CMS > Warsaw, Poland > Firm Profile
CMS Offices
Varso Tower
Chmielna 69 St.
00-801 Warsaw
Poland
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CMS > The Legal 500 Rankings
Poland > Banking and finance Tier 1
CMS‘s group is praised as ‘one of the best banking teams in Warsaw with exceptional individuals‘. It boasts a broad client roster, which includes domestic and foreign banks, financial institutions, companies, and investment funds, and assists them with projects across Poland and the wider CEE region. Transaction financing is a core area of expertise for practice head Michał Mężykowski. Jakub Wieczorek specialises in project finance and acquisition finance, while Jakub Podkowa is skilled in financings in the real estate sector. Structuring projects and export financing are also key areas of strength for the department. In team news, Pawel Wajda joined the firm in January 2023 from Baker McKenzie Krzyzowski i Wspólnicy Sp.k..Practice head(s):
Michał Mężykowski
Other key lawyers:
Jakub Podkowa; Jakub Wieczorek; Martyna Markiewicz; Rafał Zakrzewski; Pawel Wajda
Testimonials
‘Excellent knowledge and project handling.’
‘Always available with very good knowledge of market standards and the expectations of banks.’
‘One of the best banking teams in Warsaw with exceptional individuals.’
‘Jakub Podkowa is always ready to help with great solutions.’
Key clients
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Lewandpol Holding
Polski Fundusz Rozwoju S.A.
UniCredit’s Zagrebačka Banka
Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Credit Suisse Ag
Eurobank Private Bank Luxembourg Sa
Otp Banka Srbija Akcionarsko Društvo Novi Sad
Otp Bank Plc
Unicredit Bank Srbija A.D.
Zagrebačka Banka D.D.
Berlin Hyp AG
Prime Label Investment Company S.A.
Innova Capital
Bank Polska Kasa Opieki S.A.
Santander Bank Polska S.A.
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Energa S.A.
Orlen S.A.
Gemini Polska S.A.
mLeasing
Berlin Hyp AG
Powszechna Kasa Oszczędności Bank Polski S.A.
BIG Shopping Centers Ltd.
Work highlights
- Advising Lewandpol Holding and its subsidiary E&G on a project to build a large hybrid wind and photovoltaic farm in Poland.
- Advising the financial institutions on financing the construction of two wind farms with a total capacity of 111MW by Finland-based Taaleri Energia and Croatian renewable energy company Encro, with a total value of €126m.
- Advising Energa and Orlen, as the sponsors, on the project financing for the construction of a combined cycle gas power plant in Ostrołęka.
Poland > Competition/antitrust Tier 1
The competition group at CMS sits within the firm’s global offering, and it handles the entire spectrum of potential mandates, from representation in antitrust compliance and litigation proceedings, and internal and competition authority investigations, to advice on merger control, consumer protection, state aid, and public procurement mandates. In addition to leading the competition practice in Poland, Małgorzata Urbańska heads up the firm’s consumer product sector focus group for Central and Eastern Europe. Senior associate Izabela Biernat-Sadlak is another notable name and specialises in antitrust, merger control, and unfair competition matters.Practice head(s):
Małgorzata Urbańska
Other key lawyers:
Izabela Biernat-Sadlak; Agnieszka Starzyńska; Krzysztof Sikora
Testimonials
‘The team is thoughtful and hard working. I appreciate their practical approach to complex issues. They are responsive and you can be sure they will be there for you.’
‘Małgorzata Urbańska is an expert in competition law. She is sensible and you can always rely on her support. She has extensive knowledge combined with practical understanding of business.’
‘Izabela Biernat-Sadlak is one of my main points of contact when it comes to consumer issues. She has a hands-on approach and offers practical support in complex issues.’
‘Małgorzata Urbańska is a great leader of her team and she represents a clear vision. She has top professional knowledge combined with an easy to approach personality and a clear way of explaining the matter and its solution.’
‘Krzysztof Sikora is a highly talented legal counsel who quickly understands the matter at stake, and has excellent orientation and analytical skills. He is practical and solution orientated, reliable and always available.’
‘Hands-on and knowledgable team with a proactive attitude.’
‘The team knows the in and outs of the Polish Merger Control office and is key to have on your side if you want a merger clearance. They know all the case handlers and are in touch with them to speed up the review of your case.’
‘Agnieszka Starzyńska is our main contact and a very experienced lawyer. She is very approachable and can provide really fast advice.’
Key clients
Alstom
Van Tilburg-Bastianen Group
TB Truck & Trailer Service Sp. z o.o.
Stuart
Stäubli
Kärcher
Partner in Pet Food
PZ Cussons
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
Panattoni Development
Honeywell
CooperVision Poland
Medtronic
Bausch & Lomb
Sportsdirect
Hasbro
Medicover
Swixx BioPharma
JTI
Canon
MOL Group
Volkswagen Group
Umicore
Constantia Flexibles Group
Hydro Rein
Commerz Real
Astellas Pharma
Haribo
AbbVie
Barilla
Work highlights
- Represented Kärcher in an appeal against the Polish Competition Authority’s decision imposing a fine on the client for anti-competitive practices concerning sales on the Polish market.
- Advised MOL on all competition and EU merger control aspects of its acquisition of a major Polish chain of retail petrol stations from Lotos Paliwa.
- Represented Stäubli, a major global provider of mechatronics solutions, in an internal investigation related to anti-competitive conduct in a public tender, as well as subsequent proceedings before the Polish Competition Authority.
Poland > Construction Tier 1
CMS boasts a sizable construction team renowned for regularly handling both contentious and non-contentious matters related to some of Poland’s most complex investment projects on behalf of contractors, designers and investors. Clients highly commend the practice for its ‘keen focus on aligning legal strategies with specific business types and interests‘. Agata Jurek-Zbrojska heads up the team. Lidia Dziurzyńska-Leipert advises on construction projects in both the private and public procurement sectors. Michał Bork, stands out as an expert in investment law, while Piotr Stenko specialises in litigation and arbitration involving investments in the infrastructure space. Associates Aleksander Grabecki and Mateusz Jaworski are also notable.Practice head(s):
Agata Jurek-Zbrojska
Other key lawyers:
Lidia Dziurzyńska-Leipert; Małgorzata Madej-Balcerowska; Dominik Rafałko; Anna Wiśniewska; Michał Bork; Piotr Stenko; Aleksander Grabecki; Mateusz Jaworski
Testimonials
‘Aleksander Grabecki and Michał Bork valued for professional approach and high level of expertise.’
‘CMS’ construction practice is known for its experience and ability to handle the most difficult and complex construction projects. They are able to present most complex issues in a simple way while maintaining a high level of legal arguments. They also know the construction market and day-to-day construction problems, so they understand clients and external consultants they work with.’
‘Mateusz Jaworski is a young but already experienced construction lawyer. I value him for his ability to think outside the box when it comes to legal construction problems. His meticulous approach, and comprehensive and detailed advice are also worth mentioning. ’
‘Our firm is well taken care of by Agata Jurek-Zbrojska and Małgorzata Madej-Balcerowska. Both are always available for a call, meeting, respond to emails timely. They have a lot of relevant experience so I can rely on their advice. ’
‘CMS Poland’s construction department stands out in the legal landscape for its unwavering dedication to client satisfaction and its exceptional team of legal professionals. What sets this practice apart is its client-centric approach, ensuring accessibility, efficiency, transparent billing practices, and a keen focus on aligning legal strategies with specific business types and interests.’
