PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
We are seeking a senior data, digital and commercial law specialist to support and grow our nationally recognised Data and Digital team, with a focus on complex, multi-jurisdictional advisory and contract work and incident response.
This is a strategic hire to help meet increasing client demand across our core sectors - retail, tech, sports, healthcare, and financial services - and to enhance our capabilities across non-contentious matters.
We are particularly interested in individuals with at least 5 years' PQE+, who are looking to step into a Managing Associate level role.
This is a high performing, cohesive and busy team with excellent prospects for career development, and secondments, if you want them.
THE TEAM
Our Commercial team is a national group, with teams across each AG office working together on national and cross border transactions.
The Scottish team have an enviable client base and consists of three partners (Helena Brown - Head of Data, Ross McKenzie and Ross Nicol), fee earners, trainees and embedded paralegals who are involved in a range of work types including Data, Digital and Commercial advisory, Intellectual Property protection and exploitation, freedom of information, IT outsourcing, business process outsourcing, facilities management outsourcing, logistics, SaaS, cloud arrangements and commercial contracts.
You will be based in the Edinburgh office for this role. The wider Data team are based across all of our UK offices.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN THIS ROLE
You will be leafing on a spread of data, digital and commercial advisory work, including strategic advisory projects, data and information access, incident response, and preparing and negotiating a range of commercial contracts for clients on both the customer and supplier side as well as managing transactions across IT and intellectual property issues.
In this role, you will:
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Lead on complex data, digital and commercial work servicing high-profile clients, including advising on GDPR/UK GDPR compliance, international data transfers, PECR, AI/data ethics, smart data, cyber regulation and regulatory investigations.
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Be a primary contact for key clients, managing relationships, driving delivery, and offering commercial, solution-focused advice.
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Supervise and mentor junior lawyers, helping shape their development while ensuring high-quality, consistent output across the team.
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Deliver and manage large-scale compliance projects and incident response plans, ensuring timely and thorough execution.
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Work cross-functionally with teams including commercial, disputes, employment, and legal tech to provide integrated client support.
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Help shape team strategy by contributing to business development, thought leadership, and client engagement activities
Your impact will include:
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Strengthening AG's reputation as a trusted adviser on complex data, digital and technology issues
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Enhancing delivery capability across the UK and internationally
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Supporting the development and progression of junior talent within the team
YOUR AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE
You will have:
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Significant experience advising on complex commercial contracts, technology, digital and data protection matters gained within a leading private practice or in-house legal team.
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Strong technical expertise combined with excellent commercial judgement, enabling you to provide pragmatic, strategic and solutions-focused advice to a diverse client base.
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A proven ability to build and maintain trusted client relationships, taking ownership of matters and acting as a key day-to-day adviser to clients.
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Experience supervising, mentoring and developing junior lawyers, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team culture.
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A track record of identifying opportunities to deepen client relationships and supporting business development, profile-raising and market engagement activities.
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The ambition to play an active role in the continued growth of the Commercial & Data practice, contributing to strategic initiatives across the Scottish and international business.
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Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to lead complex transactions, manage multiple stakeholders and consistently deliver high-quality outcomes.
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Excellent interpersonal skills, commercial awareness and the confidence to work alongside partners and clients on strategically important and intellectually challenging matters.
We're looking for a Managing Associate (5+ PQE) to join our nationally recognised Data & Digital team in Edinburgh, working closely with Helena Brown, Head of Data, and colleagues across our UK network.
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Join a high-performing, market-leading Data & Digital practice
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Advise leading clients across retail, technology, sports, healthcare and financial services
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Lead on complex data protection, technology and commercial matters
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Work on GDPR compliance, international data transfers, AI governance, cyber regulation and regulatory investigations
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Manage major compliance projects, incident response matters and strategic advisory work
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Build and develop key client relationships as a trusted day-to-day adviser
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Mentor and support the development of junior lawyers
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Contribute to business development, thought leadership and the continued growth of the practice
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Excellent opportunities for career progression and secondments
We're keen to hear from lawyers who have:
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5+ years' PQE in data protection, technology, digital or commercial contracts work
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Strong experience advising on complex commercial and technology transactions
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Excellent commercial judgement and a pragmatic, solutions-focused approach
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Proven experience managing client relationships and leading matters
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A passion for mentoring junior colleagues and contributing to team growth
This is an exciting opportunity to join a thriving team at the forefront of data, digital and technology law, working on complex, high-profile matters for an outstanding client base.
Why Choose Us?
Addleshaw Goddard is a place where you are not just valued but encouraged to reach your full potential. Our culture promotes improvement, growth, and collaboration, making us the natural choice for top-tier clients. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our employees.
Interested? If this role sounds like your next career step, we'd love to hear from you. Click the Apply button to view the full role profile on our website and start your application!
