Emma Wright
Overview
Emma Wright is co-chair of the firm's Privacy & Cybersecurity Group and a partner in Crowell & Moring's London office.
Companies and investors of all sizes rely on Emma as a strategic advisor on issues at the intersection of data, regulation, and emerging technologies. A former policy adviser in the UK government with extensive private practice experience on both sides of the Atlantic, she is widely regarded as one of the foremost lawyers for clients seeking to translate complex regulatory frameworks — spanning global privacy, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), telecommunications, the cloud, and convergence — into commercial and practical reality.
Career & Education
- University of Leeds, L.L.B., (Hons), Law, 1997
- Inns of Court School of Law, Hardwicke Scholar, Bar Vocational Course, Very Competent
- England and Wales
- Co-founder and Director, Interparliamentary Forum on Emerging Technologies
- Founding Member, UNESCO Women4EthicalAI
Emma's Insights
Client Alert | 5 min read | 10.27.26
The UK Defence Footprint 2026 and the Warsaw Defence Plan: Investment, Innovation and Opportunities
On 27 October 2026, the UK Ministry of Defence (“MOD”) published UK Defence Footprint 2026 (the “Footprint”), bringing together defence spending and industrial initiatives, including previously announced investments, and setting out planned defence spending of £298 billion over the next four years. On the same day it published the Footprint, the UK government published an announcement outlining the Warsaw Defence Plan, the first phase of cooperation under the UK-Poland Security and Defence Partnership Treaty, including on drones, cyber security and defence procurement. Together, they highlight two complementary priorities: strengthening the UK’s defence industrial base and deepening cooperation with its allies.
Client Alert | 5 min read | 10.19.26
To Fine or Not to Fine: EDPB Confirms Default Position in GDPR Enforcement Should Be to Fine
Firm News | 2 min read | 10.15.26
Crowell & Moring Lawyers Recognized Across the Chambers UK 2027 Guide
Firm News | 2 min read | 10.02.26
Crowell Recognized in Legal 500 United Kingdom 2027 Rankings
Recognition
- Most Influential Women in UK Tech: Computer Weekly's Hall of Fame, 2027
- Thomson Reuters: Stand-out Lawyer, 2026
- Chambers UK: Telecommunications, UK-wide, 2016–2025
- Chambers UK: Information Technology & Outsourcing, London (Firms), 2024–2025
- The Legal500 UK: Leading Partner, Technology, Media, and Telecoms: Artificial Intelligence
- The Legal500 UK: Leading Partner, Technology, Media, and Telecoms: IT and Telecoms
- The Legal500 UK: Leading Partner, Industry Focus: TMT
- The Legal500 UK: Risk Advisory: Data Protection, Privacy, and Cybersecurity
- The Legal500 UK: Technology, Media, and Telecoms: Fintech: Corporate and Commercial
- ComputerWeekly’s Top 20 Most Influential Women in UK Tech, 2022–2024
- Women & Diversity in Law Summit and Award, Law Firm Leader of the Year (Small-to-Medium Sized Practice), 2024
- Digital Revolution and Forward Ladies Leadership Awards, Transformational Leader of the Year and Woman of the Year, 2023
- CogX Awards, Global Goals Impact, 2023
Emma's Insights
Client Alert | 5 min read | 10.27.26
The UK Defence Footprint 2026 and the Warsaw Defence Plan: Investment, Innovation and Opportunities
On 27 October 2026, the UK Ministry of Defence (“MOD”) published UK Defence Footprint 2026 (the “Footprint”), bringing together defence spending and industrial initiatives, including previously announced investments, and setting out planned defence spending of £298 billion over the next four years. On the same day it published the Footprint, the UK government published an announcement outlining the Warsaw Defence Plan, the first phase of cooperation under the UK-Poland Security and Defence Partnership Treaty, including on drones, cyber security and defence procurement. Together, they highlight two complementary priorities: strengthening the UK’s defence industrial base and deepening cooperation with its allies.
Client Alert | 5 min read | 10.19.26
To Fine or Not to Fine: EDPB Confirms Default Position in GDPR Enforcement Should Be to Fine
Firm News | 2 min read | 10.15.26
Crowell & Moring Lawyers Recognized Across the Chambers UK 2027 Guide
Firm News | 2 min read | 10.02.26
Crowell Recognized in Legal 500 United Kingdom 2027 Rankings
Insights
U.K. Regulators Move To Curb AI Nudification Tools As Scrutiny Of Grok Grows
|01.14.26
Compliance Week
U.K. To Introduce Mandatory Ransomware Reporting, Raising Risk of ‘Box-Ticking’ Compliance
|09.22.25
Compliance Week
DPRK Threat Actors Target European Drone Makers
|10.28.25
Crowell & Moring’s Transportation Law: Moving Forward
Emma's Insights
Client Alert | 5 min read | 10.27.26
The UK Defence Footprint 2026 and the Warsaw Defence Plan: Investment, Innovation and Opportunities
On 27 October 2026, the UK Ministry of Defence (“MOD”) published UK Defence Footprint 2026 (the “Footprint”), bringing together defence spending and industrial initiatives, including previously announced investments, and setting out planned defence spending of £298 billion over the next four years. On the same day it published the Footprint, the UK government published an announcement outlining the Warsaw Defence Plan, the first phase of cooperation under the UK-Poland Security and Defence Partnership Treaty, including on drones, cyber security and defence procurement. Together, they highlight two complementary priorities: strengthening the UK’s defence industrial base and deepening cooperation with its allies.
Client Alert | 5 min read | 10.19.26
To Fine or Not to Fine: EDPB Confirms Default Position in GDPR Enforcement Should Be to Fine
Firm News | 2 min read | 10.15.26
Crowell & Moring Lawyers Recognized Across the Chambers UK 2027 Guide
Firm News | 2 min read | 10.02.26
Crowell Recognized in Legal 500 United Kingdom 2027 Rankings