‘When compared to other firms, CMS Poland’s construction department stands out for its holistic approach to legal representation. They do not simply provide standard legal advice; they take the time to understand the intricacies of the client’s business and tailor their services accordingly. This personalised touch, combined with their technological prowess and commitment to transparency, distinguishes them as a top-tier legal partner in the Polish market.’
‘The cooperation was very good. Good contact with lawyers. Factual and professional approach to the topic. Timely completion of work.’
‘Piotr Stenko is a very experienced lawyer, finding cost and time effective solutions to our problems.’
Key clients
Consortium of Max Bögl Polska sp. z o.o. and Max Bögl Stiftung & Co. KG
Trakcja S.A.
Lufthansa Technik and GE Aviation
Egger
Consortium of TORPOL S.A., WeBuild S.p.A. (formerly Astaldi S.p.A.), “Przedsiębiorstwo Usług Technicznych INTERCOR” sp. z o.o. and Przedsiębiorstwo Budowy Dróg i Mostów sp. z o.o.
Ocado Group
Work highlights
- Representing Trakcja in a dispute concerning the validity of two contracts for the construction of the Szczecin Metropolitan Railway, as well as advising on the performance of the associated contracts.
- Advising Ocado Group on the negotiations of its agreement with Auchan Retail Polska regarding the design and construction of a modern warehouse dedicated to e-commerce and implementing the Ocado Smart Platform technology.
- Representing a private investor in a series of disputes with a general contractor concerning the modernisation of an existing building in southern Poland and its conversion into a hotel to be leased by a member of a major international hotel group.
Poland > Dispute resolution Tier 1
The ‘unbeatable team’ at CMS has notably strong expertise in representing clients from the construction and financial services industries, and is well versed in handling large class actions on their behalf. The department also has experience appearing before the CJEU. Anna Cudna-Wagner chairs the department with the support of Arkadiusz Korzeniewski, who heads up the white- collar crime team. Rafał Morek was appointed lead of the arbitration practice following his arrival alongside Jan Markiewicz from DWF Poland Jamka Sp.k in May 2023; both are praised as ‘top construction dispute practitioners’. Counsel Adam Jodkowski is another key name for handling construction, infrastructure and financial services disputes, as well as insurance claims.Practice head(s):
Anna Cudna-Wagner
Other key lawyers:
Rafał Morek; Arkadiusz Korzeniewski; Adam Jodkowski; Marcin Zbytniewski; Maciej Kópczyński; Julia Dyras; Jan Markiewicz; Bartosz Miąskiewicz; Mariusz Minkiewicz; Mateusz Gerlach; Aleksander Woźniak
Testimonials
‘An excellent dispute resolution team. Extremely dedicated, paying attention to details but at the same time understanding the whole picture and business aspects.’
‘Rafał Morek and Jan Markiewicz are top construction dispute practitioners in Poland – which is why we chose them. They have outstanding practical experience in such matters as ours and a very good understanding of the market. They have a hands-on approach, are always available for us and give us the comfort we need.’
‘Adam Jodkowski and Marcin Zbytniewski – an excellent team specialising in construction cases; prudent, efficient, responsive, and friendly.’
‘Jan Markiewicz has been great at developing legal argumentation and a convincing narrative for our cases. He is always available to talk and discuss all issues as well as to help us whenever a problem pops up. He is very good at case management too – handling evidence and submissions in multiple simultaneous proceedings.’
‘Rafał Morek is a brilliant strategist and a person whose judgement we fully trust. His experience gives us confidence that the agreed strategy is the best one possible.’
‘Rafał Morek, supported by Jan Markiewicz, create an unbeatable team. Rafał combines thorough knowledge and experience with a unique personality. It’s great and rewarding for me as an in-house lawyer to work together.’
‘Julia Dyras is an exceptional lawyer; very client focused with a problem-solver attitude. Highly recommended in complex cases with international elements, in particular arbitrations.’
‘Aleksander Woźniak is a great lawyer who combines legal knowledge with a business-oriented mindset.’
Key clients
Arcadis
Andros
Bank Millennium
Bank Ochrony Środowiska
BODAC
Bank BPH
Karcher
Mammoet Europe
mBank
mBank Hipoteczny
Mostostal Warszawa
Nationale-Nederlanden Towarzystwo Ubezpieczeń na Życie S.A.
PKO BP
Schuler Poland Service
Warbud
Związek Banków Polskich
Work highlights
- Representing mBank and Bank Millennium in nine proceedings before the CJEU concerning the validity of a significant part of a credit portfolio concluded with consumers.
- Representing mBank in five private enforcement disputes and Bank Millennium in two private enforcement disputes initiated by five different claimants.
- Representing mBank SA, Bank Millennium SA, BPH SA, and PKO BP SA in a class action brought against these banks by their retail clients.
Poland > Employment Tier 1
The employment practice at CMS is well regarded for its expertise in handling negotiations with trade unions. Other strengths of the practice include immigration advice, internal investigations, and sensitive terminations of top management. The team is a popular choice among clients in the financial services, TMT, real estate, life sciences, manufacturing, retail and automotive sectors. Practice head Katarzyna Dulewicz benefits the team with her significant experience handling restructurings, executive terminations and incentive compensation programmes. Other notable names in the practice include Maciej Andrzejewski, Agnieszka Kałwa and Tomasz Sancewicz.Practice head(s):
Katarzyna Dulewicz
Other key lawyers:
Maciej Andrzejewski; Agnieszka Kałwa; Tomasz Sancewicz; Agnieszka Siewniak
Testimonials
‘Very commercial, practical and responsive. Provide high quality advice that is not too legalistic.’
‘Tomasz Sanciewicz provides a really excellent service. Extremely practical and commercial advice coupled with sound knowledge of the law. Really knows our business and how we operate and is able to tailor his advice accordingly. Very responsive and is our go-to person.’
‘Tomasz Sanciewicz is knowledgeable, clear, commercial and a pleasure to work with.’
Key clients
Alstom Konstal SA
Aon UK Limited
Atlantia S.p.A.
Baader Global SE
Baloise Assurances a Luxembourg S.A.
Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego
Bank Pekao S.A.
Bausch & Lomb Poland
Bechtel Ltd
Becton Dickinson
Beeline.Com Limited
Berlin Hyp AG
Birkenstock International GmbH
BPH S.A.
Bruker
British Telecom (BT) plc
Build A Rocket BOY Ltd.
CA Immo Real Estate Management Poland
Calenergy Resources Limited
Choice Logistics INC
CMC Markets UK Plc
CompatibL Technologies LLC
CooperVision International Limited
Coty
Crowe U.K. LLP
Dice Technology LTD
Dipocket Limited
Dirk Rossmann GmbH
E.ON
Electronic Arts
Ework Group AB
Franke Management AG
Giga Sourcing
Gilead Sciences
GoStudent GmbH
GrECo
Grupa Azoty Polyolefins S.A.
Harmony Energy Limited
Hazelcast, Inc
Hermes
HFC Prestige International
Holontil Investments
Honeywell International Inc.
Huntsman Corporation
Icon Clinical Research (earlier PRA Inc.)
Intel Corporation
Intelligent Apps GmbH
Itech Media Services Ltd.
