Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka > Warsaw, Poland > Firm Profile

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka > The Legal 500 Rankings

Poland > Construction Tier 1

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka‘s construction department sits within the firm’s infrastructure and energy practice and supports clients throughout a project, especially regarding contracts, design work, supervision agreements, and agreements with utility suppliers. It advises both public and private sector clients, and also assists with public procurement matters. Contentious mandates are particular strengths and the team frequently draws on the firm's litigation department. Tomasz Darowski leads the construction group with expertise in a wide range of sectors, including railway, road, waste management and energy, and Marcin Krakowiak heads up the infrastructure and energy team. Also of note are senior associates Kamil Pociecha, who specialises in infrastructure projects, Beata Cieszyńska, who handles construction projects and contracts, and Michal Przychoda, who advises clients on the preparation and implementation stages of a project.

Poland > Dispute resolution Tier 1

Representation of major public sector players is a key strength for Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka; as well as its usual roster of complex disputes relating to the transport and education fields, the team has recently been involved with numerous cases concerning healthcare financing. Józef Palinka, who is well versed in both litigation and arbitration, and Paweł Lewandowski, who is known for his alternative dispute resolution focus, are the names to note at leadership level – between them, the duo have extensive experience appearing before courts of all levels.

Poland > Energy and natural resources Tier 1

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka‘s team has ‘vast experience in the energy sector’ and provides both domestic and international clients with advice on the entire lifecycle of projects involving conventional and renewable energy, as well as assisting with mandates in the nuclear and cogeneration sectors. Its offering also extends to commercial and regulatory assistance, as well as support with greenfield investments, waste management matters, and mining. Transaction specialist Rafał Hajduk leads the group alongside 'well connected' Marcin Krakowiak. Paweł Grzejszczak is another name of note, as he has expertise in energy-related regulatory and transactional matters.

Poland > Healthcare and life sciences Tier 1

At Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka, the workload is split equally between project-based, strategic advice and regulatory assistance, including reacting to imminent legislative changes. Many of the team's key senior practitioners - including Michał Czarnuch and Marcin Matczak - are specialists in administrative law, operating primarily at its intersection with the pharmaceutical sector. Tomasz Kaczyński and Marcin Pieklak are noted for their expertise in product registration and reimbursement issues.

Poland > Private client Tier 1

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka’s private client team has a broad-ranging client base, including entrepreneurs, families, family businesses, private organisations and family trust funds. The practice’s offering extends across areas ranging from day-to-day legal and tax advice and succession planning, to restructuring projects and corporate mandates. Leadership of the team is split between Poznań-based duo Piotr Andrzejczak and Jakub Wieszczeczyński, and Joanna Wierzejska and Marek Swiatkowski, both in Warsaw. Damian Szczygielski was promoted to partner in July 2022 and counsel Grzegorz Sprawka is also of note.

Poland > Public procurement Tier 1

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka has a ‘unique’ public procurement team covering both domestic and EU mandates. Sectors of focus for the group include construction and engineering, energy, healthcare, IT, and defence and security, and its client roster consists of state-owned companies, foreign contractors, and private companies. ‘Exceptional partner’ Katarzyna Kuźma heads up the public procurement team, with support from infrastructure and energy department chair Marcin Krakowiak. Counsels Wojciech Hartung and Tomasz Michalczyk are also notable lawyers, with the latter singled out by one client as a ‘great expert’. Senior associate Michał Gajdek is another active team member.

Poland > Banking and finance Tier 2

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka‘s banking and finance offering sits within the firm’s broader capital markets and financial institutions practice, and is therefore well placed to advise on the gamut of regulatory issues, cross-border transactions, and M&A deals in the sector. With its balanced lender and borrower base, the group counts banks and their subsidiaries, financial holdings, brokers, investment funds, and many other unregulated entities amongst its regular clients. Magdalena Skowronska heads up the team, with support from experienced partner Rafał Grochowski and senior associate Tomasz Kalicki. In November 2021, counsel Paweł Rudolf joined the office from an in-house position at the KNF.

Poland > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2

Leveraging the strength of its 9-partner team, Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka advises on the gamut of transactions, including leveraged buyouts, management take-overs, joint ventures, and restructuring projects. The group is able to provide expert knowledge across a breadth of sectors, but is particularly well regarded for its energy and private client focuses. Managing partner Krzysztof Zakrzewski continues to oversee the department, supported by a strong bench of seasoned practitioners, including M&A specialists Marek Świątkowski and Bartosz Marcinkowski; Julita Zimoch-Tuchołka, who is a go-to advisor for company formation issues; and Damian Szczygielski, who is noted for his commercial law work.

