New York – Data Privacy Associate (Mid-Level/Senior)

Gunderson Dettmer; New York (NY); On-site; USD 310,000 - 455,000; Full time

Job summary

Gunderson Dettmer’s New York office seeks a mid-level to senior Data Privacy associate to handle privacy, cybersecurity, and AI matters for technology, life sciences, fintech, and software clients. The role offers significant responsibility, direct client contact, and collaboration across offices.

You will advise on CCPA, GDPR, HIPAA, COPPA, BIPA, and NY privacy regimes, draft DPAs and privacy policies, and lead privacy counseling across product launches and transactions.

Qualifications

• Experience advising startup, growth-stage, and VC-backed clients.
• Substantial independent experience in privacy counseling, commercial contracting, cybersecurity, AI governance, or transactional privacy support.
• NY Bar admission and excellent communication skills are required or highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Advise clients on privacy and security laws, including CCPA, GDPR, HIPAA, COPPA, BIPA, NY SHIELD Act, NYDFS Cybersecurity Regulation, and emerging AI frameworks.
• Draft and negotiate privacy documents: policies, DPAs, data sharing agreements, consent language, and related terms.
• Lead privacy, product, cybersecurity, and AI counseling across product launches, commercial agreements, regulatory readiness, and day-to-day questions.
• Manage privacy and data security issues in venture financings, M&A, and strategic transactions; supervise junior associates on diligence.
• Update the knowledge base and forms; mentor and train junior associates.
• Collaborate with colleagues across offices as part of a cross-office practice.
• Advise on NY breach notification requirements and NY privacy developments.

Skills

Privacy counseling

Cybersecurity

AI governance

Transactional privacy support

Commercial contracting

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

We are seeking a mid-level to senior associate to join our Data Privacy group in our New York office. Our practice offers substantial responsibility, direct client contact, and the opportunity to work with technology, AI, life sciences, fintech, consumer products, and software companies at all stages of growth. The role involves advising on privacy, cybersecurity, and AI issues across product counseling and transactions, within a collaborative and high-performing team.

As a Data Privacy associate, you will:

• Advise clients on privacy and security laws, including CCPA, GDPR, HIPAA, COPPA, BIPA, the New York SHIELD Act, the NYDFS Cybersecurity Regulation, and other emerging privacy and AI frameworks.
• Draft and negotiate privacy documentation, including privacy policies, data processing agreements, data sharing arrangements, consent language, and related commercial terms.
• Lead privacy, product, cybersecurity, and AI counseling across product launches, commercial agreements, regulatory readiness, and day-to-day compliance questions.
• Manage privacy and data security issues arising in venture financings, mergers and acquisitions, and other strategic transactions, including supervising junior associates on diligence and deal support.
• Update and maintain the Data Privacy group's knowledge base and forms, and help train and mentor junior associates.
• Work closely with colleagues in other offices as part of a collaborative, cross-office practice.
• Maintain familiarity with New York-specific privacy and cybersecurity developments, including guidance from the New York Attorney General and the New York Department of Financial Services, and advise clients on compliance with New York breach notification requirements.

We will consider strong candidates with meaningful experience in one or more of the following areas: (1) privacy and product counseling; (2) cybersecurity, AI, or product regulatory counseling; (3) drafting and negotiating privacy and commercial agreements; and/or (4) privacy diligence and data protection support in corporate transactions. We will also consider candidates with significant experience in strategic or commercial contract drafting and negotiation, and/or deal management in venture financing and M&A transactions.

Candidate Profile

• Demonstrated track record advising startup, growth-stage, and venture capital-backed clients.
• Substantial, independent experience in one or more of the following areas: privacy counseling, commercial contracting, cybersecurity, AI governance, or transactional privacy support.
• Enthusiasm for emerging technology and the evolving regulatory landscape impacting innovative companies.
• Ability to lead client matters, mentor junior associates, and develop a broad, marketable practice in privacy, product, cybersecurity, and AI counseling with a practical, business-oriented mindset.

Job Requirements

• JD 2017-2022
• Significant previous large law firm experience required, including substantive experience managing matters independently
• High level of academic achievement from a nationally recognized law school
• Admission to the State Bar of New York
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills

Salary Range

• $310,000 - $455,000