The Legal 500

‘Clear leader’ Raczkowski i Wspólnicy has a comprehensive practice, and recently expanded its team to 13 fee-earners. Key recruits include Sławomir Paruch joining from Soltysinski Kawecki & Szlezak, and senior associate Katarzyna Dobkowska arriving from Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka. Practice head Bartłomiej Raczkowski is excellent’ and ‘a real star’. Clients include Lafarge, Oracle, Marks and Spencer plc, and MTV.

The ‘excellent’ A Sobczyk i Wspólpracownicy Law Offices specialises in employment law services. Founding partner Arkadiusz Sobczyk ‘combines academic excellence with brilliant practical skills’.

CMS’ ‘supportive’ team advised Amgen on employment aspects of a merger; and Rabobank on the implementation of an EU directive relating to bonus schemes. Practice head Katarzyna Dulewicz, who co-ordinates the firm’s labour group across the CEE region, has ‘extensive experience’ and ‘a proactive approach’.

Gujski, Zdebiak Kancelaria adwokacko radcowska spolka partnerska mainly acts for employees, and is ‘excellent’.

Wardynski & Partners advised a Polish railway company on employment matters during its privatisation, and continues to advise a US bank on the creation of a back-office service centre in Poland. Department head Agnieszka Lisiecka and senior associate Szymon Kubiak are recommended.

Boutique employment practice Wojewodka i Wspolnicy Sp.k. is valued for its ‘extremely high level of performance and professionalism’, and its ‘flexibility and business understanding’. The team, which is based in Warsaw and Lublin, has advised on matters including collective redundancies, employee transfers and the implementation of an employment pension scheme. Name partner Marcin Wodjewódka is ‘very hardworking, efficient and passionate’.

Baker & McKenzie Krzyzowski i Wspolnicy sp.k.’s ‘excellent’ practice is valued for its understanding of clients’ ‘needs, culture and procedures’. Piotr Rawski and his team advise Acciona on an ongoing basis, and are advising new client Exact on restructuring.

Agnieszka Lechman-Filipiak heads DLA Piper Wiater sp.k.’s team, which is currently advising Laureate Education Inc on its entry into the Polish market and the establishment of its employment structure. Senior associate Magdalena Zwolińska joined the firm in May 2012 from Raczkowski i Wspólnicy, and senior associate Michał Synowiec is another key figure in the team.

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka is valued for its ‘experience and professional knowledge’. It advises clients from sectors including energy, insurance, media, and automotive on matters ranging from court proceedings to transfer of establishment. Practice head Boguslaw Kaplon provides ‘thorough analysis and a practical approach’. Katarzyna Dobkowska joined Raczkowski i Wspólnicy in September 2012.

Soltysinski Kawecki & Szlezak’s team is now led by ‘extremely capable’ senior associate Roch Pałubicki, following Sławomir Paruch’s move to Raczkowski i Wspólnicy. Pałubicki’s recent work includes litigation and advising on a collective dispute and strike.

Niche employment practice Sylwia Puzynowska Kancelaria Prawa Pracy/Labor Law Office advises on all issues, including employee lay-offs and transfers.

Agnieszka Fedor heads WKB Wiercinski, Kwiecinski, Baehr’s team, which advised the EDF Group on the restructuring and merger of three power and heating plants and represented MWiK Bydgoszcz in a court case concerning gross breach of employee duties.

Ewa Łachowska-Brol heads the three-lawyer team at Wierzbowski Eversheds.

Clifford Chance provides ‘appropriate advice’ and ‘quick response times’. Clients include PZU S.A. and Izba Domów Maklerskich. Counsel Anna Hałas shows ‘initiative in finding solutions’.

Robert Jędrzejczyk heads Gide Loyrette Nouel’s practice, which acts for clients including the French Embassy in Poland and Enterprise Investors.

Hogan Lovells (Warszawa) LLP’s new clients include Kantar Media and Corning Cable Systems. Team head Marek Wroniak has ‘excellent business acumen and soft skills’, and senior associate Agnieszka Szczodra-Hajduk is valued for her ‘proactive approach’.

Iwona Jaroszewska – Ignatowska’s workload includes advising on working time issues, negotiations with trade unions and the training of HR personnel and managerial staff.

Managing partner Daniel Książek heads the team at Ksiazek & Bigaj Law Firm, which advised McDonald’s on employment issues relating to the Euro 2012 football tournament.

Wiewiórski Law Firm shows ‘a high level of commitment and professionalism’. Magdalena Walenczak is ‘a real expert’, and Marek Maciej Wiewiórski is also recommended.