Kochanski & Partners > Warsaw, Poland > Firm Profile
Kochanski & Partners Offices
METROPOLITAN BUILDING
PL PILSUDSKIEGO 1
00-078 WARSAW
Poland
Kochanski & Partners > The Legal 500 Rankings
Poland > Dispute resolution Tier 2
Kochanski & Partners is highly adept at handling international disputes, commercial disputes, civil and media litigation, and disputes involving financial institutions. ‘Excellent strategic thinker’ Marek Jeżewski chairs the department with experience in investor-state disputes, while Dominika Durchowska boasts skills in international disputes, as does Markiyan Malskyy. Michal König leads the commercial arbitration and litigation team, while Mateusz Ostrowski heads up the media litigation group. Andrzej Pałys and Weronika Magdziak-Śliwa co-chair the financial institutions arm. Agnieszka Chrzanowska left the firm in April 2023 to set up her own practice.Practice head(s):
Marek Jeżewski; Dominika Durchowska; Michał König; Andrzej Pałys; Mateusz Ostrowski; Markiyan Malskyy
Other key lawyers:
Weronika Magdziak-Śliwa; Jakub Jach
Testimonials
‘Excellent ability to understand complex technical issues and apply the legal requirements to them.’
‘Marek Jeżewski, Dominika Durchowska and Michał König are recommended.’
‘A focused and strategic team.’
‘Marek Jeżewski is an excellent strategic thinker, and Michal König excels as an advocate.’
‘Strong engagement of each team member.’
‘Markiyan Malskyy is client oriented, practical and highly appreciated for his swift responsiveness to the client’s challenges.’
‘The firm is easy to work with. Many of the lawyers have trained outside Poland and are fluent in English. Because of foreign work experience, the firm has been amazingly responsive to questions from clients and has been proactive in anticipating and addressing the client’s needs. I was impressed with the quality of the work and the speed with which it was generated.’
‘Michał König is extremely service oriented. He is responsive to questions and issues. He is able to translate Polish law issues into a framework that is easy to understand. He writes clearly and effectively and is timely. Few counsel provide the level of service that he regularly offers.’
Key clients
Forteam Investment Limited
Honwood Services Ltd.
PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A.
Green Investment S.A.
Aasted ApS
CMI Maciej Uhl
LOT Polish Airlines
Ringier Axel Springer Poland
Savills
Bank BPH S.A.
Bank Millennium S.A.
Bank PKO BP
Greń sp.j.
LS Airport Services
Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne S.A.
Perfect Gym Solutions S.A.
Bei-Trans LLC
Work highlights
- Representing Ringier Axel Springer Poland in a case.
- Representing Forteam Investment Limited in a €85m dispute concerning an investment made in a major retail chain company.
- Representing Bei-Trans LLC, a Ukrainian international logistics company, in proceedings before Polish courts for enforcement and execution of an arbitration award issued by the International Commercial Arbitration Court in Kiev.
Poland > Energy and natural resources Tier 2
With a focus on the nuclear and hydrogen subsectors, the team at Kochanski & Partners frequently advises on complicated issues related to regulation, development and construction of projects in these spheres. ‘Absolutely top energy lawyer‘ Wojciech Wrochna leads the team, and is commended by many clients for his ‘impressive knowledge of EU energy law‘; in addition to guiding clients through the intricacies of major infrastructure developments, he also advises on issues related to energy storage, battery production, and biogas. Other key lawyers within the team include Michal Bedkowski-Koziol.Practice head(s):
Wojciech Wrochna
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Great team with focus on large energy projects. Wojciech Wrochna is a go-to person when EU law is involved.’
‘Wojciech Wrochna is absolutely top-level for EU regulatory work. Responsive, extremely engaged and creative thinker. Definitely one of the best energy lawyers in Poland.’
‘Independent and highly knowledgeable.’
‘The team led by Wojciech Wrochna has great capabilities to handle the largest energy projects.’
‘Wojciech Wrochna – absolutely top energy lawyer with great European experience and fantastic market understanding.’
‘The team has great regulatory know-how which makes them perfect to always find the best solutions. Number one in nuclear.’
‘Wojciech Wrochna has deep understanding of energy markets and impressive knowledge of EU energy law.’
Key clients
Polish Nuclear Power Plants (Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe)
Air Products
Northvolt Systems Poland
MFW Bałtyk (JV of Polish Polenergia and Norwegian Equinor)
Windspace AS
Gaz System S.A. (Baltic Pipe)
Prairie Mining Limited
PKP Linia Hutnicza Szerokotorowa
CEE Equity Partners Ltd.
Swiss Krono S.A
The Polish Electricity Transmission System Operator (Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne S.A) – project Harmony Link
Orange Polska
Krynica Vitamin
Reckitt Benckiser
Parkwind
Montis Capital
Polenergia
PWPW – Polish Security Printing Works
Work highlights
- Advising the Polish Gas Transmission Operator on the Baltic Pipe Project.
- Advising Polenergia on the implementation of its strategy of transitioning to RES and hydrogen-based energy generation, with an emphasis on the construction of a 50-100MW hydrogen factory located in Upper Silesia and a hydrogen gas-fired CCHP.
- Advising Northvolt Systems Poland on a €200m construction project for a battery production facility.
Poland > Intellectual property Tier 2
The IP practice at Kochanski & Partners is well versed in trade mark and patent litigation, particularly on behalf of clients in the pharmaceutical, media and FMCG sectors. The team also has experience handling domain name negotiations, as well as advising on IP rights during M&A transactions. Founder Piotr Kochański leads the practice alongside Karolina Marciniszyn. Tomasz Szambelan is also a key member of the team, and specialises in opposition and cancellation proceedings in relation to trade marks, utility models and designs.Practice head(s):
Piotr Kochański; Karolina Marciniszyn
Other key lawyers:
Tomasz Szambelan; Krzysztof Zięba
Testimonials
‘I would thoroughly commend the services of Kochanski & Partners for their commercial foresight and strong sense of reliability.’
‘I would recommend in particular Karolina Marciniszyn. She is a highly experienced and knowledgeable practitioner who provides savvy, concise, commercially-minded practical advice and proposes creative solutions.’
Key clients
Ringier Axel Springer Poland
Hasco Lek
Hasco TM
Reckitt Benckiser
Froneri International Limited
Pamapol S.A.
Centrum Rozliczeń Elektronicznych Polskie ePłatności S.A.
Coca-Cola HBC Polska
Tidio Poland
Avia International
Ringier Axel Springer Poland
Work highlights
- Representing Ringier Axel Springer Poland in a number of trade mark and domain name disputes.
- Representing HASCO Lek against its competitor Swiss Pharma International in various trade mark infringement cases.
- Representing Reckitt Benckiser in a trade mark infringement and unfair competiton dispute with one of its main competitors.
Poland > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 2
Kochanski & Partners has substantial expertise representing creditors and investors, especially financial institutions and private equity funds. Out-of-court restructurings are a staple of the practice, in addition to corporate restructurings, post-restructuring disputes, and personal and corporate insolvency proceedings. Rafał Rapala and Mateusz Ostrowski jointly lead the group; the former has expertise in the corporate space, and the latter leads the firm’s litigation practice. Paweł Cholewinski is another name of note, with a focus on real estate transactions.Practice head(s):
Rafał Rapala; Mateusz Ostrowski
Other key lawyers:
Paweł Mardas; Karol Połosak; Aneta Serowik; Paweł Cholewinski
Key clients
State Street Global Advisors
Ringier Axel Springer Poland
Chrysler Poland
Proservice Finteco
BU Media
Blachotrapez
Betomax
Banner Ltd
Paige Inestments
EFC European Foundation
Work highlights
- Advising Chrysler Poland and FCA Group Poland on the liquidation process of a Polish subsidiary and the winding up of the business in Poland.
- Representing Ringier Axel Springer Poland in a post-restructuring litigation case related to the restructuring of RUCH S.A.
- Advising Blachotrapez S.A. on a corporate and ownership restructuring procedure, including assisting with labour and tax law issues, in connection with several pending M&A transactions aimed at the client’s expansion into foreign markets within the CEE region.
Poland > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 3
Kochanski & Partners has two distinct teams, the first focusing on transactional matters under the leadership of Paweł Cholewiński; it regularly undertakes M&A transactions, especially in the real estate sector. The second group, which is spearheaded by Rafał Rapala, is focused on corporate mandates and advises clients on reorganisations and shareholder agreements. The firm also benefits from a strong energy department, and is consequently active in energy-related M&A transactions.Practice head(s):
Paweł Cholewiński; Rafał Rapala
Other key lawyers:
Pawel Mardas; Karol Połosak; Aneta Serowik
Testimonials
‘The firm’s corporate practice has in-depth knowledge on the market standards of M&A transactions.’
