Explore Product & Data Protection Counsel jobs, a pivotal and dynamic legal role at the intersection of technology, product development, and global privacy regulation. Professionals in this field serve as essential strategic partners within technology companies, guiding the creation and evolution of products while ensuring rigorous compliance with complex data protection laws. This career path is ideal for attorneys who thrive in fast-paced environments and seek to directly influence how innovative services are built and brought to market responsibly. The core mission of a Product & Data Protection Counsel is to embed legal and privacy-by-design principles directly into the product lifecycle. Common responsibilities include acting as a primary legal advisor to product management, engineering, and research & development teams. They conduct comprehensive legal assessments of new product features, functionalities, and data processing activities, identifying and mitigating risks related to privacy, security, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance. A significant part of the role involves staying abreast of evolving global frameworks like the GDPR, CCPA, and emerging AI regulations, translating these complex requirements into actionable guidance for non-legal colleagues. Furthermore, these counsels frequently draft and negotiate a variety of commercial agreements, such as SaaS terms, data processing addendums (DPAs), and technology integration contracts, with a strong focus on data security and liability provisions. Typical skills and requirements for these specialized counsel jobs include a Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent law degree and admission to a state bar. Candidates generally possess 3-7 years of combined experience from a law firm and, preferably, in-house at a technology company. A solid technical understanding of cloud services, software development cycles, and SaaS architecture is highly advantageous to effectively communicate with engineering teams. Essential legal expertise encompasses deep knowledge of global data protection laws, alongside familiarity with adjacent areas like intellectual property, open-source software licensing, and export controls. Success in these roles demands exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, the ability to distill legal concepts into practical business advice, and a proven talent for cross-functional collaboration with security, compliance, and product teams. Strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects and a proactive, business-oriented mindset are paramount. For legal professionals passionate about technology and privacy, Product & Data Protection Counsel jobs offer a unique opportunity to shape the digital landscape. It is a career dedicated to enabling innovation while building trust, ensuring that products not only delight users but also protect their data and comply with an ever-changing regulatory world. If you are seeking a role where legal expertise directly enables product strategy and company growth, exploring these counsel positions is your next strategic move.
