The Legal 500

At ‘top-tier firm’ Clifford Chance, the team recently advised TVN on the acquisition of the remaining 49% stake in ITI Neovision, the Poland-based owner and operator of Polish digital platform N, from ITI Group. The practice also advised Abris-EMP Capital Partners in connection with the acquisition of Prime Car Management and Futura Leasing, operating under the name Masterlease, from GMAC. Agnieszka Janicka is recommended. Piotr Dulewicz and Michal Karwacki left for Salans.

Dewey & LeBoeuf Grzesiak SP.K. was lead counsel in the sale and merger of AIG’s consumer finance business in Poland and advised Fortis Bank Polska in the takeover of assets of BNP Paribas’ Polish Branch. The team also represented MetLife in the takeover of Alico. Lejb Fogelman, Jaroslaw Grzesiak and Pawel Bajno are key practitioners.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges advised PGE, the largest energy holding in Poland, on the PLN7.3bn consolidation of its capital group and acted for the controlling shareholders of Nepentes on the sale of a majority stake in Nepentes to Sanofi-Aventis. Pawel Rymarz, Piotr Tomaszewski, Rafal Zwierz and Pawel Zdort are recommended practitioners.

Allen & Overy, A. Pedzich sp. k. advised Bank BPH on its integration with GE Money Bank, creating one of the largest universal banks in Poland. In private equity, Advent International was advised on its successful public tender offer to acquire Poland’s largest educational publisher. Jaroslaw Iwanicki and Jacek Michalski are recommended.

Baker & McKenzie Gruszczynski & Partners Attorneys at Law LP recently advised Agora on the acquisition of a majority stake in Centrum Filmowe Helios. Marcin Gmaj and Tomasz Krzyzowski are well respected practitioners.

At CMS Cameron McKenna Dariusz Greszta Spólka Komandytowa, Dariusz Greszta handles high-profile M&A, and private equity transactions, as well as corporate restructurings. Greszta led the team that advised GE Money on its €625.5m acquisition of Bank BPH, the Polish banking business of UniCredit. Marek Sawicki frequently represents private equity funds in their investment and exit transactions, as well as advising target companies., and he works closely with life sciences and financial institution clients.

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka is ‘without a doubt a leading law firm in Poland’. The practice acted on the substantial merger between Noble Bank and Getin Bank. The team also advised Construcciones AIS on the sale of AIS Polska. Krzysztof Zakrzewski is a key practitioner and Piotr Andrzejczak has ‘excellent skills’. Marcin Krakówiak is also recommended.

The ‘diligent and accurate’ Linklaters stands out for its cross-border M&A English and US law team, and ‘provides timely and focused M&A services’. The team advised Allied Irish Banks on the headline sale of its majority stake in BZ WBK, the fourth-largest Polish bank. Jolanta Tropaczynska ‘focuses on the key issues and is able to support commercial goals through negotiations’, managing partner Cezary Wisniewski ‘always gives valuable advice’, and CEE private equity head Tomasz Zórawski are recommended. A Ukraine M&A practice is led from Warsaw.

Soltysinski Kawecki & Szlezak’s Robert Gawalkiewicz recently represented Pfeifer & Langen in the €110m acquisition of British Sugar Overseas in Poland and Tomasz Kanski assisted DB Mobility in one of the largest M&A transactions in the logistics industry in Poland in 2009, namely the €1bn acquisition of PCC Group companies in Poland. Stanislaw Soltysinski is ‘an eminent practitioner’, and Andrzej Szlezak is also recommended.

Newly merged Hogan Lovells (Warszawa) LLP recently advised Mitsubishi Electric Europe in a transborder merger, and GMAC Commercial Finance was assisted with the sale of GMAC Commercial Finance. Managing partner Beata Balas-Noszczyk heads the financial institution group, including insurance, reinsurance, investment and pension funds. Marek Wroniak is recommended.

Clients rate Norton Rose Piotr Strawa and Partners LP’s ‘response times and quality of work’. The practice advised Nestlé Polska on the merger with Alima Gerber. Piotr Strawa is ‘very familiar with the particularities of the market’.

Salans welcomed new co-corporate head Piotr Dulewicz and Michal Karwacki from Clifford Chance, as well as Pawel Halwa from Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka. The team advised the State Treasury on the privatisation of Energa and acted for Groupe Société Générale in the bid for Daimler’s car-leasing portfolio in Poland. Managing partner Tomasz Dabrowski is recommended.