‘Rafał Rapala is a very good M&A lawyer, is always in command of the transaction and can provide legal solutions to problems as they arise. It is very good to work with him and his team.’
‘Very responsive, proactive, commercially minded and entrepreneurial. Also an inclusive and friendly bunch. Would recommend highly.’
‘Paweł Cholewiński is excellent.’
Key clients
State Street Corporation
State Street Bank
State Street Global Advisors
Polish Airlines LOT
INDUS Holding AG
Farmak Group
Blachotrapez
Revolt Energy
Symfonia
Diebold Nixdorf
Huuuge Games
Ferro Corp.
Norblin Group
Ringer Axel Springer
Black & Veatch
Echo Polska Properties
Redefine
Dom Development
YIT Development
Deutsche Hypo
AccorInvest Group S.A.
Universal Fibers Inc.
Investica
Knight Frank
Murapol
Skanska Property Poland
Skanska Residential
Griffin Capital Partners
Savills
Plastipack
Oxenwood Real Estate (UK)
Coca-Cola HBC
Air Products
Beneteau Group
Reckitt Benckiser
Johnson Matthey PLC
Newcold
Tritax
PBG Group
Skalar Office Center
Havi Logistics
Personnel Service
Inter Cars S.A.
Gaz-System S.A.
The Seelig Group
Pacific Media Group
Pagra
Voodoo
Panattoni Europe
Inovo Venture Partners
Chrysler Poland and FCA Group Poland
Work highlights
- Advising a US private equity fund and its operational business on an investment in the field of frozen foods logistics.
- Advising Universal Fibers, Inc. and its subsidiaries on the Polish law aspects of a $250m facility agreement, with TCW Asset Management Company LLC acting as administrative agent and security agent of the lenders.
- Advising a client on the acquisition of the Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.’s Investor Services business, including its custody, accounting, fund administration, global markets, and technology services.
Poland > Construction Tier 3
Kochanski & Partners excels in an array of construction investment areas, and has notably advised on the construction of seaports, offshore sea cables, gas pipelines, airports, railways, greenfield projects, and manufacturing plants. The team advises on obtaining public aid, establishing contractual structures, developing and negotiating contracts, and obtaining permits. The practice is led by Paweł Cholewiński and Wojciech Wrochna.Practice head(s):
Paweł Cholewiński; Wojciech Wrochna
Testimonials
‘The firm and the construction practice is truly engaged in the investment process. They offer exceptional navigation through the process.’
‘In my opinion, the key to the success of Kochanski & Partners is an exceptional understanding of the needs of its clients. And of course, their competitive advantage is broad knowledge and high level of professional experience.’
‘We appreciate the professionalism we have experienced at every stage of task implementation. When starting cooperation, it was very important for us to be open to a wide range of legal topics. Our company operates on several levels of business activity and we often expect substantive support in areas that are often beyond the reach of ordinary law firms. This practice is ready to tackle these complex topics while listening to our needs.’
‘Kochanski & Partners has broad expertise in various sectors. Depending on the subject matter, it delegates a person/team for legal support. The uniqueness of the law firm is particularly in the people who make it up. People with a lot of experience, oriented towards developing a strategy to achieve the desired goal while respecting the interests of all parties. The law firm provides a high level of service and is therefore highly recommended.’
‘High personal culture and composure combined with great knowledge, extensive experience, diligence and openness to problem-solving are a guarantee of success.’
‘In the case of our current cooperation with the practice, we appreciate the readiness to take up difficult topics, often requiring familiarisation with extensive internal material of our company. Additionally, we also value the availability of the practice team, which is extremely important in our dynamic activities.’
Key clients
Gaz System S.A. (Baltic Pipe)
Polish Airports (PPL)
Newcold (Westport Capital)
PKP Linia Hutnicza Szerokotorowa
RG Inżynieria
Northvolt Systems Poland
Erca Wilmar Cosmetic Ingredients
CEE Equity Partners Ltd.
Polish Nuclear Power Plants (Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe)
Air Products (a world-leading industrial gas company)
Polenergia
The Polish Security Printing Works Agency (Polska Wytwórnia Papierów Wartościowych S.A.)
The Polish Electricity Transmission System Operator (Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne S.A)
Panattoni
Havi Logistics
Savills
Skanska
Oxenwood Real Estate (UK)
Equiniti Group PLC
Dom Development S.A.
Orange Poland
Work highlights
- Advising the Polish Gas Transmission Operator on the Baltic Piper Project.
- Advising NORTHVOLT on an investment involving the construction of a hall for the production of battery modules and energy storage and the construction of a research and development centre to develop new products, technologies and production processes in the same areas.
- Advising Polish Nuclear Power Plants on the construction of a nuclear power plant.
Poland > Healthcare and life sciences Tier 3
Kochanski & Partners‘ practice is noted for handling a broad array of mandates, including trade mark infringement actions and allegations, and proceedings concerning tenders. The team is also known for its medtech expertise, advising on medical records management and cloud-based IT solutions. Noted for his specialism in marketing and the formation of distribution systems, Krzysztof Zięba leads the team, and often assists clients with the negotiation of trade and distribution agreements, as well as acting in pharmaceutical product marketing disputes.Practice head(s):
Krzysztof Zięba
Key clients
Reckitt Benckiser
Hasco TM
nOvum Fertility Clinic
Krynica Vitamin S.A.
Natural Pharmaceuticals
Techdow Pharma Poland
Shenzhen Hepalink Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd
Corza Medical
Work highlights
- Representing HASCO Lek against its competitor Swiss Pharma International in various trade mark infringement cases.
- Advising Reckitt Benckiser on the distribution network for OTC products as well as medical devices.
- Advising Corza Medical on the distribution of products, and representing the client in the field of public procurement law in a number of tender procedures.
Poland > Private equity Tier 3
Kochanski & Partners is adept at advising private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies and investment funds on all stages of the investment process, from fund formation, early-stage venture capital investments, and financings and refinancings, to going-private transactions, leveraged buyouts, and recapitalisations. Its offering also extends to corporate restructurings and exits, including IPOs. Paweł Mardas heads the team. Pawel Cholewinski, Rafał Rapala and are also senior contacts within the group. Szymon Balcerzak departed for Andersen in Poland in June 2023.Practice head(s):
Paweł Mardas
Other key lawyers:
Pawel Cholewinski; Rafał Rapala; Malwina Jagiełło; Weronika Duda; Aneta Serowik
Key clients
Newcold BV
The Seelig Group
Pacific Media Group
IZFIA
State Street Corporation
State Street Bank
Oxenwood Real Estate (UK)
Beneteau Group
Remigo
Pagra
Inovo Venture Partners
Alantra
Work highlights
- Advising Newcold BV, a US private equity fund, and its operational business on its investment development in the field of frozen foods logistics, including assisting with the establishment of several holding and operational companies in Poland, purchase of relevant property for greenfield investments in a special economic zone, investments into existing warehouses, acquisition of operational local entities, and financing of investments.
- Advising Pacific Media Group on the purchase of a majority stake in Polish first-league football club GKS Tychy.
- Advised the Chamber of Fund and Asset Managers on establishing a dedicated cloud computing implementation industry standard for the investment funds sector.
Poland > Public procurement Tier 3
Kochanski & Partners‘ public procurement practice advises both domestic and international clients, spanning contractors and contracting authorities. The group is active across a range of sectors, including IT, energy, waste management, defence and healthcare. The firm has recently been active in advising on tenders for the supply of military equipment and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Jakub Krysa leads the team and represents clients at all stages of public procurement proceedings, including in appeals before the National Appeals Chamber and domestic courts. Michał Waraksa is also recommended.Practice head(s):
Jakub Krysa
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Competent team!’
‘Quick and immediate reaction, taking ownership of tasks.’
Key clients
Polcam Systems
Clinical Trials Solutions
Operator Chmury Krajowej (National Cloud Provider)
Siltec
IIG
Aplan Media
Mikroelektronika s.r.o.
Corza Medical
Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne S.A. (Polish Transmission System Operator)
Work highlights
- Advising Polcam Systems on public procurement law in relation to tenders related to traffic management and electronic toll collection on national roads and motorways.
- Advising Clinical Trials Solutions on public procurement law at all stages of tendering procedures for the supply of IT systems.
