Cyber & Data Associate
This is an opportunity to join a market-leading Cyber Risk and Data Breach Response practice, recognised for its niche expertise advising on high-stakes, insurance-backed cyber incidents.The team operates at the sharp end of cyber and data risk. When a breach or cyber incident occurs, insurers activate cover and this team is instructed to lead and coordinate the legal response — often within hours. Matters are fast-moving, commercially driven, and typically escalate and resolve quickly.This is a contentious, incident-led role, combining cyber security, data protection, regulatory strategy and insurance advisory work. It suits lawyers who thrive in high-pressure, time-critical environments and want genuine responsibility early.Hiring is opportunistic rather than headcount-driven. Strong individuals are considered whenever the fit is right, and processes can move quickly when a need crystallises.The Work You will be involved in:
- Advising on live cyber incidents and data breaches from first notification through to resolution
- Leading and coordinating insurance-funded breach responses
- Managing multi-jurisdictional incidents, including cross-border regulatory considerations
- Advising on ICO strategy, notifications and regulatory engagement
- Working closely with insurers, brokers, forensic investigators, PR firms and technical experts
- Supporting clients through high-pressure, reputationally sensitive situations
- Providing clear, commercial advice to boards, risk teams and in-house legal functions
- A highly specialised, insurance-driven practice model
- Deep experience handling complex, high-value cyber and data incidents
- A calm, structured approach to crisis management
- Close, day-to-day collaboration across legal, technical and commercial stakeholders
- Strong internal support and knowledge-sharing on cyber risk trends
- Hands-on cyber incident and/or data breach response experience (core requirement)
- Experience advising under time pressure with incomplete information
- Strong understanding of data protection and regulatory risk
- Insurance-facing experience is advantageous but not essential
- Excellent judgement, composure and commercial awareness
- Comfort taking responsibility and managing stakeholders directly
- Market-leading, genuinely niche cyber practice
- Exposure to some of the most high-profile cyber incidents in the market
- Fast-paced work with clear outcomes and real impact
- High levels of responsibility and client access
- Flexible, opportunity-led hiring rather than rigid headcount cycles
- Strong platform for long-term specialisation in cyber risk