
• Develop and implement internal data retention and deletion policies.
• Prepare guidance, tools and training on data use, access and security; drive compliance.
• Advise on laws and obligations surrounding data collection, use and retention.
• Coach practice groups and Senior Leaders on data-related decisions.
• Work with AI Governance to develop data standards for AI systems.
• Role is part of the GC&R team; support the wider team as needed.
• Maintain focus on your portfolio while contributing to broader firm needs.

Skills

Legal data privacy

Data governance

Stakeholder management

Commercial pragmatism

Regulatory awareness

Education

Qualified lawyer

3+ PQE

Job description

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a world-leading global law firm, where our ambition is to help you achieve your goals. Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why so many are longstanding. We enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 170 years. As a fully integrated transatlantic and transpacific firm, we are where you need us to be. Our footprint is extensive and committed across the world’s largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs. At our best tackling complexity and navigating change, we work alongside you on demanding litigation, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas. We are immersed in the sectors and challenges that impact you. We are recognised as standing apart in energy, infrastructure and resources. And we’re focused on areas of growth that affect every business across the world. All of this is achieved by supporting the growth of our people, who help us deliver on our ambition – which is to help you achieve yours.

The Opportunity

Key responsibilities

• Advising internally on legal issues as they relate to data and technology, including at pace.
• Determining how data is captured and utilised across the firm and managing the complexities of where it should be located and stored.
• Developing and implementing internal policies and processes as they relate to data issues, such as retention and deletion.
• Preparing and delivering clear guidance, tools and training as to use, location, access and security of data; and helping to drive compliance.
• Advising on the laws and professional obligations surrounding the collection, use, maintenance, location and retention of data.
• Advising the practice groups and Business Services teams and Senior Leaders in relation to decisions as required regarding data related issues, identifying challenges and opportunities.
• Working with the firm’s AI Governance team to develop standards, frameworks and processes for the use, management, and retention of data in AI systems.
• The role is part of the GC&R team in their broader portfolio.
• The ideal candidate will maintain strong focus and drive on their own portfolio but will also have transferable skills to support the wider team as required, and the curiosity to develop a wide skill base.

Qualifications, skills and experience

• A technically-astute qualified lawyer with experience or a keen interest in new and emerging technologies, digital transformation, and data.
• Experience of the developing laws, regulations and best practice relating to data, and strong knowledge of data privacy laws.
• An ability to grasp complex, overlapping legal issues, including across jurisdictions, and interpret and communicate solutions and guidance with practicality and simplicity.
• A decisive, pragmatic and commercial approach.
• Minimum 3 years PQE; qualified in a common law jurisdiction.
• We are open to the Candidate's prior experience: it may come from a role where there has been leadership and innovation in this field, private practice, or another professional services firm.
• In all cases we are looking for a lawyer motivated to manage complex and fast moving issues relating to data and to help drive organisational change to address those issues.
• Excellent interpersonal skills – the person will liaise with both lawyers and business services groups, in each case at many levels of seniority and across HSF Kramer offices.
• This role has a global remit – a desire and ability to work between time zones and cultures with a range of people is essential.

Competencies

• Personal Leadership
  • Energises those around them, simplifies complexity and makes quality decisions
  • Brings perspective and a constructive approach to high pressure situations and directs attention to solutions
  • Makes sound commercial decisions
  • Acts decisively even on the basis of incomplete information
• Collaborates with others
  • Develops innovative solutions by valuing diversity of thought, expertise and experience
  • Brings a positive energy to the way they work and inspires this in others
  • Draws on internal networks to bring people with the right skills and expertise together to develop solutions
• Builds High Performing Teams
  • Creates an environment that encourages personal accountability, and builds the confidence of others by highlighting their strengths and achievements
• Focuses on Clients
  • Always acts with the firm’s clients in mind
  • Develops solutions that balance client needs and the sustainable profitability of the firm
• Achieves results
  • Makes things happen in a complex environment

Team General Counsel and Risk

• Working Pattern Full time
• Location London
• Contract type Permanent Contract

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding. At Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, we align your growth and ambition with ours. We invest in your personal and professional growth and support you to achieve your ambitions. And you share responsibility for playing a part in delivering the firm’s growth and ambition too.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer: Your growth. Our ambition.

A leading global law firm, with over 6,000 people, we are in the world's largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs. We’re recognised leaders in demanding contentious matters, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private transactions. We’re immersed in the many challenges facing our clients. We’re invested and resourceful. We understand the part technology and digitalisation play in the delivery of legal services. We want to make a positive impact wherever in the world we operate. You’ll have the opportunity to engage with this with an open mind and curiosity. We are known for our diverse perspectives and renowned for our culture. Being human, bold and outstanding are more than our values: you’ll discover they are our lived experience. And by being ambitious for your growth and ours, we’ll achieve our goals together.