Jamf Software Poland
Jefferies GmbH
JMC Recruitment Solutions Limited
Joris Ide NV
Korn Ferry
Lamett Europe NV
Legalzoom Poland
LEONI Bordnetz-Systeme GmbH
Leopold Kostal GmBH & Co. KG
Littelfuse Europe GmbH
MA Edupartners Limited
Maandag Holding B.V.
Mammoet Europe BV
MID Europa Partners
MNK Partners SARL
Mobile Force
Mondi AG
Motorex AG
NetCompany
NG Concept
NorSea Wind GmbH
Ocado
Opel Finance Poland
Orion Engineered Carbons GmbH
Oskar Frech GmbH + Co. KG.
Partner in Pet Food
PKO BP S.A.
Polski Fundusz Rozwoju S.A.
Primark Limited
PRISMA European Capacity Platform GmbH
ResearchGate GmbH
Ringier Axel Springer
SB Advanced System Ltd
Scandit
SENS GmbH
Softforce
Solterra Renewable Energy Ltd
Sonnedix UK Services Ltd
Stuart Polska
Syneos Health
The Juice PLUS Company Europe GmbH
TJX Poland
Touch Panel Control Ltd.
Universal Music
Valmet Technologies
Vay Technology
Vink Holding B.V
Vistra International
Wella
Winkelmann
Workmotion
Xperi Holding Corporation
Zensar Technologies (UK) Ltd
Zonemedia Management Limited
ZTE Corporation
Work highlights
- Assissted Honeywell with putting in place a remote work system in 12 jurisdictions.
- Assisted Free Now with the evaluation of its business model.
- Assisted Becton Dickinson with the implementation of a remote working system for its employees.
Poland > Energy and natural resources Tier 1
CMS boasts a sizeable energy and infrastructure team catering to some of the largest domestic and international players operating in the market, including oil refiners, gas companies, development and investment funds, and energy producers. The team is well versed in advising across heavy industry sectors such as chemical, petrochemical, metallurgical and mining, and it possesses expertise in renewables, environmental and ESG matters. Marcin Bejm heads up the practice, serving as a key contact for clients seeking advice on acquisition, construction, and development of infrastructure assets, project finance, PPPs and concessions. Other notable team members include Tomasz Minkiewicz, an expert in the oil and gas sector; Piotr Ciołkowski, who specialises in regulatory and trading matters; Łukasz Szatkowski, who is equally comfortable advising on both the conventional and renewable energy spaces; and Maciej Ziółkowski, praised for his ‘commercial and pragmatic approach‘ when advising electricity, gas, heating and chemical companies. Angelika Szufel, who was recently promoted to counsel, stands out for her focus on the development of infrastructure and renewable projects.Practice head(s):
Marcin Bejm
Other key lawyers:
Tomasz Minkiewicz; Piotr Ciołkowski; Łukasz Szatkowski; Michał Andruszkiewicz; Maciej Ziółkowski; Angelika Szufel; Andrzej Szostak
Testimonials
‘The team is experienced, business-focused, and provides concise advice that is fit for purpose. Part of the fee depends on the success of the project. The description of works in the billing process is accurate and easy to follow.’
‘This is a one-stop-shop energy practice, with a long presence on the market. CMS can help a range of clients from various sub-sectors. This is a big team that can handle major projects. ’
‘Maciej Ziółkowski – very dedicated, with a commercial and pragmatic approach. Reliable and trusted advisor.’
‘Piotr Ciołkowski – stands out as one of the most recogniwable lawyers.’
‘Łukasz Szatkowski – very client oriented, well anchored on the market, professional, down to earth.’
‘Andrzej Szostak and Angelika Szufel have a very good understanding of the specifics of working in the industry and carry out tasks with care. A big plus is that they easily understand the results that are expected.’
‘Maciej Ziółkowski – very committed professional, focused not only on the task, but also the client’s needs. Out-of-the box thinker. Very keen on proposing new solutions even before the client starts thinking about the new problematic issue.’
‘CMS lawyers work in many countries and have daily contact with many legislations, which gives them a broad perspective and allows them to transfer interesting and up-to-date legal concepts from other jurisdictions to Poland. The team has a very good reputation as one of the best energy and natural resources teams in the CEE. They are detailed, showing vast knowledge of the law, but also very practical.’
Key clients
Afcon Renewable Energy Ltd
BayWa r.e.
CalEnergy Resources
CEE Equity Partners
Central European Petroleum
ČEZ Group
ENERGA
Eolus Vind AB
Equinor
Fortum Power and Heat Poland
Green Investment Group
Grupa Azoty Polyolefins
Grupa LOTOS
ib vogt GmbH
IGNITIS
KGHM
MOL
PGE
PGNiG
Orlen
Polish Development Fund (PFR)
Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne (PSE)
Solarpro Holding PLC
Sonnedix
Synthos
Żabka Polska
Work highlights
- Advised the Lewandpol Group on a project to build a hybrid solar and wind farm, Kleczew Solar & Wind.
- Advised TotalEnergies Renewables on its acquisition of a portfolio of photovoltaic projects.
- Advised Żabka Polska on the preparation, negotiation and conclusion of three corporate VPPAs in Poland, one with Modus Asset Management and two with Qair Group.
Poland > Insurance Tier 1
CMS‘s offering spans the entire spectrum of insurance mandates, including contentious and non-contentious work. On the contentious side, the practice provides advice on regulatory and compliance mandates, and on the non-contentious side, the group supports clients with a range of insurance policies, including W&I, D&O, product liability, and cyber insurance policies. Clients in both the life and non-life insurance sectors make up the team’s client base, as well as financial institutions, which it advises on insurer protection issues. With a strong presence across the CEE region, the group is well placed to handle cross-border insurance-related projects. Paweł Wajda spearheads the team with expertise in regulatory and compliance issues, and counsel Adam Jodkowski is adept at handling insurance-related disputes. Counsel Ewa Świderska is also noted.Practice head(s):
Paweł Wajda
Other key lawyers:
Adam Jodkowski; Patrycja Sikorska-Tuğcu; Ewa Świderska
Testimonials
‘The advantages are diversity and high competence in insurance.’
‘What I value the most is the cooperation with Paweł Wajda. Always available, immediately responds to a request for contact, open to discussion, understanding like no other advisor of the client’s needs.’
‘The firm openly informs about the chance in the case. High substantive competence, the problem is analysed in depth and broadly.’
‘Very good cooperation, quick contact with lawyers, high competence in administrative procedures and procedures before administrative courts.’
‘Paweł Wajda has very good cooperation, quick contact, very high commitment and professionalism in advice and preparation of documents.’
Key clients
Polska Izba Ubezpieczeń
Towarzystwo Ubezpieczeń Wzajemnych
InterRisk Towarzystwo Ubezpieczeń S.A.
Link4 Towarzystwo Ubezpieczeń S.A.
Warta Życie
OpenLife S.A.
TUnŻ Europa S.A.
Uniqa S.A.
Compensa S.A.
Work highlights
- Advised the Polish Insurance Association on drafting legislation and regulations for the insurance market.
- Represented a number of insurance companies, including OpenLife, TUnŻ Europa, PZU, Link4 and Compensa, in administrative court proceedings.