- Advising Operator Chmury Krajowej on public procurement matters in relation to the supply of cloud computing services in Poland.
Poland > Real estate Tier 3
The ‘business-oriented’ team at Kochanski & Partners specialises in sale and leaseback transactions, and receives instruction from buyers, sellers, investors, and developers. Another recent focus for the team has been advising on issues related to green leases and green buildings, guiding clients through the intricacies of ESG considerations. Leading the team is Paweł Cholewiński, who shines ‘both by technical mastery of the subject but also by his qualities as a negotiator’. Cholewiński is capably supported by Weronika Duda and Malwina Jagiełło.Practice head(s):
Paweł Cholewiński
Other key lawyers:
Weronika Duda; Malwina Jagiełło
Testimonials
‘Kochanski & Partners is one of the major players in the Polish real estate market. Their work is always of high quality and meets the needs of our firm. They are business-oriented and are there to find solutions, whilst always keeping in mind our interests. They know how to quickly formulate recommendations and remain highly attentive to apply them with a real concern for final efficiency. It is very valuable to have all the cards in hand in order to be able to make the best decision in a short time.’
‘Paweł Cholewiński combines many qualities and is one of the rare lawyers able to shine both by technical mastery of the subject but also by his qualities as a negotiator. It is very pleasant to work with Paweł because he is extremely versatile and enjoys being confronted by new problems. This makes him an excellent partner in the conducting of deals because we can count on him to adapt to the different facets of transactions.’
‘Malwina Jagiełło knows how to respond effectively to our concerns, approaching each subject from a pragmatic angle. She uses practical approaches, which speed up and simplify things for our firm.’
Key clients
PBG Group / Skalar Office Center
Panattoni
Dom Development
Havi Logistics
Skanska
Savills
Savills Property Management
Oxenwood Real Estate (UK)
AccorInvest Group S.A.
Orbis S.A.
Griffin Capital Partners
EPP Poland (Echo Polska Properties)
Coca Cola HBC
Air Products
Beneteau Group
Reckitt Benckiser
Johnson Matthey PLC
Personnel Service
Inter Cars S.A.
Gaz-System S.A. (Gas Transmission Operator)
Universal Fibers Inc.
Plastipak
Newcold
Pomaris
Equiniti Group PLC
Symfonia
CA Immo Poland
AHK Polska (Polish-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce)
Polskie ePłatności
Alter Solutions
Nowel
Pandora
The Polish Security Printing Works Agency (Polska Wytwórnia Papierów Wartościowych S.A.)
PayPro S.A.
Webfleet Solutions Poland (Bridgestone Group)
Work highlights
- Advising the Polish Security Printing Works Agency on an investment process comprising a greenfield acquisition for a new production facility from Polfa Tarchomin.
- Advising Savills on the acquisition of part of Knight Frank’s business, which included the property management division.
- Advising DiE Inwestycje/Ustka Apartaments on the sale of two residential buildings with designated PRS apartments to a major institutional investor.
Poland > Tax Tier 3
At Kochanski & Partners the tax practice is well regarded for its experience in handling tax litigation, regulatory work, international and indirect tax matters, compliance issues, and tax planning and structuring mandates. The team is also sought out by clients seeking to establish a presence in Poland or other jurisdictions. The team is headed up by Agata Dziwisz-Moshe, who is well versed at advising on VAT and real estate tax, as well as assisting with transactions on the financial market.Practice head(s):
Agata Dziwisz-Moshe
Other key lawyers:
Wojciech Śliż; Mirosław Malczeski; Aleksandra Pizon-Jaworska; Andrzej Malec
Testimonials
‘Extremely proactive approach, friendly people who are able to explain complicated legal matters in a very clear way for everybody.’
‘Wojciech Śliż and Agata Dziwisz-Moshe are our key point of contact. Both are outstanding. Very professional, approachable, cooperative and proactive.’
‘The team really work as a team. The internal communication and communication with the client is smooth.They know their competences and if a matter exceeds their expertise they will be keen to bring a colleague expert on board to support.’
‘They are very detail oriented and try to find any weakness of the case predicting issues and therefore preparing for any situation.’
Key clients
GFT Poland
Polenergia S.A.
HAVI Logistics
Pandora Jewellery CEE, Pandora Jewellery Shared Services
Molecule One
Forza Foods Ltd.
Oxenwood Real Estate LLP
PKP Linia Hutniczna Szerokotorowa
Work highlights
- Advising Molecule One, a high-tech company providing an IP platform dedicated to the synthesis of drugs, on the tax structuring of its planned investment into the US market.
- Assisting Polenergia S.A. with tax advice related to a planned M&A transaction aimed at transferring two hydrogen projects to a new subsidiary of the client.
- Advising HAVI Logistics on tax strategy in relation to a planned merger of companies withing the capital group.
Poland > TMT Tier 3
Kochanski & Partners‘ technology and media team has a strong focus on new technologies, cyberspace, and the metaverse; specifically, it has particular expertise advising clients on mandates surrounding NFTs, blockchain, AI and crypto-assets, and has the capabilities to support clients with both contractual mandates and contentious work. Piotr Kochański took over leaderhship of the team following the departure of previous practice heads Agnieszka Chrzanowska and Lukasz Wegrzyn in the spring of 2023; the former established her own practice and the latter joined Osborne Clarke.Practice head(s):
Piotr Kochański
Other key lawyers:
Mateusz Ostrowski; Monika Maćkowska-Morytz
Key clients
Sopockie Towarzystwo Ubezpieczeń ERGO Hestia S.A.
Sopockie Towarzystwo Ubezpieczeń na Życie ERGO Hestia S.A.
mBank S.A.
IZFIA
Ringier Axel Springer Polska
PKO Bank Polski S.A.
Polskie Towarzystwo Reasekuracji S.A.
mBank Hipoteczny S.A.
Work highlights
- Representing Ringier Axel Springer Poland in the defence of journalists who report irregularities.
- Advising PKO Bank Polski S.A. on the construction of a virtual Rotunda in the metaverse, including a comprehensive legal analysis of the business model in terms of division of responsibility, contracts, data flow, flow of funds and crypto-assets, intellectual property rights and identification of key legal issues and risks in terms of banking law, personal data processing, crypto-asset law and e-commerce regulation.
- Assisted the Chamber of Fund and Asset Managers with establishing a dedicated cloud computing implementation industry standard for the investment funds sector.
Poland > Data privacy and data protection Tier 4
Kochanski & Partners is skilled at handling data privacy, protection, and information security projects. These mandates include the cross-border transfer of data, data processing and transfer agreements, privacy and cybersecurity audits, data breach responses, and privacy-related disputes. Piotr Kochański and Monika Maćkowska-Morytz jointly lead the department.Practice head(s):
Piotr Kochański; Monika Maćkowska-Morytz
Key clients
ERGO Hestia
mBank
Pandora Jewelry CEE
BOX Poland
GFT Group
SGI
Clininote
Murapol S.A.
Equinity Service Limited
Molecule One
LOT Polish Airlines
Perfect Gym
PKO BP S.A.
Ringier Axel Springer Polska
TIDIO Poland
LABA
Havi Logistics
Idom
Savills
LuxMed
Szyperska
Work highlights
- Representing Ringier Axel Springer Poland in data protection cases brought by data subjects seeking to block the publication of press material.
- Assisting ERGO Hestia, a major Polish insurance company, with the process of obtaining ISO 27001 and ISO 27017 information security certifications.
- Representing Polish Airlines in 13 court cases brought by the client against the Data Protection Authority.
Poland > Employment Tier 4
The labour law team at Kochanski & Partners assist clients with the employment aspects of restructurings and M&A transactions, as well as collective labour matters, such as negotiations with labour unions, and related disputes. Skilled negotiator Anna Gwiazda heads up the practice and has considerable experience, capably supported by Angelika Stanko.Practice head(s):
Anna Gwiazda
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Pragmatic and practical advice on setting up an entity and navigating employment in a completely new country.’
‘Anna Gwiazda is excellent at navigating the Polish labour laws and advising on best practice with a pragmatic approach.’
‘A partnership relationship, great commitment, very involved in joint projects, good sense of business needs. Full confidence in the recommended legal solutions.’
‘Anna Gwiazda – great professional expert, accessible, focused to deliver solutions, delivering on commitments and timing.’
‘Availability of cooperation, very fast responsiveness, deep analysis of the issue, meeting the agreed deadlines.’
