Legal Counsel

Proton•Geneva, IL

About The Position

Join Proton and build a better internet where privacy is the default Proton was founded in 2014 by scientists from CERN on a simple truth: privacy is a fundamental human right. Since then, we’ve built the world’s largest encrypted email service (Proton Mail) and expanded into Proton VPN, Proton Drive, Proton Pass, and Proton Calendar — tools used by millions globally to protect their freedom, fight censorship, and keep their data safe. In some situations, Proton has literally helped save lives. We are profitable, independent (no VC control), and selectively hire from the top ~1% of applicants. Our 700+ team members across 50+ countries come from leading organizations and elite academic backgrounds. We move fast, keep hierarchy light, and prioritize impact over optics. If you want to do meaningful work with exceptionally high-caliber people, this is it. Check our open-source projects here . The Legal Team Proton’s legal function covers everything from GDPR enforcement and government data requests to commercial contracting and AI regulation — across products used by millions globally, including journalists, activists, and organizations operating in high-risk environments. The team is small, embedded directly in the business, and expected to give fast, clear, commercially grounded advice without layers of escalation. We’re growing the function as Proton’s B2B business scales and the AI regulatory landscape becomes more complex.

Requirements

3–5 years of legal experience in a law firm or in-house role, with meaningful exposure to technology, SaaS, or digital platforms
Solid working knowledge of GDPR and EU data protection law, applied in practice
Demonstrated ability to draft and negotiate commercial technology contracts independently
Strong business judgment — you give clear, actionable advice and know when to flag a real problem versus when to let the team ship
Fluent in English; French, German, or Spanish is a genuine plus given our EU footprint

Nice To Haves

Exposure to AI regulation (EU AI Act) or advising on AI product development
Experience with government legal requests or regulatory enforcement proceedings

Responsibilities

Own legal review for product launches across Proton Mail, VPN, Drive, Pass, and Calendar — identifying regulatory risks before they reach users
Draft, negotiate, and close SaaS, vendor, and partnership agreements with minimal external counsel involvement
Advise on GDPR compliance and handle user data requests, regulatory inquiries, and government data requests in line with Proton’s privacy commitments
Build the legal and governance framework for Proton’s AI-driven features, including EU AI Act compliance and responsible data use policies
Identify gaps in contracts, templates, and internal compliance processes and fix them — reducing legal bottlenecks across the business
Support expansion into new markets by assessing regulatory requirements and enabling product rollout

Benefits

Work that Matters: Millions of people trust Proton with their privacy. We answer only to our users — not advertisers, not investors with conflicting agendas, not governments.
A Great Team: Diverse, collaborative, and tight knit, with people from MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Caltech, Cambridge, ETH, and more.
Technology: The right hardware and software to do your best work.
Learning & Development: We invest in your growth. Proton is one of the fastest ways to accelerate your career — real challenges, real ownership, from day one.
Employee Benefits: Strong health coverage, solid retirement options, generous leave, and wellness support.
Stock Options: From day one, you have a real stake in what we’re building. When Proton wins, you win.
In-Person Collaboration: Offices across Geneva, Zürich, Barcelona, London, and more. You’ll spend most of your time collaborating face-to-face.
Food: Lunch and snacks on us every day in the office.
Transport: We cover public transport, bike allowances, or parking — whichever works for you.
Flexible Working: You own your schedule. Outcomes matter more than clock-in times.