Welcome to the thirty-second blog post for TheLawyerFiles.
Thank you, as always, for subscribing and following the journeys of legal changemakers. Each edition brings you honest reflections, practical insights, and powerful stories from individuals shaping the future of law with purpose, resilience, and innovation.
✨ In this edition, we feature Adeniyi — a Data Protection Manager at Birketts LLP whose journey into privacy law perfectly blends curiosity, adaptability, and forward thinking.
From discovering his passion for data protection by chance to building a career that bridges law, technology, and business strategy, Adeniyi’s story is a testament to the power of following your curiosity. His path shows how embracing unexpected opportunities can lead to purpose and impact in ways we might never have planned.
In this conversation, Adeniyi shares how he transitioned from corporate environments like Monzo Bank to the legal world, the lessons he’s learned about empathy and leadership, and how privacy professionals are navigating the challenges and opportunities of the digital age. He also reflects on the importance of education, why compliance should be seen as an enabler rather than a barrier, and what excites him most about the future of data protection in the era of AI.
If you’ve ever wondered how law and technology intersect, or how modern lawyers can create value in a data-driven world, Adeniyi’s story will inspire you to see compliance as creativity in action.
Let’s dive in 💡
- You’ve built an impressive career in data protection and privacy law across multiple sectors. What initially inspired your interest in data protection, and how has that passion evolved over time?
I often say I stumbled into Data Protection. As a law student, and later a qualified lawyer, my primary interests lay in two distinct areas: Criminal Law and Intellectual Property. That’s not to say I wasn’t competent in other fields, but those were the two I was genuinely keen to pursue. Odd combination, I know. Two completely different branches of law.
Shortly after completing law school in 2017, I leaned more towards IP Law and began researching universities offering Masters programmes in that area. I came across a course at the University of Hertfordshire: an LL.M in Intellectual Property and Data Protection Law. The inclusion of Data Protection piqued my interest, so I decided to dig a little deeper. The more I read, the more fascinated I became. GDPR was gaining momentum at the time, and I immersed myself in understanding it.
Eight years on, one LL.M, several roles, and multiple certifications later, I can confidently say my interest in this field continues to grow. Data Protection is dynamic and constantly evolving. There’s always something new happening, and that’s what keeps it so engaging.
- You’ve held key roles at firms like Monzo Bank, Stone King LLP, and now Birketts LLP. What are some of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned from working in both corporate and legal data protection environments?
Ans: I’ve learnt many lessons over the years, but the most valuable has to be that you can learn from anyone, regardless of their department. The nature of the Data Protection Manager role means working closely with key stakeholders across the organisation on a daily basis. Each stakeholder brings a unique perspective and set of priorities to the table.
What I’ve found, time and again, is that genuinely listening, especially to non-privacy stakeholders, often leads to unexpected and effective solutions. Their point of view can shed light on aspects of a problem that might otherwise be overlooked.
I’ve also come to appreciate the power of communication. Knowing how to be empathetic, yet emphatic, is crucial, particularly when engaging with stakeholders who are more focused on revenue than compliance. This role inevitably involves pushback, but success lies in the ability to communicate clearly, influence thoughtfully, and build trust across the board.
3. With two master’s degrees, one in International Business with HRM and another in Intellectual Property and Data Protection Law, how have your academic experiences shaped your professional approach to compliance and risk management?
I’ve always been a strong advocate for the value of a solid education. While experience is definitely important in developing expertise, I believe that a good educational foundation is what truly holds everything together. My two Masters degrees have significantly shaped the way I think and approach situations on a daily basis.
I’ve heard people say that legal and compliance professionals tend to sacrifice revenue at the altar of compliance. While there may be some truth to that, I certainly approach things differently. I’m a lawyer and a privacy professional, but I also have a deep understanding of business, both locally and internationally. This broader perspective enables me to strike a balance between our commercial interests and regulatory obligations.
That balance is possible because of the educational background I’ve built. It allows me to navigate these challenges with a clear understanding of both the legal regulatory landscape and the commercial realities organisations face.
- Data privacy is an area that’s constantly evolving with technology and regulation. What do you think are the biggest challenges that organisations face today in maintaining GDPR compliance?
I could easily talk about this for two hours, but to keep it brief, I think one of the biggest challenges organisations are facing right now is around data deletion and the increasing number of Subject Access Requests (SARs) being generated by AI tools.
On the issue of deletion, it’s practically impossible to erase every trace of someone’s personal data once it’s been collected, especially in large organisations like banks, law firms, or telecoms providers. Data lives in emails, chat platforms, document management systems, backups, and countless other apps and tools used across the business. It’s a massive undertaking, and even the biggest companies haven’t truly cracked it.
Then there’s the rise of generative AI being used to submit SARs at scale. It’s overwhelming for controllers. What makes it worse is that many of these requests are disputed after a response is issued, often using the same AI tools to challenge the adequacy of the reply. This creates a cycle of back-and-forth that pulls teams away from potentially more high-priority work.
- Many aspiring lawyers and data professionals look up to career paths like yours. What advice would you give to someone who wants to build expertise in privacy law and data protection?
This will be my shortest answer. Just start!
It might feel like the market is saturated and that everyone’s suddenly a privacy expert but consider this. There are around 300 million registered organisations globally. Even if only 10% of those are a going concern, that’s still 30 million businesses that process personal data and, therefore, need someone to manage it.
Every organisation process data, no matter how little. That means, as a privacy professional, you’re not just relevant, you’re potentially indispensable, particularly in this current regulatory landscape. Privacy professionals are well on our way to becoming global citizens.
Adeniyi Ajose – https://www.linkedin.com/in/adeniyi-ajose-15961b114/
Data Protection Manager at Birketts LLP Lawyer & Privacy Professional LL.B, B.L, LL.M, M.Sc, CIPP/E, LOCS23.
I hope Adeniyi’s journey has inspired you — especially if you’re discovering how curiosity can shape your career, learning to bridge law and technology, or finding confidence in spaces that challenge you to think differently.
His story is a reminder that innovation and integrity can coexist in law. Whether it’s managing privacy in the digital age, guiding organisations through regulatory change, or redefining what it means to be a modern data protection professional, Adeniyi shows that compliance and creativity can work hand in hand.
From championing empathy in professional relationships to finding purpose in unexpected opportunities, he reminds us that success in law isn’t defined by the path you start on, but by how you grow, adapt, and create impact along the way.
🎧 Stay tuned — our podcast episode with Adeniyi will be available soon on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and Audible (TheLawyerFiles). In it, we talk about his transition into data protection, the evolving challenges of AI, and how curiosity became the foundation of his success.
We also explore his insights on leadership, education, and the lessons he’s learned about building a fulfilling career in a fast-changing world.
Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss future episodes.
Until next time — stay curious, stay open, and keep leading with integrity 💡🎙️
Denice Obeng 🙂