Poland > Intellectual property Tier 1
The IP practice at CMS has ample experience handling trade mark enforcement, patent disputes, portfolio management and criminal prosecutions against producers of false products. Sectors of focus include luxury goods, pharmaceuticals, technology, automotive and media. Led by Tomasz Koryzma, the team benefits from his expertise in IP enforcement. Aleksandra Kuźnicka-Cholewa is also an active member of the practice.Practice head(s):
Tomasz Koryzma
Other key lawyers:
Aleksandra Kuźnicka-Cholewa; Karina Zielińska-Piątkowska; Maciej Olejnik; Alicja Zalewska-Orabona; Adriana Zdanowicz-Leśniak
Testimonials
‘Credible and confident. Information received from them is correct. They keep their promises. They are responsive and available fast. They do the job fast. They communicate clearly and briefly.’
‘Strong support and prompt answers.’
‘What makes the team unique is the level of responsiveness and time spent to finish the task.’
‘With respect to the IP practice, I have been working mostly with Aleksandra Kuźnicka-Cholewa. Aleksandra provides her advice in accordance with the recent case law, highest professional standards and, crucially, industry specific knowledge. It is also of importance that Aleksandra demonstrates advanced knowledge of English. During negotiations she is always good-tempered and shows respect towards the interlocutor.’
Key clients
L’Oréal
ITP/ Matex Lab Switzerland
HP Enterprise
HP Inc.
Sky International AG
Syngenta
eBay. Inc
Work highlights
- Assisting L’Oréal with its IP enforcement strategy in Poland, including acting as an exclusive anti-counterfeiting advisor and handling all customs and criminal seizures related to all L’Oréal brands.
- Advising a major company operating in the aesthetical and biomedical cosmetics sector on its global brand protection, which includes assisting with the registration of its key international trade mark in a variety of jurisdictions all over the world, including in the EUIPO, Bahrain, Israel, Colombia, India, Brazil, China, and Australia.
- Assisting Sky with its significant portfolio of rights, which extends to over 3000 trade marks across more than 150 territories, including Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine and Russia.
Poland > Investment funds Tier 1
CMS boasts a multi-disciplinary team consisting of lawyers from the firm’s tax, corporate and M&A, energy, infrastructure, and banking and finance departments, who come together to advise clients on investment funds mandates. Its offering encompasses the entire spectrum of maters, including the establishment, structuring, and liquidation of funds, as well as related regulatory work. With offices located globally, the group can also assist with the establishment of funds in various jurisdictions, especially across the CEE region and Luxembourg. M&A and private equity transaction specialist Błażej Zagórski leads the team. Rafał Zwierz is another senior name of note, and he is also qualified in the US and the UK.Practice head(s):
Błażej Zagórski
Other key lawyers:
Marcin Bejm; Rafał Zwierz; Piotr Ciołkowski
Key clients
PFR Ventures
PFR Fundusz Funduszy FIZ
Polish Development Fund S.A.
Macquarie’s Green Investment Group
PFR Nieruchomości S.A.
PFR Fundusz Inwestycji Samorządowych FIZAN
Mutares SE & Co KGaA
Syntaxis Capital
Advent International
MidEuropa
CirCap
Cinven’s Partner in Pet Food
Abris Capital Partners
Innova Capital’s Prime Label Group
DPE Deutsche Private Equity Management III GmbH
SINO-CEEF and its portfolio company Vertex Investment
Work highlights
- Advised PFR Ventures and investment fund PFR Fundusz Funduszy FIZ on an investment into the French PE fund, Eurazeo Smart City Fund II.
- Advised PFR Ventures and investment fund PFR Fundusz Funduszy FIZ on an investment into the French investment fund, TiLT Capital Fund 1.
- Advised Mutares SE & Co KGaA, a Munich-based private equity holding company, on the Polish aspects of the acquisition of the Danish, Polish, and Serbian business operations of Arriva Group, a provider of passenger transport across Europe and a part of Deutsche Bahn.
Poland > Public procurement Tier 1
CMS remains a dominant force in the public procurement arena, frequently addressing the competition-related aspects of consortia formation, drafting public procurement contracts, and providing advice on public projects across various industries, including energy, infrastructure, telecoms and construction. The team excels in both domestic and EU law issues, collaborating closely with the firm’s energy and projects departments. Małgorzata Urbańska leads the group, focusing her practice on advising private and public corporates on all types of tenders in the Polish market. Marcin Bejm, who is also the head of the firm’s energy and infrastructure practice, concentrates on advising on projects concerning various types of infrastructure assets in Poland and the wider CEE region. Krzysztof Sikora is notable for representing clients before the National Appeals Chamber, while Angelika Szufel specialises in the organisation of infrastructure investment projects, particularly within the transport and energy sectors.Practice head(s):
Małgorzata Urbańska
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team is highly accessible and engaged in projects. The culture is to exceed expectations and anticipate issues that are flagged to clients before they happen, which significantly accelerates the time to execute projects and greatly increases the probability of success.’
‘The individuals that I worked with include Angelika Szufel and Marcin Bejm. Both are characterised by very deep sector expertise and have often shared valuable industry insights that would typically be reserved for commercial experts. They also have a profound knowledge of all the potential issues with administrative procedures and how to address them.’
‘Exceptionally deep knowledge of the sector and of legal precedents. Very accessible and willing to work out-of-hours when the need occurs. Able to quickly be briefed and provide legal input with rapid turnaround times’
‘I have worked closely with Angelika Szufel over the past 1.5 years and have been extremely impressed by her availability and in-depth knowledge of complex public procurement contracts. The involvement of Angelika and her team was decisive in our company winning one of our biggest ever contracts. Their ongoing support is a key part of our overall success.’
‘The team led by Marcin Bejm is the most experienced on the market. I have full trust in them. Always looking for a solution, no matter how complicated the issue seems to be. Nothing is impossible to negotiate with this team.’
‘Marcin Bejm – professional as a lawyer with broad soft skills used during cooperation on difficult and business topics with clients; open to diversity of cooperation and flexible in setting the terms of cooperation.’
‘The advice was aimed not only at securing the described initial aims and needs of our institution, but suggested several unique propositions aimed at providing the best result. During our meetings we felt that we were consulting someone who has very broad experience, can suggest solutions tested before in practice, and takes into account the specific character of our institution.’
‘Angelika Szufel provided the best possible advice. She was incredibly devoted to the process and we had the impression that she was giving much more of her time and skills than minimally required. She was highly competent, knew the specific field and background of our institution and she was able to identify not only the vital aims for us, but also threats and difficulties we did not think about before starting our cooperation.’
Key clients
AECOM Polska
Arcadis
Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego
Centralny Port Komunikacyjny sp. z o.o. (Central Transportation Hub)
Corinth Pipeworks
European Investment Bank (EIB)
Foster & Partners
Górnośląskie Towarzystwo Lotnicze SA
Honeywell
Incheon Airport in Seoul
Kyndryl
Medtronic
Mirbud SA
Pojazdy Szynowe PESA Bydgoszcz SA
Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne SA (PSE)
Warbud S.A. (Vinci Group)
Stäubli
Kärcher
Hochtief
Polin
Work highlights
- Advised Kyndryl on a major tender for maintenance services for the IT system owned by the Polish Social Security Institution, including successfully challenging the tender’s specification before the National Appeal Chamber.
- Advised Hochtief on a competitive dialogue concerning a public housing PPP project, including successfully challenging the tender’s specification before the National Appeal Chamber.
