WKB Lawyers – Archive

30.04.2024

Real Estate & Property Development ESG Group – Sustainable Development

international

Anna Wyrzykowska shortlisted as the Real Estate Lawyer of the Year for Women in Business Law Awards EMEA 2024

Anna Wyrzykowska, head of our real estate and ESG teams is shortlisted as Real Estate Lawyer of the Year for Women in Business Law Awards EMEA 2024.

29.03.2024

Mergers & Acquisitions

international

WKB advised Selvita S.A. on the acquisition of 100% of shares in PozLab sp. z o.o.

WKB advised Selvita S.A. on the acquisition of 100% of shares in PozLab sp. z o.o. Selvita S.A. has successfully signed a preliminary agreement for 100% of shares in PozLab sp. z o.o. – a company acting as an independent research and development laboratory.

24.03.2024

Competition & Consumer Law Infrastructure Projects Insurance Public Procurement Company Law & Corporate Governance Mergers & Acquisitions Dispute Resolution Employment Law Energy Restructuring & Insolvency Banking & Finance Capital Markets Intellectual Property Private Equity Real Estate & Property Development New Technologies, Media & Telecommunication Privacy & Data Protection Life Sciences

international

WKB Lawyers in Legal 500 EMEA 2024

The results of Legal 500 EMEA 2024 have been announced. This year our firm was recognised in 17 categories (in 4 of which we were recognised as a TOP TIER FIRM). In addition, we have received 70 individual recommendations - two of our lawyers have once again been included in the elite group of the Hall of Fame – Jerzy Baehr andAleksander Stawicki, 4 lawyers have been recommended as Leading Individuals: Jakub Pokrzywniak, Jan Roliński, Bartosz Turno and Anna Wojciechowska, as Next Generation Partners, 3 individuals were honoured: Anna Flaga-Martynek, Marta Midloch and Dorota Karczewska.

18.03.2024

Arbitration

international

Anita Garnuszek has been officially listed as a recommended arbitrator by the Court of Arbitration at the Polish Chamber of Commerce.

Anita Garnuszek, a member of our dispute resolution team, has been officially listed as a recommended arbitrator by the Court of Arbitration at the Polish Chamber of Commerce.

07.03.2024

AML

international

WKB Legal Alert | New national risk assessment for money laundering and terrorist financing. Implications for obliged institutions.

In December 2023, the Ministry of Finance published a new national risk assessment on money laundering and terrorist financing. This is the second version of the national risk assessment developed by the Inspector General of Financial Information, which is an update on the first assessment from 2019.

16.02.2024

Dispute Resolution Banking & Finance Company Law & Corporate Governance Mergers & Acquisitions

international

WKB Lawyers in Chambers Global 2024

We are pleased to announce that WKB has once again been recognized by the prestigious Chambers Global 2024 ranking

08.02.2024

Energy ESG Group – Sustainable Development Environment & Climate Changes

international

RES Certificate 2024 for WKB and Cycling 4 Climate challenge!

22.01.2024

Infrastructure Projects Energy Public Procurement ESG Group – Sustainable Development

international

WKB lawyers advised Elektrownia Wiatrowa Baltica 2

WKB played a key advisory role in the signing of a major contract for the Offshore Wind Farm Baltica 2 onshore connection with cable lines.

04.01.2024

Energy Competition & Consumer Law Intellectual Property Life Sciences New Technologies, Media & Telecommunication German Desk Italian Desk Food and Retail Sector

international

New Year’s promotions at WKB Lawyers!

New Year's promotions at WKB Lawyers! We are delighted to announce that, in line with our traditional New Year’s celebrations, new members have joined the ranks of the firm’s partners and counsel. Wojciech Kulczyk of the Competition and Consumer Law team and Krzysztof Sikorski of the Energy team have been promoted to partner, while Magdalena Zielińska-Kuć of the IP & TMT and Life Sciences teams and the firm’s Italian Desk has been promoted to counsel.

11.12.2023

Mergers & Acquisitions Real Estate & Property Development Employment Law Competition & Consumer Law

international

WKB lawyers advised Volvo Polska

Volvo has successfully acquired a truck service business previously operated by Serwisy Józef Skrzypa sp. k. The transaction included the acquisition of several service points located in western Poland – with more than 100 employees.

05.12.2023

Mergers & Acquisitions Company Law & Corporate Governance Dispute Resolution Employment Law Real Estate & Property Development Insurance Intellectual Property Privacy & Data Protection

international

WKB advised Netrisk Group on merger with Bauer Media Group

WKB lawyers provided legal advice to Netrisk Group on the merger with Bauer Media Group’s online comparison business. Working alongside lead counsel for Netrisk Group, Szecskay, and Latham & Watkins which acted as a lead counsel for TA Associates, WKB played an important role in the transaction, conducting a comprehensive legal due diligence of the Rankomat Group and supporting negotiations on Polish law aspects of transaction documents.

29.11.2023

Mergers & Acquisitions

international

WKB advised SAS Groupe Positive on the User.com acquisition

WKB lawyers advised SAS Groupe Positive providing comprehensive legal support throughout the transaction process concerning the acquisition of majority shareholding, i.e. 84,09% of shares in User.com. WKB lawyers provided legal support to SAS Groupe Positive during the due diligence process and negotiation of transaction documents.

