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

DLA Piper•Palo Alto, CA

1d•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 role advises 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 lawyer will work closely with corporate, emerging growth and venture capital, M&A, employment, commercial contracting, and litigation teams to provide integrated counsel on privacy, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and digital regulatory matters. The position requires managing sophisticated matters independently while collaborating across practice groups and advising client teams on legal and business issues. The role is hybrid, with regular in-office presence and some flexibility to work from home. The firm describes the work as sedentary, involving sitting most of the time and occasional walking or standing. The expected hiring range is $200,000–$500,000 per year, depending on geographic market and candidate qualifications. The firm offers medical, dental, and vision insurance, and a 401(k).

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.
Ability to work under pressure and manage competing demands in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to engage in physical and sedentary activity, including extended computer work, on-screen reading and typing, digital or virtual conference calls, and meetings as needed.

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 timely, accurate, quality work; respond efficiently to calls and correspondence; meet deadlines; foster positive work relationships; comply with firm policies; and perform other assigned duties.