Judge Jerzy Stępień was born on 7 September 1946 in Staszów. He spent his childhood and school years in Sandomierz. In 1969 graduated from the Faculty of Law and Administration of Warsaw University. He also completed the post-graduate course in court law at Warsaw University and the post-graduate programme at the Collegium of Management and Finances in Warsaw School of Economics (SGH).

Between 1969 and 1971 attended a court training. From 1971 to 1973 an associate judge. In 1973 appointed judge of the County Court in Kielce, and in 1975 judge of the District Court. In the years 1979-1989 he worked as a legal adviser.

A co-founder of a regional branch of "Solidarity" Trade Union in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodship and Deputy Chairman of its regional board. Co-author of the historical "Appeal to the nations of the Central and Eastern Europe". Arrested on 13 December 1981. Between 1986 and 1989 a member of the regional Temporary Council of "Solidarity" and in 1989 a member of National Commission of "Solidarity" Trade Union. During the "round table" debates served as an expert on local government.

From 1989 to 1993 Senator of the Republic of Poland, chairing the Committee on Local Government and State Administration. In the years 1989-1993 a member of Senate's Constitutional Committee and from 1991 to 1993 a member of the Constitutional Committee of the National Assembly. During this period he presided over government commitees on public administration reform. Co-author of the reform of local government between 1989 and 1999.

The General Electoral Commissioner from 1990 to 1993. In 1997-1999 Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration. Since 1991 a lecturer at the Local Government and Local Development Study Centre of Warsaw University.

Co-founder of the Foundation in Support of Local Democracy and Vice-President of its Council of Founders. A member and in 1990-1999 Vice-President of the Polish Jazz Association.

Awarded Golden Cross of Merit and Gloria Artis Medals. On  June 2008 the President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus has rewarded him the Order of Grand Duke Gediminas.

Author of numerous atticles in the field of public administration, electoral law, constitutional law and modern history.

Jerzy Stepień was a Judge of the Constitutional Tribunal from 1999 to 2008 and President of the Constitutional Tribunal from 2006 to 2008.