02.11.2023

Mergers & Acquisitions Private Equity Food and Retail Sector

international

WKB advised Orkla ASA

WKB lawyers advised Orkla ASA in Polish aspects of a transaction involving the acquisition of a strategic partner for Orkla Food Ingredients AS - a capital group operating in the production and distribution of a wide range of semi-finished food products.

26.09.2023

Mergers & Acquisitions Energy

international

WKB lawyers advised PGE Energia Odnawialna S.A.

WKB lawyers advised PGE Energia Odnawialna S.A. (from the PGE Group) in the acquisition of the company holding the rights to the Zalesie wind farm with a capacity of 24.85 MW.

18.09.2023

Banking & Finance Capital Markets Mergers & Acquisitions Energy Infrastructure Projects

international

In the most recent edition of the IFLR1000, WKB has again received recommendations in six categories: Banking, M&A, Capital markets: Debt, Project development: Infrastructure, and Project development: Power and Project Finance. Ten of WKB’s lawyers have been granted individual recommendations.

29.08.2023

Company Law & Corporate Governance

international

WKB Legal Alert | “WOMEN ON BOARDS” – Directive on equality among top positions in public companies

Nearly ten years after the presentation of the draft by the European Commission, on November 23, 2022, the European Parliament ratified Directive 2022/2381 of the European Parliament and of the Council, focusing on enhancing the gender balance within the leadership of publicly listed companies and associated measures.

25.08.2023

ESG Group – Sustainable Development

international

ESG and Impact Investing 2024 – the latest issue of Getting The Deal Through

The next edition of the acclaimed publication Getting The Deal Through: ESG and Impact Investing 2024 is now available. It is co-authored by experts from WKB's ESG team: Anna Wyrzykowska, Marta Czarnecka and Sebastian Łyś.

24.08.2023

Company Law & Corporate Governance German Desk

international

WKB Legal Alert | It will be easier to reorganise polish companies, including the relocation of their registered office abroad – cross-border transformations and divisions of companies in the EU

On 16 August 2008, the Polish Parliament adopted an Act amending the Commercial Companies Code. The amendment provides, inter alia, for the introduction into Polish law of provisions on cross-border transformations and cross-border divisions of companies within the Member States of the European Union.

02.08.2023

Mergers & Acquisitions Energy

international

WKB lawyers advised GreenVolt Power

WKB advised GreenVolt Power which has successfully signed preliminary agreements for the sale of shares in companies developing renewable energy projects to Energa Wytwarzanie S.A. The transaction includes the hybrid project Sompolno (wind farm and photovoltaic farms) and Opalenica (photovoltaic farms), with a total capacity of 58.6 MW.

26.07.2023

Competition & Consumer Law

international

Merger Control 2024 – the latest issue of Getting The Deal Through

The next edition of the acclaimed publication Getting The Deal Through. Merger Control 2024, co-authored by experts from WKB's competition law team: Aleksander Stawicki, Bartosz Turno PhD and Wojciech Kulczyk is now available on the market.

18.07.2023

international

WKB Legal Alert | Aspects of Ukrainian legislation through the prism of foreign companies that plan to participate in the rebuilding of Ukraine

Legislators in Ukraine are continuing to work on improving legislation. With a specific focus on urban planning with the understanding of the need to rebuild Ukraine in future.

17.07.2023

Infrastructure Projects Energy Public Procurement

international

WKB lawyers supported AFCON Renewable Energy and EuroEnergy in the process of preparation and negotiation of the EPC contract of the Boguszyn I and Boguszyn II solar farm

WKB lawyers supported AFCON Renewable Energy and EuroEnergy in the process of preparation and negotiation of the EPC contract of the Boguszyn I and Boguszyn II solar farm with a total capacity of 20MW to be built in Wielkopolskie province.

12.07.2023

Company Law & Corporate Governance

international

WKB Legal Alert | EU Company Certificate and EU Digital Power of Attorney – digitisation in commercial company law – draft directive on further expanding of digital tools in the activities of commercial companies

On 29 March 2023, The European Commission adopted a draft Directive on further expanding and upgrading the use of digital tools and processes in company law (the "Directive"). The Directive aims to facilitate cross-border activities of companies by: educing bureaucracy and administrative burdens, in particular when setting up subsidiaries or branches in other Member States of the European Union; and increasing transparency and therefore increasing confidence in cross-border entrepreneurs.

10.07.2023

German Desk Restructuring & Insolvency

international

WKB Legal Alert | COVID-BEDINGTE AUSSETZUNG DER VERPFLICHTUNG ZUR INSOLVENZANMELDUNG IN POLEN AB 1. JULI 2023

03.07.2023

Private Equity Mergers & Acquisitions

international

WKB acted for Accel-KKR on the Polish aspects of Symfonia acquisition

WKB acted for Accel-KKR, a leading global investment fund focused on software, in respect of the Polish aspects of purchase of majority stake of shares in Symfonia.

