Trusted advisors?
59 lawyers and 19 departments recommended in the Legal 500 EMEA 2023
12.04.2023
Autorzy:
Practice:
Specialisations:
We strengthened our position as a leading law firm in the market and 59 of our experts received individual recommendations.
In this year’s ranking, the team advising on construction law joined our 5 Top Tier teams (Dispute Resolution, Energy & natural resources, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Private Client, Public Procurement). Congratulations also to our insurance team, which was ranked one tier higher compared to last year (Tier 2). Additionally, the competition law team also joined the ranking, receiving "Firms to watch" recognition in the Competition/Antitrust category.
Among the 59 individual recommendations three of our experts were promoted:
In addition, 12 of our experts made their debut in the ranking: Sylwia Kuca, Jarosław Łukawski, Bartosz Karolczyk, Tadeusz Piątek, Paweł Rudolf, Jacek Stokłosa, Anna Ciepla, Michał Gajdek, Paweł Kaźmierczyk, Jarosław Konecko, Karolina Kulikowska-Gruszecka, Justyna Tyc-Brzosko.
Below we present information about the recommended teams along with the publisher's commentary and opinions of the surveyed clients. The criteria for the assessment of lawyers and individual teams were primarily: experience and completed projects, as well as customer relations, whose opinion is one of the most important factors.
Construction
Leading individuals: Tomasz Darowski
Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka‘s construction department sits within the firm’s infrastructure and energy practice and supports clients throughout a project, especially regarding contracts, design work, supervision agreements, and agreements with utility suppliers. It advises both public and private sector clients, and also assists with public procurement matters. Contentious mandates are particular strengths and the team frequently draws on the firm's litigation department. Tomasz Darowski leads the construction group with expertise in a wide range of sectors, including railway, road, waste management and energy, and Marcin Krakowiak heads up the infrastructure and energy team. Also of note are senior associates Kamil Pociecha, who specialises in infrastructure projects, Beata Cieszyńska, who handles construction projects and contracts, and Michał Przychoda, who advises clients on the preparation and implementation stages of a project.
Testimonials
‘Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka is helpful and efficient – the lawyers have at their disposal extensive knowledge.’
‘The team has internationality and experience in Public Procurement Law and in Environmental Law.’
‘We find their services helpful and efficient due to on-time and accurate responses. The lawyers with whom we cooperate have at their disposal extensive knowledge on the subject and show commitment to successful resolving of the matter. We particularly appreciate and value work of Beata Cieszyńska and Tomasz Darowski.’
Dispute Resolution
Leading Individuals: Paweł Lewandowski
Representation of major public sector players is a key strength for Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka; as well as its usual roster of complex disputes relating to the transport and education fields, the team has recently been involved with numerous cases concerning healthcare financing. Józef Palinka, who is well versed in both litigation and arbitration, and Paweł Lewandowski, who is known for his alternative dispute resolution focus, are the names to note at leadership level – between them, the duo have extensive experience appearing before courts of all levels.
Other key lawyers: Paweł Paradowski, Łukasz Wojdalski, Maciej Orkusz, Jacek Stokłosa, Bartosz Karolczyk, Anna Ciepla
Testimonials
‘Good communication with the client and between team members, organised work, team is prepared to deal with big issues. Every document is always well prepared – I don’t have a need to check it – I place my trust in them.’
‘Every team member is always available for their clients, they are always prepared and give concrete answers, they know how to explain the issue to the court in an ordered and understandable way, every document is prepared with a high level of accuracy.’
‘Litigation team of DZP is a very professional and diligent team. Their commercial approach allows them to adopt the right and cost effective dispute resolution strategy.’
‘Paweł Lewandowski acts as a trusted advisor to his clients, helping them to make the best decision about the legal risk. He takes into consideration not only the legal, but also the business perspective.’
‘Very good practical knowledge and understanding of the business.’
‘Paweł Lewandowski – along with Anna Ciepla and Bartosz Karolczyk – are delivering great work and managing complex cases.’
‘The team has a very business-oriented approach and is able to manage the case accordingly.’
Energy & natural resources
Hall of Fame: Rafał Hajduk; Leading Individuals: Paweł Grzejszczak
Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka‘s team has ‘vast experience in the energy sector’ and provides both domestic and international clients with advice on the entire lifecycle of projects involving conventional and renewable energy, as well as assisting with mandates in the nuclear and cogeneration sectors. Its offering also extends to commercial and regulatory assistance, as well as support with greenfield investments, waste management matters, and mining. Transaction specialist Rafał Hajduk leads the group alongside 'well connected' Marcin Krakowiak. Paweł Grzejszczak is another name of note, as he has expertise in energy-related regulatory and transactional matters.
