The Legal 500

Baker & McKenzie Krzyzowski i Wspolnicy sp.k.’s team is led by Sławomir Boruc. Piotr Wysocki advised Nabbe Holdings LP on tax aspects of the acquisition of TMS Brokers. The team also advised Qatar Holding Sarl (owned by the Qatar Investment Authority) on the structuring of an acquisition. Jerzy Martini left the firm in June 2012 to set up a tax boutique.

Dentons’ ‘strong’, ‘responsive’ and ‘competent’ team has ‘a business-oriented approach’, and provides ‘appropriate value for money’. It represented a contract research organisation before the Regional Administrative Court in Warsaw in a dispute with the Ministry of Finance over a tax incentive applicable to research & development centres. Karina Furga-Dąbrowska heads the 12-strong team, which collaborates with five tax lawyers based in the associated office of KSP Legal & Tax Advice. Cezary Przygodzki is recommended.

CMS’ ‘proactive’ team provides ‘friendly and co-operative service’. The team advised Saipem and Techint as members of a consortium building the LNG terminal in Swinoujscie, and is currently representing the clients in a tax dispute with the state treasury. Arkadiusz Michaliszyn heads the practice, which includes ‘experienced’, ‘reliable’ senior associate Andrzej Pośniak, who is ‘hands-on’ and ‘favours a practical approach’.

DLA Piper Wiater sp.k. recently conducted a tax feasibility study for Orlen Upstream concerning shale gas extraction. Other clients include Banco Santander, PKN Orlen and TVP. Marcin Matyka is recommended.

Andrzej Ladziński and Artur Cmoch jointly lead the seven-partner tax practice at GWW Wozny i Wspolnicy Sp. K.. Clients include Cyfrowy Polsat, Netia, P4, UPC Polska, and US Pharmacia.

Greenberg Traurig Grzesiak sp.k.’s team specialises in transactional work and tax litigation. The firm is currently advising Wrigley Poland in litigation before the customs authorities, administrative courts and the Constitutional Tribunal concerning overpaid customs duty. Tomasz Kacymirow and Marek Kozaczuk are the practice co-heads.

Hogan Lovells (Warszawa) LLP, in conjunction with the firm’s London office, advised Eurolot on tax structuring of the lease of eight Bombardier Q400 aircraft, as well as advice on VAT issues relating to the importation of the aircraft. The team also advised Astaldi on the overall tax structuring of business operations in Poland. Andrzej Dębiec is recommended.

‘Top tax practice’ MDDP Michalik Dluska Dziedzic i Partnerzy advises on VAT, customs duties and excises, income tax, transfer pricing, as well as other local or international taxation issues, and represents clients in judicial proceedings. Tomasz Michalik is noted for his VAT expertise. Justyna Bauta-Szostak, Elżbieta Serwińska and Marta Szafarowska were promoted to the partnership in January 2012.

Dariusz Wasylkowski’s team at Wardynski & Partners advises on issues including income tax, indirect taxes, VAT, customs tax, litigation, transactions and tax optimisation. Clients are drawn from the manufacturing, distribution, retail and financial services sectors.

White & Case P. Pietkiewicz, M. Studniarek i Wspólnicy – Kancelaria Prawna sp.k. is well known for its expertise in international tax structuring, and also advises on tax aspects of M&A, tax modelling, and tax issues relating to international project management. Senior counsels Grzegorz Jukiel and Marcin Panek are recommended. Janusz Fiszer left the firm.

Chadbourne & Parke LLP advised Fabryka Samochodów Osobowych on taxation relating to state aid. Department head Dorota Szubielska was involved in a Supreme Administrative Court case regarding income tax relating to court-appointed pro bono legal aid.

Clifford Chance’s four-strong team advised Remontowa on tax aspects of debt restructuring. Other clients include Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Chevron Polska and Morgan Stanley.

FKA Furtek Komosa Aleksandrowicz represented Bank Gospodarki Żywnościowej in excise duties tax proceedings brought against it by the authorities, resulting in the tax authorities withdrawing their claims against the bank. It is advising new client Sage on a new EU directive on e-invoicing. Practice head Mariusz Aleksandrowicz is ‘very good’.

Linklaters’ ‘courteous, helpful and prompt’ team ‘performs at a consistently high level’, and ‘pursues a practical, business-like approach’. Clients include BNP Paribas and Talanx. Managing associate Mikołaj Bieniasz is ‘a trusted adviser’ with ‘in-depth knowledge and expertise’, and associate Paweł Chodziński is ‘commercially minded’ with ‘excellent technical knowledge’.

Ozog & Partners advises on tax optimisation, transfer pricing and risk management, and also handles tax litigation. Ireneusz Krawczyk is ‘a leader in tax litigation’.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges advised Netia on tax aspects of the acquisitions of Telefonia Dialog and Crowley Data Poland. Robert Krasnodębski heads the three-lawyer practice.

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka advised the shareholders of Aldik on the sale of the Aldik Nova Group, including tax optimisation. Joanna Wierzejska mainly advises on tax optimisation associated with restructuring and transactions, and Artur Nowak focuses on tax litigation.

Gide Loyrette Nouel advised Dalkia Polska on restructuring, tax optimisation and the creation of a tax capital group. Managing partner Dariusz Tokarczuk heads the team.

Kochanski Zieba Rapala & Partners provides day-to-day tax advice to Ringier Axel Springer Polska, TUI Poland and Tata Global Beverages. Andrzej Malec focuses on taxation relating to M&A and restructuring, and Tomasz Zaleski advises on income tax, VAT and tax risk.

Jarosław Bieroński heads the team at Soltysinski Kawecki & Szlezak, which acts for clients including BlackRock Investment Management and Marubeni Motors Poland. Sławomir Łuczak and Piotr Andrzejak have ‘a professional approach’.