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Data Protection Lawyer Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

Practice Innovation Lawyer

Austin, TX · On-site

$180K - $316K/yr

... data protection, and professional conduct obligations in legal practice • Understand product ... lawyer, legal operations professional, or in a comparable law firm role. Practice experience ...

Attorney compensation ranges from $140,000 to $220,000 annually. Salary is contingent upon level of ... Data Protection and Quality Management, refer any breach promptly to Risk & Compliance and to ...

Qualified lawyer with 8+ years of post-qualification experience in privacy and data protection. * Proven expertise in U.S. and E.U. data protection law, with familiarity across global compliance ...

Senior Privacy and AI Counsel

Dallas, TX · On-site

$210K - $265K/yr

Qualified lawyer with 8+ years of post-qualification experience in privacy and data protection * Proven expertise in U.S. and E.U. data protection law, with familiarity across global compliance ...

... protection (e.g., GDPR, CCPA/CPRA), including cross-border transfers, localization, and data ... attorneys Qualifications • JD from an accredited law school; active bar membership in good ...

Director of Legal (Austin)

Austin, TX · On-site

$265K - $275K/yr

This is a high-impact role for a business-minded attorney who wants real ownership: you'll be the ... Advise on privacy and data protection matters, and help the business navigate the evolving AI ...

Privacy and Compliance Analyst

Dallas, TX

$82K - $97K/yr

... data protection. * Strong ability to communicate effectively and collaboratively with clients, internal attorneys, cross-functional teams, leaders, and subject matter experts. * Strong computer ...

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Showing results 1-20

Data Protection Lawyer information

See Texas salary details

$22K

$92.4K

$171.9K

How much do data protection lawyer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for data protection lawyer in Texas is $92,442.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,106.00 and $94,978.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a data protection lawyer do?

A Data Protection Lawyer specializes in advising organizations on laws and regulations related to privacy and data security, such as GDPR or CCPA. They help clients ensure compliance by drafting policies, handling data breaches, conducting audits, and representing clients in regulatory matters. Their work is critical for organizations that handle personal or sensitive information, as non-compliance can lead to significant fines and reputational damage. Data Protection Lawyers also provide training and guidance to staff on best practices for managing data responsibly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a data protection lawyer?

To thrive as a Data Protection Lawyer, you need in-depth knowledge of privacy laws such as GDPR, strong analytical skills, and a law degree with relevant bar admission. Familiarity with legal research databases, data compliance management tools, and certification such as CIPP/E is highly beneficial. Excellent communication, negotiation, and attention to detail are crucial soft skills for interpreting regulations and advising clients. These skills ensure clients’ data handling practices meet legal standards and mitigate risk in an increasingly complex regulatory environment.

What are some common challenges data protection lawyers face when advising organizations on compliance?

Data Protection Lawyers often navigate the complexities of evolving privacy regulations, such as GDPR or CCPA, which can vary across jurisdictions. One frequent challenge is translating legal requirements into practical, business-friendly policies and processes for clients. They must also stay updated on regulatory guidance and enforcement trends, ensuring that organizations remain compliant as new data use cases or technologies emerge. Collaboration with IT, HR, and compliance teams is essential to implement effective data governance and incident response strategies.

What are popular job titles related to Data Protection Lawyer jobs in Texas?

For Data Protection Lawyer jobs in Texas, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Data Protection Lawyer jobs in Texas look for?

The top searched job categories for Data Protection Lawyer jobs in Texas are:

Infographic showing various Data Protection Lawyer job openings in Texas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,442 per year, or $44.4 per hour.

Practice Innovation Lawyer

K&L Gates LLP incorporated

Austin, TX • On-site

$180.97 - $316.70/hr

Other

Medical, Vision, Life, PTO

Posted 2 days ago

New


K&L Gates rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

28th of 34 rated law firms


Job description

Overview

Practice Innovation Lawyer focused on implementing innovation, technology, and AI solutions to enhance legal workflows and client service. This role collaborates with lawyers to identify AI opportunities, configure tools, test systems, and ensure successful technology adoption. Responsibilities include developing AI use cases, supporting partners and clients, and managing change enablement for improved efficiency and service delivery. The position requires hands-on problem-solving and practical application of technology in legal practice, integrating legal, business, and technical expertise to ensure effective, compliant tool implementation.

Areas

We are seeking four Practice Innovation Lawyers to support each of the following practice areas: Finance, Intellectual Property, Litigation, and Policy & Regulatory.

Reporting

Reporting to: Director of Practice Innovation & Knowledge Management

Key Relationships

Director of Practice Innovation & Knowledge Management; Practice Innovation Attorneys; Practice Area Leads; Practice Group Coordinators; Directors of Practice Operations; members of the global technology, research and AI solutions teams.

