As a reflection of our commitment to privacy and data protection, the Firm has a dedicated Global Privacy Office to assist the Firm meet its various data protection obligations for its global operations.
We have an opportunity for an experienced Paralegal to support the Privacy Office deliver core privacy services to the firm globally.
The role requires a highly motivated and skilled paralegal who is capable of working with minimal supervision within a global team, providing support with the completion of data protection-related work and a range of organisational tasks.
The Legal Department
Our Legal department, made up of both qualified lawyers and non-lawyers, exists to manage the firm’s risk exposure and to provide advice to the firm on a range of legal and compliance issues.
The role of the Legal department is to support the firm in pursing the effective management of regulatory, legal, operational, and information security risk so as to preserve and maximise the value of the firm over the long term. We do this by taking responsibility for a range of actions, by sharing in the performance of others and by assisting partners and staff to manage risk themselves through training, awareness raising and the provision of relevant intelligence, services and materials.
Our vision is for our department to be recognised as a leader amongst comparable, elite, law firms. That means being acknowledged internally as providing an excellent service in a commercial and empathetic manner. It means adequately meeting the needs of the firm while remaining agile and cost effective; constantly refining our techniques, objectives and ways of working to respond to changes in the business and the threats we face.
Key responsibilities and deliverables
To support Privacy Office team-members, with aspects of the team’s work, including:
Data Subject Right Requests: data processing such as data recovery, filtering, redaction and deletion;
Privacy impact assessments: issuing supplier questionnaires, information gathering, completing Privacy Office templates;
Records: maintaining the firm’s statutory data protection registers;
Legal research: undertaking research on regulatory developments and sharing findings with Privacy Office and Legal Department;
Projects: project manage Privacy Office compliance workstreams and projects;
Training/Presentations: preparation of PowerPoint presentations, PowerBI reports;
Legal Department/Firm Initiatives: Provision of administrative support as needed with wider Legal Department projects and initiatives.
Key requirements
Essential
An interest in data protection and/or technology law, with the desire to expand knowledge in this area.
Excellent legal research and drafting skills.
An effective communicator.
Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities and perform under pressure.
A pro-active and collaborative mindset.
Ability to apply critical thinking, factoring in legal and regulatory requirements.
Proficient/competent with use of Excel, PowerPoint and Word applications.
Undergraduate degree in law, preferably 2:1 or above (if undergraduate degree in an area other than law must have completed conversion course).
Desirable
Working knowledge of the UK GDPR or similar data protection laws and data protection principles.
Familiarity with technology, information management systems.
Previous paralegal experience.
Inclusion
Freshfields is an equal opportunities employer and all applications received by the firm will be considered based on their merit alone and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of background. All offers of employment will be conditional on the candidate having/securing the right to work in the UK and providing the firm with evidence of that right (as required by the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006) prior to employment commencing.
Freshfields is a Ban the Box employer. We ask applicants to disclose criminal convictions only when a conditional job offer is made. A conviction does not automatically lead to withdrawal of the offer: we make decisions on a case-by-case basis and take a number of factors into account (e.g. the role you are applying for and the circumstances of the offence). You would have the opportunity to discuss the matter with us before we make a decision.