20.06.2023

Mergers & Acquisitions Defence Sector Private Equity

international

WKB acted for MB Aerospace in respect of the Polish aspects of the sale of the operational group to Barnes Group

WKB acted for MB Aerospace, which is a portfolio company of Blackstone, in respect of the Polish aspects of the sale of the operational group to Barnes Group for an enterprise value of approximately $740 million.

31.05.2023

Company Law & Corporate Governance

international

WKB lawyers co-author the latest “The Corporate Governance Review”

The latest edition of the prestigious publication The Corporate Governance Review has just been published, with a chapter on corporate governance regulations in Poland co-authored by WKB lawyers Andrzej Wiercinski, Ph.D., Anna Wojciechowska, LL.M., and Anna Wyrzykowska.

30.05.2023

Company Law & Corporate Governance Tax Law

international

WKB Legal Alert | Family foundations – the legislature’s response to family-run businesses – an update

On 22 May 2023, entered into force the Act on family foundations (further, the “Act”). It introduces the institution of a so-called family foundation into the Polish legal order, which is intended to allow for the efficient and effective intergenerational succession of family businesses. The use of family foundations will prevent the excessive partition of family assets or the need to liquidate them after the founder’s death.

11.05.2023

Energy Mergers & Acquisitions

international

WKB advised KGAL ESPF 5 Holding on establishing cooperation with Lasuno

WKB lawyers advised KGAL ESPF 5 Holding SARL (KGAL) on establishing cooperation with Lasuno sp. z o.o. (Lasuno). The joint venture partners will develop renewable energy projects, including photovoltaic farms with a capacity exceeding 200 MWp.

09.05.2023

Mergers & Acquisitions

international

WKB lawyers advised Polskie ePłatności S.A. on the acquisition of a stake in QRTAG

WKB lawyers advised Centrum Rozliczeń Elektronicznych Polskie ePłatności S.A. (PeP) on the acquisition of a stake in QRTAG sp. z o.o., a company that designs, develops, and implements mobile applications.

21.04.2023

Mergers & Acquisitions Private Equity

international

WKB advised CVI on its exit from Exact Systems

WKB Lawyers advised CVI Dom Maklerski sp. z o.o. managing the assets Noble Fund Mezzanine FIZAN on its exit from Exact Systems sp. z o.o., a company engaged in quality assessment of components in the high-volume automotive and household appliance industry.

17.04.2023

Banking & Finance Capital Markets Company Law & Corporate Governance Competition & Consumer Law Privacy & Data Protection Dispute Resolution Employment Law Energy Infrastructure Projects Insurance Intellectual Property Mergers & Acquisitions New Technologies, Media & Telecommunication Public Procurement Private Equity Real Estate & Property Development Restructuring & Insolvency

international

WKB Lawyers in Legal 500 EMEA 2023

We are pleased to announce that the results of the latest ranking of The Legal 500 EMEA 2023 have been published. This year WKB was recognised in 16 categories and in 4 of them we were recognised as a TOP TIER FIRM. Individual recommendations were made for 50 of our experts - 2 of our lawyers were included in the elite group of the Hall of Fame - Jerzy Baehr and Aleksander Stawicki, 4 lawyers were recommended in the group of Leading Individuals: Jakub Pokrzywniak, Jan Roliński, Bartosz Turno and Anna Wojciechowska. Anna Flaga-Martynek, Marta Midloch and Dorota Karczewska were honoured as Next Generation Partners.

06.04.2023

international

Recommendations for WKB Lawyers in Chambers Europe 2023

The results of Chambers Europe - the leading legal directory in Europe - have been released. We are pleased to announce that 10 of our teams were recognised this year, four of them in Band 1. The Energy & Natural Resources team joined this elite group, along with Competition/Antitrust, Corporate/M&A and Public Procurement. Fifteen of our lawyers received individual recommendations - five of them in Band 1: Jerzy Baehr, Jakub Jędrzejak, Jakub Pokrzywniak, Jan Roliński and Aleksander Stawicki.

07.03.2023

Mergers & Acquisitions Competition & Consumer Law Company Law & Corporate Governance Employment Law Food and Retail Sector Intellectual Property Banking & Finance Environment & Climate Changes Real Estate & Property Development Dispute Resolution ESG Group – Sustainable Development

international

WKB advises Lisner Holding on the acquisition of 100% of Graal Group from its current shareholders

WKB Lawyers advised Lisner Holding sp. z o.o., a member of the UTM (Unternehmensgruppe Theo Müller) group, on the signing of a preliminary share purchase agreement for 100% of shares in Greenwich Investments sp. z o.o., the parent company of the Graal Group.

21.02.2023

Mergers & Acquisitions Insurance Capital Markets Competition & Consumer Law Restructuring & Insolvency

international

WKB advised TU and TUnŻ Europa on the acquisition of 80% of shares in Millennium Financial Services from Bank Millennium

Bank Millennium has signed an agreement to sell 80% of shares in Millennium Financial Services to Towarzystwo Ubezpieczeń na Życie Europa, which will acquire 72% of shares, and Towarzystwo Ubezpieczeń Europa, which will acquire 8% of shares. WKB Lawyers provided TU and TUnŻ Europa comprehensive legal support at all stages of the transaction, from due diligence, through transaction structuring and negotiations, up to preparing and signing the transaction documentation.