Key clients
Reckitt Benckiser
Havi
Philips
GFT
Aras Software
Ingenico
DSM
Ensono
Duraline
Accor Services Poland
Forza Foods
Pandora
Work highlights
- Advising Reckitt Benckiser on the implementation of a remote working project in three Reckitt Benckiser group companies, including a manufacturing company and a trading company.
- Supporting HAVI Logistics with the implementation of hybrid working regulations.
- Advising Philips on its workation project, which combines remote work abroad with vacations.
Poland > Banking and finance Tier 5
Kochanski & Partners is adept at handling financings at the pre-term sheet stage, as well as drafting and negotiating loan agreements regarding real estate financings, acquisition financings, refinancings and restructurings, corporate financings, and securitisations. Regulatory matters are also part of the group’s offering, including bank outsourcing and banking secrecy issues. Jan Ziomek leads the team, and also acts as chair of the firm’s fintech group, having joined the team in September 2023 from the Office of the Polish Financial Supervision Authority.Practice head(s):
Jan Ziomek
Other key lawyers:
Andrzej Pałys; Weronika Magdziak-Śliwa; Maciej Kuranc
Testimonials
‘The law firm, thanks to its extensive knowledge, experience, and exceptionally wide range of specialisations, covers an above-standard business area for such firms.’
‘It possesses the ability to perform detailed work and also has the necessary comprehensive approach required for large clients, taking into account the client’s position and strategy. Compared to other law firms, this company has an exceptionally quick and effective response time.’
‘The number and legal specialisation of lawyers in the team is good for carrying out tasks in accordance with expectations and within deadlines.’
‘Lawyers are very active in terms of ensuring awareness of business operations and realities.’
‘Very high level of professionalism, client orientation, and support.’
Key clients
State Street Bank & Trust
Bank Millennium S.A
Universal Fibers Inc.
Bank PKO BP S.A.
Bank BPH
Polish Bank Association
ERGO Hestia
mBank S.A.
Bank Pocztowy S.A
Remigo
Pagra
Work highlights
- Advising a client on the acquisition of the Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.’s Investor Services business, including its custody, accounting, fund administration, global markets and technology services.
- Advising Universal Fibers, Inc. and its subsidiaries on the Polish law aspects of a $250m facility agreement, with TCW Asset Management Company LLC acting as administrative agent and security agent of the lenders.
- Advising the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, a policy-based financial institution, on securing BGK’s Samurai bond issue in Japan, secured by a guarantee from the State Treasury and an additional guarantee from JBIC.
Kochanski & Partners > Firm Profile
Managing Partner: Piotr Kochański
Equity Partners: Piotr Kochański, Paweł Cholewiński, Agata Dziwisz-Moshe, Anna Gwiazda, Marek Jeżewski, Michał König, Markiyan Malskyy, Paweł Mardas, Mateusz Ostrowski, Andrzej Pałys, Bartosz Pawłowski, Karol Połosak, Rafał Rapala, Aleksandra Ryżkowska, Michał Walczak, Wojciech Wrochna, Monika Wojciechowska
Number of partners: 31
Number of other fee-earners: +100
Offices: Warsaw, Krakow
Firm Overview:
Kochański & Partners combines technological progress, experience and expertise to create innovative legal solutions and offer its clients top quality services.
The firm is not only a legal advisor, but also an invaluable business partner, supporting companies in finding answers to global challenges and megatrends. The firm is actively shaping the legal and social environment around the hottest contemporary topics such as data-driven economics, decarbonization, the metaverse, ESG, global infrastructure, global finance and capital markets.
The firm is well-known for its cross-border services, international cooperation and knowledge sharing programmes. Its experienced lawyers and tax experts advise international companies on becoming established in Poland (through incorporation, commercial arrangements or business acquisitions) or on trading with their partners throughout the world. Its advisors are able to coordinate and provide a seamless service with the firm’s network of international law firms in Europe, the UK, the USA and Asia.
Kochański & Partners is committed to applying and promoting ESG practices in its business and work environment. The firm is a member of the United Nations Global Compact, and a signatory of the Diversity Charter under the aegis of the European Commission. The firm has voluntarily participated in the non-financial survey by independent international auditor EcoVadis, being ranked in the 89th percentile of participating companies and awarded a Silver EcoVadis Medal.
Main Areas of Practice:
Dispute Resolution & Arbitration
Kochański & Partners’ Dispute Resolution practice consists of international disputes, commercial disputes, civil and media litigation, and disputes of financial institutions. Within this practice, more than 40 lawyers are regularly engaged in sophisticated and challenging dispute projects, often of a landmark nature.
Kochański & Partners’ international disputes team receives instructions from foreign investors under bilateral investment treaties in the most complex investor-State arbitrations, while the commercial disputes practice faces an increasing number of instructions to represent clients in the most complex commercial cases, both via arbitration and in courts. The Civil and media litigation team supports freedom of speech, often defending journalists in high stakes disputes concerning leading political and media events in Poland and Central Europe. Kochański & Partners is also well-known for having the largest team of banking litigators in Poland, which places them among a limited pool of law firms creating strategies for financial institutions facing disputes over their market practice.
Key clients: Forteam Investment, Honwood Services, PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe, Aasted, Betomax (direct 100% subsidiary of Indus Holding), Ringier Axel Springer Poland, Bank BPH, LOT Polish Airlines, Bank PKO BP (the biggest bank in Poland), Castorama, Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne (Polish national electricity transmission system operator)
M&A
Kochański & Partners’ lawyers provide comprehensive advice on M&A and private equity issues. They advise on noteworthy local and cross-border transactions and smaller scale complex projects, as well as assist strategic and financial investors and business entities.
The advantage of Kochański & Partners M&A team is their creative and pragmatic approach with priority always given to smoothly facilitate the achievement of a client’s business goals. The M&A team offers practical solutions and clear conclusions and precisely identifies and realizes the goals of each transaction.
Types of M&A transactions: share deals, asset deals, mergers, spin-offs and transformations of companies, including regulated market companies, restructuring of companies and groups of companies, exit structuring, drafting and negotiating shareholders agreements and joint venture agreements
Key clients: State Street Corporation, State Street Bank, State Street Global Advisors, LOT Polish Airlines, INDUS Holding (parent company of Betomax systems), Blachotrapez, Revolt Energy, Ringer Axel Springer, Echo Polska Properties (EPP N.V.), Redefine, Dom Development, AccorInvest Group, Universal Fibers, Knight Frank, Coca-Cola HBC, Reckitt Benckiser, Air Products, Savills
Tax
Kochański & Partners’ Tax team is best placed to provide comprehensive advice on both domestic and international taxation, including ensuring effective tax settlements and accounting.
Kochański & Partners’ tax experts have renowned expertise in the field of tax litigation, international taxation, tax compliance (including transfer pricing), dynamic tax planning and structuring, accounting and complex advisory to companies operating in innovative sectors. They conduct their projects in close cooperation with other practices in order to ensure clients receive multidisciplinary legal advice to maximize their chances at mitigating legal risk.
Clients recognize that their advisors do not limit themselves to simply solving a single problem. By taking a broader perspective and analyzing the company’s particular situation in depth, they show their clients new ways to make savings on their tax burdens, often through the obtaining of significant tax refunds.
The Tax team authored and published the ‘Taxation of Cryptocurrencies and NFTs, and Challenges in the Metaverse’, the first extensive tax report on this area in Poland.
Key services: dynamic tax planning (tax efficiency of transactions); tax compliance and tax reporting, including VAT, WHT, MDR and transfer pricing compliance; tax support in real estate transactions – share or asset deals; tax efficiency for innovative businesses; International Tax Law; CIT, PIT, VAT, local taxes; customs law; tax proceedings; tax support during the introduction of a company into the Polish or foreign market.
Key clients: State Street Bank, Tchibo, Schooner Capital, Johnson Matthey, Oxenwood Real Estate, Forza Foods, Redefine Properties, Pandora Jewellery, Techdow
Banking & Finance:
Kochański & Partners’ is best placed to advise its clients on every aspect of transactional banking, complex regulatory matters, litigation banking and innovative projects connecting banking and technology.
The company stands out as a pioneer and thought leader wherever technology merges with financial services. Kochański & Partners supported the biggest Polish bank in building their presence in the global metaverse and, in cooperation with the Polish Bank Association (ZBP), co-authored the major update to the Polish standard for cloud computing implementation in banks, acting as the exclusive legal counsel to the workgroup.
In terms of litigation banking, Kochański & Partners is among a limited pool of law firms creating strategies for financial institutions facing disputes over their market practices. They work with top tier banks, and as one of the premier law firms representing the banking sector have a current portfolio of over 7000 cases regarding claims over Swiss Franc related mortgage loans.