Other key lawyers: Katarzyna Kuźma
Testimonials
‘DZP is the most clever and business-oriented law firm in the Polish energy market. They’ve proven an uncommon capability in understanding the client’s needs and finding the most suitable legal path to achieve them.’
‘Vast experience in the energy sector combined with an unconventional approach to legal problem solving. Legal advice formulated in a clear, plain language that is easily understood by business people.’
‘The team of lawyers has extensive experience and knowledge in the field of issues related to state aid, ownership transformations, corporate matters, and M&A transactions.’
‘The lawyers are distinguished by their extensive knowledge of the issues on which they advise. They show great commitment to work.’
‘DZP has a strong market position in Poland with vast experience in waste-to-energy projects.’
‘Marcin Krakowiak is well connected and has great knowledge.’
‘Rafał Hajduk is always working at the highest professional level and he gives a great sense of legal security.’
‘Special credit to Rafał Hajduk; he has been able to solve very complex legal issues.’
Healthcare & Life Sciences
Leading Individuals: Michał Czarnuch, Tomasz Kaczyński; Next Generation Partners: Marcin Pieklak
At Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka, the workload is split equally between project-based, strategic advice and regulatory assistance, including reacting to imminent legislative changes. Many of the team's key senior practitioners - including Michał Czarnuch and Marcin Matczak – are specialists in administrative law, operating primarily at its intersection with the pharmaceutical sector. Tomasz Kaczyński and Marcin Pieklak are noted for their expertise in product registration and reimbursement issues.
Other key lawyers: Anna Partyka-Opiela, Paweł Kaźmierczyk
Testimonials
‘Paweł Kaźmierczyk – great, intelligent and experienced lawyer.’
Private Client
Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka’s private client team has a broad-ranging client base, including entrepreneurs, families, family businesses, private organisations and family trust funds. The practice’s offering extends across areas ranging from day-to-day legal and tax advice and succession planning, to restructuring projects and corporate mandates. Leadership of the team is split between Poznań-based duo Piotr Andrzejczak and Jakub Wieszczeczyński, and Joanna Wierzejska and Marek Świątkowski, both in Warsaw. Damian Szczygielski was promoted to partner in July 2022 and counsel Grzegorz Sprawka is also of note.
Testimonials
‘The team’s strengths include a high level of professionalism, a good individual approach, and flexibility and complexity of teams and senior lawyers.’
Public Procurement
Leading individuals: Katarzyna Kuźma Rising stars: Tomasz Michalczyk
Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka has a ‘unique’ public procurement team covering both domestic and EU mandates. Sectors of focus for the group include construction and engineering, energy, healthcare, IT, and defence and security, and its client roster consists of state-owned companies, foreign contractors, and private companies. ‘Exceptional partner’ Katarzyna Kuźma heads up the public procurement team, with support from infrastructure and energy department chair Marcin Krakowiak. Counsels Wojciech Hartung and Tomasz Michalczyk are also notable lawyers, with the latter singled out by one client as a ‘great expert’. Senior associate Michał Gajdek is another active team member.
Testimonials
‘DZP’s public procurement team is unique in the Polish market. They have a deep understanding of the business needs of the client, they listen carefully, and they do not use uncessarily complex language. They enter into every detail but also see the big picture. They play on your team.’
‘The team is very strong and DZP’s services are recommended.’
‘Katarzyna Kuźma is an exceptional practitioner who is very hands-on and personally involved in the clients’ issues.’
‘Tomasz Michalczyk is a really good legal advisor. He understands client problems and knows how to solve them.’
‘Tomasz Michalczyk is a great expert.’
Banking & Finance
Rising stars: Tomasz Kalicki
Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka‘s banking and finance offering sits within the firm’s broader capital markets and financial institutions practice, and is therefore well placed to advise on the gamut of regulatory issues, cross-border transactions, and M&A deals in the sector. With its balanced lender and borrower base, the group counts banks and their subsidiaries, financial holdings, brokers, investment funds, and many other unregulated entities amongst its regular clients. Magdalena Skowrońska heads up the team, with support from experienced partner Rafał Grochowski and senior associate Tomasz Kalicki. In November 2021, counsel Paweł Rudolf joined the office from an in-house position at the KNF.
Testimonials
‘Very efficient, responsive, easy to work with firm.’
‘Magdalena Skowrońska is a very efficient project manager.’
‘Very well staffed team, highly experienced, transparency, good communication.’
