Poland

Lawyers at Chadbourne’s Warsaw office have played an instrumental role in many major transactions in Poland in recent years. In the early 1990s, we were especially active in restructuring and privatization processes, in particular within the automotive, oil, steel, paper, financial and food sectors. Since then, we have built a strong reputation in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, corporate, energy, tax, banking and finance, dispute resolution, and real estate. We also advise on infrastructure projects and public-private partnerships, telecommunications, media and technology, public aid, competition law and personal data protection issues.

Our lawyers have represented numerous major local enterprises, multinational corporations, international financial institutions, and other foreign investors as well as Polish ministries and state institutions.

Mergers & Acquisitions, Restructurings and Capital Markets

We represent domestic and international clients in corporate matters, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, restructurings, foreign investments, management buyouts as well as spin-offs and de-mergers. We also advise on capital markets transactions, including IPOs and other debt and equity securities offerings. Our lawyers have considerable experience in advising clients on general corporate matters, including corporate governance and disclosure as well as compliance with obligations resulting from the Polish Securities Act and other regulatory laws. We represent multinational corporations that have established branch offices in Poland as well as Polish companies in their operations and investment projects in other central European countries and worldwide.

Energy and Climate Change

Chadbourne’s Warsaw lawyers advise power generating utilities, distribution companies, electricity traders and energy market organizations in connection with privatizations, project finance and regulatory issues. We represent clients in cases brought before the President of the Energy Regulatory Authority, the President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection, the Court of Competition and Consumer Protection and the Supreme Court. Our climate change practice has developed based on our experience in advising on a wide range of renewable energy matters, including in particular an outstanding track record of wind farm projects.

Tax and Customs

Our tax lawyers advise clients on tax planning in connection with foreign investments, mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, joint ventures, securities offerings and other corporate transactions. Our tax practice is particularly regarded for its accomplishments in tax litigation before fiscal chambers, tax inspection offices, administrative courts, the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Tribunal. We advise multinational corporations, banks and investment funds, real estate developers, and other global and local companies on issues related to all taxes and other public charges, such as turnover taxes (VAT and excise duty), corporate and personal income tax (CIT and PIT), property tax, and customs duties.

Real Estate

We represent international and Polish developers, institutional investors and lenders in connection with office, retail, warehouse, residential and hotel projects throughout Poland. We provide advice on a wide range of legal matters, including tax planning, structuring, due diligence, leasing, financing, acquisition, sale, management and construction. We also have experience in assisting clients in issues connected with securing financing for their projects and in litigating infringements of lease, investment and other real estate related contracts.

Banking and Finance

Our attorneys represent major banks and borrowers in connection with debt financing transactions in Poland and abroad. Recently, we have been engaged in a number of complex and high-profile structured financings connected with manufacturing, energy and infrastructure development projects. We also provide opinions on financing structures prepared by banks as part of their compliance with Polish and European Union laws, including public aid regulations.

Litigation and Arbitration

Chadbourne’s Warsaw dispute resolution attorneys advise clients on complicated multi-level and multi-jurisdictional litigation cases involving Polish and international corporations and investors as well as institutions of other countries and international organizations. Our experiences include a number of precedent-setting cases and the first class action in Poland. We also have a broad and outstanding experience in alternative dispute resolution practices – arbitration and mediation. Our lawyers played a critical role in the establishment of the Polish Arbitration Association and the Arbitration Court at the Polish Confederation of Private Employers LEWIATAN and have served as arbitrators at Polish and foreign arbitration institutions, including International Center for Dispute Resolution.

Telecommunication, Media and Technology

Telecommunication, media and technology practice of Chadbourne's Warsaw office offers services in a whole range of aspects connected with our clients' operational activity in the telecommunications and media markets. The scope of our services encompasses advising on regulatory issues, including representing clients in proceedings before the President of the Office of Electronic Communications and the Polish Inspector General for Personal Data Protection, advising in connection with agreements between operators as well as contracts for delivery of telecommunication equipment and services. The attorneys also specialize in data protection law.

Infrastructure, Sports and Leisure

Our attorneys have advised on complex infrastructure projects related to such sectors as transportation, healthcare, sports and leisure, infrastructure, as well as water supply and wastewater. Our expertise is focused on sports and leisure infrastructure organizing sports and cultural evens, establishing and restructuring of sports clubs and associations, dispute resolution and legislative work. We represent both the public and private sectors, including the Minister of Sport and Tourism of the Republic of Poland.

Representative Experience