Key services: transactional banking, regulatory matters, cloud computing in the banking sector, financial services in the metaverse, litigation banking, cybersecurity in the financial service market
Key clients: Universal Fibers (subsidiary of H.I.G. Capital), State Street Global Advisors, Polish Bank Association (Związek Banków Polskich, ZBP), Bank BPH, Bank Millennium, Bank PKO BP, mBank
Energy
Kochanski & Partners offers both national and international clients a sophisticated legal and project management advisory regarding high profile energy projects, regularly acting on the development, financing, acquisition and disposal of a wide variety of energy generation and transmission assets, as well as specialist energy regulatory matters. The law firm is also building its reputation in the development of large scale and high profile infrastructural projects, with a unique and rich experience in the development of infrastructural projects in the Baltic Sea.
Kochański & Partners’ experts are best placed to advise its clients in all aspects of climate change and new technologies in the energy sector issues (including hydrogen, energy storage, and waste to energy projects). Their unique experiences in the energy market, also brings added value to infrastructural projects, in particular greenfield investments in which they advise on a number of auxiliary services including the development of the energy strategy for production facilities constructed or operated by their clients.
Key specializations: hydrogen advisory, nuclear advisory, offshore energy projects, ESG, capacity market, greenfield projects, RES, energy storage projects, biogas projects
Key clients: Ductor; CEE Equity Partners; Krynica Vitamin; Swiss Krono; Northvolt Systems Poland; SPP Group; Montis Capital; Orange Poland; Reckitt Benckiser; MFW Bałtyk (JV of Polish Polenergia and Norwegian Equinor)
Technology
Kochański & Partners’ Technology practice stands out as a thought leader in FinTech. They supported the biggest Polish bank in establishing their presence in the global metaverse and, in cooperation with the Polish Bank Association (ZBP), co-authored the major update to the Polish standard for cloud computing implementation in banks, acting as the exclusive legal counsel to the workgroup.
They authored and published the ‘Kochański & Partners Metaverse Report’, the first extensive report on the Metaverse in Poland.
The Technology Team specializes in all aspects of IT contracts, technology compliance, financial regulatory, blockchain & cryprtoassets, IT dispute resolution, and data protection, advising in particular, banks, insurance companies, payment services providers, investment funds and financial technology providers.
Key clients: ERGO Hestia, mBank, mBank Hipoteczny, mElements, Nest Bank, IZFIA (Chamber of Fund and Asset Managers), GFT Group, Związek Banków Polskich (Polish Banks Association), MAIN, Europejski Fundusz Leasingowy (Credit Agricole Group), PKO BP, Getin Noble Bank, Tameshi Investments
Real Estate
Kochański & Partners’ Real Estate practice acts for domestic and international business and advise on the full range of real estate transactions. The team has the commitment, resources and know-how to advise on all aspects of the ‘property cycle’, including acquisitions, developments, environmental, planning and leasing advice, as well as financing and exit.
Key services: general real estate advice, real estate transactions, forward purchase and forward funding projects, construction law, lease agreements, real estate financing, real estate restitution
Key clients: Panattoni, Oxenwood Real Estate, Beneteau Group, Ikea, Coca Cola, Savills Property Management, Johnson Matthey, AccorInvest Group, Skanska, Havi Logistics, Reckitt Benckiser, Equiniti Group PLC
Infrastructure
Kochański & Partners Infrastructure practice provides comprehensive advice to both economic operators and contracting authorities on the preparation and implementation of investment processes in all sectors of infrastructure and construction. The team supports its clients at every stage of the investment process, including the phase of preparing technical documentation for proceedings or obtaining financing for a given project.
The team is also best placed to provide support on designing and implementing the optimal litigation strategies within disputes arising between the investor and the contractor / subcontractor.
Since the beginning of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the Infrastructure team, in close cooperation with the Ukrainian Desk and the Public Procurement practice, has consistently raised its voice in the ongoing debate on the direction of the country’s reconstruction, initiating numerous stationary events and webinars.
Key clients: Baltic Pipe Project (GAZ-SYSTEM), Northvolt, NewCold (Westport Capital), STRABAG, Johnson Matthey, DCT Gdańsk (Deepwater Container Terminal), Mecanotubo Poland, SIAC
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Dr iur Michal Bedkowski-Koziol | Partner, Head of Competition & Antitrust Law Practice | View Profile | |
Mr Pawel Cholewinski | Partner, Head of Commercial Transactions, Mergers & Acquisitions, Real Estate | View Profile | |
Ms Weronika Duda | Counsel, Co-Head of German Desk | View Profile | |
Ms Dominika Durchowska | Partner | View Profile | |
Ms Agata Dziwisz-Moshe | Partner, Head of Tax Practice | View Profile | |
Mr Aleksander Galos | Of Counsel | View Profile | |
Ms Anna Gwiazda | Partner, Labor Law Practice | View Profile | |
Ms Malwina Jagiełło | Counsel | View Profile | |
Dr Marek Jezewski | Partner, Head of Dispute Resolution Practice | View Profile | |
Mr Piotr Kochanski | Attorney at Law, Managing Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Michal König | Partner, Head of Commercial Disputes | View Profile | |
Ms Natalia Kotłowska-Wochna | Attorney-at-Law / Head of New Tech M&A / NewTech Practice Group /… | View Profile | |
Dr Jakub Krysa | Partner, Head of Public Procurement Practice | View Profile | |
Ms Weronika Magdziak-Śliwa | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Mirosław Malczeski | Senior Associate | View Profile | |
Dr Andrzej Malec | Partner | View Profile | |
Dr hab Markiyan Malskyy | Partner, Head of Ukrainian Desk | View Profile | |
Ms Karolina Marciniszyn | Partner, Head of Intellectual & Industrial Property Law Practice | View Profile | |
Mr Pawel Mardas | Partner, M&A | View Profile | |
Ms Monika Maćkowska-Morytz | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Mateusz Ostrowski | Partner, Head of Litigation Practice | View Profile | |
Ms Magdalena Papiernik-Konig | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Andrzej Pałys | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Karol Polosak | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Rafal Rapala | Partner, Head of Corporate Practice, Shareholders Conflicts | View Profile | |
Ms Aleksandra Ryżkowska | Partner, Head of International Practice Development, Head of Chinese Business Desk | View Profile | |
Ms Aneta Serowik | Counsel | View Profile | |
Mr Wojciech Wrochna | Partner, Head of Energy, Natural Resources & Chemicals | View Profile | |
Mr Krzysztof Zieba | Partner, Head of FMCG, Retail & Automotive and Trade & Distribution Law… | View Profile | |
Mr Jan Ziomek | Advocate, Partner, Head of FinTec, NewTech Sector Practice | View Profile | |
Mr Wojciech Śliż | Partner | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of lawyers : over 100Languages
English French German Italian Polish Portuguese Russian SpanishMemberships
United Nations Global Compact Network Poland The International Bar Association (IBA) The Polish-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce (PUCC) British-Polish Chamber of Commerce International Chamber of Commerce La Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie France Pologne (CCIFP) Polish Chamber of Information Technology and Telecommunications (PIIT) Polish-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce Polish-Spanish Chamber of Commerce Polish-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce Scandinavian Polish Chamber of Commerce The International Trademark Association (INTA) The Polish Chamber of Chemical Industry (PIPC) The Polish Confederation Lewiatan The Polish-Italian Chamber of Commerce Union of Employers ShokokaiPress Releases
Kochański & Partners effectively assist in life saving humanitarian missions to Ukraine
1st December 2023 The world is currently gripped by war – both in the East and West. In Europe, Ukraine fights for it’s survival against a cruel and tyrannical superpower, Russia.Kochanski and Partners shortlisted in the 2023 Lawyer European Awards in 4 categories
1st December 2023 Despite strong competition from more than 120 companies, with more than 250 total entries all fighting for a share of the 27 available awards,Legal Project Management: why do you need a legal project manager?
