The 'broad scope' of the practice at Clifford Chance is appreciated by clients; both in terms of sector expertise, which includes retail, healthcare, infrastructure and financial services; and the depth of legal expertise within the firm, such as competition and capital markets. The group benefits from the firm's strong international network, and is often called on in cross-border investments around the CEE region. Leading the department are managing partner Agnieszka Janicka, alongside Wojciech Polz ('his full understanding of even most complex financial aspects in a PE transaction is outstanding') and Marcin Bartnicki. Counsel Tomasz Derda is increasingly active in relation to private equity transactions and exits.

Greenberg Traurig Grzesiak sp. k.'s group of 'excellent negotiators and top performers' in Warsaw is singled out for exhibiting 'the highest ethical and professional standards'. It is able to advise on the full spectrum of activities by private equity houses, leveraging expertise from other departments, including tax, finance and capital markets. The group is best known for its private equity work in the real estate sector, where it advises on high-profile  portfolio acquisitions. With the presence of Aleksander Janiszewski, venture capital is an important feature of the practice, which includes advising on domestic and cross-border investments, particularly in the technology and new energy sectors. The overall private equity department is jointly led by Lejb Fogelman and Jarosław Grzesiak, both of whom are experienced transactional lawyers. 'Very pragmatic and able to close negotiations' Rafał Baranowski is another transactional specialist, with a focus on the oil and gas sector.

Private equity is a core pillar of CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang Pośniak i Bejm sp.k.'s practice in Poland. The group advises a host of private equity investors on their activity in Poland and the CEE region. In addition to strong transactional capabilities the group also has the back-up of a solid regulatory practice, enabling it to provide well-rounded advice to sophisticated private equity clients, extending to fund formation. In August 2020, the firm welcomed a team from Clifford Chance, including Sławomir Czerwiński and Mateusz Stępień, bolstering the group's private equity investment offering. The department itself is jointly led by Błażej Zagórski and Polish-, US, and English-qualified Rafał Zwierz. Counsel Olga Czyżycka, who is also known for her acumen in corporate transactions, is also noted.

At Dentons, the team advises foreign private equity funds on deals in Poland and across CEE; integrated into the firm's regional office network, it is able to handle the local and English law aspects of a transaction. Areas of sectoral expertise include energy, healthcare and life sciences, financial institutions, media and telecoms. The department is headed by Piotr Dulewicz, who also jointly leads the firm's Europe private equity group and has significant transactional experience. Dulewicz is ably supported by Paweł Grabowski who combines knowledge in private equity and real estate to advise on share and asset acquisitions, as well as management buyouts and corporate restructurings. Managing counsel Michał Wasiak is developing a strong client base of private equity funds and strategic investors involved in Polish deals.

Clients recognise DLA Piper's 'strong and innovative team' which has 'a clear focus on problem solving and getting the transaction done'. The group has an increasingly active private equity transactional practice, advising domestic and foreign funds on their big-ticket transactions in Poland. It is involved in numerous exits, acting on the buy- and sell-side, as well as advisory matters concerning fund formation and structuring, where it benefits from the firm's presence in Luxembourg. Experienced corporate transactional lawyers Marta Frąckowiak and Jakub Marcinkowski are key names. Jakub Domalik-Plakwicz has an impressive track record in advising foreign private equity funds.

The team at White & Case M. Studniarek i Wspólnicy - Kancelaria Prawna sp.k. leverages the firm's international reach to advise domestic and regional private equity houses. The group is led by executive partner of the Warsaw office Marcin Studniarek, whose expertise in M&A transactions and capital markets gives him an edge throughout the lifecycle of a PE investment. Rafał Kamiński's expertise in corporate governance and equity capital markets is often utilised by the firm's private equity clients. Michał Petz is the name to note for cross-border private equity and venture capital clients.

Deloitte Legal, Ostrowski, Gizicki i Wspólnicy sp.k.'s group advises on the buy- and sell-side of private equity deals, working closely with the consultancy side of the firm in relation to tax advisory. The team, which sits in the wider corporate department, is jointly headed by Piotr Siezieniewski and Ryszard Manteuffel.

The team at Kochanski & Partners handles private equity transactions for funds and target companies, with demonstrable expertise in the real estate sector. The group is split between the corporate and real estate departments, under the leadership of Rafał Rapala and Paweł Cholewiński. With Olgierd Świerzewski, the team has a specialist in regulator risk and deals in the technology industry.

Norton Rose Fulbright's team advises private equity houses on the life cycle of their investments in Poland, including in relation to buy-outs, restructurings and exits. It also works in tandem with the firm's international office network when local assistance is required. Practice head Piotr Strawa also heads the corporate department. Counsels Artur Jończyk ('a compelling negotiator') and Agnieszka Braciszewska also play an important role on private equity deals.

Schoenherr Stangl sp.k.'s team advises private equity clients on their transactions in Poland and in the region where there are Polish law aspects to the deal. It is able to draw on the expertise of other departments in relation to capital group structures and acquisition finance. The practice group is led from the corporate department by Paweł Halwa, who is instructed on the buy and sell side.

WKB Wiercinski, Kwiecinski, Baehr advises a mixture of private equity houses, institutional investors, alternative asset funds and target companies on their transactional activity in Poland. Core sectors for the group include the food and industrial sectors, as well as the distressed asset market. The private equity group is part of the firm's wider corporate and M&A department, which is jointly led by Jakub Jedrzejak, who has a niche in distressed M&A, and Ben Davey, who has strong connections with Australian investors.