‘The DZP team are a rare commodity, local counsel who behave exactly as local counsel should. They are knowledgeable and responsive to instructing counsel and their counterparts. They quote effectively and give advance notice of potential issues. And they ‘move the ball forward’ without needing to be prompted.’
‘The most impressive feature of the firm is the universal quality of their people, to the extent that I don’t have any real concerns when the team changes. I know they will respond to someone being out, and the replacement will have been briefed, or several people will step in to make sure things get done.’
‘We had only an excellent and responsive service.’
Commercial, corporate and M&A
Leveraging the strength of its 9-partner team, Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka advises on the gamut of transactions, including leveraged buyouts, management take-overs, joint ventures, and restructuring projects. The group is able to provide expert knowledge across a breadth of sectors, but is particularly well regarded for its energy and private client focuses. Managing partner Krzysztof Zakrzewski continues to oversee the department, supported by a strong bench of seasoned practitioners, including M&A specialists Marek Świątkowski and Bartosz Marcinkowski; Julita Zimoch-Tuchołka, who is a go-to advisor for company formation issues; and Damian Szczygielski, who is noted for his commercial law work.
Other key lawyers: Piotr Andrzejczak, Robert Niczyporuk
Testimonials
‘One of the most user-friendly law firms in Poland. DZP has a good multi-disciplinary team that stands out above many of its competitors. Always a pleasure to work with.’
‘Responsive, thoughtful, easy to work with, practical.’
‘Engagement and pragmatic approach stand out.’
‘Highly knowledgeable team with business-minded approach.’
‘Bartosz Marcinkowski is an excellent professional. Goes the extra mile. Excellent availability.’
‘A leading Polish law firm with great lawyers that provide value for money in complex areas of law, often with a cross-border dimension!’
‘Bartosz Marcinkowski is a great lawyer.’
‘We had full confidence in them, feeling absolutely sure about their legal expertise as well as the highest degree of discretion.’
Data privacy and Data protection
Leading individuals: Bartosz Marcinkowski
The data privacy team at Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka is led by Bartosz Marcinkowski, who supports both domestic and foreign companies; he also has a strong academic background in data protection law. The practice undertakes GDPR compliance mandates and data transfers, and it also assists clients with the handling of data breaches. Marcinkowski is supported by Sylwia Kuca, who handles Polish and EU law compliance matters.
Testimonials
‘Bartosz Marcinkowski with his team delivers a professional service.’
Employment
Next Generation Partners: Agata Mierzwa
Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka‘s labour law and social security practice has a wide-ranging offering, from TUPE matters and restructurings to developing employee retirement schemes and advising on discrimination in the workplace. It is also active in immigration law and assists with trade union relationships. Industrial relations expert and ‘stand-out performer‘ Bogusław Kapłon splits his time between the firm’s Warsaw and Poznań offices, and he co-heads the department alongside Warsaw-based Agata Mierzwa, who specialises in restructurings, ground redundancies, and TUPE matters.
Other key lawyers: Justyna Tyc-Brzosko
Testimonials
‘A very strong team in terms of knowledge, experience, and customer-focused approach.’
‘Very costumer focused and oriented. You may be sure that they will care about the best solutions for you.’
‘DZP is a very-well organised practice with very skilled lawyers. They are recommended for very good preparation of solutions with different options.’
‘Individuals are very well organised with very good knowledge. Always preparing all necessary documents on time and advising to pick the best possible option.’
‘Very dedicated and competent team. Practical approach, flexibility, and great understanding of business needs.’
‘They are competent and there are no topics that would not be thoroughly checked and properly recommended.’
‘The stand-out performer is Bogusław Kapłon.’
‘Justyna Tyc-Brzosko and Agata Mierzwa are very competent. Their knowledge and experience is always beneficial.’
Insurance
Leading individuals: Julita Zimoch-Tuchołka; Next Generation Partners: Joanna Schubel
Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka‘s insurance team advises insurers, brokers, policyholders and public bodies; the group has a particular focus on D&O and W&I claims, as well as product liability and property insurance claims. Sectors of focus for the group include manufacturing, construction, financial services and commerce. Advice on policies and representation in litigation is also within the team’s offering, in addition to M&A transactions and regulatory compliance, and assisting foreign insurance companies with entry to the market. Julita Zimoch-Tuchołka sits at the helm of the group. Joanna Schubel was promoted to counsel in January 2022, and is active in matters concerning product development and distribution.
Testimonials
‘A strong combination of experienced native Polish lawyers with extraordinary knowledge of Polish insurance law, and the great capacity to render legal and advisory services to international clients in perfect German and English.’
