Commercial, Data and Technology Associate

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We will offer you a place where you can be yourself and where there are no limits on what you can achieve. With us, you can take ownership of your career and have honest conversations throughout. You would join an ambitious firm with a clear strategy for profitable growth where you can get early responsibility and early involvement in growing the business. Here you can expect a competitive and fair reward as well as recognition based on all round performance. This forms part of our internal promise to you, The Deal, between the firm and its employees.

You can expect:

• A competitive salary and a host of family friendly policies
• A competitive bonus package, which includes rewards for introducing new clients
• Life assurance, private health and dental care for you and your family
• A range of flexible benefits including gym discount and retail vouchers
• Tech, cycle and electric car schemes
• The opportunity to support the firm's charity through volunteering leave
• A wellbeing strategy that focuses on preventative measures to maintain overall health, and tools and support for when our people experience physical or mental difficulties. The strategy focuses on four pillars: physical, emotional, financial and social aspects.
• Most of our roles allow hybrid working, meaning that colleagues benefit from working in our office and remotely. We are happy to discuss this and other flexible working arrangements with you as part of the application and interview process.
• We are an equal opportunity organisation, committed to having a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, culture, or any other protected characteristics. We aim to create a culture where everyone can be themselves and is valued for their strengths and unique perspectives.

We are recruiting for a mid-level associate to join our Commercial, Data, and Technology team in London. The ideal candidate would have 3-5 years of private practice experience advising on technology transactions and data protection matters, with an interest in maintaining a split across both areas. However, we would still be interested in hearing from candidates who focus more on either technology or data protection.

You would be working with the technology team led by Simon Bollans, and/or the data protection team led by Katie Hewson. Clients includes large international technology and energy companies and consumer and household brands, working for both the supplier and customer markets. 

The role sits within the firm’s Commercial, Data, and Technology team within the Intellectual Property, Technology and Data Practice Group, which currently comprises of 9 partners and 25 associates. We also have a knowledge development lawyer supporting the team.

Our team advises on a broad range of technology and data protection matters, from software licensing to large scale IT outsourcing and implementation projects, and on complex data sharing and monetisation arrangements and the intersection of AI with privacy.

Whilst the team works for clients in a broad range of market sectors, our focus is on technology, financial services, life sciences, hotels and leisure, art and transport, aligning with the firm’s strengths. Whilst some work covers corporate transaction support, the vast majority of work is for its “own” clients on standalone specialist technology and data projects. There are also regular secondment opportunities.

• Advising on all aspects of data protection law compliance, including drafting and reviewing contracts, policies and notices; co-ordinating responses to data subject access requests, regulatory investigations and data breaches; and advising on innovative uses of personal data such as in the context of AI or automated decision-making.
• Advising on a broad range of data and digital regulation including e-privacy law, cybersecurity laws, artificial intelligence regulation and digital services and markets laws.
• Supporting clients who are licensing out or procuring in a variety of technology solutions, or providing outsourced or managed services, and be responsible for providing pragmatic commercial analysis and advice, and clear, concise and unambiguous drafting. You will have the opportunity to advise clients on risks and mitigations, and participate in and lead contract negotiations.
• Managing commercial aspects of corporate transactions, including the negotiation and drafting of TSAs.
• Working with and delegating tasks to junior team members, including junior associates and trainees
• Liaising with clients and developing own informal internal and external network of contacts and clients.
  Participating in and contributing to business development and profile-raising events, such as client seminars and know-how materials

• Data protection experience should include detailed knowledge of, and ability to apply, the UK and EU GDPR/UK Data Protection Act 2018, and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations.
• A good understanding of UK and EU digital regulation, including AI opportunities and challenges, and advising clients on AI regulation, governance and contracting.
• Ability to draft complex technology agreements (MSAs, software/SaaS licences, software development agreements), with experience advising in the financial services and life sciences sector preferable.
• Ability to acquire, consolidate and apply fundamental and up-to-date knowledge of the law, with accuracy and attention to detail and excellent verbal communication skills.
• Resilient with the ability to handle pressure and competing deadlines, being organised and able to work to strict deadlines with the ability to prioritise realistically.
• Cooperative and collaborative in approach and able to develop excellent working relationships at all levels and within all roles, operating professionally and proactively at all times.
• Exhibits an understanding of the firm’s position in the market and how it distinguishes its services from its competitors.

This job description is indicative only and does not represent an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The firm reserves the right to alter or change the responsibilities at any time, in line with the firm's strategy and business needs.

With 8 offices worldwide and with our headquarters based in London, Stephenson Harwood is a law firm where our people are committed to achieving the goals of our clients - listed and private companies, institutions and individuals across the globe. Our mix of expertise and culture results in a combination of deep local insight and the capability to provide a seamless international service.

Our experience encompasses corporate, commercial litigation and arbitration, employment, pensions and private wealth, finance, marine and international trade, and real estate and projects.

We assemble teams of bright thinkers to match our clients' needs and give the right advice from the right person at the right time. Dedicating the highest calibre of legal talent to overcome the most complex issues, we deliver pragmatic, expert advice that is set squarely in the real world.
We understand the power of diversity in delivering that high calibre advice to our clients. We want to attract diverse talent and we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented demographics.

Our Values

Individuality - We encourage creativity and develop talent.
Commitment - To be the best and deliver the highest standard.
Teamwork - We work together to build close, long-term relationships.
Straight talking - We say what we mean and do what we say.

Our Vision into 2026

To be a successful firm where talented people work together in an entrepreneurial environment, building long term client relationships.

This version is about who we want to be, as well as who we are. It is as much about our values as about our character - the attributes we want to see from all of our people. That's how we unlock our entrepreneurial spirit, advising our clients with top performing teams.

A key part of the 2026 strategy is to focus on five core sectors: energy transition; life sciences and healthcare; private capital and funds; technology; transportation and trade. These have been identified as crucial in the drive for accelerated profitable growth.