Senior Counsel (Digital Regulation)

ROLE OVERVIEW //

Would you like to join one of the world’s most prestigious law firms in a new and exciting role?

Slaughter and May’s Digital Regulation practice is a broad cross-firm initiative, led out of the Technology, Data, Digital and IP (TDDI) group, and also involving lawyers from other relevant practice areas across the firm, including Competition, Disputes and Investigations, Financial Regulation, Corporate, IEN and ESG. We are now looking for an experienced and highly skilled Senior Counsel (Digital Regulation) based in Brussels to bolster the Digital Regulation practice.

The Senior Counsel (Digital Regulation) will join the TDDI Group as part of its leadership team, which currently comprises 5 Partners, 1 Senior Counsel and a Head of Knowledge. Whilst the TDDI Group to date has been based in our London office, this Senior Counsel (Digital Regulation) will be based in our Brussels office, which is the base for our other EU-focussed regulatory practices, including a large competition/anti-trust/DMA team, as well as EU lawyers in our financial regulatory practice.

The TDDI group provides expert legal advice on matters of EU and English law across the full technology practice area. The recruitment of a Senior Counsel (Digital Regulation), to be based in Brussels, will build on this, and reflects the increased importance of EU digital regulation to our clients across the globe. The TDDI group also plays a leading role in our Technology cross-firm practice, which brings together specialists from across the firm to deliver the highest quality of advice to clients across the spectrum of their needs in the Technology vertical. Digital Regulation is not only a core growth area of the TDDI Group, but also an area of high priority for growth within this cross-firm Technology initiative. This will offer opportunity for our Senior Counsel (Digital Regulation) to work closely with practitioners from across the firm on technology-related matters and for technology sector clients, bringing digital regulation, and related, expertise.

Working closely alongside our London-based team, the successful candidate will play a key role in advising clients on the application of the complex and evolving body of EU law and regulation governing existing and emerging technologies and digital markets, including AI, data, online harms and other aspects of platform regulation.

In addition to client-facing activity on live matters, the successful candidate will be the main representative of the TDDI group in Brussels and will be expected to establish and lead our local engagement in Brussels on digital regulation matters with EU institutions, regulatory bodies and other relevant stakeholders (including industry associations and think tanks). The role requires an entrepreneurial skill set, and is suitable for an individual who is comfortable leading business development initiatives, in order to further raise the profile of our digital regulation practice.

The role will also involve regular travel and active collaboration with partners, senior counsel, and the Head of Knowledge as part of the group’s senior leadership team. In addition to regular visits to our London office, it is anticipated that other members of our senior leadership team will make frequent visits to Brussels in order to ensure that the successful candidate feels fully immersed in the TDDI practice and has frequent in-person touch points with group leadership.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES //

The key responsibilities of this role are set out below and there may be others which are not listed. You may be required on occasion to work outside our normal working hours of 9:30am to 5:30pm.

• Provide expert legal advice on EU digital regulation, including AI, online content, data, and emerging regulatory trends impacting the tech sector.
• Monitor and interpret legislative and policy developments relevant to the practice, and distil complex regulatory changes into practical, business-orientated advice.
• Engage directly with European institutions, regulatory bodies, and industry stakeholders to stay ahead of legislative and policy developments.
• Act as a trusted advisor to clients, including major technology companies, on compliance, risk management, and regulatory strategy.
• Be a lead contributor to the firm’s business development strategy in Digital Regulation and related areas, leveraging strong networks within the Brussels regulatory, policy and technology ecosystem.
• Lead thought leadership initiatives, including publications, client briefings, and participation in key industry forums.
• Collaborate with colleagues to ensure seamless client service and alignment with firm-wide strategies.
• Represent clients in regulatory and enforcement matters before EU authorities.

CANDIDATE PROFILE //

Candidates for this position must have:

Experience & Background:

• EU qualification.
• Extensive legal experience in digital regulation, gained either within a top-tier law firm, a technology company, or a body such as the European Commission.
• Deep understanding of EU regulatory frameworks affecting the technology sector.
• Ideally, an established presence within Brussels’ legal and policy circles, with strong professional networks.

Skills & Attributes:

• Self-motivated and independent, capable of working autonomously while collaborating with cross-border teams.
• Strong commercial awareness, with the ability to provide strategic and pragmatic legal advice to clients.
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage with regulators, clients, and industry stakeholders at a senior level.
• Thought leader with a proactive approach to market trends, legislative changes, and client education.
• Experience in running negotiations/meetings with minimal supervision, excellent client relationship skills and excellent efficiency and time management skills.
• Resilient under pressure with the ability to manage multiple deadlines.

Other Requirements:

• Willingness to travel regularly to London to engage with the wider team.
• Fluent in English; additional European languages advantageous.

We welcome applications irrespective of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, belief or marital status.