Firm Profile > Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka > Warsaw, Poland

Dispute resolution Tier 1

Key areas of expertise for the dispute resolution department at Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka are construction and infrastructure; transport; communications; media; trade finance; insurance; real estate; and state administration. The group has substantial experience in litigation, as well as arbitration before tribunals across Europe, including Zurich, Brussels and Paris. Corporate litigator and arbitration expert Józef Palinka jointly heads the team with Paweł Lewandowski, whose dispute resolution expertise spans the construction, energy, media and advertising sectors. Paweł Paradowski handles business disputes and white-collar criminal defence matters and Łukasz Wojdalski has experience of arbitrations.

Energy and natural resources Tier 1

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka's energy and infrastructure department advises domestic and foreign companies as well as public sector clients on major projects in Poland. Areas of expertise include greenfield and brownfield power projects, domestic and EU regulatory advice, gas and energy trading matters and distribution and corporate issues. The group is led by energy expert Rafał Hajduk, and also fields Paweł Grzejszczak, who specialises in energy projects, and senior associate Grzegorz Filipowicz, who is an energy law specialist.

Healthcare and life sciences Tier 1

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka's team is noted for the 'broadness of its expertise', which includes corporate transactions in the healthcare sector, issues relating to medicine development and marketing and regulatory advice. It is jointly led by administrative law expert Michał Czarnuch, who specialises in pharmaceutical law, medical law, advertising law, EU law and competition law, and Marcin Matczak, whose focuses include biotechnology law and regulation. Tomasz Kaczyński is recommended for advice on distribution structures and senior associate Marcin Pieklak has developed a practice in financing for drugs, medical devices and food supplements from public funds.

Private client Tier 1

Public procurement Tier 1

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka's team has experience advising public and private sector clients on procurement proceedings and strategy and risk management. It is also regularly instructed in procurement proceedings before the National Appeal Chamber, as well as advising on the application of remedies. On the advisory front, the group advises on the performance and execution of procurement contracts, as well as issues relating to competition law. Katarzyna Kuźma is the practice head and specialises in Polish and EU procurement law.

Banking and finance Tier 2

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka has a diverse department which advises on the spectrum of finance transactions and restructurings, as well as on M&A in the financial sector. Areas of note for the firm span debt financing and restructuring, municipal project financing, equity financing and financial asset transactions. Key clients include banks and their subsidiaries, financial holdings, investment funds, brokers and investment companies, as well as a range of corporate borrowers. The team is led by Magdalena Skowronska, who leads on significant regulatory mandates, as well as handling financing issues. Senior associate Tomasz Kalicki has developed a strong transactional practice.

Construction Tier 2

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka offers full construction services to private and public sector clients, including advice on public procurement, acquisitions and financing. The group also handles construction litigation and arbitration. Infrastructure investment expert Tomasz Darowski jointly heads the team with Marcin Krakowiak.

Employment Tier 2

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka provides clients with a broad range of expertise, regularly handling day-to-day labour law and social security issues, as well as matters relating to tax, unfair competition and criminal law. Other areas where the team, led by Bogusław Kapłon, adds value are collective work relations, personnel recruitment issues, restructurings and reintegrations, and health and safety policies. The group also regularly assists clients with business immigration mandates. Agata Mierzwa specialises in labour and social security law.

Tax Tier 2

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka's tax department consists of lawyers and tax advisers, with substantial experience in M&A, restructuring and tax optimisation work, as well as representing clients in tax proceedings and assisting with issues surrounding tax inspections. The group advises a mixture of private clients, corporates and private equity houses and is jointly led by transactional tax specialist Joanna Wierzejska and Artur Nowak, who is an expert in tax and customs law litigation.

White-collar crime Tier 2

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka's team is noted for its expertise across the breadth of the white-collar space. It is often called upon to represent individuals and corporates in cases relating to economic and financial fraud, breach of trust, economic corruption and money laundering. The group is well placed to handle crisis situations, such as searches, interrogations and indictments, and has vast experience of judicial proceedings. Compliance is another core competency, particularly in relation to Polish regulation, the FCPA and UK Bribery Act. Counsel Hanna Gajewska-Kraczkowska heads the department. Artur Nowak is the name to note for criminal tax cases.

Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 3

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka's team is well versed in a variety of transactions, including leveraged buy-outs, management take-overs, joint ventures, and reorganisation and restructuring projects. In addition, the firm has developed a strong practice in advising Polish businesses on international expansions. The group also stands out for takeovers in regulated sectors, having advised DWF Group on its takeover of the Polish operations of K&L Gates; a transaction handled by Bartosz Marcinkowski (who is 'very well-connected to the market') and department head Krzysztof Zakrzewski. Robert Niczyporuk is also key for M&A matters.

Insurance Tier 3

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka stands out for services related to insurance contracts, including the amendment of policy documentation. It also handles insurance audits, as well as acting for corporate clients on claiming compensation and in disputes with insurers. Another area of expertise is transactions in the insurance sector, the development of new insurance products and regulatory compliance. With expertise in insurance law and cross-border insurance issues, Julita Zimoch-Tuchołka leads the team, which includes senior associate and insurance advisory specialist Joanna Schubel, who is noted for assisting German-speaking companies.

Intellectual property Tier 3

The team at Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka handles all aspects of industrial property law, including patents, trade marks, industrial designs and geographical indications. In addition, the group has developed particular expertise in copyright matters arising from architectural works, computer software, film and music. Drawing on expertise in media and telecoms, it also handles personal property protection issues, e-commerce projects, new technologies and internet law. Aleksandra Auleytner heads up the department.

Restructuring and insolvency Tier 3

The team at Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka stands out for handling restructuring projects, particularly involving clients in regulated sectors such as pharmaceuticals and energy. The group takes a multi-disciplinary approach, utilising lawyers from the M&A, employment, tax, capital markets and real estate departments. Bartosz Marcinkowski and Marek Swiątkowski jointly take the lead.

TMT Tier 3

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka's core competencies include media law, covering publishing, television and radio broadcasting, the video games sector, and IT projects relating to healthcare. The group is led by telecoms, internet, e-commerce and data privacy specialist Aleksandra Auleytner and includes counsel Wojciech Dziomdziora, an expert in TMT-related consulting management and public affairs.