In-House Counsel at Intercept Technologies

Why This In-House Counsel Role Is a Launchpad for Cyber-Focused Lawyers

The era of the generalist lawyer sitting passively in a back office is over. In the fast-moving world of managed security services, in-house counsel are now strategic partners shaping commercial deals, regulatory posture, and even product design. Intercept Technologies—a Dublin-based managed security services provider with distinct verticals in cybersecurity, fintech, and aerospace—has opened a rare door for a newly qualified or recently qualified Irish solicitor or barrister to build an entire legal function from the ground up. This is not a compliance-checkbox job. It is a ground-floor opportunity to become the architect of a legal department inside a bootstrapped, scaling tech company that serves public sector bodies and private clients across Ireland and beyond.

For lawyers eyeing a career beyond private practice, this role offers a compelling blend of commercial contracts, public procurement, data protection, employment law, and regulatory readiness—all under the mentorship of senior leadership. With hybrid working and direct access to the CEO, the successful candidate will not be a remote cog in a giant legal machine. Instead, they will own the legal narrative of a company navigating some of the most complex regulatory landscapes of our time: GDPR, NIS2, DORA, and sector-specific obligations that touch cybersecurity, fintech, and aerospace.

“We're a bootstrapped, fast-growing company delivering security architecture, threat intelligence, and managed services... You'll get exposure and responsibility well beyond a comparable role in private practice.” – Intercept Technologies

The Day-to-Day: What You'll Actually Own

The responsibilities listed in the job description reveal a role that would take three or four specialists in a larger organisation. From day one, you will draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts including MSAs, SLAs, SOWs, NDAs, licensing agreements, and supplier/reseller arrangements. These are the core lifeblood of an MSSP, and the quality of your drafting directly impacts revenue recognition and risk exposure. You will also support public procurement activity, reviewing tender documentation from eTenders/OJEU, advising on framework agreements and conditions of contract, and flagging commercial and legal risks before they become bid-killers.

Beyond commercial work, you will advise on data protection and privacy compliance under GDPR and the Irish Data Protection Act 2018, including DPAs, data processing arrangements, and breach response. This is not just theoretical knowledge—you will be the person who decides what happens when a client's data hits an unexpected problem. Then there is the emerging regulatory stack: NIS2 for cybersecurity, DORA for fintech operational resilience, and aerospace-specific requirements that are still crystallising. Helping the business understand and prepare for these obligations will make you indispensable.

• Contract Lifecycle Management: End-to-end negotiation and drafting across a wide variety of commercial agreements.
• Public Procurement: Advising on tender documentation, framework agreements, and risk allocation in bids.
• Data Protection & Privacy: GDPR compliance, data processing agreements, and breach response management.
• Regulatory Readiness: Mapping NIS2, DORA, and sector-specific obligations to business operations.
• Employment Law: Drafting contracts, policies, and handling WRC-related queries.
• Corporate & IP: Company secretarial support, intra-group arrangements, and intellectual property protection.
• Legal Operations: Building templates, playbooks, and scalable processes for the legal function.

This breadth means no two weeks will look the same. One day you might be reviewing a multi-vendor cybersecurity agreement; the next, you could be advising on an aerospace contract or drafting a fintech data-processing annex. For a lawyer who thrives on variety and hates pigeonholing, this is as good as it gets.

Who Should Apply: Bringing More Than a Law Degree

The essential requirements are clear: you must be a qualified solicitor or barrister in Ireland, newly qualified up to roughly 2–3 years PQE, or due to qualify imminently. You need a solid grounding in commercial contract law, proven drafting and negotiation skills, and the ability to transform legal risk into pragmatic commercial advice. But the real differentiator is attitude. The job description asks for a self-starter who is comfortable with ambiguity and a broad remit in a lean, fast-moving environment. If you need a prescribed workflow or constant supervision, this role will feel overwhelming. If you are energized by owning problems head-on, it will feel like a superpower.