17.02.2023

Banking & Finance Dispute Resolution Company Law & Corporate Governance Mergers & Acquisitions

international

WKB Lawyers recommended in Chambers Global 2023

The results of the latest Chambers Global 2023 ranking are known already, in which our law firm was once again recognised.

14.02.2023

AML Company Law & Corporate Governance

international

WKB Legal Alert | Restricted public access to beneficial ownership registers

In Poland, access to the Central Register of Beneficial Owners (Centralny Rejestr Beneficjentów Rzeczywistych; further as the “CRBO”) was opened on 13 October 2019, on the basis of the Act of 1 March 2018 on the counteracting of money laundering and terrorist financing. Since then, the information recorded in the CRBO has been available to the public, without limits and free of charge. However, this could soon change as a result of the Judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union (further as the “CJEU”) of 22 November 2022.

25.01.2023

Mergers & Acquisitions

international

WKB again among the top legal advisors on Mergermarket M&A League Table 2022

We are proud that - as per Mergermarket 2022 data – WKB i no. 3 in CEE and no. 3 in Poland by deal value, and no. 4 in Poland in terms of total deal count.

12.01.2023

Restructuring & Insolvency Intellectual Property Competition & Consumer Law Dispute Resolution Public Procurement Banking & Finance ESG Group – Sustainable Development State Aid & EU Funds Life Sciences Mergers & Acquisitions Infrastructure Projects

international

New Year’s promotions

We are delighted to announce that in line with our New Year's tradition, the team of partners and counsels at WKB has expanded. Klaudia Frątczak-Kospin and Piotr Grabarczyk, who were counsels in the restructuring and insolvency team have now been nominated to the position of partners. Promotions to counsels were granted to Paulina Maślak-Stępnikowska and Aleksandra Bączykowska from the intellectual property law team, Aleksandra Dziurkowska from the competition and consumer law team, Jarosław Kola PhD from the public procurement law team and Natalia Kabacińska, Piotr Gajek and Wiktor Iwański PhD from the dispute resolution team.

16.12.2022

Mergers & Acquisitions Tax Law Company Law & Corporate Governance Life Sciences Environment & Climate Changes Employment Law Banking & Finance Privacy & Data Protection Intellectual Property Competition & Consumer Law State Aid & EU Funds Real Estate & Property Development Insurance

international

WKB lawyers advised Novastone Capital Advisors on the aquisition of three entities from the ForMeds group

WKB lawyers supported one of the first search funds in Poland in its acquisition of three entities from the ForMeds group, a manufacturer of dietary supplements.

08.11.2022

Employment of Foreigners

international

WKB Legal Alert | ПРОЕКТ ЗМІН ЩОДО ЛЕГАЛІЗАЦІЇ ПЕРЕБУВАННЯ ІНОЗЕМЦІВ ТА ЗМІН, ЩО СТОСУЮТЬСЯ ПРАЦЕВЛАШТУВАННЯ ГРОМАДЯН РОСІЇ

20 жовтня 2021 року Урядовим Центром Легалізації зареєстровано законопроєкт про внесення змін до Закону «Про допомогу громадянам України у зв'язку зі збройним конфліктом на території цієї країни» та деяких інших нормативних актів («Проект»). Проект передбачає низку змін, що стосуються становища іноземців, у тому числі їх перебування на території Польщі.

06.10.2022

Intellectual Property

international

Aleksandra Bączykowska recognised as a Rising Star in IP STARS 2022

IP STARS has recognised Aleksandra Bączykowska as a Rising Star, in their newest edition. Aleksandra was previously recognised as one of the IP Rising Stars in 2021.

05.10.2022

German Desk Company Law & Corporate Governance

international

WKB Legal Alert | NOVELLE DES POLNISCHEN GESELLSCHAFTSRECHTS – AKTUALISIERUNG

In ein paar Tagen - am 13. Oktober 2022 - wird eine wichtige Novelle des polnischen Gesetzesbuches über die Handelsgesellschaften in Kraft treten.

22.09.2022

Mergers & Acquisitions

international

WKB Lawyers advise the shareholders of Health Labs Care S.A. in the sale of a majority stake of shares

WKB lawyers advise the shareholders of Health Labs Care S.A. in the sale of a majority stake of shares to Medvic S.A R.L., a company from the USP Group.

08.09.2022

German Desk Mergers & Acquisitions Employment Law Tax Law Real Estate & Property Development

international

WKB advised VBG Group on the acquisitions of Tüschen and Zimmermann and its local subsidiary

WKB lawyers advised Ringfeder Power Transmission (a division of the listed VBG Group) on the acquisition of the industrial brake business of Tüschen und Zimmermann.

26.08.2022

Banking & Finance Energy Mergers & Acquisitions Infrastructure Projects Capital Markets

international

In the most recent edition of the IFLR1000, WKB has again received recommendations in six categories: Banking, M&A, Capital markets: Debt, Project development: Infrastructure, and Project development: Power and Project Finance. Eight of WKB’s lawyers have been granted individual recommendations.