Location and Compensation

Locations: Austin, TX; Boston, MA; Charleston, SC; Charlotte, NC; Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; Durham, NC; Fort Worth, TX; Harrisburg, PA; Houston, TX; Irvine, CA; Kansas City, MO; Los Angeles, CA; Miami, FL; Nashville, TN; New York, NY; Newark, NJ; Palo Alto, CA; Pittsburgh, PA; Portland, OR; Raleigh, NC; San Francisco, CA; Seattle, WA; Washington, DC; Wilmington, DE. Base Compensation $180,969.00 - $316,695.00/year.

Essential Duties
  • Collaborating with legal professionals to discover opportunities for enhancing workflows and client service through AI-driven advancements.
  • Translating legal professional needs into practical artificial intelligence use cases, focusing on simplicity and feasibility for immediate application.
  • Collaborating with the AI Solutions Lead to refine and develop intricate use cases requiring advanced technical expertise and specialized input.
  • Utilizing existing AI tools like Copilot, Legora, CoCounsel, Vincent, and similar platforms to design and implement solutions for identified use cases.
  • Coordinating with AI developers to design tailored solutions for complex scenarios when existing tools prove inadequate, utilizing platforms such as AI Foundry.
  • Conducting testing and validating AI solutions to ensure accuracy, compliance, and usability within legal workflows.
  • Providing training and guidance to legal professionals and staff on implemented AI tools and workflows to ensure effective adoption and utilization.
  • Documenting use cases, requirements, and implementation steps to support repeatable processes and knowledge sharing across practice groups.
  • Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of deployed AI solutions, using key metrics to measure impact, identify improvements, and support planning discussions.
  • Staying informed and connected to professional networks on emerging AI technologies and legal tech trends to share insights and recommend innovative tools.
  • .25 FTE annual billing requirement
Experience and Skills
  • Hold Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent law degree; admission to state bar strongly preferred.
  • Demonstrate understanding of regulatory, privacy, data protection, and professional conduct obligations in legal practice.
  • Understand product development and solution design principles, including user requirements, testing, and iteration.
  • Demonstrate the ability to design, develop, and deploy AI use cases tailored to legal workflows and client requirements.
  • Possess project and program management skills, with the ability to manage and run multiple initiatives and handle competing priorities successfully.
  • Be proficient with Microsoft 365 and related platforms, including Copilot, Power Platform, PowerPoint, Excel, and Power Automate.
  • Experience with CoPilot Studio or other Citizen Developer tools strongly preferred.
  • Demonstrate the ability to define, measure, and evaluate KPIs using data-focused methods and analytical approaches.
  • Demonstrate exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills, ensuring technical concepts are effectively translated for non-technical audiences.
  • Adopt a growth mindset with sound judgment and discretion, navigating complex law firm operations and dynamics.
  • Have 4+ years’ experience as a practicing lawyer, legal operations professional, or in a comparable law firm role; practice experience strongly preferred.
  • Possess practical experience with generative AI, legal research platforms, document review drafting and automation, and workflow orchestration tools.
  • Show experience deploying legal technology, AI tools, or workflow automation within professional services settings.
Benefits

K&L Gates offers a comprehensive suite of benefits. Depending on eligibility, options for full-time Associates include:

  • Medical/Prescription Drug Coverage (including a Health Savings Account feature)
  • Business Travel Accident Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Pet Insurance
  • Health Advocacy Services
  • Short- and Long-term Disability Protection
  • Identity Protection/Restoration and Fraud Insurance
  • Life Insurance (including Basic, Supplemental, Spouse, Child, and Accidental Death and Dismemberment)
  • Student loan refinancing options and access to a student loan concierge service
  • Paid Time Off (generally, 3-4 weeks typical)
  • Parental Leave (24 weeks, of which 12 paid; short-term disability may provide additional paid time off)
  • Breast Milk Delivery and Lactation Support Services
  • Paid Holidays (12)
  • Bonuses and certain expense reimbursements where applicable
  • Family Building Benefits
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Professional Development and CLE Credit Opportunities
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Bar Expense Reimbursement
  • 529 Deductions
  • Relocation
  • Balanced Hours Program
  • Critical Illness Insurance
  • Ramp-Up/Ramp-Down Program
  • Hospital Indemnity Insurance
  • Employee Referral Program
  • Back-up Child/Elder Care and caregiving concierge
  • Perks including technology, entertainment, and travel discount program
  • Wellness Program
  • All other benefits required by law
Equal Employment Opportunity

The Firm is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications and competence and are not influenced by race, religion, creed, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law. The Firm complies with applicable federal, state, and local laws and provides reasonable accommodations where required. For accommodation requests, contact askHR@klgates.com.

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