Associate Legal Counsel

Job Description

Job Description

Junior-Senior Level Associates (x2)

§ Title : Junior Associate-Senior Associate/Counsel

§ Practice Area : Global Data Protection / Consumer Privacy & Regulatory Defense, Data Privacy, Artificial Intelligence & Regulatory Compliance

§ Location : San Francisco, CA

§ Salary : $235,000 to $390,000 Base Salary (Commensurate with seniority and technical expertise)

Comprehensive premier health and wellness insurance packages; Negotiated provider service rates; Discretionary performance bonuses; Clear partner-track trajectory; Relocation assistance for qualified candidates.

§ Schedule : Full-time, Direct-Hire, Minimum 1,850 hours annual billed

§ The Firm :

Our client is a preeminent AmLaw 100 global firm, distinguished by a storied history of advising the world’s most influential technology and life sciences companies. With a presence in the world’s leading financial and technology hubs, the firm is consistently recognized by Chambers USA and The Legal 500 with Tier 1 and Tier 2 rankings for its Privacy & Data Security and Corporate Technology practices. This firm is not merely a legal advisor but a strategic partner to the Fortune 100 , frequently sought for its "exceptional responsiveness" and "deep technical fluency" in navigating the most complex regulatory landscapes.

The firm’s Regulatory and Consumer Protection group is a national powerhouse, led by former government officials and industry pioneers. They have been named one of the Top 25 Most Recommended Law Firms by General Counsel for five consecutive years. Joining this practice offers the opportunity to work at the bleeding edge of the law, addressing the legal implications of Artificial Intelligence, global data flows, and high-stakes regulatory investigations. It is an environment that values sophisticated problem-solving and offers a transparent path to partnership for dedicated practitioners.

§ Duties :

The firm is seeking multiple attorneys—ranging from the Junior to Senior Associate levels—to join its elite San Francisco-based regulatory practice. The successful candidates will serve as pivotal advisors to global enterprises, navigating the intersection of emerging technology and stringent data protection mandates. This role involves a sophisticated blend of proactive compliance counseling, transactional due diligence, and high-stakes regulatory defense.

Core responsibilities include:

⨖ Providing expert counsel on the implementation of major global and domestic data protection frameworks, including the CCPA/CPRA , GDPR , and burgeoning state-level privacy statutes.

⨖ Defending clients in high-stakes regulatory investigations initiated by the FTC , State Attorneys General , and other domestic and international oversight bodies.

⨖ Architecting and negotiating complex commercial agreements, including Data Processing Agreements (DPAs), cross-border transfer protocols, and vendor service agreements.

⨖ Developing and refining internal governance structures for Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems, ensuring alignment with the EU AI Act and evolving U.S. federal and state-level automated decision-making regulations.

⨖ Executing comprehensive privacy and security-related due diligence for multi-billion dollar corporate mergers, acquisitions, and private equity investments.

⨖ Managing data breach preparedness and response, including risk mitigation, incident coordination, and mandatory notification protocols.

⨖ Drafting and revising foundational data protection policies, including external-facing privacy notices, terms of service, and information security internal controls.

§ Qualifications :

Absolute requirements for the role include:

⨖ Juris Doctor (J.D.) from a nationally recognized and ABA-accredited law school with an outstanding academic record.

⨖ Active Bar Membership in the State of California in good standing.

⨖ Between Two (2) and Six (6) years of substantive experience in data privacy, consumer protection, or regulatory litigation.

⨖ Proven experience within an AmLaw 100 firm or a top-tier boutique regulatory practice.

⨖ Demonstrated tech fluency and the ability to translate complex technical concepts into actionable legal advice.

§ Skills :

The following preferential qualifications will enable an individual to thrive in this sophisticated role:

⨖ Specific sector expertise in financial services, digital advertising, telecommunications, or healthcare (HIPAA/HITECH).

⨖ Familiarity with specialized frameworks such as COPPA , TCPA , FCRA , GLBA , or CAN-SPAM .

⨖ Advanced credentials such as CIPP/US , CIPP/E , or CIPM certifications from the IAPP.

⨖ A demonstrated history of leading significant projects and engaging directly with C-suite level clients.

⨖ Experience defending data privacy class actions, including claims involving wiretapping statutes or the Stored Communications Act .

!Notice¡

This a job advertisement on behalf of our client and does not reflect the full job description for the role. Any qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. You will need to provide law school transcripts, a writing sample or deal sheets, and a cover letter in order to be considered for this role. This posting does not constitute an offer of employment. and the listed compensation details may vary by state or experience and will be discussed thoroughly during interview phase.