Associate - Data Protection & Information Governance

As part of an experienced team with a broad spread of specialist knowledge, you will have the opportunity to engage with relevant regulatory bodies and with a variety of courts and tribunals in support of our clients. You will be able to use your experience in handling contentious matters to provide practical recommendations and to guide clients through the resolution of information law-based disputes. You will also provide support to colleagues in other areas where data law and its implications affect their work.
Your day-to-day workload will include:

• Advice on and acting in disputes arising from breach of UK data protection law, including the UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, e.g. claims arising from personal data breaches, mis-use of personal data or breach of confidentiality.


• Responding to personal data breaches and cyber incidents, including advising on the containment, rectification, notification and remediation of those events.


• Preparing and advising on communications with the Information Commissioner and other regulators where relevant;


• All aspects of data subject access requests, including scoping and searches, reviewing documents, applying exemptions, and advising on complaints.


• Advice on and acting in disputes arising from the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003.


• Advice on and acting in disputes arising from the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations.


You may also be asked to support other members of the team when providing advice on specialist areas of information and surveillance laws, as well as support the NSL¿s dispute resolution teams on a wider range of reputation management and contentious issues relating to litigation, liability and governance.
The role involves business development and client relationship responsibilities such as:

• Building strong client relationships


• Supporting client relationship manages to deliver outstanding client service


• Attending internal and external networking events


• Contributing to the continued development of the profile of the firm through the writing of articles and blogs for both Mills & Reeve and external publications


• Supporting the delivery of training and other sessions to clients and prospects
  
  You will be at 3-7 years PQE (solicitor or barrister) with experience in conducting litigation. You will have some experience in data protection issues and information governance work. Experience of work in any particular sector is not essential.

Essential

• Experience of legal practice in the context of data protection and information rights.


• Experience of conducting litigation


• IT literacy, including familiarity with MS Office


• Excellent written English and ability to produce clear, logical drafting


• Lateral thinking and problem-solving skills


• Ability to build and strengthen relationships with clients and potential clients


• Good research skills, including an ability to use online information sources


• Negotiating skills


• Effective time and matter paper management skills with a systematic approach to work


• Excellent communication, interpersonal and team skills, including an ability to work with others, influence and persuade


• Drive and commitment to see a job through


• Attention to detail


Desirable

• Experience of complaints to the Information Commissioner and/or First Tier Tribunal (General Regulatory Chamber) on information rights matters


• Advocacy and other public speaking.
  
  Who will I be working with?

You will be working with Helen Tringham, partner, Claire Williams and Emma Tuck to whom you will report on a day-to-day basis. The team is part of the cross- office Regulatory Public and Commercial Disputes NSL headed up by partner, Duncan Astill.
What else should I know?
Mills & Reeve is a major UK law firm renowned for its outstanding service to national and international clients, for its collaborative culture and for its deep sector expertise.
The firm has a strong sector focus with expertise in agriculture, charities, education, food and beverage, health, insurance, private wealth, real estate investment, sport and technology. Clients include businesses from PLCs to start-ups, high net worth individuals and landowners, more than 120 universities, colleges and education bodies and over 100 healthcare organisations.
This is an ideal opportunity to build your skills and experience with a major UK law firm, listed as one of the ¿Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For¿ for the last 20 years - the only law firm to achieve this.
We are also proud to have been awarded Platinum Investors in People status this year. The firm joins a select club of only 6% of 50,000 assessed organisations awarded the coveted platinum status.
The firm is also delighted to report for the eighth year running we were named as one of Roll On Friday¿s `best law firms to works at¿.
Pre-employment screening
Please note that, in the event that we make an offer of employment, we will conduct pre-employment screening that includes checks relating to your professional and academic qualifications, references from previous employers, your eligibility to work in the UK and any disciplinary history recorded with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). You will also be required to complete a self-declaration to assess your character and suitability.
Disclosure and barring service check and security clearance
This post is also subject to a satisfactory response from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) (to check for any previous criminal convictions and cautions) and, given the nature of the work-type, you may also be required to undergo national security vetting to SC level ¿ the latter can be undertaken following commencement of employment.
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