Data Protection, Privacy and Security Of Counsel (Palo Alto)

DLA Piper•Palo Alto, CA

2d•$200,000 - $500,000•Hybrid

About The Position

DLA Piper is seeking a highly qualified Counsel to join its nationally recognized Data Protection, Privacy and Security practice in Palo Alto. The lawyer will advise emerging growth companies, venture-backed technology companies, unicorns, public technology companies, venture capital investors, and strategic acquirers on practical, business-focused privacy, cybersecurity, AI governance, and product matters throughout the corporate lifecycle. The role partners with corporate, emerging growth and venture capital, M&A, employment, commercial contracting, and litigation teams to provide integrated advice on privacy, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and digital regulatory matters. The position includes counseling on U.S. and international privacy laws, AI governance, data use, technology transactions, privacy compliance programs, product launches, transaction diligence, incident response, and related regulatory obligations. The lawyer will work with product, engineering, security, and executive teams to integrate privacy-by-design and AI governance into business operations. This is a hybrid position requiring regular in-office presence with some flexibility to work from home. The firm’s work-location requirements may be modified at its discretion. The role is based in California and requires admission to the California Bar. The expected hiring range is $200,000–$500,000 per year, depending on geographic market location and candidate qualifications. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance and a 401(k). Non-California applicants are not eligible for relocation assistance unless relocation is required at the firm’s direction and in accordance with applicable policy and law.

Requirements

Approximately 8–15 years of relevant privacy, cybersecurity, technology transactions, or regulatory counseling experience.
Significant experience advising technology companies on privacy and data governance issues.
Deep familiarity with California privacy laws, consumer privacy regulation, data security requirements, and emerging AI regulations.
Experience supporting venture-backed companies, software companies, AI companies, cloud providers, digital platforms, or other technology-focused businesses.
Strong drafting, negotiation, and client counseling skills.
Ability to manage sophisticated matters independently while working effectively across multiple practice groups.
J.D. from an accredited law school with strong academic credentials.
Admission to the California Bar.

Nice To Haves

Product counseling for AI, SaaS, cloud, marketplace, or platform companies.
Venture capital and emerging company ecosystem experience.
Transactional privacy and cybersecurity diligence.
Cross-border data transfer and international compliance counseling.
AI governance and generative AI advisory work.
Regulatory investigation and incident response experience.

Responsibilities

Advise technology companies on U.S. and international privacy and data protection laws, including state privacy statutes and global privacy frameworks.
Counsel clients on AI governance, responsible AI deployment, data use practices, training data considerations, and emerging regulatory obligations.
Draft, review, and negotiate privacy and data security provisions in commercial, technology, SaaS, licensing, cloud services, strategic partnership, and vendor agreements.
Support venture-backed and high-growth companies from formation through exit, including privacy compliance program development and product launches.
Conduct privacy and cybersecurity diligence for venture financings, mergers, acquisitions, investments, and strategic transactions.
Advise on incident response preparedness, regulatory investigations, breach notification obligations, and security governance frameworks.
Develop privacy notices, policies, data processing agreements, consent mechanisms, and internal governance documentation.
Partner with product, engineering, security, and executive leadership teams to integrate privacy-by-design and AI governance principles into business operations.
Collaborate with lawyers across the Emerging Growth and Venture Capital, Technology Transactions, and M&A practices to deliver coordinated counsel to technology-focused clients.
Communicate effectively with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and third parties.
Produce deliverables and respond to phone calls and correspondence efficiently and responsively; provide timely, accurate, quality work product.
Meet deadlines and expectations, foster positive work relationships, comply with firm policies and practices, and perform other assigned duties, tasks, or projects.
Work under pressure and manage competing demands in a fast-paced environment.