Legal Counsel (Data Protection)

Introduction

Gowling WLG, a leading international law firm recognized as one of the best places to work in the UK, is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Legal Counsel (Data Protection) to join its General Counsel team. Based in the firm's state-of-the-art office in Birmingham, England, this full-time, mid-senior level role offers an exceptional opportunity for a qualified lawyer to act as a subject matter expert in data protection and privacy within a global commercial environment.

Key Responsibilities

As Legal Counsel, you will play a pivotal role within both the Compliance and General Counsel teams. Your primary responsibilities will include:

• Providing specialist legal advice and guidance on data protection and privacy matters to ensure the firm meets its regulatory obligations.
• Managing data breaches, handling complex data subject access requests (DSARs), and resolving privacy-related complaints.
• Supporting regulatory notifications and leading comprehensive privacy audits across the business.
• Interpreting complex legislation and translating it into practical, solutions-focused advice for both legal and non-legal stakeholders.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for this role, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Professional Qualification: Must be a qualified lawyer.
• Experience: A minimum of three (3) years of post-qualification experience (PQE) gained in private practice, in-house industry, or a relevant regulatory authority.
• Core Competencies: Proven expertise in data protection, strong commercial awareness, and the ability to balance legal risks with practical business outcomes.
• Desirable Qualifications: Professional privacy certifications (such as CIPP or BCS), experience in data governance, information security, and exposure to international data protection frameworks (specifically in Europe, China, and the Middle East).

Benefits and Compensation

Gowling WLG offers a comprehensive and highly competitive benefits package, which includes:

• A flexible, hybrid approach to office and remote working.
• 25 days of annual leave, with the option to purchase up to an additional week.
• Free private medical insurance (with family add-on options) and a generous pension allowance.
• Life assurance coverage equivalent to four times your annual salary.
• The unique opportunity for a three-month sabbatical every five years of service.
• Access to state-of-the-art office facilities in Birmingham City Centre, featuring an onsite restaurant.

Application Details

Interested candidates should submit their applications before the closing date. For queries or to request a full job description, candidates may contact the recruitment representative directly.

• Application Deadline: June 30, 2026
• Contact Person: Meg Astley
• Contact Email: meg.astley@gowlingwlg.com