27.07.2022

Company Law & Corporate Governance German Desk Mergers & Acquisitions

international

Anna Wojciechowska ist Mitautorin eines in der deutschen Fachzeitschrift „M&A Law Review“ veröffentlichten Artikels

Anna Wojciechowska ist Mitautorin des Artikels, welcher die Problematik des Screenings ausländischer Direktinvestitionen (des sog. FDI Screenings) zum Gegenstand hat. Der Artikel wurde in der deutschen Fachzeitschrift „M&A Law Review“ im Rahmen der „One screening fits all?“ betitelten Artikelreihe veröffentlicht.

07.07.2022

Banking & Finance

international

WKB advised PKO BP S.A. and mBank S.A. on financing for Electrum Concreo

WKB advised PKO BP S.A. and mBank S.A. on financing for Electrum Concreo sp. z o.o. in the form of bilateral multi-product lines.

15.07.2022

Mergers & Acquisitions New Technologies, Media & Telecommunication Banking & Finance Employment Law Capital Markets Company Law & Corporate Governance Real Estate & Property Development Privacy & Data Protection

international

WKB lawyers advised Polskie ePłatności S.A. on the acquisition of shares in Team4U Sp. z o.o.

WKB lawyers have advised Polskie ePłatności S.A. (PeP) on the acquisition of a majority stake in Team4U Sp. z o.o., owner of a mobile application for point-of-sale retailers, known as SIMapka.

29.06.2022

Competition & Consumer Law

international

Izabela Szewczyk-Krzyżanowska joins WKB

Izabela Szewczyk-Krzyżanowska joins WKB’s dynamic and growing competition and consumer law team as a Counsel.

28.06.2022

Aviation Law Transport & Logistics

international

WKB Legal Alert | PNR Directive in light of the CJEU judgment of June 21, 2022

On 21 June, the Court of Justice handed down a judgment in which it found that the Directive complies with EU law, whereas its Belgian implementation is incompatible with the law. This judgment creates opportunities for the aviation sector in relation to the Polish legal order.

27.06.2022

Mergers & Acquisitions Real Estate & Property Development Intellectual Property Privacy & Data Protection Company Law & Corporate Governance Employment Law Insurance

international

WKB lawyers advised Schneider Electric on the disposal of its Eurotherm business unit to Watlow

WKB advised Schneider Electric on the Polish aspects of its disposal of its Eurotherm business unit to Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company, a global producer of complete industrial thermal systems.

23.06.2022

Mergers & Acquisitions Company Law & Corporate Governance Dispute Resolution Intellectual Property Employment Law Banking & Finance Environment & Climate Changes Life Sciences Privacy & Data Protection

international

WKB advised PIP Global Holdings on Industrial Starter acquisition

WKB Lawyers advised PIP Global Holdings and Oddysey Investment Partners on Polish aspects of the acquisition of Industrial Starter S.p.A. including its local subsidiaries throughout Europe.

22.06.2022

Mergers & Acquisitions State Aid & EU Funds Real Estate & Property Development Banking & Finance Employment Law Company Law & Corporate Governance Intellectual Property Privacy & Data Protection Dispute Resolution Insurance Competition & Consumer Law

international

WKB lawyers advised Avallon MBO Fund on the acquisition of the majority of shares in Globema

WKB advised Avallon MBO Fund on the acquisition of a majority stake in Globema sp. z o.o., a Poland-based provider of geospatial software., along with its subsidiaries in the US, Romania, Serbia, and the Czech Republic.

09.06.2022

Competition & Consumer Law

international

WKB Legal Alert | Decision of the President of the OCCP on Vinted practices

On 9 May, the President of the Office for Competition and Consumer Protection (“OCCP”), after a one-year proceeding against Vinted UAB ("Vinted"), issued a decision finding that the company had applied unfair commercial practices consisting of misleading omissions (omitting material information). For these violations, OCCP imposed on Vinted a fine exceeding PLN 5 million.

03.06.2022

Mergers & Acquisitions Energy Banking & Finance Infrastructure Projects Company Law & Corporate Governance Real Estate & Property Development Environment & Climate Changes ESG Group – Sustainable Development

international

WKB advised INGKA Investments on the acquisition of a wind farm (63MW) and a solar farm (29MW) from OX2

WKB advised INGKA Investments on the acquisition of an onshore wind farm, with a total capacity of 63 MW, and a photovoltaic farm, with a total capacity of 29 MW, from OX2. The transaction’s total value amounts to EUR 190 million.

12.05.2022

Mergers & Acquisitions

international

WKB advised BLIRT S.A. on sale of shares to QIAGEN

WKB Lawyers advised Blirt S.A. shareholder’s on sale of a 96% share stake to QIAGEN an international biotech company.

11.05.2022

Company Law & Corporate Governance Mergers & Acquisitions

international

Our lawyers co-authored Chambers Corporate M&A 2022 Guide

Jakub Jędrzejak, Marta Midloch, Ben Davey and Olga Tajak have co-authored the chapter on the Corporate M&A market in Poland in the latest publication Chambers Practice Guides 2022.

27.04.2022

Mergers & Acquisitions German Desk

international

Anna Kratiuk joins WKB as a partner

Anna Kratiuk, a legal adviser with several years of experience, has joined WKB's M&A team as a Partner. Anna is a recognised specialist in M&A transactions and has many years of experience in corporate law.

