About

What are the most important transactions and litigations that you have been involved in during the last two years?

The sale transaction by Eurocash of 100% of shares in PayUp Polska, a company operating in the payment services market. The value of the transaction exceeded PLN100m and the transaction was closed in December 2018. I advised on the purchase transaction by Eurocash of 100% of shares in Partner, a company operating 25 stores under Lewiatan brand. The value of the transaction exceeds PLN70m and was closed in March 2019. Also, negotiations of agreement regarding exit process from long-term distribution agreements with one of the key clients of Eurocash Group. The value and details of the contract are strictly confidential. The exit process is in progress.

I have also been advising on the restructuring of the retail business on behalf of Eurocash Group, which includes cross-border transactions. The process is in progress and is expected to be finalised in 2020. The integration process is the biggest restructuring process the Group has followed so far. I’ve been involved in the sale transaction by Eurocash of 50% of shares in a joint-venture company set up with one of the biggest producers of meat and so-called convenience products in Poland. The transaction was closed in February 2019. There was another purchase transaction where Eurocash bought 100% of the shares in Eko Holding, a company operating approximately 250 stores under the Eko brand. The value of the transaction exceeds PLN140m. The transaction was closed in 2017, and my advisory services were rendered before I joined Eurocash Group (as a lawyer from Sołtysiński Kawecki & Szlęzak law office).

I have also recently worked on the sale transaction by the Olszewski family of 100% of shares in Solaris Group – a key Polish automotive manufacturer and distributor operating worldwide to Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles. The value of the transaction is confidential. The transaction was closed in the third quarter of 2018. The advisory services were rendered before I joined Eurocash Group, as a lawyer from Sołtysiński Kawecki & Szlęzak law office. I’ve also worked on restructuring of the retail business in Poland by one of the biggest retailer from FMCG sector. The process was finalised in July 2018. The advisory services were rendered before I joined Eurocash Group as a lawyer from Sołtysiński Kawecki & Szlęzak law office. The purchase transaction by Sokolow (Danish Crown Group) of 100% of shares in Gzella Group, the leading meat producer in Poland, the transaction was closed in May 2018 and my advisory services were rendered before I joined Eurocash Group (as a lawyer from Sołtysiński Kawecki & Szlęzak law office).

How important have “soft skills” or personal attributes outside of technical legal skill been to the team’s success, and which “soft skills” do you feel are most important for an in-house lawyer to possess?

Both “soft skills” and personal attributes have a great influence on the lawyer’s work. In particular for in-house lawyers, who communicate and cooperate with people who are not lawyers – such as managers and directors. In order to be respected as a good, valuable lawyer, they should present legal opinions which are precise, attached to the specific problem and which take into consideration the business environment. The risks identified by the lawyer should always be followed with the recommendation of how to solve them. The lawyer needs to be
both a great speaker (by presenting opinions
that are clear for people who are not lawyers) and
listener (by searching for and understanding the
full picture of the problem). They should not be
afraid of asking questions, since they prove that
the lawyer is really interested in solving the issue
at hand.

What are the main qualities you look for in a potential new hire?

The main qualities I look for in every place I work – including any potential new hire – are professional development opportunities, interesting projects, competency, inspiring and friendly staff as well as independence and responsibility. International projects are always highly appreciated.

What advice would you give to any peers or colleagues working in the Polish market for the first time?

Imagine your carrier in the future and prepare a plan of it. Then, consistently lead you career path according to the plan. Always try to get involved in the most challenging, complicated projects. The experience you gain there will be the best investment in your professional future. Establish good relationships both with your colleagues from the law firm and your clients. The business and legal world is really small.

What can law firms in Poland, and the wider CEE region, do to win more business from you?

If you would like to win more business from us, invite us for a presentation of a project that you would recommend us to implement – be one step before us. Always be well prepared, and also for tough, very practical and detailed questions, be self-confident and learn as much as practicable about our Group before you present anything to us. Have in mind that in addition to the legal provisions there are business and financial aspects that need to be taken into account. Unless we agreed otherwise, always provide us with a concise summary of points that we discussed.

FOCUS ON… THE ROLE

Thorough legal knowledge is of great value, but is not enough to become a brilliant lawyer and manager. Business and technology are changing
very fast and the lawyer has to keep up with them. As an in-house lawyer, take the advantage of working with colleagues who are business/financial or IT experts and learn from them as much as you can. Take care of your relationships within your organisation and with the business partners. Think of your managerial skills. Try to be both a great speaker
and listener.