Career Biography

Renata Zalewska has served as the head of legal for Microsoft Poland for the past 15 years, where she plays a key role in advancing the organisation’s commitment to responsible AI, and the ethical use of innovative technologies. She leads initiatives that promote compliance-driven adoption of AI solutions, supports the development of AI governance frameworks, and actively contributes to shaping best practices for responsible AI deployment with special focus on legal community.

In her professional capacity, she addresses complex legal matters related to personal data protection, cybersecurity, cloud computing services, and provides legal analysis in relation to AI solutions. Her expertise includes regulatory frameworks for the financial sector and the implementation of new technologies in regulated industries.

Prior to her current role, Ms. Zalewska worked as an attorney-at-law for Dell and CA Technologies, where she coordinated legal support for companies across the Central and Eastern Europe region. She is a member of the Warsaw Bar Association and a founding member of the Polish Association of Corporate Lawyers.

Ms. Zalewska is a recognised speaker and panellist on topics related to AI regulations, responsible AI, and the application of AI tools in legal practice. She is also the co-author of the publication “AI in the Work of an Attorney-at-Law,” issued by the Polish National Council of Legal Advisors, through which she contributes significant thought leadership to the legal community.

Additionally, she serves as a lecturer in Poland’s first postgraduate program for AI leaders in digital transformation, offered by the Polish-Japanese Academy of Information Technology and at the Warsaw University – Faculty of Law. Through these academic engagements, she supports the development of future leaders at the intersection of law and technology.

In recognition of her influence and expertise, she was named one of the TOP 25 Women Lawyers in Business 2025 by Forbes Women Polska.

Have you had any experiences during your career as a lawyer that stand out as particularly unique or interesting?

My 15+ years at Microsoft have positioned me at the forefront of every major transformation in IT, from traditional software licensing through cloud computing to AI. What stands out most is helping shape the conversation around responsible AI adoption. As an early advocate for cloud computing, I supported the legal profession’s education on cloud technology. Now, with AI, I champion an approach where technology supports rather than replaces lawyers, always maintaining professional standards, privacy, confidentiality, and human oversight. Being recognised in 2025 by Forbes as one of the “25 Best Female Lawyers in Business” was particularly meaningful, validating my work bridging law and technology.

AI is increasingly being integrated into legal teams to maximise efficiency. How can in-house counsel ensure the successful incorporation of these tools without compromising the human element?

Successful AI integration requires robust governance frameworks from the outset. In-house counsel should adopt an approach based on designating AI Champions for oversight, ensuring continuous training, and maintaining the “human-in-the-loop” principle where lawyers retain ultimate supervision over AI-generated work.

In-house counsel must establish comprehensive AI policies addressing technical, organisational, and cultural aspects of responsible use. AI tools must never compromise professional judgement or client confidentiality. Human oversight remains non-negotiable. Effective governance means establishing clear protocols for AI use, regular audits of AI outputs, and ongoing training to ensure legal teams understand both the capabilities and limitations of these tools. By maintaining this balance, counsel can harness AI’s efficiency gains whilst preserving the critical thinking, ethical judgement, and client relationships that define excellent legal practice.

What do you think are the most important attributes for a modern in-house counsel to possess?

Modern in-house counsel requires technological literacy, sufficient understanding to assess how emerging technologies impact legal risk and compliance. Adaptability is critical given the rapidly evolving AI regulatory landscape.

Strategic business acumen enables counsel to move beyond reactive advice to proactive value creation. Understanding our organisation’s business model allows us to identify where legal expertise drives competitive advantage, balancing business needs with legal security.

Finally, collaboration and communication skills are paramount. Effective counsel must translate complex legal concepts into actionable guidance. Counsel who can bridge the legal, technical, and business domains will lead the transformation of corporate,