Associate / Senior Associate

Law Society; Dublin, Cork; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Fieldfisher LLP is seeking an Associate/Senior Associate for its Data Protection and Privacy Team in Dublin or Cork. The role requires 4+ years’ specialist experience in Data Protection/Privacy Law, with a strong commercial focus and excellent drafting skills.

You will advise on privacy, cybersecurity, AI governance and regulatory matters, supporting clients across multiple sectors. The successful candidate will work with a premier European team on high-profile matters, contribute to client

Qualifications

• 4 years of experience in Data Protection / Privacy Law (in-house or law firm).
• Strong commercial focus with business acumen and client relationships.
• Excellent drafting skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Advise clients on privacy, cybersecurity, digital regulation and AI governance across sectors.
• Support clients in navigating GDPR, ePrivacy and other data protection obligations.
• Assist with data protection due diligence in corporate transactions and regulatory inquiries.
• Collaborate with international teams on cross‑jurisdictional matters.
• Draft privacy notices, data processing agreements and related policies.

Skills

Data Protection/Privacy Law

Drafting skills

Client relations

Time management

Team player

Job description

Fieldfisher LLP is a European law firm with market leading practices across many of the world’s most dynamic sectors. Fieldfisher LLP growing network includes more than 2,200 people across 28 offices throughout Europe, China and Silicon Valley, delivering highly commercial advice grounded in a deep understanding of their clients’ needs. They act for a wide range of clients, including major social media platforms, high street brands, pharmaceutical and life sciences companies, energy suppliers, banks and global technology leaders. Clients choose Fieldfisher LLP for their commercial, pragmatic and innovative approach, delivered on time and on budget.

About Fieldfisher LLP Data Protection and Privacy Offering

Fieldfisher's Privacy, Security and Information Law Group has been top ranked for well over a decade. They have one of the largest European teams of lawyers in the field and regularly support the world's biggest organisations and some of Europe's most exciting growth companies across various industries. With offices in Silicon Valley, they also act for a large number of global tech companies.

The team provides a range of services to assist clients in meeting their obligations under data protection legislation particularly regarding compliance with GDPR and ePrivacy. Fieldfisher LLP advice spans over four main areas:

• Operational Compliance (data protection policies, data transfers, data subject rights, DPO support, ePrivacy);
• Commercial and Product (data processing agreements, accountability documentation (e.g. DPIAs, ROPAs), apps, AdTech);
• Regulatory Inquiries and Litigation.

Across the above four areas, the Team also advises on compliance with AI governance, cybersecurity and wider digital regulation frameworks, including board-level governance, risk assessments and implementation programmes.

The Role

Due to Fieldfisher LLP continued growth, they have an immediate vacancy for an Associate / Senior Associate to join their Data Protection and Privacy Team in Dublin or Cork. The role is suited for a solicitor with 4+ years' specialist experience in Data Protection/Privacy Law (either in-house or in a law firm) although all suitably qualified candidates will be fully considered.

The successful candidate will advise clients on a broad range of privacy, cybersecurity, digital regulation, and AI governance matters across multiple sectors. This is an excellent opportunity to work on complex and high-profile matters, supporting clients in navigating evolving data protection requirements and wider digital regulatory obligations.

The successful candidate will have a diverse range of work including:

Data Subject Rights Requests

• Advising clients on responding to Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs) and other data subject rights requests.
• Reviewing and assessing data held by organisations to ensure compliance with applicable data protection legislation.
• Supporting clients in managing complex requests involving exemptions, redactions, and cross-border considerations.
• Drafting correspondence and providing practical guidance throughout the request management process.

Cybersecurity and Data Breach Response

• Advising clients on data protection aspects of cybersecurity incidents and personal data breaches.
• Supporting incident response teams in assessing legal obligations, regulatory reporting requirements, and risk mitigation measures.
• Assisting with communications to regulators, affected individuals, and stakeholders where required.
• Reviewing and developing incident response plans, breach management procedures, and related policies.
• Supporting the DPO service offered to clients.
• Advising on emerging cybersecurity regulation including NIS2 implementation

Corporate and Commercial Transactions

• Providing data protection and cybersecurity support in corporate and commercial transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, investments, and restructurings.
• Conducting privacy and data protection due diligence exercises.
• Drafting and negotiating transaction documents relating to privacy, data processing, data sharing, and cybersecurity matters.

Digital Regulation and AI Governance

• Advising clients on emerging digital regulation frameworks, including the EU AI Act, Digital Services Act, Data Act, Data Governance Act and NIS2-related requirements.
• Supporting organisations in implementing governance structures relating to artificial intelligence and responsible AI.
• Assisting with AI risk assessments, data governance frameworks, and compliance programmes.
• Advising on privacy, data governance and regulatory issues arising from the development, deployment, and use of AI systems.
• Monitoring legal and regulatory developments in AI, digital services, online platforms, and related regulatory regimes.

General Advisory Work

• Drafting and reviewing privacy notices, data processing agreements, data sharing agreements, and internal policies.
• Providing day-to-day advice on compliance with GDPR, and related privacy legislation.
• Supporting clients with international data transfer requirements and records of processing activities.
• Contributing to client training sessions, legal updates, and thought leadership initiatives.
• Other ad hoc activity.

The successful candidate will have the following skills and experience:

• 4 years of experience in Data Protection / Privacy Law (although all suitably qualified, including more experienced candidates will be fully considered);
• A strong commercial focus and business acumen;
• Ability to foster trusted relationships with clients;
• Excellent drafting skills and attention to detail;
• Strong organisational and time management skills;
• Team player with strong communication skills and ambitions to progress their career;
• An excellent work ethic with a positive 'can do' attitude and approach to work.

What makes the role unique?

The successful candidate will enjoy working as part of the Irish Data Protection and Privacy Team but will also work regularly with the wider international Privacy, Security and Information Law Group on cross-jurisdictional projects gaining invaluable experience on global data protection projects.

Fieldfisher LLP Values

Fieldfisher LLP Values are at the heart of everything they do, and they commit to upholding these Values to each other, to their clients and to their communities.

• People First: to put colleagues, clients and communities at the forefront of all they do.
• Embracing ESG: to collectively leave things better than they found them.
• Collaboration: as the catalyst for success.

Please note Fieldfisher LLP aims to ensure equality of opportunity and they are actively working towards improving the diversity of their staff. All applications will only be considered on merit and the applicant's suitability to meet the requirements of the role.