- Advised Foster & Partners on a competitive dialogue concerning design services relating to the new passenger terminal to be located at the new central airport in Poland.
Poland > Real estate Tier 1
CMS stands out as a primary choice for insurance companies, pension and private equity funds, and commercial and residential developers seeking advice throughout the entire project lifecycle, from development to sale. The 'exceptional' team also boasts a German desk, allowing it to also assist German clients expanding their investments into Poland; this is overseen by Lidia Dziurzyńska-Leipert. In addition to its transactional prowess, the team is well versed in sustainability matters, providing guidance on the ESG aspects of real estate investments. At the helm of this sizeable team is Agata Jurek-Zbrojska, whose expertise extends to both office and commercial real estate, with a particular focus on residential properties. Other key team members include Michał Mieciński, an expert in M&A and joint ventures with a real estate component, and Dominik Rafałko.Practice head(s):
Agata Jurek-Zbrojska
Other key lawyers:
Lidia Dziurzyńska-Leipert; Małgorzata Madej-Balcerowska; Dominik Rafałko; Michał Mieciński; Michał Bork; Anna Wiśniewska; Paweł Śliwka
Testimonials
‘The depth of expertise within the CMS team is truly exceptional. Each member brings an impressive blend of legal knowledge, business approach and a genuine passion for serving clients. It’s a rare blend of professionalism and approachability that sets this practice apart.’
‘One of the key strengths lies in the team’s collaborative spirit. CMS’ holistic approach to client service sets them apart. It’s not just about legal expertise, but also about understanding the broader context in which CMS clients operate. This depth of understanding empowers the CMS team to deliver solutions that are not only legally sound but also strategically accurate.’
‘Outstanding client representation in the negotiations by Dominik Rafałko and his team.’
‘The CMS team were extremely attentive to our matter and went above and beyond to meet tight timeframes, with a difficult counterparty. The team worked hard to negotiate terms both in line with market practice in Poland and our individual commercial needs. Through a collaborative effort between CMS and pur in-house team, we were able to achieve some great “wins” and significantly improve the contract terms. Couldn’t recommend the team enough and hope to be able to work with them again in the future.’
‘CMS is a law firm with a broad spectrum of activities, comprehensively dealing with clients and meeting their needs. Generally speaking, CMS is reliable and responsive. The cooperation with them is smooth, their advice is oriented to solving the client’s problems, often includes various possible options, creative approaches and a good understanding of the complexity of each legal situation.’
‘I value the professional competence of the CMS lawyers I met with.’
‘I worked exceptionally well with Anna Wiśniewska, who stands out as a lawyer. She is bright, business-oriented and well-informed on the client’s operations and issues. Her strengths are good understanding of the business and legal environment surrounding the client, and she gives thoughtful, well-rounded and competent advice. She is in charge of the client’s problem and is prompt to respond and resolve the issue.’
‘Michał Mieciński exemplifies a level of client dedication and attention to detail that sets him apart in the legal profession. His unique qualities and exceptional capabilities have been invaluable to our company, providing a level of service that goes above and beyond expectations. His keen attention to detail ensures that nothing is overlooked in the legal process. He meticulously reviews documents and thoroughly analyses the intricacies of each case, leaving no stone unturned.’
Key clients
Allianz Real Estate
Panattoni Europe
AFI Europe
Trigea Real Estate Fund
BIG Shopping Centers
MNK Partners
White Stone Development
Xior Sudent Housing
Work highlights
- Advising Trigea Real Estate on the acquisition of two office buildings in Poland: My Place II in Warsaw and MidPoint 71 in Wrocław.
- Advising Allianz Real Estate on the acquisition of five Grade A sustainable logistics assets, as part of the European Ceres portfolio, from DHL.
- Advising Panattoni on the sale of a fully-leased Silesia East logistics park in Sosnowiec.
Poland > Tax Tier 1
Clients choose the tax practice at CMS as they ‘can count on its support in strategic tax advisory, transactional tax and tax restructuring‘. The team has vast experience advising clients in the energy, chemical, finance, fintech, consumer, real estate and defence sectors. It fully utilises its global network to assist clients with multi-jurisdictional tax projects. Andrzej Pośniak leads the practice and specialises in tax structuring, tax optimisation, restructuring and disputes. Piotr Nowicki is another key member of the team, and handles a breadth of relevant mandates in relation to M&A transactions. Małgorzata Brauckmann-Sajkiewicz is highlighted for being a ‘world-class expert in transactional tax, cross-border tax and tax structuring, but also a very experienced business advisor’.Practice head(s):
Andrzej Pośniak
Other key lawyers:
Piotr Nowicki; Małgorzata Brauckmann-Sajkiewicz; Paulina Karpińska-Huzior
Testimonials
‘The tax team provided me with exhaustive, straight to the point and timely advice in a complex matter. Their dedication, responsiveness, good understanding and reasonableness in their assessment were extremely appreciated. ’
‘We work a lot with Piotr Nowicki who has been able to assist us on different projects. We have always been happy with the outstanding work performed by Piotr and his team.’
‘CMS is a very competent and experienced team capable of handling all sorts of projects, but in particular strategic tax advisory, transactional tax and tax restructuring. You always work with senior lawyers through the whole circle of the project, which gives us comfort they will handle the case properly and which is not always the case with other firms.’
‘I especially recommend Małgorzata Brauckmann-Sajkiewicz and her team.’
‘Małgorzata Brauckmann-Sajkiewicz is our main contact in CMS. She is very reliable, committed and proactive. She is not only a world-class expert in transactional tax, cross-border tax and tax structuring, but also a very experienced business advisor.’
‘Dynamic, responsive and highly skilled.’
‘Practical and commercial.’
‘Understanding of Polish tax system and business needs.’
Key clients
Grupa Azoty
Saipem
Polski Fundusz Rozwoju
mBank
Macquarie’s Group – Green Investment Group
Amundi Immobilier
Montagu Private Equity
Corum XL
Grupo Lar
Work highlights
- Advised Grupa Azoty, a key Polish player in the chemicals sector, on the tax aspects of a propane dehydrogenation (PDH) and polypropylene production (PP) installation.
- Advising Saipem Limited on all Polish tax and corporate matters connected with Project Baltic Pipe, an inter-European gas corridor from Norway to Poland.
Poland > TMT Tier 1
The local TMT team at CMS benefits from sitting within the firm’s global technology group, and it is well equipped to handle a range of projects, including those in the IT, cloud computing, telecoms, media, e-commerce and cybersecurity spaces. Tomasz Koryzma sits at the helm of the practice with expertise in digital businesses; he frequently advises clients on mandates regarding e-commerce issues and cloud contracts. Counsel Damian Karwala is another key name of note, and his client roster is broad ranging, encompassing companies from the finance, insurance, telecoms, and pharmaceutical sectors.Practice head(s):
Tomasz Koryzma
Other key lawyers:
Damian Karwala; Adriana Zdanowicz-Leśnia
Testimonials
‘I can always rely on the team to support my organisation. They are client oriented and brilliant in the way they think and solve problems.’
Key clients
BMW
WRTS
Airbnb
RTB
Ocado
HB Reavis
Stuart
Work highlights
- Advised BMW on creating a new model of reservation and sale of vehicles in nine different markets in Europe.