14.04.2022

Competition & Consumer Law Infrastructure Projects Insurance Public Procurement Dispute Resolution Energy Environment & Climate Changes Restructuring & Insolvency Banking & Finance Capital Markets Company Law & Corporate Governance Mergers & Acquisitions Privacy & Data Protection Employment Law Intellectual Property Private Equity New Technologies, Media & Telecommunication Real Estate & Property Development Business Criminal Law

international

WKB in the newest Legal 500 EMEA ranking

We are pleased to announce the results of the latest Legal 500 EMEA 2022 ranking - our law firm has been recommended in 17 categories (including, for the first time, in the area of White Collar Crime). In four areas we were again recommended as TOP TIER FIRMs, and as many as 50 of our lawyers received individual recommendations. This is a very good result after an excellent last year, where there were already 35 recommended lawyers.

07.04.2022

Employment Law

international

EVERLEGAL Alerts | The Arrangement of Employment Relations under the Martial Law: key changes to be expected

On 24 March 2022, the Law of Ukraine “On the Arrangement of Employment Relations under the Martial Law” No. 2136-IX of 15 March 2022 (“Law No. 2136“), which defines the peculiarities of employment relations during martial law, entered into force.

04.04.2022

Infrastructure Projects

international

Anna Flaga-Martynek among IFLR1000 Women Leaders for 2022

Anna Flaga-Martynek is recognized as one of 10 Woman Leaders in Poland in the newest IFLR1000 ranking for 2022.

24.03.2022

Employment Law

international

EVERLEGAL Alerts | Employment during the war: Q&A

We decided to share our pages with our colleagues from EVERLEGAL, the law firm from Kyiv. From now on, we will be publishing materials prepared by them both on our website and on our social media profile. In first EVERLEGAL information, you can find the summary on employment matters made in a Q&A format in Ukrainian and English languages.

25.03.2022

Mergers & Acquisitions

international

Jakub Jędrzejak among TOP 10 M&A lawyers in the CEE region

Jakub Jedrzejak has been ranked among the top 10 M&A lawyers in the CEE region for the 2021 financial year based on the value of deals, by the UK-based financial data company MergerLinks.

17.03.2022

international

WKB in Chambers Europe 2022

We are pleased to announce that thanks to the opinions of our clients, WKB has once again been included in the latest edition of Chambers Europe 2022, the most prestigious ranking on the legal services market. Recommendations were received by 11 teams of the law firm, and our lawyers won 16 individual distinctions.

23.02.2022

Aviation Law

international

Amendment to the Passenger Name Record Data Processing Act

On February 7, 2022, an amendment to the Passenger Name Record Data Processing Act went into effect, which is intended to offset the negative effects of the current state of the law on the airline industry.

16.04.2022

Transport & Logistics

international

WKB Legal Alert: Ukraine | Humanitarian transport and carriage – Q&A

Questions and Answers on Support for Ukraine - humanitarian transport and carriage

18.02.2022

Company Law & Corporate Governance Mergers & Acquisitions Banking & Finance Dispute Resolution Italian Desk

international

WKB ranked in Chambers Global 2022

In the latest edition of the Chambers Global ranking, one of the most famous and prestigious international guides in the legal services market, WKB has been classified into five categories and six of our lawyers received individual recommendations.

04.02.2022

Mergers & Acquisitions Banking & Finance

international

WKB advised Avia Capital Fund on the acquisition of the majority of the shares in Pro-Project

WKB lawyers advised Avia Capital Fund on the acquisition of the majority of the shares in Pro-Project (following its transformation into the Pro-Project group sp. z o.o. – a limited liability company from a business operating previously as sole entrepreneurship).

15.03.2022

international

WKB Legal Alert | Special Law on support for Ukrainian citizens

Ukrainian citizens and certain categories of third-country nationals and stateless persons have been granted temporary protection under Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382 of 4 March 2022. The Special Law adopted by Poland grants Ukrainian citizens a longer period of legal stay in Poland, simplifying procedures related to their employment, decentralizing the registration of Ukrainian citizens and assigning them a Polish national identification number (PESEL), as well as giving access to medical care and many financial benefits, including parental benefits.

23.02.2022

Intellectual Property New Technologies, Media & Telecommunication

international

WKB once again with a highest rank in MLI 2022 ranking

For the second consecutive year, our law firm has been recognised in the Media Law International ranking - the most important international market guide for law firms specialising in media law.

04.02.2022

Competition & Consumer Law

international

Damian Olko joins WKB

We are pleased to announce that Damian Olko, economist with many years of experience covering advisory services in business matters, has joined WKB’s competition and consumer law team as Senior Economist.

01.02.2022

Mergers & Acquisitions Private Equity Employment Law Real Estate & Property Development Intellectual Property Life Sciences Company Law & Corporate Governance

international

WKB advised Innova Capital on acquisitions in the dental sector

WKB lawyers advised Innova/6 SCA SICAV-RAIF, an alternative investment fund of Innova Capital Group investing in Central and Eastern Europe on investment in three companies operating in the dental services market.

