Director of Information Governance

Crowell & Moring LLP is an international law firm with offices in the United States, Europe, MENA, and Asia that represents clients in litigation and arbitration, regulatory and policy, intellectual property, and transactional and corporate matters. The firm is internationally recognized for its representation of Fortune 500 companies in high-stakes litigation and government-facing matters, as well as its ongoing commitment to pro bono service and diversity, equity, and inclusion.Job Summary  The Director of Information Governance is responsible for leading the strategic development and execution of the firm’s information governance program, driving digital transformation and ensuring the secure, compliant, and efficient management of information assets. This leadership role collaborates with senior stakeholders across Legal, IT, Compliance, and Risk to establish firmwide policies and best practices, fostering a culture of data stewardship and operational excellence.Job ResponsibilitiesDevelop and lead a digital-first information governance strategy that aligns with firm priorities and regulatory obligations.Establish and maintain an information governance framework, including roles, processes, and tools for managing data across its lifecycle.Lead the development and enforcement of policies and best practices around data classification, metadata tagging, data retention, structured/unstructured data, and data lifecycle management, providing thought leadership on data architecture and data quality standards to support strategic firm initiatives. Evaluate, select, and deploy technologies that enhance data visibility and control, including data loss prevention, information rights management, and automation frameworks, ensuring effective implementation and integration with firmwide systems.Collaborate with Legal, IT, Compliance, Security, and Risk teams to ensure aligned, secure, and efficient data practices, including data policy development, defensible purging, and legacy data management.Centralize and drive firmwide efforts to mature data governance capabilities and promote continuous improvement.Provide expert consultation on projects involving Information Governance, data migration, and M&A while facilitating stakeholder engagement across lawyers, professional staff, and clients. Ensure compliance with applicable privacy laws and data handling standards (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA).Oversee the development and implementation of defensible retention schedules and audit trails in collaboration with Legal and Risk functions.Build a strong Information Governance culture through targeted training initiatives, awareness programs, and enablement strategies for attorneys, paralegals, and professional staff, and measure adoption and progress.Manage firmwide change initiatives related to data and technology governance, ensuring user adoption and policy adherence.