Agenda

8.30am – 9.00am Registration

9.00am – 9.10am Opening remarks

    • Isabel Caine, research editor, Legal 500

9.10am – 9.35am Navigating M&A from General Counsel’s perspective – evolution of GC’s role, key challenges and practical tips

M&As are by nature complex processes requiring a proper preparation and a watchful eye to navigate safely and efficiently. A properly structured and smooth cooperation between the “business”, the GC and external legal advisor are indispensable parts of the game. The GC’s role has evolved from a back-seated guardian of compliance (back in the days) into a key member of the M&A leadership team, streamlining work, co-leading negotiations, facilitating communication between process participants and keeping an eye on myriad legal and business complexities involved.

In this panel, along with the invited speakers we are going to dive into practical aspects of GC’s key responsibilities and challenges in M&As nowadays, touching such topics as for instance: risk management, external lawyer/in-house lawyer cooperation, cross-border M&A challenges, post-merger integration, etc.

    • Przemysław Furmaga, partner, Greenberg Traurig
    • Sebastian Bellitzay, legal director, Apart
    • Hubert Kendziorek, general counsel, Emitel

9.35am – 10.00am Balancing Collaboration and Competition Law: Practical Guidance on Sensitive Data Exchanges

The panel will provide an in‑depth look at antitrust considerations surrounding the exchange of competitively sensitive information in M&A transactions and cooperation agreements. This discussion brings together private practice and corporate counsels to explore the fine line between lawful cooperation indispensable to achieve legitimate business goals and antitrust violations.

The conversation will cover identification of sensitive versus non‑sensitive data, the use of clean‑team safeguards in due diligence and pre‑closing phases, and the limits of information sharing in joint bidding, distribution, and minority‑shareholder contexts.

The panel will reference recent enforcement actions to illustrate the practical aspects of possible competition authorities intervention, as well as to discuss the need for more vigilant approach to the compliance strategies in this area.

    • Robert Gago, head of the competition and consumer protection practice, Greenberg Traurig
    • Małgorzata Wojnowska, head of legal, Żabka Polska
    • Michał Wołoszczuk, head of legal, Qemetica

10.00am – 10.50am AI in Business: Regulatory Revolution or Evolution – Opportunities, Threats, and Transformation

In this dynamic panel, we will delve into the formidable force of artificial intelligence that is continuously reshaping the landscape of the Polish developing market, specifically in financial sector. Understanding how AI regulations are steering this transformation is crucial to maximizing opportunities while mitigating risks associated with its implementation.

We will kick off with a brief presentation outlining how new AI regulations will interact with existing legal frameworks, including principles of responsibility and ethics that have long been the bedrock of the financial industry.

Together with invited experts, we will analyze the potential impacts of these regulations on the financial services market, focusing on risk management, consumer protection, and technological innovation. We aim to create a space for exchanging opinions and predictions among panelists, fostering a safe and open discussion on which regulatory aspects will be most significant for the sector and how they will alter our everyday lives.

Join us to explore how artificial intelligence, supported by appropriate regulations, can shape a more sustainable and modern future. Are we witnessing a revolution or an evolution? You, too, have a role in shaping the next chapter of this narrative.

    • Łukasz Łyczko, director, counsel, PwC Legal
    • Agnieszka Kosowska, member of the management board, Bank Pocztowy
    • Katarzyna Urbańska, director, Polish Banking Association
    • Marcin Golec, senior compliance manager, Zen.com
    • Artur Bartosiak, director, Visa Consulting & Analytics

10.50am – 11.05am Coffee Break

11.05am – 11.55am Resolving Commercial Disputes: What Works and What Pays Off

Polish common courts are in the midst of a litigation crisis. Today, resolving a commercial dispute in Warsaw often takes more than five years. Cases involving complex elements such as foreign law or court-appointed experts can drag on even longer. For businesses, this means prolonged uncertainty, escalating costs, and strategic risks that no company can afford.

This panel brings together leading voices from in-house legal teams and private practice to share practical, business-focused strategies for avoiding these delays and protecting your company’s interests. Through real-world examples and actionable insights, we will explore:

a) Selecting the right dispute resolution mechanisms in commercial contracts to balance cost, speed, and enforceability.
b) Smart engagement of external counsel – how to manage internal dynamics and meet board-level expectations.
c) Lessons learned from recent cases and what in-house counsel can do now to prepare for future disputes.

The goal of this session is to provide practical, cost-conscious approaches that help businesses avoid the financial and operational burden of being tied up in court for years.

    • Ewelina Wętrys, partner, DWF
    • Michał König, general counsel, LOT Polish Airlines and the Polish Aviation Group
    • Katarzyna Kucharczyk, senior legal counsel, Ørsted
    • Michał Szumbarski, counsel, DWF
    • Patrycja Treder, counsel, DWF

11.55am – 12.20pm From B2B to Employment: What the New Labour Inspectorate Powers May Mean for Businesses in Poland

Poland is preparing to introduce a significant regulatory reform that will empower the National Labour Inspectorate (PIP) to reclassify civil law contracts – including B2B arrangements – into formal employment relationships. This shift presents notable business and legal risks, including potential financial exposure, compliance challenges, and broader implications tied to reclassification. Organisations relying on flexible cooperation models will need to assess how best to prepare for inspections, revise documentation and internal processes, and manage communications with contractors to mitigate risk and ensure alignment with the new legal framework.

    • Katarzyna Sarek-Sadurska, managing partner, People & Law
    • Michał Wodnicki, partner, People & Law
    • Ewelina Jarosz-Zgoda, vice president, legal and general counsel, CD Projekt RED
    • Marta Derlacz-Wawrowska, director, employment lawyer lead, Poland, TVN Warner Bros. Discovery

12.20pm – 12.25pm Closing remarks

    • Isabel Caine, research editor, Legal 500

12.25pm – 1.25pm Lunch and networking