25.01.2022

Whistleblowing and Internal Investigations Privacy & Data Protection Competition & Consumer Law Environment & Climate Changes Business Criminal Law Employment Law

international

WKB establishes a whistleblowing and internal investigations team

To meet the needs of employers, WKB has established a multidisciplinary team dedicated to whistleblowing and internal investigations. This team will provide comprehensive advice to businesses, local government entities, and other organisations during both the development and implementation of whistleblowing channels as well as on conducting internal investigations.

12.01.2022

Energy Company Law & Corporate Governance Environment & Climate Changes Infrastructure Projects Capital Markets Real Estate & Property Development Banking & Finance Dispute Resolution

international

2022 promotions at WKB

On 1 January 2022, Anna Flaga-Martynek (infrastructure projects), Marta Midloch (infrastructure projects and capital markets), Marcin Smolarek (banking and finance), Maciej Szambelańczyk (energy), Anna Wojciechowska (company law and corporate governance) and Anna Wyrzykowska (real estate and property development) joined the ranks of WKB’s equity partners. The following counsels were nominated as partners: Agata Szczepańczyk-Piwek (capital markets and financial services), Sergiusz Urban (environmental law) and Jordan Zafirow (dispute resolution). Promotions to counsel were granted to Wojciech Kulczyk (competition and consumer law), Bartosz Łaski (real estate and property development) and Krzysztof Sikorski (energy).

23.12.2021

State Aid & EU Funds

international

Poczta Polska, with the support of WKB, received the European Commission’s approval for PLN 215 million in state aid

Poczta Polska, with the support of WKB, received the European Commission’s approval for PLN 215 million in state aid. As the first decision of its kind issued by the Commission to an EU postal operator, it could pave the way for similar decisions in other cases.

16.12.2021

Mergers & Acquisitions

international

WKB advised Avallon MBO Fund on the acquisition of the majority of shares in Norlys AS

WKB lawyers advised Avallon MBO Fund on the acquisition of 75% of the shares in Norlys AS along with its subsidiaries in Poland, Sweden and France – Norlys Group constitutes an international holding producing high-quality outdoor lighting for the professional lighting business with its main production plant based in Nowy Sącz.

25.11.2021

Italian Desk

international

TopLegal Award in the category “Best Italian Desk of the Year” awarded to WKB

WKB’s Italian Desk has won the Top Legal Awards in the category “Italian Desk Dell’Anno” (“Best Italian Desk of the Year”). The winners of the 2021 edition were announced at a gala ceremony on 23 November 2021 in Milan.

16.11.2021

Infrastructure Projects Insurance Energy

international

WKB advised EW Rywałd sp. z o.o. at the stage of contractor selection for the Wind Farm Rywałd project

WKB Wierciński, Kwieciński, Baehr law firm advised EW Rywałd sp. z o.o., being a part of leading independent investment and asset manager KGAL, at the stage of contractor selection for the Wind Farm Rywałd project in Poland. Our support consisted in the preparation of a “tailored fit” contract draft to meet the client’s individual needs, participation in the negotiation process, including assessment of changes to the Balance of Plant contract put forward by the bidders, negotiations with the preferred bidder, changes to the BoP contract, and supervision of the signing process with the preferred bidder.

08.11.2021

Dispute Resolution

international

WKB attorneys win before the Court of Appeal in a case of great significance for banks in terms of their liability related to posting transfers

WKB represented successfully one of the leading banks in Poland in a case brought by a citizen of England who transferred several million Polish zlotys to an open account as a result of Business E-mail Compromise fraud committed by unknown perpetrators.

08.11.2021

Employment Law

international

WKB Legal Alert | Whistleblower Explained or Who Can Become a Whistleblower and What Protection Can Be Expected

On 18 November 2021, a draft law was published on the protection of persons who report breaches of law with the goal of implementing the Directive (EU) 2019/1937 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2019 on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union law into the national law. The period for the implementation expires on 17 December 2021. Currently, the draft law has been sent to public consultation. Since the main mechanism preventing individuals from reporting such breaches is the fear of retaliation, the principal purpose of the Directive and the implementation law is to provide a proper level of protection to whistleblowers.

27.10.2021

Food and Retail Sector Tax Law Competition & Consumer Law

international

WKB experts at 65th UIA Congress

WKB's experts: Aleksander Stawicki, Łukasz Czekański and Magdalena Zielińska - Kuć, together with renowned legal experts from all over the world, participate as panellists in the prestigious 65th UIA Congress (28-30 October in Madrid), organised by UIA Union Internationale des Avocats.

09.09.2021

Real Estate & Property Development Banking & Finance

international

WKB advised BNP Paribas Bank Polska on financing the construction of a residential building in Wrocław by OKRE Development

WKB advised BNP Paribas Bank Polska on financing the construction of a residential building in Wrocław by OKRE Development, a member of the Koramic Real Estate capital group.

08.09.2021

Real Estate & Property Development

international

Anna Wyrzykowska becomes first Polish lawyer heading AIJA

Anna Wyrzykowska, a partner at WKB, was recently elected President of AIJA (Association Internationale des Jeunes Avocats / International Association of Young Lawyers) and has just begun her one-year term. Anna is the first person from Poland to take the lead of this truly global legal organisation.