- Advised Futurewhitz on ensuring that the WRTS website was child-friendly from a privacy and digital law perspective.
- Advising Ocado on a range of data protection, new technology and regulatory issues, and also on issues related to critical infrastructure, radio equipment and electromagnetic compatibility requirements.
Poland > White-collar crime Tier 1
At CMS, the white-collar crime practice is expert in a broad spectrum of matters including bribery, corruption, anti-money laundering, and misconduct. The team has experience handling internal investigations and criminal proceedings, with particular expertise in the financial services, TMT, life sciences, energy and construction sectors. The practice is headed up by Arkadiusz Korzeniewski, who focuses his practice on both preventative compliance and investigations. Maciej Kópczyński is noted for his expertise in the IT, pharmaceutical, consumer goods, and oil and gas sectors. Mariusz Minkiewicz and Mateusz Gerlach are also notable members of the team.Practice head(s):
Arkadiusz Korzeniewski
Other key lawyers:
Maciej Kópczyński; Mariusz Minkiewicz; Mateusz Gerlach
Poland > Capital markets Tier 2
Rafał Zwierz leads the ECM group at CMS, which is adept at advising clients on IPOs, secondary public and private placements, and securitisation projects. Counsel Michał Śmiechowski ‘has an exceptionally long track-record on debt capital market mandates’, and he spearheads the DCM team alongside banking and finance head Michał Meżykowski; this offering encompasses advice to issuers, investors, investment banks, and other financial institutions on issuing debt financial instruments, including bonds, bank securities, covered bonds, and bills of exchange. In team news, Ryszard Manteuffel joined the team from Deloitte Legal, Ostrowski, Gizicki i Wspólnicy sp.k. in March 2024.Practice head(s):
Rafał Zwierz; Michał Mężykowski; Michał Śmiechowski
Other key lawyers:
Magdalena Zmysłowska; Monika Szczotkowska; Przemysław Kopka; Ryszard Manteuffel
Testimonials
‘Excellent practice and industry knowledge, as well as market practice. Excellent legal knowledge, constant development of knowledge. Good communication skills, and the firm accommodates business needs to solutions.’
‘Extensive legal knowledge accompanied with experience and market practice. The partners are available, responsive, meeting the agreed timeline. And so are associates.’
‘There are able to adapt to our needs. They combined the teams for banking and financing and bond issuance to provide us with bonds having LMA provisions.’
‘Przemysław Kopka is one of the best lawyers in Poland for organising financings.’
‘Team focusing on bonds has great experience in large transactions. They know the market standards and expectations of other market players and the regulator.’
‘Michał Śmiechowski has an exceptionally long track-record on debt capital market mandates, which makes his experience quite unique. There are only a few lawyers in Poland with similar focus and background.’
‘Extremely dedicated team. The advice was always on time, without delays. The advice covered all the possible aspects of the questions. The team demonstrated deep knowledge of the capital markets regulations, precedents and current environment.’
‘We worked with Rafał Zwierz and Magdalena Zmysłowska. Both demonstrated a high level of professionalism and client orientation. They managed to provide unparalleled advice in the most complex situations.’
Key clients
Passus S.A.
Namsen Limited
InPost S.A.
Grupa Azoty S.A.
Grupa Azoty Zakłady Chemiczne „Police” S.A.
Work highlights
- Advised Passus S.A. on its initial public offering and the introduction of its shares to trading on the main market of the Warsaw Stock Exchange.
- Advised Namsen Limited on the delisting tender offer of the Kernel Holding’s shares on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, launched by the main shareholder, Namsen Limited.
- Advised Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego on its issuance of samurai bonds with a nominal amount of JPY93bn on the Japanese market.
Poland > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2
The corporate and M&A department at CMS is notably strong in public M&A transactions, and clients often turn to the group for assistance with mandates in the energy, chemical, consumer products, TMC, manufacturing, logistics, and banking spaces. Of particular note is its advice to investment and capital venture funds on their transactions. Rafał Zwierz – who is qualified in Poland, the US, and the UK – leads the team. Other key names within the practice include Sławomir Czerwiński and counsel Olga Czyżycka-Szczygieł; the former has experience in assisting private equity houses and corporates with investments, exits, joint ventures, and mergers, and the latter has expertise in corporate issues, including restructurings and reorganisations. March 2024 saw two new arrivals join the team from Deloitte Legal, Ostrowski, Gizicki i Wspólnicy sp.k., namely Ryszard Manteuffel and counsel Robert Semczuk.Practice head(s):
Rafał Zwierz
Other key lawyers:
Sławomir Czerwiński; Błażej Zagórski; Mateusz Stępień; Olga Czyżycka-Szczygieł; Jarosław Gajda; Marta Osowska-Buba; Antoni Wandzilak; Joanna Białoskórska; Grzegorz Pączek; Robert Semczuk; Ryszard Manteuffel
Testimonials
‘Competence, reactivity, reliability, and efficiency.’
‘The team as CMS is great at collaborating, very prompt with their responses and clear in their understanding.’
‘I worked with Mateusz Stępień and his team. He has a very clear thought process, is a great lawyer and very prompt with his responses.’
‘The M&A team is calm and reliable at all times, fast and furious when needed, always on top of the case and thinking two steps ahead.’
‘Błażej Zagórski and Grzegorz Pączek are my favourite M&A team in Poland. When I hand the work to them, I do not have to check every step; they follow with all the details, keep me well informed, always working on the highest level and with the highest standards.’
‘CMS thoughtfully has selected engaged and knowledgeable attorneys who care for the client.’
Key clients
MOL Hungarian Oil and Gas Plc
Medicover Sp. z o.o.
Green Genius
Sonnedix UK Services Ltd
Partner in Pet Food
Constantia Flexibles
PartyDeco sp. z o.o.
Syntaxis Capital
Mutares
Synergie
MidEuropa
CirCap
GrECo International Holding AG
TotalEnergies Renewables
B&P Engineering sp. z o.o.
Vertex Investment
Prime Label Group
Kansai Helios Coatings
Compagnie d’Affrètement et de Transport
Integer.pl S.A.
Abris Capital Partners
R-GOL Marcin Radziwon
OZE Holding 2
Work highlights
- Advised MOL Hungarian Oil and Gas Public Limited Company on the $610m acquisition of 100% of the shares in LOTOS Paliwa Sp. z o.o., a domestic company which owns 417 petrol stations across Poland.
- Advised R-GOL, a major distributor of specialised equipment for football enthusiasts, professionals and football clubs in Central and Eastern Europe, and its owners, on the sale of the majority stake to Innova Capital.
- Advised MangoPay, a European payments solution provider for marketplaces and platforms backed by PE fund Advent International, on the Polish law related aspects of the acquisition of a majority stake in the AI fraud detection and prevention company Nethone sp. z o.o.
Poland > Data privacy and data protection Tier 2
The team at CMS is part of the firm’s global technology, media and telecoms offering, and in 2023, the local EU trade mark and design team merged with the data department to operate under one banner. The resultant group is adept at handling data breaches and cybersecurity incidents, as well as complaints and inquiries from data subjects. Tomasz Koryzma sits at the helm of the department, which boasts ‘great experts in data protection’, including counsel Damian Karwala, who ‘stands out as an expert on international data transfers’. Senior associate Adriana Zdanowicz-Leśniak is also a notable member of the team with expertise in GDPR matters.Practice head(s):
Tomasz Koryzma
Other key lawyers:
Damian Karwala; Adriana Zdanowicz-Leśniak; Dominika Tyc
Testimonials
‘Pragmatic and sound advice on privacy and data protection matters. Large team that represents all levels of expertise. An ability to align legal advice with the client’s business objectives.’
