Senior Legal Counsel, GenAI, Tech and Data

At Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, our ambition is to help you achieve your goals.

Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why many are incredibly longstanding. And we enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 100 years.

We are where you need us to be. We are in the world's largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs. Our international footprint is extensive and committed.

We are at our best tackling complexity and navigating change. We work alongside you on demanding contentious matters, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas.

We are immersed in the sectors and challenges that impact you. We are recognised as standing apart in energy, ESG, infrastructure and resources. And we're focused on areas of growth that affect every business across the world, including technology and digitalisation.

All of this is achieved by supporting the growth of our people, who help us deliver on our ambition - which is to help you achieve yours.

Your goals. Our ambition.

The Opportunity

Overview

This role will support the General Counsel in the delivery of legal advice across a range of topics relevant to the firm's use of data, tech, Gen AI and emerging technologies.

The role will provide pragmatic, commercial and solution-led legal advice in a way which enables the firm to achieve its strategic aims at pace, and ensures that a consistent approach is taken globally while minimising material legal risk.

Regulatory requirements will differ globally, and so the successful candidate will have the ability to understand and interpret requirements in non-local jurisdictions – in order to appropriately manage the complexity of the legal position of the firm across the firm's global network as needed.

Data is the life blood of any professional services firm and in particular to lawyers it is central to our obligations to our clients and others and our licence to practice.

Key to success is the relationship with the partners - whether specialist in this field or otherwise; leveraging their expertise and enthusiasm, engaging with them in this transition and helping lead change at pace.

As part of the in the broader General Counsel's office this person will work with other In house Counsel as part of the broader provision of legal advice and advice on our legal professional framework and professional conduct obligations.

Key responsibilities

• Drawing together subject matter legal expertise from across the firm to inform the advice to the firm and ensuring the firm is up to date with developing laws and regulations relating to emerging technologies and data;
• Developing, promoting and advising internally on legal issues and policies as they relate to data, tech, Gen AI and emerging technologies;
• Building out the firm's policies to reflect this advice, and confirming the guardrails in which decisions should be taken;
• Developing and approving training on data related issues;
• Advising on the laws and professional obligations surrounding the collection, use, maintenance, location and retention of data;
• Assisting Senior Leaders and Partners to come to decisions as required.

Qualifications, skills and experience

• A technically-astute qualified lawyer with experience or a keen interest in new and emerging technologies and digital transformation, and experience of the developing laws, regulations and best practice relating data generally and to GenAI in particular; and a working knowledge of data privacy laws.
• An awareness of legislative change and its applicability to lawyers in a global professional services firm
• A decisive, pragmatic and commercial approach
• Minimum 5 years PQE; qualified in a common law jurisdiction.
• We are open to the Candidate's prior experience: it may come from a role where there has been leadership and innovation in this field, private practice, or another professional services firm; in all cases we are looking for an ability to manage a fast moving and complex legal and rules environment and pace of change
• Excellent interpersonal skills – the person will liaise with both lawyers and business services groups, in each case at all levels of seniority and from all HSF offices, and should be confident to challenge as appropriate
• This role has a global remit – a desire and ability to work between time zones and cultures with a range of people is essential

Team

General Counsel and Risk

Working Pattern

Full time

Location

London, New York, Sydney

Contract type

Permanent Contract

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.