Dispute resolution Tier 1

Clients praise lawyers at Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka for their 'comprehensive approach to disputes', with a practice encompassing contentious matters arising from the construction and infrastructure sector, TMT, trade, finance and real estate. The team also has significant investment arbitration experience, appearing before tribunals in Zurich, Brussels and Paris, as well as in domestic proceedings. The department is jointly led by Józef Palinka, who is active in construction and banking disputes; and litigator Paweł Lewandowski. Paweł Paradowski has a varied practice that includes business disputes, white-collar criminal defence and contentious company law issues.

Energy and natural resources Tier 1

The energy and infrastructure department at Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka is led by Rafał Hajduk. The group assists with greenfield power projects, regulatory and contractual advice, EU regulatory compliance and state aid. In addition, it also has expertise in the CO2 market, particularly in relation to emissions trading allowances. Paweł Grzejszczak, a specialist in energy law and company restructuring, is another key name to note.

Healthcare and life sciences Tier 1

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka's life sciences practice is praised by clients for its 'great knowledge in pharmaceutical law and the market situation' and its 'proactive approach to the client'. The group provides a full service to life sciences sector clients, often acting in an in-house counsel role. The team is noted for providing strategic advice on M&A transactions, compliance projects and issues involving research and development; as well as regulatory assistance. Department head Michał Czarnuch is known for his expertise in healthcare services, including financing, formation and restructuring, as well as issues pertaining to telemedicine. Tomasz Kaczyński is a pharmaceutical law specialist, often handling product registrations and reimbursement, as does Marcin Pieklak, who was promoted to partner in July 2020. Anna Partyka-Opiela advises pharmaceutical companies on compliance.

Private client Tier 1

At Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka, the team advises private clients, their families and the companies they control on all aspects of their legal and tax issues, including in relation to family trust funds. The group has extensive experience advising on family businesses, and has recently been particularly active in relation to succession issues. Heading the team are Poznań-based company law and M&A specialist Piotr Andrzejczak; Warsaw-based tax adviser Joanna Wierzejska; and, also in Warsaw, Marek Świątkowski who specialises in M&A, commercial contracts and insolvency issues.

Public procurement Tier 1

The team at Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka, which is led by Warsaw-based partners Katarzyna Kuźma and Marcin Krakowiak, has expertise in Polish and European law as it relates to public procurement. It regularly works with foreign contractors bidding for  domestic projects and handles both contentious and non-contentious issues. Other clients include government ministries, state-owned companies (Gaz-System) and construction firms (Astaldi, Budimex). The firm is also a founding member of the Public Procurement Law Association, a body that promotes professional ethics and EU standards. Senior associate Michał Wojciechowski provides additional support.

Construction Tier 2

The construction team at Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka advises clients on all aspects of the investment process. Specifically, it assists with EPC contracts (including those based on FIDIC standards), design work , project architect supervision and agreements with utilities suppliers. In addition, issues arising from subcontracting and PPPs are handled by a team praised for its 'extensive knowledge' of relevant legislation. Notably, the client portfolio includes substantive players in the transport, energy and sporting sectors. Key names include team leads Tomasz Darowski and Marcin Krakowiak and senior associate Michal Przychoda, who is an 'expert in public private - partnerships'.

Employment Tier 2

At Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka, labour and employment issues are led by industrial relations expert Boguslaw Kaplon. Combining expertise in social security, tax, unfair competition and criminal law, the team covers a broad range of work. In particular, it advises on collective work agreements, restructurings, site regulations, retirement schemes and financial issues such as stock option plans. The team also has expertise in safety matters as well as issues surrounding discrimination and the complexities of business immigration. Social security specialist Agata Mierzwa is another key name to note.