Poland > Data privacy and data protection Tier 2

The data privacy team at Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka is led by Bartosz Marcinkowski, who supports both domestic and foreign companies; he also has a strong academic background in data protection law. The practice undertakes GDPR compliance mandates and data transfers, and it also assists clients with the handling of data breaches. Marcinkowski is supported by Sylwia Kuca, who handles Polish and EU law compliance matters.

Poland > Employment Tier 2

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka‘s labour law and social security practice has a wide-ranging offering, from TUPE matters and restructurings to developing employee retirement schemes and advising on discrimination in the workplace. It is also active in immigration law and assists with trade union relationships. Industrial relations expert and ‘stand-out performer‘ Bogusław Kapłon splits his time between the firm’s Warsaw and Poznań offices, and he co-heads the department alongside Warsaw-based Agata Mierzwa, who specialises in restructurings, ground redundancies, and TUPE matters.

Poland > Insurance Tier 2

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka‘s insurance team advises insurers, brokers, policyholders and public bodies; the group has a particular focus on D&O and W&I claims, as well as product liability and property insurance claims. Sectors of focus for the group include manufacturing, construction, financial services and commerce. Advice on policies and representation in litigation is also within the team’s offering, in addition to M&A transactions and regulatory compliance, and assisting foreign insurance companies with entry to the market. Julita Zimoch-Tuchołka sits at the helm of the group. Joanna Schubel was promoted to counsel in January 2022, and is active in matters concerning product development and distribution.

Poland > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 2

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka provides a cradle to grave service, spanning out-of-court restructurings, insolvency proceedings on behalf of both creditors and debtors, and investment advice concerning distressed assets. The team has particular expertise in the regulated sectors, and is frequently instructed by banking, consumer health and aviation clients to assist with solvent transformation projects. The group is also able to leverage the energy and infrastructure expertise of the wider firm to provide insight into restructuring issues relating to those fields. Bartosz Marcinkowski and Michał Cecerko are the key senior contacts.

Poland > Tax Tier 2

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka‘s experienced team brings an equal M&A, restructuring and planning focus to its tax advisory offering; Polish and international companies – particularly those operating in the infrastructure, energy, pharmaceutical, real estate and insurance sectors – as well as state authorities and private equity funds are quick to recognise the firm’s proficiency in these areas. The group is also noted for its litigious prowess, and regularly represents clients before both tax authorities and administrative courts. Joanna Wierzejska and Artur Nowak jointly head up the practice.

Poland > White-collar crime Tier 2

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka‘s white-collar crime team acts for a variety of companies - including publishing houses, pharmaceutical corporations, and manufacturers - as well as banks, government agencies, board presidents, and management teams in criminal proceedings. Its offering includes advice on corruption, money laundering, fraud, and tax issues. Sitting at the helm of the practice, counsel Hanna Gajewska-Kraczkowska has significant expertise in the criminal liability of businesses. Artur Nowak supports the team in tax-related matters and senior associate Rafał Karbowniczek is also a key name to note.

Poland > Intellectual property Tier 3

The IP department at Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka has particular strengths in copyright matters relating to architectural works, computer programmes, films, and music. It advises clients on registering and monitoring EU trade marks and community designs, as well as related disputes covering patents and copyrights. Experienced practitioner Aleksandra Auleytner leads the team.

Poland > TMT Tier 3

The TMT team at Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka is adept at handling digital transformation projects, armaments technology supply projects and AI-related mandates. It is also active in advising clients in the TV production space (including TV broadcasters and producers), video game developers, publishers, and e-commerce and energy companies. IT expert Aleksandra Auleytner chairs the group with the support of counsel Paweł Gruszecki, who is skilled in cloud computing matters.

Poland > Capital markets Tier 4

Traditionally, Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka has stood out for its expertise in the specialised area of bond issues related to infrastructure projects. Recently, while maintaining this focus, the team has been expanding further into DCM and regulatory work. Andrzej Foltyn heads up the practice, with Rafał Grochowski and Magdalena Skowronska also taking prominent roles.

Poland > Real estate Tier 4

In addition to assisting clients with the sale and purchase of assets and lease agreements, the real estate team at Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka handles spatial law issues, the protection of cultural monuments, restitution claims, and construction law matters. It also represents clients before common and administrative courts. Lech Żyżylewski and Wojciech Koczara co-head the practice.

Poland > Competition/antitrust