‘Open-minded in assisting clients and proposing solutions to legal problems.’
‘Expertise, responsiveness, close collaboration and dedication put together to serve a client. Damian Karwala stands out as an expert on international data transfers.’
‘The quality of service, great listening skills of all people who I work with, good speed of answering emails and providing support.’
‘Adriana Zdanowicz-Leśniak is high quality, very good and professional but at the same time provides a friendly business relationship, willingness to answer all questions and provide the required support and advice. I value the perfect communication with her, and appreciate her engagement every time when we work together. I feel important, listened to and looked after.’
‘Great experts in data protection. Thorough knowledge and ready to deal with complex matters. Commitment, professionalism, willingness to help, and finding non-standard solutions are strengths of the team.’
‘Tomasz Koryzma, Damian Karwala, and Dominika Tyc provide excellent support for all privacy matters.’
Key clients
Lufthansa Group
eBay
Primo Water
Hermes
Box
Iron Mountain
Point 72
Partner in Pet Food
Becton Dickinson
Lundi
Bausch & Lomb Poland sp. z o.o.
Work highlights
- Advising Iron Mountain on data protection and privacy matters.
- Representing Lufthansa Group & SAS Airlines in interdisciplinary administrative proceedings.
- Advising Box on a data protection project which relates to its ability to offer its services post-Brexit and post-Schrems II.
Poland > Private equity Tier 2
CMS supports international private equity houses and regional CEE funds throughout the entire lifecycle of investment mandates, from integration of businesses and restructurings, to the implementation of growth strategies. Key sectors of focus include TMT, retail, insurance, manufacturing, life sciences, and renewable energy. The ‘very commercial’ Sławomir Czerwiński sits at the helm of the practice and is ably supported by the head of the firm’s corporate and M&A department, Rafał Zwierz. Counsel Olga Czyżycka-Szczygieł adeptly advises clients on cross-border transactions.Practice head(s):
Rafał Zwierzl; Sławomir Czerwiński
Other key lawyers:
Błażej Zagórski; Dariusz Greszta; Mateusz Stępień; Jarosław Gajda; Grzegorz Pączek; Marta Osowska-Buba; Olga Czyżycka-Szczygieł; Antoni Wandzilak
Testimonials
‘The team is characterised by being highly accessible at all times. All team members respond immediately and remain proactive during projects.’
‘They cooperate well with one another at all levels and everyone is always up to speed, which makes it easy to maintain deal momentum, even if not all team members are present during a meeting.’
‘The individuals that I worked with include Sławomir Czerwiński, Jarosław Gajda and Antoni Wandzilak. The key differentiator is business acumen. They understand what is critical and what is less important from a commercial perspective. This allows them to quickly and effectively conduct negotiations and add true value.’
‘I had a great working experience with the CMS team. They are very prompt, clear with their responses, have a transactional mindset, and are great lawyers.’
‘We enjoyed working with Mateusz Stępień and his team. He is a great lawyer with clarity on thought processes and he provides clear advice on the way forward.’
‘Professionals and experts in their field.’
‘Sławomir Czerwiński stood out as very commercial. Great with clients.’
Key clients
Advent International
MidEuropa
CirCap
Cinven’s Partner in Pet Food
Abris Capital Partners
Innova Capital’s Prime Label Group
Syntaxis Capital
PFR Ventures
DPE Deutsche Private Equity Management III GmbH
SINO-CEEF
Vertex Investment
Mutares SE & Co KGaA
Work highlights
- Advised MangoPay on the Polish aspects of the acquisition of z majority stake in the AI fraud detection and prevention company Nethone sp. z o.o.
- Advised Prime Label Group, the Polish flexible packaging firm controlled by Innova Capital, on the acquisition of a 100% stake in domestic printing company Drukarnia PEGWAN Sp. z o.o.
- Advised R-GOL, a major distributor of specialised equipment for football enthusiasts, professionals, and football clubs in Central and Eastern Europe, and its owners, on the sale of a majority stake to Innova Capital.
Poland > Healthcare and life sciences Tier 3
CMS houses a broad team known for its expansive knowledge of relationships between medical representatives and healthcare professionals, regulatory inspections, and post-market responsibilities. Practice head Agnieszka Starzyńska is well versed in matters involving clinical trials and the placing of products on the market, in addition to the regulatory regime governing food supplements and cannabis. Katarzyna Łoś has broad expertise in the marketing, distribution, and development of products within the pharmaceutical and food industries.Practice head(s):
Agnieszka Starzyńska
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Coopervision Poland
Partner in Pet Food
Bausch & Lomb
Cytiva
Sonova
Syneos
Constantia Flexibles
Boston Scientific
ICON
PZ Cussons
Work highlights
- Advising Coopervision on various regulatory and compliance matters relating to its soft contact lenses and related products.
- Advising Sonova Group on compliance issues relating to its interactions with healthcare providers.
- Advised Constantia Flexibles on pre-transactional due diligence in relation to a manufacturer of food packaging, including the regulatory and food law aspects.
CMS > Firm Profile
CMS Poland is an international law firm which finds effective solutions for your legal challenges. We are one of the largest and most experienced international law firms in Poland – for over 25 years, we have been successfully working hand-in-hand with our clients that operate locally and cross-border.
With over 200 lawyers in Poland, we provide a full range of legal and tax advisory services to all sectors of the economy, advising on current challenges, as well as anticipating challenges on the horizon that are likely to shape the future. Our teams in Warsaw and Poznań operate as part of an international network of 80 offices with over 5000 lawyers located in 45 countries around the world, which allows us to offer you the highest quality legal advice, wherever you conduct or intend to conduct business.
As a future-facing firm, we take a bold, dynamic and agile approach to help clients of every size face the future with confidence. At CMS, we work in partnership with national and international businesses, from multi-nationals to start-ups, helping to meet business objectives, complete projects and close deals. The size of our teams and our international network of lawyers enable us to work on projects of any scale. Our clients include multinationals and the largest Polish enterprises, as well as family businesses, financial institutions and public-sector entities. Thanks to our lawyers’ sector specialisation and focus on regulated sectors, as a CMS client you will benefit from our comprehensive knowledge of current trends and challenges in your industry, as well as the support of a team that understands the specifics of conducting business in your sector of the economy.
Our experienced corporate and M&A experts offer you legal advice and support in transaction management. We can support you in capital market emissions, both nationally and internationally. If you are involved in a dispute, our business-minded dispute resolution team will develop the right tactics and strategy to navigate you through the process. We can also support your real estate and construction projects through all the phases. As Poland’s leading energy and environmental law team, we advise on all types of investment projects and regulatory issues. We also help businesses with financing projects, infrastructure and PPP undertakings, and advise you on compliance, competition, public procurement, new technologies and tax issues.
We see our expertise as a tool to find solutions to your legal problems and help ensure the continued success of your business.
