Data Privacy Senior Attorney
Michael Best & Friedrich LLP is a full-service law firm with more than 350 lawyers and technical professionals serving clients around the world across diverse industries, trade associations, nonprofits, educational institutions, governments, family trusts, and high-net-worth individuals. Founded in 1848, the firm combines exceptional legal service with business acumen and has offices in Wisconsin, Illinois, Utah, Colorado, Texas, North Carolina, California, Nebraska, and Washington D.C.
About the role
The Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice Group is seeking a Mid to Senior-Level Associate or Senior Counsel with at least five years of experience handling privacy and cybersecurity issues. This role involves advising clients on a wide range of matters, including compliance, risk mitigation, and incident response.
Responsibilities
- Review, update, or draft security policies and compliance programs
- Provide data breach prevention and risk-mitigation counseling, including tabletop exercise design and delivery
- Conduct data breach investigations and response counseling
- Advise on regulatory frameworks for international, federal, and state privacy laws (e.g., state consumer data privacy laws, PCI-DSS, GLBA, HIPAA, GDPR)
- Negotiate complex information technology, licensing, and outsourcing contracts, including privacy and data security clauses and risk allocation (e.g., indemnification, limitation of liability)
- Counsel clients across industries on privacy and data security matters
- Develop data governance strategies (retention, use policies, inventories, mapping)
- Address privacy and cybersecurity due diligence in M&A transactions
- Draft company terms of service and website privacy policies
Requirements
- J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school with excellent academic credentials
- At least 5 years of experience handling privacy and cybersecurity issues
- Passion for staying current on technology-driven privacy and cybersecurity trends
- Privacy professional certification preferred but not required
- Valid U.S. work authorization
Skills
- Adaptability to learn new skills, work under pressure, and meet tight deadlines
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team
- Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
- Strong drafting and negotiation abilities
- Tactful management of confidential information and sensitive situations
- Problem-solving agility to analyze issues, develop solutions, and respond to unexpected challenges
- Professionalism and sound judgment
Benefits
- Competitive base pay
- Unlimited PTO plus 10 paid holidays
- Comprehensive health and wellness benefits (medical, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, wellness program, employee/family assistance program)
- 401(k) with company contribution
- Disability, life, critical illness, and accident insurance
- Parental/family leave
- Performance recognition and bonuses
- ABA, state, and local bar membership fee reimbursement
- Bar exam/bar review course reimbursement
- Mentorship program and specialized training opportunities
- Flexible remote work policy (up to 2.5 days per week)
- Contemporary, collaborative work environment
Pay
The annual compensation range for this role in California, Colorado, District of Columbia, and Illinois offices is $170,000 to $245,000, with final compensation determined by experience, skills, and internal equity. Eligibility for the firm’s bonus program is also available.
Schedule
Full-time position with a flexible remote work policy allowing up to 2.5 days per week remote.