‘The mentality of Joanna Schubel and Julita Zimoch-Tuchołka is personal and positive in collaboration as well as realistic, hands-on and yet clearly mitigating legal risks with respect to finding solutions.’
Restructuring and insolvency
Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka provides a cradle to grave service, spanning out-of-court restructurings, insolvency proceedings on behalf of both creditors and debtors, and investment advice concerning distressed assets. The team has particular expertise in the regulated sectors, and is frequently instructed by banking, consumer health and aviation clients to assist with solvent transformation projects. The group is also able to leverage the energy and infrastructure expertise of the wider firm to provide insight into restructuring issues relating to those fields. Bartosz Marcinkowski and Michał Cecerko are the key senior contacts.
Other key lawyers: Sylwia Kuca
Testimonials
‘The team is well known for its engagement in big projects.’
‘Michał Cecerko is a team leader with a strong academic background, but also is very fluent in providing advice to non-legal people.’
Tax
Leading individuals: Artur Nowak
Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka‘s experienced team brings an equal M&A, restructuring and planning focus to its tax advisory offering; Polish and international companies – particularly those operating in the infrastructure, energy, pharmaceutical, real estate and insurance sectors – as well as state authorities and private equity funds are quick to recognise the firm’s proficiency in these areas. The group is also noted for its litigious prowess, and regularly represents clients before both tax authorities and administrative courts. Joanna Wierzejska and Artur Nowak jointly head up the practice.
Other key lawyers: Grzegorz Sprawka, Jan Czerwiński, Tomasz Leszczewski
White-collar crime
Hall of Fame: Hanna Gajewska-Kraczkowska
Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka‘s white-collar crime team acts for a variety of companies – including publishing houses, pharmaceutical corporations, and manufacturers – as well as banks, government agencies, board presidents, and management teams in criminal proceedings. Its offering includes advice on corruption, money laundering, fraud, and tax issues. Sitting at the helm of the practice, counsel Hanna Gajewska-Kraczkowska has significant expertise in the criminal liability of businesses. Artur Nowak supports the team in tax-related matters and senior associate Rafał Karbowniczek is also a key name to note.
Testimonials
‘The team are passionate about their work, which in this sense becomes an extremely important part of their lives. This engagement, combined with the immense knowledge of the whole team, makes them stand out.’
‘Direct contact, always prepared, and give solutions and recommendations which make the client feel taken care of and secure. They know how to explain difficult legal issues in a simple way.’
‘The strength of the team is the mix of verve, commitment, and experience.’
‘Rafał Karbowniczek fights for his clients; he has incredible knowledge, energy, and passion.’
‘Rafał Karbowniczek always takes the initiative to solve the problem and he has great communication with clients and prosecutors. Every document is always well prepared and accurate.’
‘Rafał Karbowniczek’s litigation sense and commitment to his clients is unique in the market. He approaches each case individually and very conscientiously.’
Intellectual property
The IP department at Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka has particular strengths in copyright matters relating to architectural works, computer programmes, films, and music. It advises clients on registering and monitoring EU trade marks and community designs, as well as related disputes covering patents and copyrights. Experienced practitioner Aleksandra Auleytner leads the team.
Other key lawyers: Jarosław Konecko
TMT
The TMT team at Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka is adept at handling digital transformation projects, armaments technology supply projects and AI-related mandates. It is also active in advising clients in the TV production space (including TV broadcasters and producers), video game developers, publishers, and e-commerce and energy companies. IT expert Aleksandra Auleytner chairs the TMT group at Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka.
Other key lawyers: Tadeusz Piątek, Karolina Kulikowska-Gruszecka
Capital markets
Traditionally, Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka has stood out for its expertise in the specialised area of bond issues related to infrastructure projects. Recently, while maintaining this focus, the team has been expanding further into DCM and regulatory work. Andrzej Foltyn heads up the practice, with Rafał Grochowski and Magdalena Skowrońska also taking prominent roles.
Other key lawyers: Piotr Jackowski
Real estate
In addition to assisting clients with the sale and purchase of assets and lease agreements, the real estate team at Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka handles spatial law issues, the protection of cultural monuments, restitution claims, and construction law matters. It also represents clients before common and administrative courts. Lech Żyżylewski and Wojciech Koczara co-head the practice.
Competition/Antitrust
Since his arrival at Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka in 2020, Jarosław Łukawski has rebuilt the competition law department; the team is now instructed by a large and continuously growing roster of clients from a multitude of sectors, with particular focus on FMCG. Proceedings before the Polish Competition Authority are a mainstay of the practice.
Please visit The Legal 500 website for details of the Legal 500 EMEA recommendations.