If your business operates outside Poland, your legal issues will also be cross-border. CMS offers a unique coverage of Europe and beyond. With our geographical coverage, we can provide you with a seamless service and a single point of contact.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Managing Partner, CMS Poland/Head of Tax | Andrzej Pośniak | andrzej.posniak@cms-cmno.com | + 48 22 520 56 73 |
Real Estate and Construction | Agata Jurek-Zbrojska | agata.jurek-zbrojska@cms-cmno.com | +48 22 520 55 91 |
Banking & Finance/Restructuring & Insolvency | Michał Mężykowski | michal.mezykowski@cms-cmno.com | +48 22 520 8307 |
Corporate/M&A/Capital Markets/Private Equity/Investment Funds | Rafał Zwierz | rafal.zwierz@cms-cmno.com | +48 22 520 56 71 |
Competition | Małgorzata Urbańska | malgorzata.urbanska@cms-cmno.com | +48 22 520 5597 |
TMT/Intellectual Property/Data Protection | Tomasz Koryzma | tomasz.koryzma@cms-cmno.com | + 48 22 520 8479 |
Dispute Resolution | Małgorzata Surdek-Janicka | malgorzata.surdek@cms-cmno.com | +48 22 520 5555 |
Employment | Katarzyna Dulewicz | katarzyna.dulewicz@cms-cmno.com | +48 22 520 5519 |
Energy & Projects/Infrastructure & Project Finance/ESG | Marcin Bejm | marcin.bejm@cms-cmno.com | +48 22 520 5667 |
Insurance | Ewa Świderska | ewa.swiderska@cms-cmno.com | +48 22 520 5581 |
Environment/ESG | Agnieszka Skorupińska | agnieszka.skorupinska@cms-cmno.com | +48 22 520 8336 |
Life Sciences | Małgorzata Urbańska | malgorzata.urbanska@cms-cmno.com | +48 22 520 5597 |
Public Procurement | Małgorzata Urbańska | malgorzata.urbanska@cms-cmno.com | +48 22 520 5597 |
White Collar Crime | Arkadiusz Korzeniewski | arkadiusz.korzeniewski@cms-cmno.com | +48 22 520 5658 |
Investment Funds | Błażej Zagórski | blazej.zagorski@cms-cmno.com | + 48 22 520 84 01 |
Private Equity | Sławomir Czerwiński | slawomir.czerwinski@cms-cmno.com | + 48 22 520 55 27 |
Dispute Resolution | Anna Cudna-Wagner | anna.cudna-wagner@cms-cmno.com | +48 22 520 55 29 |
Lawyer Profiles
Solicitor Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Ms Izabela Biernat-Sadlak | Senior associate in Antitrust, Competition and Trade Department in Poland | View Profile | |
Mr Damian Karwala | Counsel, IP/TMC Department in Poland | View Profile | |
Mr Tomasz Koryzma | Partner, Head of the IP/TMC Department in Poland | View Profile | |
Ms Aleksandra Kuźnicka-Cholewa | Senior Associate, IP/TMC department in Poland | View Profile | |
Ms Martyna Markiewicz | Counsel | View Profile | |
Mr Michał Mężykowski | Partner, Head of the Banking and Finance Department in Poland | View Profile | |
Mr Maciej Olejnik | Senior Associate, IP/TMC Department in Poland | View Profile | |
Mr Jakub Podkowa | Partner, Banking and Finance Department in Poland | View Profile | |
Mr Krzysztof Sikora | Senior Associate, Antitrust, Competition and Trade Department in Poland | View Profile | |
Ms Agnieszka Starzyńska | Counsel, Antitrust, Competition and Trade Department in Poland, Counsel, Head of the… | View Profile | |
Ms Małgorzata Urbańska | Partner, Head of Antitrust, Competition and Trade Department in Poland Partner, Head… | View Profile | |
Mr Jakub Wieczorek | Partner in the Banking and Finance Department in Poland | View Profile | |
Mr Rafał Zakrzewski | Partner, Banking and Finance Department in Poland | View Profile | |
Ms Adriana Zdanowicz-Leśniak | Senior Associate, IP/TMC Department in Poland | View Profile | |
Ms Karina Zielińska-Piątkowska | Associate | View Profile | |
Mr Michał Śmiechowski | Counsel, Leader of the Debt Capital Markets Practice in Poland Counsel, Banking… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Poland : over 200 lawyers in Warsaw and Poznan offices in Poland CMS worldwide : over 5000 lawyers in 80 offices in over 45 countriesLanguages
English Polish German French SpanishDiversity
As a global future-facing law firm, diversity & inclusion are not just aspirations for us – they are an imperative. We are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive culture that encourages authenticity and celebrates all our people and their unique backgrounds. As they are central to our culture, we ensure that diversity and inclusion are at the forefront.
Our aim is to build a culture of trust, respect and inclusion which embraces differences and encourages diversity of people, views and experiences for the benefit of all.
Our D&I strategy, Future Facing Inclusion, is a way of thinking and being. It brings together everyone at CMS, as well as our clients and communities, whatever their backgrounds, to develop thriving careers, positive cultures and new ways of working. It is a force for change.
Diversity & inclusion is championed at the senior level across the firm. Our Managing Partner, Andrzej Pośniak, is a great advocate for D&I and champions it internally and externally to ensure that CMS drives change not only for its people and communities, but also for the legal sector and the wider business community.
As for our D&I initiatives, once a year we organise the CMS Diversity & Inclusion Festival to celebrate differences, to keep this essential debate going, and to share our experience and knowledge. Moreover, in Poland we regularly join in the organisation of anti-discrimination initiatives, including meetings with the Polish Ombudsman, non-governmental organisations, leading Polish reporters and law students. In striving for gender equality, in 2021 we also partnered with the CFA Society Poland to release a report entitled “Women on boards and company performance”, which is aimed at verifying the view that gender equality is associated with better financial performance, lower risk, and a higher market valuation.
Legal Briefings
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Doing business in the UAE
CMS’s John O’Connor and Harkee Wilson discuss the challenges and issues businesses face operating in the UAE and investigate some of the recent changes in the business environment.
Comparative Guides
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United Arab Emirates: Advertising & Marketing
Published: October 2023
Authors: Ben GibsonKhiloni JobanputraJaleela JohnsonEve Brady
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Advertising & Marketing laws and regulations applicable in United Arab Emirates.
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United Kingdom: Advertising & Marketing
Published: October 2023
Authors: Tom ScourfieldStuart Helmer
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Advertising & Marketing laws and regulations applicable in United Kingdom.
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Italy: Advertising & Marketing
Published: October 2023
Authors: Paola GhezziGiulia Tomassini
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Advertising & Marketing laws and regulations applicable in Italy.
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Sweden: Lending & Secured Finance
Published: April 2024
Authors: Ulf ForsmanHåkan Lindgren Per Englund
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Lending & Secured Finance laws and regulations applicable in Sweden.
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Singapore: Construction
Published: May 2024
Authors: Lynette Chew Kelvin Aw Asya Jamaludin Grace Lu Andy Yeo Dian Tambunan
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Construction laws and regulations applicable in Singapore.
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Budget 2024: Renewed Focus on Singapore’s Social Compact
Published: March 2024
Authors: Wei Ming Tan
- Banking and finance
- Competition/antitrust
- Construction
- Dispute resolution
- Employment
- Energy and natural resources
- Insurance
- Intellectual property
- Investment funds
- Public procurement
- Real estate
- Tax
- TMT
- White-collar crime