Senior Information Governance Specialist

About Kirkland & Ellis

At Kirkland & Ellis, we are united in our ambition and drive to move forward. We share core values that help us achieve excellence: collaboration, talent empowerment, service, inclusion, respect and gratitude. Our people are our greatest asset, and we invest in the brightest talent and encourage a diversity of perspectives and strengths to create dynamic teams that operate at the pinnacle of their field. Our talented professionals show up every day knowing they will engage in meaningful work, continuous learning and professional development.

As one of the world’s leading law firms, we serve a broad range of clients with market-leading practices in private equity, M&A and other complex corporate transactions; investment fund formation and management; restructurings; high-stakes litigation and trials; and government, regulatory and internal investigations. We handle the most complicated and sophisticated legal matters because we don’t just meet industry standards, we create them. We bring innovation and entrepreneurialism to every engagement and, as a result, have long-standing client relationships with leading global corporations and financial sponsors. With 6,500 employees (including 3,000+ lawyers) operating from 18 offices across the United States, Europe and Asia, we are one of the largest law firms in the world and a top financial performer.

Essential Job Functions

The Sr. Information Governance (IG) Specialist plans, executes, and/or supports one or more IG projects and services relating to data protection, data access controls, data lifecycle management, or electronic recordkeeping practices. Serves as a lead and a contributor on project teams; drafts and issues preservation orders and destruction orders; performs audits, data and business analysis, and fact-finding assignments; escalates exception requests requiring management review; makes recommendations regarding the disposition of legacy data; and delivers verbal and written summaries, presentations and email communications relating to information governance and risk management.

The individual in this position advises attorneys, paralegals and other legal staff and administrative personnel on information governance- and risk management-related policies, procedures and working practices. In addition to serving in an advisory capacity, the Sr. IG Specialist assists firm management and attorneys by identifying and containing risks relating to the preservation and destruction/deletion of data, and fosters a compliance culture throughout the firm. The individual maintains awareness of major changes affecting legal information governance and assists in the development of material to educate firm management and partners so they may better provide legal services and meet their ethical obligations to their clients.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Preservation and Destruction Orders

• Research matter and timekeeper history
• Draft preservation/destruction orders
• Ensure preservation of data and media devices, and tracks preserved artifacts of departed personnel
• Audit and lift preservation orders when needed

Data Access Controls

• Emailbox access requests
• User access cross checks
• Secure file transfer exceptions
• Matter and document access requests

Data Protection

• Coordinates and executes periodic data protection reviews across multiple data repositories and departments
• Consults with Firm personnel regarding data protection controls
• Documents workflows for processes relating to data protection controls
• Provides training, informational, and educational materials on data protection to Firm personnel
• Defines and builds metrics and reporting to enhance understanding of the data protection program development and maturity
• Determines data classification of sensitive documents flagged by data protection tools and alerts.

Data Lifecycle Management

• Provides operational support for legacy data disposition projects relating to client and firm data
• Conducts data lifecycle and business analysis
• Proposes new and improved processes and workflows
• Ensures proper recordkeeping and access controls are in place for sensitive data

• Reviews and provides feedback on the configuration of firm applications used for the management of service request intake and tracking, preservation orders and destruction orders
• Documents business requirements related to preservation orders, destruction orders, and data access request processes
• Executes and documents test plans and results

Qualifications & Requirements

Information Governance is a burgeoning field drawing experienced individuals from a variety of educational backgrounds and professional experience. Qualified candidates must have a four-year degree relating to information technology, law, compliance, business administration, and/or information management, and a minimum of five years of professional services consulting, practice support or paralegal experience in a law firm. Candidates who have achieved Certified Paralegal, Certified Information Governance Professional or Certified Records Manager credentials are preferred.

This position requires a self-motivated, creative, and detail-oriented individual with a strong knowledge of legal information governance processes and technologies. Must be capable of independently authoring and presenting technical and business information in a variety of formats, and explaining complex and/or technical topics relating to information governance to those who have no prior knowledge of Kirkland’s systems and policies. Strong strategic, interpersonal, communication, and critical thinking skills required.

Advanced aptitude and interest in information technologies, change management and project management is required, and intermediate proficiency in Microsoft’s software suite is required. Prior experience using and/or administering iManage WorkSite, MS SharePoint, and/or LegalKEY Recordkeeping is a plus.

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in Kirkland & Ellis LLP.  To complete an application and submit your resume, please click "Apply Now."

Equal Employment Opportunity

All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Closing Statement

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