Meet Clare Barry, Assistant Commissioner in the Data Protection Commission

The Role

A Legal Analyst has a key role in what is one of Europe’s most prominent and active data protection regulators, with opportunities to contribute to the DPC’s extensive work at national level, as well as the high-profile and unique role it holds in the supervision of large international organisations based in Ireland. The role, equivalent to that of a legal researcher, involves legal research and analysis and the provision of legal support across a broad range of the DPC’s activities. As a result, Legal Analysts are involved in a diverse array of substantive data protection issues as well as novel legal and regulatory matters.

Clare Barry

I joined the DPC in January 2020 as a Legal Researcher having practiced law as a Barrister for a number of years. I also completed my Masters in Law and was completing my PhD in law when I commenced with the DPC.  The DPC appeared at the time, and has proven to be, an appealing place to work as a lawyer. The law on data protection is constantly evolving and the DPC, as a regulator, has an instrumental role to play in this process.

As a Legal Researcher, I provided legal support to what is now the Frontline Unit, which is the front face of the DPC.  Following promotion to Assistant Commissioner, Senior Regulatory Lawyer, I continue to provide legal support to the Frontline Unit of the DPC whose remit has expanded significantly. The Frontline Unit includes areas such as Information, Complaint Assessment, Early Resolution, Breach Notifications and Direct Intervention. In addition, actively contribute to the DPC’s inquiry functions, including leading a national inquiry. As such, the nature of engagement with the public and organisations is extremely varied, covering a wide range of scenarios. Consequently, a broad-based legal knowledge is instrumental to delivering on the objectives of the Unit as a whole. Therefore, Legal Analysts in the DPC are provided with an invaluable opportunity to apply their legal knowledge within the parameters of an ever-evolving data protection legal framework within a regulatory context.

The last number of years working with the DPC has been very positive. My role has developed considerably and branched into a wide-variety of areas even within the DPC itself. The DPC provides its staff with a productive collegiate working environment alongside the benefits of working within the civil service. I would strongly recommend anybody to apply for the role of Legal Analyst in the DPC.