About Me

I'm an Of Counsel in the Privacy & Data Protection team in Warsaw.

I have been advising clients since 2004. My main areas of professional expertise are technology and data regulations, including personal data protection law.

I am experienced in supporting companies from a wide range of sectors. I provide strategic advice to clients, including with regard to proceedings before supervisory authorities in Poland and other EEA countries, as well as before the civil courts with regard to data subject claims and data protection violations. I design data protection solutions for business processes and products, including international ones (e.g. concerning data flows, party roles, data transfers), and coordinate advice from local lawyers. I advise on designing marketing strategies and campaigns, including those pertaining to digital marketing (e.g. the use of data brokers' tools (such as Facebook, Google), Smart TVs, loyalty programmes), e-commerce services (e.g. cloud services, big data, blockchain and other digital services, e-services), fintech and other financial sector services, AI, and other services and products in regulated sectors (such as the pharmaceutical and food industries). I support clients in their day-to-day activities, negotiate core business agreements in relation to privacy, and advise extensively on HR matters.

I was involved in setting up the Warsaw office in 2008, where I worked as head of Privacy & Data Protection for Poland until 2013. I have also worked as an in-house lawyer and a data protection officer (DPO), which allows me to better understand and respond to my clients' needs.

I have authored numerous publications on data protection and privacy, and have also been a speaker at numerous training events and conferences.

Clients appreciate working with me, which has been reflected in rankings such as the Legal 500 EMEA (where I am recognised as a Rising Star).
Cases
  • Strategic GDPR advice for a leading food manufacturer.
  • GDPR implementation in the fintech sector.
  • Adtech advice for retail companies and media agencies.
Education

Studied

  • University of Warsaw, LLM, Law
  • University of Cambridge, Diploma, English and European Law

Admissions

  • Polish Bar Association
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Testimonials

Izabela Kowalczuk-Pakuła, Marta Kwiatkowska-Cylke, and Emilia Stępień all create a unique client-legal counsel connection, providing spot-on and easy-to-apply advice in uncertain regulatory environments. Outstanding team overall.

The Legal 500 EMEA 2023

Emilia Stępień has extensive experience.

The Legal 500 EMEA 2023

Emilia Stępień is an excellent data privacy expert, very thorough and business-oriented at the same time. You can feel safe, when you ask for her for advice and rely on it.

The Legal 500 EMEA 2022

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