Wardynski & Partners recently advised a Swedish technical consultant company on the acquisition of two Polish companies and acted for Bain Capital in relation to the contemplated takeover of Ciech. Team head Pawel Ciecwierz is recommended.

Despite rumours of internal troubles, White & Case – W. Danilowicz, W. Jurcewicz i Wspólnicy Kancelaria Prawna sp.K remained active in banking sector and private equity transactions. The team advised Novator in connection with the sale of its holding in WSE-listed telecommunication company Netia, and acted for WestLB AG on its disposal of its entire stake in WestLB Bank Polska. Witold Danilowicz and Witold Jurcewicz are recommended.

Led by managing partner Wlodzimierz Radzikowski, Chadbourne & Parke LLP advises on all aspects arising in the course of transactions, including employment restructuring, financing, antimonopoly issues, intellectual property and potential litigation. The team acted for the largest Polish copper and silver producer in connection with an investment agreement related to a copper and gold mining project in Canada. Gabriel Wujek is well respected.

DLA Piper Wiater sp.k. welcomed corporate finance head Patryk Laskorzynski from Allen & Overy, A. Pedzich sp. k.. The team advised Kraft Foods on the sale of Cadbury’s E Wedel chocolate and sugar confectionery operations in Poland to Tokyo-based Lotte Group. Managing partner Krzysztof Wiater is ‘clever, creative and charismatic’.

FKA Furtek Komosa Aleksandrowicz is ‘excellent with demanding clients’. The team advised Procter & Gamble in relation to a corporate merger of two Polish group companies. Corporate head Michal Miecinski has ‘broad business knowledge’ and managing partner Tadeusz Komosa is ‘trustworthy and responsive’.

Known for its private equity strengths, Gessel Attorneys at Law’s clients include a considerable number of funds active in Poland, some of them operated by banks. The team advises all of Enterprise Investors’ Polish funds. Beata Gessel-Kalinowska vel Kalisz is recommended.

Gide Loyrette Nouel ‘works well under pressure’. The practice saw notable privatisations in the energy and infrastructure sectors, as well as real estate-related M&A transactions. The team advised Abris Capital Partners on the acquisition of shares in WestLB Bank Polska. Dariusz Tokarczuk and Rafal Dziedzic are key contacts.

K&L Gates LLP opened its Warsaw doors in 2010 with a team from the former Hogan & Hartson Jamka sp.k. The practice acts in Poland as outside counsel to companies such as United Technologies Corporation. Wladek Rzycki’s experience spans the full range of transactional and corporate work both in Poland and the United States. Andrzej Mikosz led the team of investment bankers and lawyers that structured the final settlement between the Republic of Poland and Dutch insurer Eureko BV, ending the ten-year dispute over the control of Polish insurer PZU.

WKB Wiercinski, Kwiecinski, Baehr is noted for its TMT and energy sector expertise. Highlights included advising listed Polish company, Mediatel, in the divestment of one of its non-core assets. Senior partner Andrzej Wiercinski is a principal contact.

Wierzbowski Eversheds acted for Chesapeake when it acquired a major Polish printing company. Managing partner Krzysztof Wierzbowski and Judith Gliniecki are key practitioners.

Beiten Burkhardt P.Daszkowski SP.K. is noted for its representation of German-speaking clients in corporate and M&A matters in the Polish market. Peter Daszkowski is the key contact.

Biedecki Biedecki Olejnik ‘ has a good understanding of the regulatory environment’. The team advised Pradera Management Polska in connection with the merger between Pradera Central Lódz Gallery and Pradera Central Lódz Hypermarket, and acted for Orbis in connection with the sale of majority shares, owned by Orbis in Polskie Biuro Podrózy. Radoslaw Biedecki is ‘professional and approachable’. Ludomir Biedecki ‘has excellent client handling skills’.

Bird & Bird Maciej Gawronski sp.k welcomed Zdzislaw Wieckowski from White & Case – W. Danilowicz, W. Jurcewicz i Wspólnicy Kancelaria Prawna sp.K. Wieckowski focuses primarily on private equity investments, M&A, public company takeovers, and public-to-private transactions. The practice advised Marmite on a cross-border acquisition of a share in a target company.