1st December 2023 Rising costs and pressures on business have led many companies to question whether they can afford to pursue expensive and risky litigation projects, with many companies feeling they would rather settle than engage in unpredictable and risky legal battles.SLAPP: What’s new
1st December 2023 The EU Council's new SLAPP directive represents a significant step towards addressing the issue of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) within the European Union.Kochański & Partners supported ERGO Hestia in their ISO certification
6th October 2023 ERGO Hestia is one of the largest players in the insurance sector, a leader in InsurTech and the creator of numerous innovative solutions. Kochański & Partners recently supported their client in obtaining ISO 27001 and ISO 27017 information security certification.Obtaining ISO 27001 and 27017 certifications with Kochański & Partners:
28th September 2023 The team handling the project was led by Monika Maćkowska-Morytz, Partner in Kochański & Partners’ Technology and Personal Data Practice.ISO certification for ERGO Hestia
28th September 2023 Cybersecurity and securing against digital risk are now the top priority for any organisation. Companies with foresight are thus aware of the need to obtain documents confirming the quality of their services, with certification the end goal in a whole chain of activities.Kochański & Partners supported ERGO Hestia in their ISO certification
28th September 2023 ERGO Hestia is one of the largest players in the insurance sector, a leader in InsurTech and the creator of numerous innovative solutions. Kochański & Partners recently supported their client in obtaining ISO 27001 and ISO 27017 information security certification.Kochański & Partners advised Polska Wytwórnia Papierów Wartościowych on the acquisition of a greenfield site from Polfa S.A.
28th September 2023 Polska Wytwórnia Papierów Wartościowych (PWPW) has signed a PLN 143 million agreement with Tarchomińskie Zakłady Farmaceutyczne “Polfa” S.A. for the purchase of more than 17 hectares of land in Tarchomin, Warsaw.Jan Ziomek joins Kochański & Partners as Head of FinTech within the NewTech Sector Practice | This is the next stage of a carefully planned and consistently implemented consolidation.
11th September 2023 Following strategic actions in the areas of Global Transactions and International Finance, the time has come to complete the building of a comprehensive New Technologies Practice.Kochański & Partners – Concentration, Consolidation, Consistency
5th June 2023 Kochański & Partners is entering the next stage in the consistent pursuit of its business strategy – consolidation, while increasing the number of its Partners and Equity Partners. Piotr Kochański, Managing Partner, has become head of the integrated New Technologies Practice, with one team being led by Monika Maćkowska-Morytz in her role as Partner. The Firm is joined by Dariusz Dobkowski and Marek Król, who will lead the Global Commercial Practice and the Banking & Finance Practice, respectively. Dariusz Dobkowski, Markiyan Malskyy and Karol Połosak have become Equity Partners. Kochański & Partners has also announced extensive expansion and its plans to open new offices in key Polish business centres.Successful management buyout at Jansen
15th May 2023 Jansen is one of the largest Polish importers of cheese and other premium dairy products, having more than 20 years of experience in the food industry, and from being placed in the largest hyper and supermarket chains, has launched around 500 exclusive products on the Polish market. Kochański & Partners advised Jansen’s shareholder on the structuring and execution of a management buyout.Kochański & Partners advised on the purchase of a 75% stake in first-league GKS Tychy Football Club
15th May 2023 GKS Tychy is an ambitious football club from Silesia, consistently striving to add more trophies to its growing collection.KOCHAŃSKI & PARTNERS IS AWARDED THE ECOVADIS SILVER MEDAL
27th April 2023 Kochański & Partners has received a high rating in the ESG audit conducted by EcoVadis, an international specialist rating agency. EcoVadis is a trusted provider of corporate sustainability ratings, having to date audited more than 100,000 businesses from around the world. To demonstrate its commitment to responsible and sustainable business conduct, the Firm underwent a detailed analysis of its non-financial activities. The high rating and the silver medal awarded to Kochański & Partners reflect its maturity and attention to high management standards.Kochański & Partners strengthens its international position, as Agnieszka Chrzanowska appointed new IBA Publications Officer
14th February 2023 Agnieszka Chrzanowska, Partner and Head of the Kochański & Partners Media Sector, has been appointed Publications Officer on the Media Law Committee of the International Bar Association (IBA). This achievement has twofold significance, as it is also the first time that such a high-ranking position within the IBA has been entrusted to a Polish lawyer.KOCHAŃSKI & PARTNERS JOINS THE UN’S LARGEST SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS INITIATIVE – THE UN GLOBAL COMPACT
30th January 2023 Kochański & Partners has joined the United Nations Global Compact – the world's largest initiative bringing together businesses working for sustainable development, and forming an integral part of the UN system based in New York. In advising clients on environmental issues, energy transition, sustainable finance, human rights, labour law and corporate governance, Kochański & Partners also implements ESG best practices into its day-to-day operations.Deadlock clauses in shareholders’ agreements
19th January 2023 Disagreements between shareholders can be a healthy thing, leading to creative solutions through the reaching of compromises. Differences can involve issues as diverse as how a company should be managed and controlled, and the direction and strategy it is taking. However, if differences become entrenched, the result can be potential deadlock and the loss of the ability to make important decisions, which can be severely damaging to a company and its shareholders.New liability rules for artificial intelligence in the European Union
7th December 2022 There’s a lot going on in the EU about Artificial Intelligence - Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at the heart of the EU’s strategy for creating a digital single market, and too this end, a number of EU legal documents have seen the light of day over the last several years. However, in April 2021, the European Commission presented a revolutionary proposal for a regulation on AI (Artificial Intelligence Act), laying the foundations for a legal framework for the use of AI within the European Union. Legislative work on the AI Act is already at an advanced stage and the document is expected to come into force at any moment.Kochański & Partners advised Savills on the acquisition of Knight Frank’s property management division
25th November 2022 We advised Savills, the international property advisory firm and leader in the commercial property industry, on the acquisition of a part of Knight Frank’s business, including its property management division. Following the transaction, Savills now manages more than 1,200,000 m² of office space.Piotr Kochański’s business advisory vision
21st November 2022 Kochański & Partners is the coherent, consistently and effectively built business advisory concept of Piotr Kochański. Lawyer, entrepreneur and manager, Piotr has set trends on the legal market in Poland for nearly 37 years, and fiercely promoted legal talent.The roots of the current ESG revolution
21st November 2022 As a new business trend, ESG is of growing interest to an increasing number of markets. More and more businesses are publishing ESG strategies and with good reason. According to PwC’s 2021 U.S. survey, 83% of consumers indicated a preference for companies to implement ESG best practices, and 86% of employees prefer to work for companies that care about ESG values.Trends in the regulation and taxation of crypto – a summary of the Kochański & Partners debate
15th November 2022 Kochański & Partners, the authors of the first metaverse report in Poland, published a follow-up tax themed report on 27 October. “Taxation of Cryptocurrencies and NFTs, and Challenges in the Metaverse” is a comprehensive overview of the tax consequences of events and transactions involving cryptocurrencies and NFTs. The publication was coupled with presentation of the report and an expert debate featuring the participation of representatives of business, new technology market practitioners who deal on a daily basis with crypto, NFTs and the Metaverse, and lawyers specialising in digital economics and taxes.Kochański & Partners Has Advised on the Strategic Baltic Pipe Energy Project
15th November 2022 On 27 September this year, the Baltic Pipe - the first ever offshore gas pipeline connecting Poland with the European energy system - was officially opened and symbolically launched. This is the first such large-scale project in the Polish area of the Baltic Sea. The Baltic Pipe is of strategic importance for energy security, as it has enabled the creating of a new gas supply corridor in Europe, allowing gas to be transported from Norway to the Danish and Polish markets, and also to end-users in neighbouring countries. The pipeline also enables the transmission of gas from Poland to Denmark. The investment is being carried out by the Polish gas transmission pipeline operator Gaz-System in cooperation with the Danish operator Energinet.The Work-life balance directive — Changes to the Labour Code and new rights for employees
15th November 2022 Directive (EU) 2019/1158 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on the work-life balance for parents and carers and repealing Council Directive 2010/18/EU, commonly referred to as the work-life balance directive, is due to be implemented into the Labour Code by the Polish government.We are ready to change the world – step by step
15th November 2022 Making the world a better place is the key to our vision for building a new future. For nearly 25 years, we have been creating and initiating change, and not only when it comes to the legal market. We believe that we also have a responsibility to set benchmarks and trends in the wider social area, outside of our day to day legal service to which our Clients and colleagues have become accustomed.We advised Klima Energy, supporting the development of green energy
