Data Protection Lawyer

To serve as a specialist data management and policy lawyer within a multidisciplinary enforcement team, addressing data management and related policy issues in complex investigations.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality legal advice on data management and related policy considerations.
• Support the development and implementation of data management policies and strategies to ensure compliance with applicable laws (e.g., GDPR, DPA, FOIA).
• Demonstrate best practices for protecting personal, confidential, and sensitive data.
• Assist in updating policies and procedures related to data management.
• Draft guidance for case teams on legislative changes and good practices.
• Collaborate with internal legal teams and IT experts as needed.
• Engage with external stakeholders such as government departments, regulators, and agencies on relevant legal and policy matters.
• Deliver training sessions to team members on data management topics.
• Instruct specialist counsel for complex or high-risk legal questions when required.
• Participate in continuous professional development initiatives.

Knowledge & Expertise

Essential:

• Qualified solicitor or barrister with demonstrable post-qualification experience (typically over two years).
• Strong academic background.
• Proven experience providing legal advice on UK data protection laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of current trends in data handling, security practices, and regulatory developments.
• Experience conducting data impact assessments and legitimate interest assessments.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.
• Self-motivated with strong project management skills to meet deadlines effectively.
• Proficient in legal research and IT tools.

Desirable:

• Experience advising law enforcement or regulatory bodies on enforcement-related matters.
• Familiarity with responding to FOIA requests and SARs.
• Experience delivering training on technical legal topics to professional audiences.

Business Interaction & Influencing Skills

Essential:

• Ability to collaborate across all levels within the organization to address data management issues effectively.
• Engage confidently with external parties such as suppliers, third-party providers, regulators, and law enforcement bodies.
• Support senior leadership in evaluating risks related to data management processes.

Desirable:

• Experience reporting upward to senior leadership teams on complex issues.
• Familiarity with instructing counsel on specialized matters of data management law.

Problem Solving & Decision Making

Essential:

• Strong analytical skills to identify risks and propose evidence-based solutions.
• Ability to provide legally sound advice that supports robust decision-making processes.

Desirable:

• Experience preparing policy papers for senior-level decision-making.

Management & Leadership Behaviors

Desirable:

• Experience managing resources (e.g., staff, external advisers) efficiently for projects addressing data management issues.

Business Impact

The role involves ensuring compliance with laws governing personal, confidential, and sensitive data within the context of enforcement work, which poses heightened risks due to confidentiality requirements. The position requires close involvement by an experienced lawyer familiar with enforcement operations and applicable legal frameworks.

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates