Associate – Privacy & Cybersecurity – Chicago, Los Angeles or Washington, DC

Associate – Privacy & Cybersecurity – Chicago, Los Angeles or Washington, DC

Associate – Privacy & Cybersecurity – Chicago, Los Angeles or Washington, DC

Build your big career with the Firm that does Big Law, Better . McDermott Will & Emery is a leading global law firm that brings together more than 1,400 lawyers and 1,200 business professionals. We celebrate excellence, collaboration and community and have been recognized as a top workplace by USA Today , Fortune , The American Lawyer , Vault and the Human Rights Campaign, among others.

At McDermott, we don’t just invest in your future, we accelerate your career – wherever it may lead. That includes supporting you both in and outside of the office, through personalized guidance, structured mentorship, and confidential career coaching.

With us, you’ll find:

• A Firm where everyone belongs: Our award-winning culture prioritizes warmth and authenticity — we encourage you to be yourself!
• Enthusiasm for diverse perspectives: We’re smarter and stronger when everyone has a voice and a seat at the table. We welcome unique viewpoints and ideas, and we make opportunities for you and your career to thrive.
• Support to feel your best and do your best: Wellness is integral to building a successful career and a rich life. That’s why our benefits program supports your physical, emotional, mental and financial health, with an emphasis on work-life balance. We’re proud to be the first firm to offer billable hours for wellness.
• Real rewards for real work: We offer generous compensation packages that recognize hard work and excellence. Our individual merit-based system enabled 67% of our associates to earn above the Cravath scale in 2024.

The Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice group is seeking an Associate with 4-6 years of experience. Preference is for candidates to join our Chicago, Los Angeles or Washington, DC office; however, we will consider candidates interested in other US office locations. Applications should be submitted via our web apply portal. Questions can be directed to Amy Gillmore, Talent Acquisition Manager, at

Description: The position offers front-line, meaningful responsibility to advise clients on a range of US-focused privacy and other “data”-related compliance counseling. Responsibilities will include leading projects and direct interface with clients; compliance gap assessments; developing comprehensive compliance programs; drafting policies, procedures, and guidance (privacy policies, business-facing guidance, DSR procedures, incident response plans and tabletop exercises, contracting templates and playbooks, data sale/sharing/targeted advertising advice, etc.); contracting and playbook development; and assisting clients with determining priorities, risks, and implementation of compliance programs.

The position will largely involve working one-on-one with supervising partners but may on occasion involve supervision of paralegals and more junior lawyers.

Job Requirements:

• 4-6 years of practical data privacy counseling experience. At this time we are not looking for candidates whose practice has been focused on incident response, M&A diligence, or cybersecurity.
• Specific experience providing practical advice and implementing state privacy laws (such as CCPA, WA MHMD, and other equivalent state privacy laws) is required.
• Specific experience with the financial and health/life sciences sectors, including specific experience with GLBA, CalFIPA, FCRA, insurance privacy, FTC/CFPB rules (such as Reg P and Safeguards Rule), HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and state health privacy laws is strongly preferred.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail are necessary as well as strong verbal and written communication abilities.
• A self-starter with the ability to prioritize workload with competing demands, display good judgment, work well under pressure, and frame advice/analysis practically based on risks.
• Must be capable of working (and frankly enjoy working) in a collaborative, congenial environment.
• Proven ability to independently manage matters, or meaningful segments of large/complex matters, and to facilitate pushing projects to completion.
• Candidates with large law firm experience only (boutique specialists may be considered as well).
• Certified Information Privacy Professionals are preferred but not mandatory, including the following certifications: CIPP-US, CIPT, and CIPM.
• Must be admitted to practice in the jurisdiction in which you are applying.

As part of our ongoing commitment to be #AlwaysBetter for our people, clients, and communities, we have created a culture of belonging that champions your individuality as both a person and a professional. From our competitive compensation, top benefits and award-winning professional development programs to industry-leading wellness initiatives, we support you through every stage of your life and career. With McDermott, you can live a life you love both in and outside of the office.

Expected Pay Range for Associates:

2025/2024 Class Compensation Years: $225,000

2023 Class Compensation Years: $235,000

2022 Class Compensation Years: $260,000

2021 Class Compensation Years: $310,000

2020 Class Compensation Years: $365,000

2019 Class Compensation Years: $390,000

2018 Class Compensation Years: $420,000

2017 and more senior class compensation years: $435,000