Data Protection Associate - Boutique Law Firm

Overview 

Hunters Legal is working with a leading Boutique Law Firm with a dynamic and diverse practice, advising a broad range of clients from innovative start-ups and entrepreneurs to global corporations, established industry leaders, private individuals and family offices.

The firm is recognised for its specialist sector expertise, combining this with strong capabilities across traditional areas of law to provide commercially focused and tailored advice. It offers a collegiate, supportive and vibrant working environment, with a strong emphasis on professional development, collaboration and career progression.

The Opportunity:

The firm is seeking a Data Protection Associate to join its highly regarded Media & Information Group, a team recognised for its expertise in information litigation and its growing cyber and data practice.

The successful candidate will work closely with Partners and Senior Associates, advising clients on urgent, complex, high-profile and often sensitive matters across cyber, data protection and information disputes.

The role would suit a lawyer with contentious data protection and cyber experience who is also interested in broadening their practice into other areas of information law, including defamation, malicious falsehood, misuse of private information, harassment and blackmail. It offers the opportunity to develop into a well-rounded information litigator while working on challenging and high-profile matters.

Key Responsibilities:

• Advising clients throughout the lifecycle of cyber incidents, including ransomware attacks, data breaches, DDoS attacks and hacking incidents.
• Providing urgent legal and regulatory advice during high-pressure cyber and data protection incidents, both verbally and in writing.
• Advising on notification strategies and regulatory engagement, including correspondence with the ICO and matters relating to regulatory enforcement.
• Advising on UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, ICO guidance and relevant EU data protection law.
• Working alongside the firm's data advisory team to provide pragmatic and commercially focused data protection advice.
• Advising on, defending and making subject access requests and other data protection and regulatory compliance matters.
• Handling longer-term contentious matters following data breaches, including information and data litigation, dispute resolution and legal proceedings.
• Advising claimants and defendants in relation to data subject and third-party claims arising from cyber and data incidents.
• Supporting clients with breach preparation, breach simulations and communications following cyber incidents.
• Working alongside trusted technical cyber partners and other external advisers where required.
• Providing commercially minded advice on risk management to a varied client base.
• Developing strong relationships through direct client contact and involvement in complex and sensitive matters.
• Supporting matters across the wider information law practice, including defamation, malicious falsehood, misuse of private information, harassment and blackmail.
• Contributing to business development initiatives, including building professional networks and presenting to clients and peers.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues while also managing matters independently and maintaining strong attention to detail.

The Candidate:

The successful candidate will have strong experience in contentious data protection and cyber matters, with a genuine interest in developing their expertise across the wider information law landscape.

They will ideally demonstrate:

• Strong knowledge of cyber and contentious data protection matters.
• Experience advising on cyber incidents and breach response.
• Good knowledge of the UK GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018 and relevant ICO guidance.
• Experience dealing with regulatory engagement and data protection compliance.
• Experience handling contentious matters arising from data breaches and other information disputes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to provide clear and pragmatic advice in high-pressure situations.
• A commercially minded approach and confidence dealing directly with clients.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• The ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• A genuine interest in media and information law, with enthusiasm for broadening their practice.
• An interest in business development, networking and presenting to clients and peers.

This is an excellent opportunity for a Data Protection Associate to join a highly regarded Boutique Law Firm and develop a broad and sophisticated practice across cyber, data protection and wider information litigation.