Restructuring and insolvency Tier 2

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka's team includes licensed restructuring advisers and regularly handles in- and out-of-court restructuring projects and insolvency proceedings for debtors, creditors and investors in distressed assets. Additional areas of expertise include employment restructuring and state aid issues, as well as the representation of board members in criminal, civil and tax proceedings. The group is jointly led by Bartosz Marcinkowski and Marek Świątkowski, both of whom are specialists in corporate restructurings for domestic and international capital groups. Licensed restructuring adviser and senior associate Michał Cecerko focuses on debt restructurings and bankruptcy issues.

Tax Tier 2

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka's tax department is active in the tax aspects of transactions, tax advisory work and in tax proceedings and inspections. The group is known for its experience in restructuring and tax optimisation issues, where it acts for an impressive client base of domestic and international corporates. On the contentious side, the group is particularly strong for cases involving the fiscal criminal liability of management board members. Co-leading the team are transactional tax specialist Joanna Wierzejska and Artur Nowak, who focuses on tax audits and disputes, and handles the white-collar criminal defence work. Senior tax managers Grzegorz Sprawka and Jan Czerwiński are instructed on direct and indirect tax advisory matters, respectively.

White-collar crime Tier 2

At Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka, the 'top-notch' white-collar criminal defence team is regularly instructed on matters of economic and financial fraud, corruption and conflict issues involving public officials, money laundering and cybercrime. The group is highly experienced in crisis situations, with the ability to deploy crisis management services. Department head Hanna Gajewska-Kraczkowska supplements her expertise in criminal business law with knowledge of press and human rights law. Artur Nowak's tax background places him in a good position to assist with fiscal criminal cases.

Banking and finance Tier 3

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka's financial and capital markets team is most noted for its expertise in securitisations. On the transactional side, the group advises financial institutions on debt financing and restructurings, project finance, equity financing, financial restructuring of capital groups and financial asset acquisitions. The group is also well-versed in financial regulations. Leading the team is Magdalena Skowronska, whose regulatory expertise lends itself to financial institutional M&A. Senior associate Tomasz Kalicki is a securities expert. Rafał Grochowski joined from Hogan Lovells (Warszawa) LLP.

Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 3

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka's team is praised for its 'versatility, availability and commitment', handling transactions including leveraged buyouts, management takeovers, joint ventures, reorganisations and restructurings. The group is led by 'well-connected' Krzysztof Zakrzewski, who is instructed by local and international corporates on investment and acquisition projects on the public and private markets. Marek Świątkowski is recommended for his foreign investment experience, while Piotr Andrzejczak is noted for his work for Polish entrepreneurs.

Data privacy and data protection Tier 3

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka has a well-established data protection group that has substantial experience in GDPR implementation projects and compliance matters. The team is led by Bartosz Marcinkowski, who has an academic background in data protection law and a strong client roster of Polish and international corporates. Based in Wrocław, Michał Kluska advises businesses on the design and implementation of online sales channels and represents clients in contentious data protection matters.

Insurance Tier 3

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka's 'strong' insurance team is oriented towards policyholders, with a notable focus on construction companies, which it advises on policies, coverage issues and litigation. Claimant-side contentious expertise includes D&O insurance, product liability and property insurance claims. The department is led by Julita Zimoch-Tuchołka who together with senior associate Joanna Schubel is praised for being 'responsive and giving clear, commercial advice in the specialist product recall and liability field.'

Intellectual property Tier 3

Led by enforcement and litigation specialist Aleksandra Auleytner, the IP team at Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka is known for its expertise in copyrights (especially in relation to architectural works), computer programs, and in the film and music industries. The group also advises on patents, trade marks and industrial designs. It is a popular choice for clients in the media and telecoms sectors, regularly advising on personal property protection, e-commerce projects, new technologies and internet law.

TMT Tier 3

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka's TMT offering is led by telecoms expert Aleksandra Auleytner. The group is best known for its advice on media law, and is particularly active in the areas of publishing, radio and TV, while assistance with game development issues is another sweet spot. The group also advises on advertising, contract negotiations, the drafting of T&Cs and assistance with marketing schemes.