Brzezinska, Narolski, Marianski remained involved in numerous M&A transactions, such as the merger of Altrad Belle and Altrad Spomasz, and the takeover of Presco Media by Merlin. Anna Gasecka is the key contact.

Chajec, Don-Siemion & Zyto Legal Advisors continues to represent Aero 2 on all its acquisitions. The practice advised the seller of a chemicals company in a disposition to a leading manufacturer. Andrzej Chajec is recommended.

Drzewiecki, Tomaszek & Wspólnicy Spólka Jawna recently advised Telekomunikacja Polska in two significant M&A transactions and acted for a WSE-listed construction company in a merger process.

At Austrian law firm enwc Attorneys at Law E. Stobiecka – Kancelaria Prawna Sp.K, Ewelina Stobiecka and Katarzyna Woroszylska are the principal contacts. Recently, the team advised several international corporations and their Polish subsidiaries on corporate restructuring matters.

At the Warsaw office of Spanish firm, Garrigues, Carlos Rapallo is rated by clients for his ‘knowledge of M&A practice, and great drafting of agreements’. The team acted for Inaer Aviation International on the potential purchase of a company.

Grynhoff Wozny Wspólnicy’s Tomasz Malinski is responsible for corporate matters. The team acted on the acquisition of a major Polish confectionary producer.

Kochanski Zieba Rapala & Partners acted for ISS on four M&A projects regarding the acquisition of new companies and advised Griffin Real Estate in the privatisation process of a state-owned enterprise. Rafal Rapala is a key contact.

Krassowski’s ‘performance proves to be on par with the bigger brands and is often faster and more personal’. The practice advised the founders of CEZAR in connection with the sale of a controlling stake in the company. Bartosz Krassowski is ‘both a reactive and constructive partner’.

Clients praise the ‘excellent service and professionalism’ at Kwasnicki, Wróbel & Partners. The team acted on the acquisition of minority blocks of shares from the State Treasury. Radoslaw Kwasnicki is ‘an effective manager and mentor’. Kwasnicki advises companies in the power, mining, FMCG, pharmaceutical and construction sectors.

Lukowicz Swierzewski & Partners’ clients frequently stem from the TMT, banking and finance, real estate, insurance and pharmaceuticals sectors. Polish Post is a client.

Magnusson – Kancelaria Prawnicza’s Andrzej Tokaj has been extensively involved in advising Octava on a full range of corporate matters. Tokaj is also Apollo Rida’s main lawyer in Poland. Daniel Jastrun has successfully developed a strong IT desk within the corporate practice. He advises Sun Microsystems (now Oracle) on a daily basis.

Prof. Marek Wierzbowski and Partners Advocates and Legal Counsellors recently advised the seller in connection with the sale of a portfolio of shares in Dino Polska, a company operating a chain of supermarkets in western Poland. Managing partner Marek Wierzbowski is the key contact.

Noerr Sp. z o.o. Spiering sp.k. is known for its representation of German-speaking clients in corporate matters. Warsaw office head Christoph Spiering acts in cross-border investments in central and eastern Europe. Recent projects include advising German project developers in the acquisition of Polish real estate companies.

Peter Nielsen & Partners Law Office sp k leaves clients feeling ‘completely satisfied’. The practice assisted Danish knowledge-based company, Orbicon Leif Hansen, in the acquisition of an enterprise in Poland. Team head Robert Kamionowski is ‘very good’.

Schoenherr’s M&A team recently advised international clients on the acquisition of Polish companies in the automotive, food processing and research sectors. The practice assisted with the Polish part of NORTEL’s worldwide restructuring. Corporate head Pawel Siekierzynski is a key practitioner.

Praised by clients, Poznan-based Sojka & Maciak recently advised a WSE-listed company on the disposition of a subsidiary and acquisition of a significant enterprise. Tomasz Sojka is a key contact.

Squire Sanders Swieçicki Krzesniak sp. k. ‘performs its duties conscientiously’. The practice represented Lotte Group on its acquisition of the E Wedel brand chocolate and sugar confectionary operations in Warsaw from Kraft Foods. Eligiusz Krzesniak and Marcin Wnukowski are recommended.

Poznan-based Weremczuk Bobel & Partners’ ‘switched on and practical’ Lukasz Bobel ‘leaves a positive impression’. The team acted for BSC Drukarnia Opakowan in the acquisition of shares in two Polish companies.