Senior Data Protection Solicitor

Harper James; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days holiday

Private healthcare

Death in service

Electric car scheme

Flexible remote working

Job summary

Harper James, a growing commercial law firm, seeks a Senior Data Protection Solicitor with over 10 years PQE to join our team and advise businesses across sectors on UK and EU privacy issues in a fast-paced environment.

You will lead matters, manage client relationships, and draft/negotiate data processing and data-sharing agreements while advising on international transfers, ePrivacy, and emerging technology.

Qualifications

• 10+ years’ PQE in data protection
• Strong experience advising on UK and EU privacy law
• Ability to lead matters and manage client relationships

Responsibilities

• Lead data protection matters for clients across sectors
• Provide pragmatic, commercially-minded advice
• Draft and negotiate data processing and data-sharing agreements
• Advise on international data transfers, ePrivacy and cookies
• Support data breach response and regulator engagement

Skills

Data protection law

UK & EU privacy

Negotiation & drafting

Client relationship mgmt

AI tools awareness

Tools

Microsoft 365

SharePoint

Job description

Senior Data Protection Solicitor

Harper James is a growing, ambitious commercial law firm like no other. We are growing our commercial team and have exciting opportunities for Senior Data Protection Solicitors with 10+ years’ post-qualification experience (PQE) to join the team. The workload is varied and you will support businesses of different sizes across a range of sectors.

About Harper James

Harper James is a modern, ambitious law firm built to support entrepreneurial businesses with accessible, high-quality legal services. We combine legal expertise with a commercial mindset and a scalable operating model designed for growth.

Remote working

We offer truly remote working, with access to meeting space in Birmingham, Cambridge, London, Manchester, Oxford, Southampton, Cardiff and Sheffield.

We work hard to make sure our lawyers feel part of the team. We collaborate on client and internal projects, share ideas and enjoy each other’s company. Our remote set-up lets you work from where suits you, giving you the flexibility you need, whatever the reason.

What we’re looking for

We are looking for a Senior Data Protection Solicitor with 10+ years’ PQE and strong experience advising on UK and European data protection law in a fast-paced, client-focused environment.

You will be confident leading matters and managing client relationships, with a track record of delivering pragmatic, commercially-minded advice. Your experience will include areas such as:

• Advising on UK data protection compliance, governance and risk.
• Supporting data subject rights requests, DPIAs and other compliance processes.
• Advising on international data transfers, ePrivacy, cookies and direct marketing.
• Drafting and negotiating data processing and data-sharing agreements.
• Advising on AI and other emerging technology issues.
• Supporting data breach response, incident management and engagement with regulators.
• Awareness of EU GDPR and global privacy developments.
• Ability to support clients handling special category or sensitive data across a range of sectors.
• Providing data protection input on technology, commercial, corporate and employment matters.
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills are essential, alongside the ability to turn complex legal and technical issues into clear, practical guidance for clients.

You will be collaborative, proactive and comfortable working closely with growing and innovative businesses across a range of sectors. You will also be happy to work alongside colleagues in our commercial, technology, employment and corporate teams to give clients joined-up advice.

The Harper James difference

We are a tech-driven, agile law firm. Our lawyers have access to legal technology that helps maximise efficiency, productivity and work-life balance.

We welcome proactive, self-motivated solicitors who thrive in a modern workplace and care about delivering an excellent client experience. We are relaxed and informal, but super organised. We trust you to manage your work responsibly and support you to succeed.

You’ll excel as part of the Harper James team if you:

• Are a quick learner, ready to adapt to new systems and technologies
• Are excited to use AI tools to improve efficiency and productivity
• Have a solid working knowledge of Microsoft 365 products, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Can confidently use SharePoint to manage and collaborate on projects
• Have a keen eye for detail when drafting documents, ensuring consistency and professionalism
• Communicate openly and are comfortable having constructive conversations to find solutions
• Value collaboration, humility and helping your colleagues succeed

The bottom line

This is an opportunity to play an important part in the growth of the business, working with a great team of people who all contribute to our continued success.

• An environment with no politics and no bureaucracy
• Competitive salary
• 33 days’ holiday, including public holidays, with the option to buy up to five additional days each year
• Private healthcare
• Death in service benefit
• Access to our electric car scheme
• Flexible working as part of a fully remote but collaborative team