Legal 500 EMEA 2020 recommendations for DZP

A new edition of the Legal 500 EMEA publication and ranking has just been published. We are pleased to inform you that our law firm and experts were recognised again.

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.

TIER 1:

Dispute Resolution

Leading individual: Paweł Lewandowski

Key areas of expertise for the dispute resolution department at Domański Zakrzewski Palinka are construction and infrastructure; transport; communications; media; trade finance; insurance; real estate; and state administration. The group has substantial experience in litigation, as well as arbitration before tribunals across Europe, including Zurich, Brussels and Paris. Corporate litigator and arbitration expert Józef Palinka jointly heads the team with Paweł Lewandowski, whose dispute resolution expertise spans the construction, energy, media and advertising sectors. Paweł Paradowski handles business disputes and white-collar criminal defence matters and Łukasz Wojdalski has experience of arbitrations.

Testimonials:

‘They are very hardworking, and with a lot of experience in the construction sector.‘

‘They are always proposing ideas and presenting possible scenarios and risks in order to find the best solution and take the best decision for our interests‘

‘The dispute resolution practice consists of a group of efficiently working professionals with extensive experience and a practical approach, able to deliver even on a very short notice.‘

Energy and Natural Resources

Leading individuals: Paweł Grzejszczak, Rafał Hajduk

Domański Zakrzewski Palinka's energy and infrastructure department advises domestic and foreign companies as well as public sector clients on major projects in Poland. Areas of expertise include greenfield and brownfield power projects, domestic and EU regulatory advice, gas and energy trading matters and distribution and corporate issues. The group is led by energy expert Rafał Hajduk, and also fields Paweł Grzejszczak, who specialises in energy projects, and senior associate Grzegorz Filipowicz, who is an environmental law specialist.

Testimonials:

‘The practice is unique in being able to engage quickly and efficiently with clients, not only to they get to grips with how best to deal with your scenario but also overlay the support quickly to make everything efficient.‘

‘Paweł Grzejszczak goes above and beyond, not only in legal support but personal support. This is particularly important when you are completing work from overseas jurisdictions and trying to work out the legal complexities.‘

‘Rafał Hajduk is very business-oriented.‘

Healthcare and Life Sciences

Leading individuals: Michał Czarnuch, Tomasz Kaczyński

Rising star: Marcin Pieklak

Domański Zakrzewski Palinka's team is noted for the 'broadness of its expertise', which includes corporate transactions in the healthcare sector, issues relating to medicine development and marketing and regulatory advice. It is jointly led by administrative law expert Michał Czarnuch, who specialises in pharmaceutical law, medical law, advertising law, EU law and competition law, and Marcin Matczak, whose focuses include biotechnology law and regulation. Tomasz Kaczyński is recommended for advice on distribution structures and senior associate Marcin Pieklak has developed a practice in financing for drugs, medical devices and food supplements from public funds.

Testimonials:

‘Comprehensive advisory skills, good understanding of business, can work under time pressure, flexible solutions.‘

‘Excellent knowledge in the bioscience environment.‘

‘The team is very professional and comprises subject matter experts that we were always able to rely on. The advice is always timely, with a client-oriented approach.‘

Private Client

Domański Zakrzewski Palinka is able to provide legal and tax advice to private clients in relation to family issues, as well as businesses, private organisations and trust funds. The team is often instructed on tax-driven restructuring projects, as well as M&A transactions involving family businesses. The department is jointly headed by M&A specialist Piotr Andrzejczak, Joanna Wierzejska, who is an expert in tax, and Marek Świątkowski, who has substantial experience of assisting private entities with company sales and restructuring projects.

Testimonials:

‘Highly competent lawyers and a quick response-rate.’

‘A very experienced, diversified team, that puts a focus on customers needs.‘

‘Always up-to-date with changes in legal and tax regulations.‘

Public Procurement

Leading individual: Katarzyna Kuźma

Domański Zakrzewski Palinka's team has experience advising public and private sector clients on procurement proceedings and strategy and risk management. It is also regularly instructed in procurement proceedings before the National Appeal Chamber, as well as advising on the application of remedies. On the advisory front, the group advises on the performance and execution of procurement contracts, as well as issues relating to competition law. Katarzyna Kuźma is the practice head and specialises in Polish and EU procurement law.

Testimonials:

‘We appreciate their dedication and responsiveness. Each time we face a problem together, we know that together with the firm we will find the best solution possible.‘

‘The team is the best team we’ve worked with so far. Each time they have the right ideas and helps in the selection of strategies in difficult situations.‘

‘They know first hand all the stages of public procurement, from pre-qualification to KIO challenges and further on. Unlike large international firm, they offer very reasonable rates and this, jointly with their experience, makes it an excellent value for money.‘

TIER 2:

Banking and Finance

Rising star: Tomasz Kalicki

Domański Zakrzewski Palinka has a diverse department which advises on the spectrum of finance transactions and restructurings, as well as on M&A in the financial sector. Areas of note for the firm span debt financing and restructuring, municipal project financing, equity financing and financial asset transactions. Key clients include banks and their subsidiaries, financial holdings, investment funds, brokers and investment companies, as well as a range of corporate borrowers. The team is led by Magdalena Skowrońska, who leads on significant regulatory mandates, as well as handling financing issues. Senior associate Tomasz Kalicki has developed a strong transactional practice.

Construction

Domański Zakrzewski Palinka offers full construction services to private and public sector clients, including advice on public procurement, acquisitions and financing. The group also handles construction litigation and arbitration. Infrastructure investment expert Tomasz Darowski jointly heads the team with Marcin Krakowiak.

