Meet Seán Duffy, Legal Analyst 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. 

Seán Duffy

I joined the DPC, quite recently, in January 2025.  Prior to this, my background in legal research was varied. Upon graduating from Law (LL.B.) at Trinity College, I commenced a position as a legal researcher in the Legal Services Regulatory Authority.  From there, I began a role as a judicial assistant (or clerk) to the Court of Appeal, where I gained insight into civil appeals, both the CervicalCheck Tribunal and the Defence Forces Tribunal, and the Court’s criminal jurisdiction. 

The prospect of working with the DPC was an obvious draw to me for two reasons. Its mission is crucial, and its work involves increasingly novel challenges. Everyone has the right to the protection of personal data concerning them. The DPC safeguards this right. This is set out, front and centre, in the opening line of its mission statement. The breadth of that remit cuts across all areas of personal and public life, in a European society that is experiencing a period of transformative technological change. The result is that those who are fortunate enough to work within the DPC are at the coalface of fascinating, complex and multi-jurisdictional legal issues. 

To give an idea of my day-to-day work, I think yesterday is a perfect example. The majority of my day was spent on three projects. This involved conducting legal research into intricate issues raised in a complaint lodged with the DPC, considering an emerging body of case law on a provision of the GDPR, and preparing a summary of new EU digital legislation. This sample speaks, I think, to the type of environment the DPC offers; a workplace that is as dynamic as it is rewarding. 

All of this is to say that I would recommend the Legal Analyst role to anyone who wishes to really develop and to contribute to the development of something bigger.