Desirable experience includes exposure to technology, data protection, or public procurement law, and an interest in the cybersecurity, fintech, and regulatory landscape—particularly GDPR, NIS2, and DORA. If you have worked in or with a technology company, financial services, or the public sector, you already know how to straddle the commercial and legal worlds. But even without that background, any candidate who can demonstrate a genuine interest in these areas—perhaps through coursework, blogs, or pro bono work—will stand out. In-house legal teams love lawyers who are curious enough to learn the business, not just the law.

“You'll get exposure and responsibility well beyond a comparable role in private practice, with the autonomy to shape how the legal function develops.”

How to Stand Out in Your Application

Because this is a LinkedIn-hosted job posting, the application process likely involves applying through LinkedIn or direct messaging the recruiter, Joe McCann, who is currently In-House Counsel / Legal Counsel at Intercept Technologies. To make your application compelling, tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the hybrid nature of the role. Highlight any contract negotiation experience, especially with MSAs, SLAs, or procurement frameworks. If you have any prior exposure to GDPR compliance, data protection impact assessments, or breach protocols, showcase that prominently—data privacy is clearly a core part of the role.

Also, do not be shy about showing your interest in cybersecurity and emerging regulation. Mention NIS2, DORA, or the Irish cyber security landscape in your cover letter. You could even mention a recent public procurement case or a GDPR enforcement decision to show you follow the field. Since the company is building its legal function from an early stage, emphasise your ability to create processes and templates, not just react to requests. A lawyer who can build a playbook is worth far more than one who can only redline a contract.

Networking & Direct Outreach

In the tight-knit Irish legal and tech community, a direct, well-crafted LinkedIn message can work wonders. Introduce yourself, explain why this particular role excites you, and reference something specific about Intercept Technologies—maybe its three verticals or its public sector focus. Avoid generic messages. Instead of saying “I am a qualified solicitor seeking new opportunities,” say “I have followed Intercept's growth in managed security services, and I am excited by the chance to build the legal function across cyber, fintech, and aerospace.” That type of specificity shows genuine interest and initiative, exactly the traits they are looking for.

The Career Impact: Why This Role Is a Game-Changer

For early-career lawyers, the toughest hurdle is often finding a role that offers real responsibility without requiring ten years of experience. This position flips that dynamic. You are not joining a massive legal team where you will spend two years doing disclosure review. You are walking into a leadership-shaped role where your advice will directly influence business decisions and regulatory compliance across three high-growth sectors. The mentorship from senior leadership is a built-in benefit, and the “career growth in step with a scaling company” could mean that in a few years, you could be the Head of Legal yourself.

From a CV perspective, this job lights up every keyword legal recruiters love: in-house commercial contracts, GDPR, public procurement, NIS2, DORA, and legal operations. Even if you eventually return to private practice or move to a larger multinational, having built a legal function at Intercept Technologies will set you apart as someone who understands the practical realities of business. In a legal market that increasingly prizes commercial savvy and regulatory foresight, that is priceless.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does this role require Irish qualification? Can foreign-qualified lawyers apply?

Yes, the job description explicitly states that candidates must be a qualified solicitor or barrister in Ireland, or due to qualify imminently. Foreign-qualified lawyers who have not yet taken the Irish conversion exams are not likely to be eligible. However, if you have a strong background in Irish commercial law and are willing to qualify, it may still be worth reaching out to Joe McCann to discuss your specific situation.

2. Is there any fee or bond associated with this position?

No. The posting does not mention any application fee, training bond, or security deposit. It is a standard full-time permanent employment opportunity, and any recruiter or company asking for money from applicants is a red flag. Apply directly through the official LinkedIn job page.

3. What is the application deadline?

The job posting does not specify a deadline. LinkedIn indicates it was posted roughly two days ago, and the role is open until filled. Given the fast-moving nature of startup hiring, interested candidates should apply as soon as possible. The “be among the first 25 applicants” note suggests the employer may review applications on a rolling basis.

4. What are the chances of remote work?

The role is described as hybrid, meaning you will split time between working remotely and working from the Dublin office or meeting clients as needed. The exact hybrid schedule is not specified, so it is best to clarify during the interview process. However, the job's emphasis on public procurement and cross-functional work suggests a regular presence in Dublin will be necessary.