Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka advises corporates, public institutions and senior individuals on complex white-collar crime matters, with particular strength in high-stakes and politically sensitive proceedings. The team is active across criminal defence, regulatory enforcement and internal investigations, handling matters involving financial crime, fraud, sanctions, cybercrime, tax offences and criminal liability of management. Hanna Gajewska-Kraczkowska and Rafał Karbowniczek co-lead the team, Hanna is highly skilled in corporate criminal liability, and Rafał excels in matter concerning fraud, embezzlement and abuse of trust. Artur Nowak is also a name to note.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • DZP's criminal law team is first and foremost distinguished by its strong commitment to conducting an active, courageous defense, and excellent communication. The lawyers on the team are also distinguished by their impressive experience in handling criminal cases and the substantive knowledge required to do so. The team's philosophy is based on being proactive and actively shaping the course of proceedings from their earliest stages, rather than simply reacting to the allegations made. They treat each case as unique, requiring an individually tailored strategy. The team combines in-depth legal analysis with creativity to find effective solutions.
  • Among the exceptional professionals we have had the privilege to work with, Wiktoria Kuczkowska stands out as a truly remarkable partner who embodies qualities that set her distinctly apart from others. What makes Wiktoria exceptional is her profound expertise in French legislation, which has proven significant for us as a subsidiary of a French company. Her comprehensive understanding of French legal frameworks, combined with her ability to navigate complex regulatory environments, has provided us with insights and solutions that would be difficult to find elsewhere. This specialized knowledge makes her an irreplaceable asset, particularly for matters requiring a nuanced understanding of French-Polish legal intersections. Beyond her technical expertise, Wiktoria possesses an extraordinary warmth and openness that transforms the typical client-attorney relationship into something far more collaborative and personal. She approaches each interaction with genuine care and creates an atmosphere where we feel comfortable discussing even the most challenging issues. This human touch, increasingly rare in professional services, makes working with her not only productive but genuinely pleasant. Her flexibility is another distinguishing quality. Wiktoria adapts seamlessly to our changing needs and schedules, always finding ways to accommodate urgent requests without compromising the quality of her work. She demonstrates remarkable agility in adjusting her approach to suit different situations and stakeholders.
  • What distinguishes this partnership is their exceptional professionalism and responsiveness. The team consistently demonstrates a proactive approach, responding promptly to our inquiries and addressing urgent matters with remarkable efficiency. Their ability to react quickly to evolving needs has proven invaluable in our day-to-day operations. The firm shows genuine openness to new challenges and topics, never hesitating to take on complex matters that require an innovative approach. Their willingness to expand their advisory scope and adapt to our changing business requirements has made them an indispensable partner. Particularly noteworthy is their extensive knowledge of legal systems across various EU member states. This expertise makes them an ideal advisor for companies with foreign capital, as they navigate cross-border legal complexities with ease and provide comprehensive guidance that accounts for multiple jurisdictions. What truly sets them apart is their ability to tailor proposed solutions to our existing business systems and processes. Rather than offering generic advice, they take time to understand our organizational structure and adapt their recommendations accordingly, ensuring seamless implementation without disrupting established workflows. Above all, our collaboration is built on trust. The firm has consistently demonstrated integrity, confidentiality, and commitment to our best interests, establishing a relationship that goes beyond typical client-attorney dynamics. We view them not merely as legal service providers, but as trusted advisors and strategic partners in our business growth.
  • ‘What makes DZP's white-collar crime practice is very extensive experience in handling difficult, complicated cases, also with a political element. Since my case is exactly that, I decided to choose DZP. When looking for a leading defence attorney, I conducted extensive market research and one of the partners of this law firm – Rafał Karbowniczek – was one of the most frequently recommended persons.’
  • ‘In my opinion, the strength of the DZP criminal law team is Rafał Karbowniczek, who has built and is developing this team. Rafał is an extremely charismatic person, very committed to his clients' affairs, paying great attention to detail. He demands the same from his team members.’

Key clients

  • Ryszard Brejza
  • Tomasz Trela
  • Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego

Work highlights

Representing Ryszard Brejza, former President of Inowrocław and current Member of the European Parliament, in politically sensitive criminal proceedings concerning alleged abuse of power and dereliction of duty as a public official.
Advised Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK), a Polish state-owned development bank, on an internal investigation into management misconduct and potential criminal liability linked to the bank’s foundations.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame

The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.

Next Generation Partners

Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

Hanna Gajewska-Kraczkowska; Rafał Karbowniczek

Other key lawyers

Artur Nowak