15th November 2022 Our M&A team, led by Pawel Mardas, assisted Klima Energy, the Spanish Alantra Group VC fund, in their PLN 70 million investment into SunRoof. Sunroof is a Polish-Swedish start-up, offering pholtovoltaic roof panels to produce green energy for powering homes, in countries including Poland, Germany, Sweden and Norway.SLAPP – a global legal problem that, if unchecked, could stifle freedom of expression
15th November 2022 History shows that the last bastion of freedom of speech, which guarantees these values, is the free press. But it’s no secret that since 2015, key constitutional values have been in crisis. Over the past three years, there have been repeated legal actions by state institutions, state-owned companies, businessmen and other lobbying organizations aimed at stifling the work of journalists, publishers and NGOs.Paweł Cholewiński heads up Kochański & Partners’ Transactional Practices Group
15th November 2022 Paweł Cholewiński has been appointed Partner in charge of Kochanski & Partners Transactional Practices Group, with both the Sectorial Real Estate and Mergers & Acquisitions Practices now falling under his remit.Polish Tech Pitches to Private Capital – the event organized in cooperation with the London Stock Exchange
20th July 2022Polish Tech Pitches to Private Capital | Access to International Finance
he access to international finance is an aspiration for many growing companies, especially in Poland, where the quantum and complexity of the finance needed requires other forms of investment and markets than can generally be found in Poland, and this is where London becomes such an important centre.Publication of the PolishCloud 2.0 Standard
20th July 2022 The Polish Bank Association has just published the PolishCloud 2.0 Standard, i.e. a standard for the implementation of public and hybrid cloud computing services. This is the most recent and comprehensive set of practices and solutions guiding banks smoothly through the cloud migration process, with the highest security standards applied.We are expanding FinTech and strengthening the Capital Markets and Banking & Finance Practices
20th July 2022 We are delighted to announce that David Thomas, a renowned expert in financial markets and banking, the former Chairman of the British Polish Chamber of Commerce and CEO in many financial institutions in London and Warsaw, i.a. HSBC Polska, has joined Kochański & Partners as Head of International Finance.Promotions at Kochański & Partners
20th July 2022 Following our continuing dynamic growth, and in response to the talent, experience and hard work of our Team, we are delighted to announce the promotion of 12 of our Colleagues, including 10 lawyers.Aleksandra Ryżkowska, Head of International Practice Development and Head of the Chinese Business Desk, has been appointed as Partner. Weronika Duda from the Real Estate Practice, Aneta Serowik from the Corporate Practice, Szymon Ciach and Piotr Kaniewski from the Technology Practice, and Jakub Jach from the Disputes of Financial Institutions Practice have been promoted to Counsel. Dominik Karkoszka from the Corporate Practice and Patryk Lisiecki from the Disputes of Financial Institutions Practice, have been promoted to Senior Associate, and Paulina Perkowska from the Technology Practice and Dominik Gryś from the Real Estate Practice, have been promoted to Junior Associate. Pola Trzęsicka has been promoted to Executive Managing Partner Assistant/Office Manager, and Artur Ziejewski to Junior System Administrator. “I would like to congratulate everyone in their new positions and thank them for their commitment, professionalism and effort they have put into building client relationships and maintaining our position on the market. These promotions demonstrate the excellence and drive of Our Team, which is made up of seasoned advisers and a new, young generation of lawyers. The enormous potential of this Team is recognised by the business community and the market, who continue to entrust us with innovative domestic and international projects. We also recognize and appreciate this potential within Our Firm” – said Piotr Kochański, Managing Partner. Aleksandra Ryżkowska is responsible for developing a network of international contacts, particularly within the European Network of Pinsent Masons. She coordinates the growth of cooperation in foreign markets and strengthening of Kochański & Partners’ position as a firm serving clients operating globally. After graduating from law school at the University of Warsaw, Aleksandra completed her LL.M. in Political Science and Law at the China University of Political Science and Law. Prior to joining Kochański & Partners, she worked i.a. at the Polish Embassy in Beijing, where she supported Polish-Chinese economic cooperation. Weronika Duda advises on real estate projects on the Polish market and also on complex, cross-border transactions. Furthermore, she also supports German-speaking clients on the Polish market as Co-Head of the German Desk. Aneta Serowik specialises in commercial and capital markets law. She conducts multi-thread litigation concerning civil, commercial, criminal and capital markets law matters. Aneta advises companies on day-to-day corporate matters and M&A transactions. She is recommended by The Legal 500 in Commercial, Corporate and M&A, and also Restructuring and Insolvency. Szymon Ciach advises on the implementation of IT projects and innovative digital solutions and supports financial institutions in the field of outsourcing regulations (cloud services) and also specialises in blockchain technology. Szymon was involved in the development of the PolishCloud 2.0 Standard published in February 2022. Piotr Kaniewski specialises in drafting and negotiating IT contracts, in particular those involving Agile and DevOps. He advises on building agile contract and purchasing models and implementing IT solutions based on cloud computing, AI and robotic process automation (RPA). Piotr is a frequent speaker at the Digital Banking Academy organised by the Polish Bank Association (ZBP) and the Banking Law Centre. Jakub Jach advises and represents clients in civil law litigation regarding claims arising out of foreign currency loan agreements and foreign currency-indexed loan agreements. Jakub also participated in developing the litigation strategy for one of Poland’s largest commercial banks with regard to claims arising from Swiss franc loan agreements, regarding remuneration for the non-contractual use of capital due to a loan agreement being cancelled. It is our aim and ambition to foster talent and the development of Our Team. We congratulate all those promoted and wish them success in their new roles!
17 March 2022
Publication of METAVERSE REPORT KOCHAŃSKI & PARTNERS
20th July 2022 We are the authors of the first extensive report on the metaverse in Poland.Jakub Krysa – Head of Public Procurement Practice and Spanish Desk
20th July 2022 Jakub Krysa, PhD has joined Kochański & Partners to head up the Public Procurement Practice and the Spanish Desk.Markiyan Malskyy – New Partner and Head of Ukrainian Desk
20th July 2022 As a sign of our new strategy and solidarity with Ukraine, we have decided to establish a Ukrainian Practice (Ukrainian Desk).Rebuilding Ukraine in practice – financing sources and investment perspectives
20th July 2022 Nearly 24,000 kilometres of roads, end to end measuring ca. 60% of the Earth’s equator in length, hundreds of bridges, thousands of buildings and tens of thousands of cars – this is only a partial account of the destruction inflicted so far on Ukraine by Russian forces. But although the war in Ukraine has not stopped since 24 February 2022, the prospect of a post-war reality cannot be ignored, and so ways of rebuilding the country should be considered.Sale & Leaseback as an alternative form of financing
20th July 2022 In a Sale & Leaseback transaction, a property used for business purposes is sold and simultaneously made available for use by the seller under a lease or rental agreement.Tenders for Ukraine | Current status, rules of participation and prospects
20th July 2022 Rebuilding infrastructure and meeting the current needs of citizens are among the most important tasks facing Ukraine today.Kochański & Partners has advised Inovo Venture Partners on its acquisition of shares in SunRoof
7th May 2021 Kochański & Partners has advised Inovo Venture Partners VC fund on a transaction involving the acquisition of shares in technology company SunRoof. The investment was made as part of the seed round extension, with Inovo being the lead investor. Other investors participating in the round included other VC funds: SMOK Ventures, LT Capital, EIT InnoEnergy, FD Growth Capital and KnowledgeHub, and also local and international business angels.Kochański & Partners Expand Financial Institutions Disputes Practice with 2 Partner Promotions
1st April 2021The issue of Swiss franc loans remains a key challenge for the financial sector in Poland. Banks' uncertainty over the options for regulating this problem is casting a shadow over development of the banking sector in Poland. The coming weeks and months will therefore be crucial for the development of business and litigation strategies by financial institutions.
New Infrastructure & Environment Practice Leader at Kochański & Partners
3rd February 2021 Kochański & Partners is expanding its energy and infrastructure practice with the addition of a new partner, Katarzyna Barańska Ph.D., to head up the Infrastructure & Environment team. Her extensive experience covers legal advisory on major infrastructure projects, renewable energy sources, environmental law and municipal investments.Beyond.pl and Kochanski & Partners join forces
2nd February 2021 Beyond.pl, the provider of the most secure data center services in Europe, is joining forces with the law firm Kochanski & Partners. Their partnership offers customers further confidence that colocation and cloud implementation projects will be technologically superior and compliant with legal requirements. The cooperation is international in scope.Kochański & Partners Strengthen Their Tax Team
1st February 2021 Kochański & Partners entered the new year with an expanded team. Wojciech Śliż, the former Director of the VAT Department at the Ministry of Finance, has joined the tax law practice as counsel.Kochański & Partners named “Law firm of the year: Central Europe” by The Lawyer
1st December 2020It is our great pleasure to inform you that the Kochanski & Partners law firm has received the title of “Law Firm of the Year: Central Europe” in the prestigious “Lawyer Awards 2020” competition.
