About AWO
What is AWO?
AWO is a B Corp certified law firm and consultancy specialising in data protection, digital policy and technology governance. The firm empowers individuals and organisations to uphold data rights, comply with the law and effect change in data protection. AWO's legal team includes award-winning solicitors who provide a full range of advice on technology, data protection and privacy laws, combining advisory work with pioneering strategic challenges including cases against World Check, Google, Meta and the Cambridge Analytica litigation.
Three complementary practice areas:
- Legal team: data protection / privacy law, AI, public law, strategic litigation
- Compliance team: GDPR experts and former data protection officers handling algorithm audits, data sharing and new technologies
- Consulting team: technology analysts, ethicists, data scientists and policy experts. Members have previously worked at the European Parliament, the Court of Justice, the online advertising industry and civil society organisations.
The name AWO is a nod to Richard Brautigan's poem All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace — exploring whether technology creates a utopia or dystopia, a tension that embodies AWO's work. Recent legal work includes representing Privacy International in the Clearview AI jurisdiction case and the Facebook landmark privacy case settlement. SRA ID: 666285.
Where will I work?
AWO is a remote-first team with hubs in Brussels, London and Sydney, plus a representative office in Italy. The DB lists London (2 John Street) as primary HQ. Staff can work from home or from a co-working space.
What is the AWO team like?
The team is approximately 18 professionals across law, compliance, and policy research. Senior leadership includes Managing Director Eric Kind (legal and public policy expert in technology, society and human rights, with deep expertise in surveillance), Director Mathias Vermeulen (Strategic Research and Insights on AI, online safety and digital policy), Legal Director Ravi Naik (internationally recognised solicitor with a pioneering practice in technological innovation), and Operations Manager Charlotte Titterton. AWO's practice spans solicitors qualified in England & Wales, GDPR specialists, technology ethicists and policy researchers.
AWO is certified as a B Corp ("our work is impactful and positive for society"), accredited with the Fair Tax Mark ("the gold standard for businesses that pay the right amount of tax"), and Carbon Balanced (in 2024 the firm assessed and fully offset its value-chain emissions through the World Land Trust). The firm publishes a Modern Slavery Statement.
Work-Life Balance
AWO operates a 4-day work week (32 hours) — "32 hour week means improved work-life balance, productivity, and employee well-being." Staff receive 20 paid annual leave days plus all public holidays, an additional paid week between Christmas and New Year, and up to 10 weeks of paid sick leave. Parental leave is enhanced: 18 weeks at full pay for birthing parents and 9 weeks at full pay for non-birthing parents, with additional paid leave available for family emergencies.
Perks and Benefits
- 4-day work week (32 hours)
- 20 paid annual leave days plus all public holidays
- Additional paid week off between Christmas and New Year
- Up to 10 weeks of paid sick leave
- Enhanced parental leave: 18 weeks at full pay (birthing parents); 9 weeks at full pay (non-birthing parents)
- Additional paid leave for family emergencies
- Apple devices + external monitors provided
- Generous work-from-home allowance for home office setup
- Individual and team training budgets
- Regular manager check-ins with real-time feedback
- Group workshops on writing, feedback delivery, and technology
- Virtual social clubs + annual in-person company gathering
- Brown Bag lunch presentations