Testimonials:

‘We consider their services helpful and efficient due to on-time and accurate responses. the team consists of highly competent lawyers who have at their disposal extensive knowledge on the subject.‘

‘Highly professional results of legal services, very efficient negotiators.‘

‘They combine well-founded legal knowledge with practical project experience.‘

Employment

Domański Zakrzewski Palinka provides clients with a broad range of expertise, regularly handling day-to-day labour law and social security issues, as well as matters relating to tax, unfair competition and criminal law. Other areas where the team, led by Bogusław Kapłon, adds value are collective work relations, personnel recruitment issues, restructurings and reintegrations, and health and safety policies. The group also regularly assists clients with business immigration mandates. Agata Mierzwa specialises in labour and social security law.

Tax

Leading individual: Artur Nowak

Domański Zakrzewski Palinka's tax department consists of lawyers and tax advisers, with substantial experience in M&A, restructuring and tax optimisation work, as well as representing clients in tax proceedings and assisting with issues surrounding tax inspections. The group advises a mixture of private clients, corporates and private equity houses and is jointly led by transactional tax specialist Joanna Wierzejska and Artur Nowak, who is an expert in tax and customs law litigation.

Testimonials:

‘The diversity and many years of experience of the team members makes it very versatile and in that sense unique.’

‘My team likes to cooperate with DZP, because we are sure of the quality of services provided and at the same time the team is very cooperative, you can even say friendly in cooperation.’

‘Professional, well known firm in Poland, wide range.’

White-Collar Crime

Leading individual: Hanna Gajewska-Kraczkowska

Domański Zakrzewski Palinka's team is noted for its expertise across the breadth of the white-collar space. It is often called upon to represent individuals and corporates in cases relating to economic and financial fraud, breach of trust, economic corruption and money laundering. The group is well placed to handle crisis situations, such as searches, interrogations and indictments, and has vast experience of judicial proceedings. Compliance is another core competency, particularly in relation to Polish regulation, the FCPA and UK Bribery Act. Counsel Hanna Gajewska-Kraczkowska heads the department. Artur Nowak is the name to note for criminal tax cases.

Testimonials:

‘A combination of academic legal knowledge with advocacy capabilities.‘

TIER 3:

Commercial, Corporate and M&A

Domański Zakrzewski Palinka's team is well versed in a variety of transactions, including leveraged buy-outs, management take-overs, joint ventures, and reorganisation and restructuring projects. In addition, the firm has developed a strong practice in advising Polish businesses on international expansions. The group also stands out for takeovers in regulated sectors, having advised DWF Group on its takeover of the Polish operations of K&L Gates; a transaction handled by Bartosz Marcinkowski (who is 'very well-connected to the market') and department head Krzysztof Zakrzewski. Robert Niczyporuk is also key for M&A matters.

Testimonials:

‘Good, well organised team work; excellent planning; flow driven approach.‘

‘We highly value the DZP team’s flexibility, availability and focus on the projects that we are dealing with.‘

‘Each time any new aspect needed to be analysed, they found the right person to talk to. There was also one partner who took care about our project and was competent enough to identify the specific need.‘

Insurance

Leading Individual: Julita Zimoch-Tuchołka

Rising star: Joanna Schubel

Domański Zakrzewski Palinka stands out for services related to insurance contracts, including the amendment of policy documentation. It also handles insurance audits, as well as acting for corporate clients on claiming compensation and in disputes with insurers. Another area of expertise is transactions in the insurance sector, the development of new insurance products and regulatory compliance. With expertise in insurance law and cross-border insurance issues, Julita Zimoch-Tuchołka leads the team, which includes senior associate and insurance advisory specialist Joanna Schubel, who is noted for assisting German-speaking companies.

Testimonials:

‘Competent, fast and direct in action.‘

‘A strategic thinking team.‘

Intellectual Property

The team at Domański Zakrzewski Palinka handles all aspects of industrial property law, including patents, trade marks, industrial designs and geographical indications. In addition, the group has developed particular expertise in copyright matters arising from architectural works, computer software, film and music. Drawing on expertise in media and telecoms, it also handles personal property protection issues, e-commerce projects, new technologies and internet law. Aleksandra Auleytner heads up the department.

Restructuring and Insolvency

The team at Domański Zakrzewski Palinka stands out for handling restructuring projects, particularly involving clients in regulated sectors such as pharmaceuticals and energy. The group takes a multi-disciplinary approach, utilising lawyers from the M&A, employment, tax, capital markets and real estate departments. Bartosz Marcinkowski and Marek Świątkowski jointly take the lead.

Testimonials:

‘They have in-depth and first hand knowledge and experience in matters that relate or might relate to insolvency – and more.‘

‘Marek Świątowski is responsive and efficiently manages his team.‘

‘I have always felt as if I received advice directly from a professional administrator doing restructuring and insolvency on a daily basis.‘

TMT

Domański Zakrzewski Palinka's core competencies include media law, covering publishing, television and radio broadcasting, the video games sector, and IT projects relating to healthcare. The group is led by telecoms, internet, e-commerce and data privacy specialist Aleksandra Auleytner and includes counsel Wojciech Dziomdziora, an expert in TMT-related consulting management and public affairs.

Testimonials:

‘The practice is very professional – all necessary legal knowledge is combined with technology connections and understanding. It offers a unique combination of legal, medical, healthcare organization and IT knowledge‘

‘Their stable team makes it certain what is the expected level of services‘

‘The team stands out in good knowledge of business aspects of law and is one of not so many law firms that have lawyers with good knowledge of the video game industry‘

Please visit The Legal 500 website for details of the Legal 500 EMEA recommendations.