Kochanski & Partners strengthens the Technologies Team
24th November 2020 To reflect the new technological ecosystem, from 1 November 2020, Kochański & Partners have consolidated their Technologies team by introducing a group of specialists: Szymon Ciach (Senior Associate), Piotr Kaniewski (Senior Associate), Piotr Gałka (Counsel), and Łukasz Węgrzyn (Partner).Idea Bank paves the way for financial sector in obtaining cloud computing certification
18th November 2020 Idea Bank is the first Polish financial service sector entity to obtain the ISO 27017 and ISO 27001 certifications, confirming that its cloud computing solutions meet the highest international standards, and that customer data is processed in the cloud with full respect to security standards. Kochański & Partners advised the bank throughout the certification application process.Kochański & Partners shortlisted for the Lawyer Awards 2020
16th November 2020 This is the eleventh edition of the Lawyer Awards already. The awards scheme attracts entries from over 120 independent law firms headquartered in Europe and global firms across the Continent. This is the highest distinction for independent law firms and the culmination of many years of hard work consistently spent on building the brand, strength and effectiveness of the Kochański & Partners law firm. The nomination constitutes an occasion to appreciate, with great satisfaction, the stage and the position currently held by the firm.Świtalski family mansion and grounds in Sowiniec seized by Forteam Investments Ltd.
30th October 2020 The Regional Court in Poznań granted the fourth successive injunction in favour of Forteam Investments Ltd., an investment company belonging to Delta Capital Partners Management – a U.S. private equity fund, in the pending dispute with Mariusz Świtalski. This time, all assets of Druga – Sowiniec Capital, including a mansion in Sowiniec, surrounding grounds and a polo club with horses, have been seized as a result of seizure of shares under the court decision.Arbitral Tribunal: Slovakia’s actions against Muszynianka showed “willful disregard for the law”
9th October 2020 On 7 October 2020, the arbitral tribunal conducting proceedings under the UNCITRAL rules issued an award in the case of our Client “Muszynianka” sp. z o.o. against the Slovak Republic. The Tribunal decided that Slovakia violated international law to the detriment of the Polish company.Change in Leadership in the Kochański & Partners Capital Markets Practice
1st October 2020 The Warsaw Stock Exchange attracts ever more foreign investors, with their share in WSE turnover reaching 58% in H1 2020. In response to these accelerating business trends, Kochański & Partners is reinforcing its Capital Markets Practice, with the appointment from October of Jarosław Grzywiński, Partner, former President of the WSE Management Board, as its new leader.Kochański & Partners acting as legal counsel to Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne
28th August 2020 Kochański & Partners has been awarded a tender for legal services to PSE S.A. – the sole Polish electricity transmission system operator. The Firm will assist PSE in addressing the formal and legal aspects of the company’s electricity infrastructure. As part of the project, Kochański & Partners lawyers will represent the client before public administration bodies, common and administrative courts, the Supreme Court and the Supreme Administrative Court, in addition to advising on preparation for and conduct of proceedings, as well as drafting of relevant legal opinions.Another litigation win for Kochański & Partners: Onet journalist walks free from court
29th July 2020 The District Court for Kraków-Śródmieście has discontinued criminal proceedings against an Onet journalist who wrote about paedophilia in the Tricity area (Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot). Mr Podolski was represented by advocate Mateusz Ostrowski, Partner and Head of Litigation at Kochański & Partners.Kochański & Partners’ Litigation Success Before the Supreme Court – Royalties
27th July 2020 Co-authors of films accompanying newspapers are entitled to additional royalties, however only on copies actually sold, and not on the entire published run. Moreover, the amount of royalties may not be arbitrarily imposed by copyright collecting societies. This is the conclusion stemming from a judgment of the Supreme Court, which endorsed the arguments of Kochański & Partners lawyers representing our Client – Ringier Axel Springer Polska.POLISHCLOUD ACADEMY: Cooperation with leading consulting and technology companies brings banks closer to the cloud
1st June 2020 The Polish Bank Association, Microsoft, Google Poland, the National Cloud Operator, Accenture and Kochański & Partners have established a joint group to promote cloud computing solutions in the Polish banking sector, creating the PolishCloud Academy project, providing free training and workshops relating to cloud implementation for representatives of financial institutions.New Kochanski & Partners business strategy and marketing team
22nd May 2020 Kochański & Partners (K&P) is implementing a new business strategy to rapidly accelerate its penetration of international markets via strategic alliances with key foreign law firms. This strategy involves a reformulation of the business model and closer, comprehensive cooperation with clients. Kochański & Partners also plans to remodel its internal structures and processes, in particular in the BDM area. This transformation process will be managed by the new Business Development & Marketing Director – Barbara Lenarcik, formerly Marketing Director at SSW Pragmatic Solutions, with two more former SSW employees joining the department: Marcin Woliński (Manager) and – from July – Paulina Berska (Specialist).K&P acts as legal counsel on cloud computing implementation standard for banks
13th September 2019Kochanski & Partners is the exclusive legal partner of the working group on a standard for cloud computing implementation in banks, established by the Polish Bank Association (ZBP) and the Banking Technology Forum.
Ringier Axel Springer Poland consolidates dispute resolution services by choosing K&P
13th September 2019 Ringier Axel Springer Poland (RASP), a part of the leading CEE multimedia Ringier Axel Springer AG group, has consolidated its dispute resolution services by choosing Kochański & Partners as its legal advisor in Poland.K&P Authors a Report on M&A Market Structure in Poland
13th September 2019The K&P Transaction Advisory and Analysis team has prepared a report on the structure of the M&A market in Poland. The report presents an in-depth analysis of current trends in the M&A market and phenomena affecting its structure in the first half of 2019.
K&P has advised EPP on the acquisition of the O3 Business Campus II
25th July 2019Echo Polska Properties N.V. (EPP) has acquired from Echo Investment S.A. another building of the O3 Business Campus office complex in Krakow under the right of first offer (ROFO) contract. The office building, constituting the second stage of the O3 Business Campus office was valued at EUR 49.2 million.
K&P advised Davidson Kempner Capital Management on the high profile GBP 180 million financing
25th July 2019We advised US investment firm Davidson Kempner Capital Management on the high profile GBP 180 million financing granted to Pepkor Europe of the Steinhoff Group
K&P has advised EPP on the acquisition of King Cross Marcelin shopping centre
25th July 2019Kochański & Partners law firm (K&P) advises EPP on its EUR 91.1 million acquisition of King Cross Marcelin shopping centre in Poznan – EPP’s first entry into Poznan.
Kochanski & Partners advised Groupe Beneteau on the acquisition of Delphia Yachts
25th July 2019Kochanski & Partners (K&P) advised Groupe Beneteau (France), one of the two largest sailing and power boat manufacturers globally, on its transaction with Delphia Yachts – Poland’s leading boatbuilder. As a result of this transaction, the rights to sailing and power boat designs, and the building and marketing activities of the Delphia and Maxi Yacht brands were acquired.
Kochanski & Partners has advised Coca–Cola HBC Polska on the lease of new headquarters
25th July 2019Kochanski & Partners Law Firm has advised Coca-Cola HBC Polska sp. z o.o. in the negotiations and execution of a lease agreement for office and warehouse space in the Business Garden office complex in Warsaw.
K&P has successfully advised on the sale of an office building located in the centre of Warsaw
25th July 2019 Kochański & Partners has advised an investment fund managed by the Griffin Estate Group on the sale of the office building located in the centre of Warsaw.New opportunities for Japanese capital in Poland
25th July 2019 Report authored by the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH) and Kochański & Partners Business Law Firm shows the opportunities for Japanese investors in Poland.Kochański & Partners – special sponsor of GC Summit Central & Eastern Europe Legal500
25th July 2019GC Summit – Central & Eastern Europe invites the most esteemed in-house counsel from the CEE’s most prolific companies to discuss their changing roles as in-house leaders and the challenges, issues and opportunities they are facing in 2019 and beyond. Between comprehensive panel discussions and the opportunity to meet and engage with fellow in-house counsel, GC Summit – Central & Eastern Europe promises to be a practical, forward-looking event bringing together the region’s top legal minds.
Kochański & Partners – Founder of the Anti-Fraud Association
25th July 2019For many years now, we have observed with great concern the growing level of economic crime and abuse affecting Polish companies. This has made us aware not only of the inherent weakness of the system, but also of the limited effectiveness of ad hoc actions, which do not significantly reduce the problem while consuming large amounts of money.