02.09.2021

Company Law & Corporate Governance German Desk

international

WKB Legal Alert | NOVELLE DES POLNISCHEN GESELLSCHAFTSRECHTS – ANPASSUNG DES GESETZESENTWURFES

30.08.2021

Company Law & Corporate Governance

international

WKB Legal Alert | Amendments to Polish Companies Law – updated draft bill

On 6 July 2021, the Government Legislation Centre published an updated draft of the bill to amend the Commercial Companies Code (“CCC”) and certain other acts, following its review by a meeting of its legal committee. Compared with the draft published half a year ago, the July 2021 draft does not introduce significant changes. The primary purpose of the bill is to introduce into Polish law novel legal regulations in respect of holdings and moreover a range of amendments strengthening the position of supervisory boards, by providing them the tools needed to more effectively exercise corporate supervision. We present the most important provisions of the draft amendments.

14.11.2021

AML Company Law & Corporate Governance Capital Markets

international

WKB Legal Alert | Changes in the functioning of the Central Register of Beneficial Owners

On 31 October 2021, with the last part of the amended provisions of the Act on Counteracting Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism entering into force, certain aspects of how the Central Register of Beneficial Owners (Centralny Rejestr Beneficjentów Rzeczywistych) functions have changed.

30.08.2021

Energy Banking & Finance Capital Markets Mergers & Acquisitions Infrastructure Projects

international

In the most recent edition of the IFLR1000, WKB has again received recommendations in six categories: Banking, M&A, Capital markets: Debt, Project development: Infrastructure, and Project development: Power and Project Finance. Eight of WKB’s lawyers have been granted individual recommendations.

15.07.2021

Company Law & Corporate Governance Capital Markets ESG Group – Sustainable Development

international

WKB Legal Alert | New edition of the best practice for GPW listed companies. Evolution or revolution?

The Best Practice for GPW Listed Companies is the code of corporate governance rules which all companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (Giełda Papierów Wartościowych w Warszawie; the “Exchange”) Main Market are subject to since 2002 (as soft law). The current edition of the Best Practice, adopted in 2016, was replaced by the Exchange Supervisory Board in its Resolution No. 13/1834/2021 of 29 March 2021, by a new edition (i.e. the Best Practice for GPW Listed Companies 2021) which came into force on 1 July 2021.

10.11.2021

Dispute Resolution

international

WKB’s successes before the Supreme Court

We present the latest successes of the WKB law firm before the Supreme Court for our clients: Gdańsk Airport, Zakład Unieszkodlwiania Odpadów in Szczecin and a leading insurer.

06.07.2021

ESG Group – Sustainable Development Energy Real Estate & Property Development Environment & Climate Changes Public Procurement Infrastructure Projects Banking & Finance

international

WKB establishes a multidisciplinary ESG practice

Responding to global trends and anticipating the needs of entrepreneurs, WKB has established a multidisciplinary ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) practice. The team will provide comprehensive advice to entrepreneurs, local governments and organizations on developing their business in accordance with environmental, social and corporate governance criteria. The team consists of lawyers representing a variety of specializations and industries, including banking and finance, environmental protection, real estate, energy and public procurement.

28.06.2021

Banking & Finance Energy Company Law & Corporate Governance Environment & Climate Changes

international

WKB advised Energix on financing two wind farms

WKB advised Energix in negotiating and executing a facilities agreement under which the EBRD and Banco Santander will provide PLN 550 million in financing for the construction in Poland of two wind farms which will generate 125.4 MW.

27.05.2021

Dispute Resolution Employment Law Company Law & Corporate Governance Competition & Consumer Law

international

Freshfields, PSPP and WKB held a webinar on managing a global crisis

The speakers from Freshfields presented the global trends in crisis management and shared practical recommendations on how to deal with a crisis, based on their experience in working on the Dieselgate matter.

11.05.2021

Infrastructure Projects Insurance

international

WKB law firm as advisor to E&W on construction of Żółkiewka wind farm

WKB Wierciński, Kwieciński, Baehr law firm has provided advisory services to E&W in the process of negotiating and concluding agreements with the supplier and contractors for construction of wind farm Żółkiewka (11 V100 turbines). This is another E&W wind farm project out of 10 others recently supported by WKB.

26.04.2021

Real Estate & Property Development Tax Law Mergers & Acquisitions Banking & Finance

international

WKB lawyers co-authored the chapter in “Real Estate M&A 2021” guide

Anna Wyrzykowska, Jakub Jędrzejak, Marcin Smolarek and Łukasz Czekański co-authored the chapter on Polish regulations regarding mergers and acquisitions in the real estate market in the prestigious “Real Estate M&A 2021” guide, published by Lexology.

15.04.2021

Privacy & Data Protection Banking & Finance Energy Mergers & Acquisitions Employment Law Competition & Consumer Law Company Law & Corporate Governance Private Equity Infrastructure Projects Restructuring & Insolvency Dispute Resolution Intellectual Property Insurance Public Procurement Real Estate & Property Development Capital Markets

international

WKB significantly strengthens its position in The Legal 500 EMEA 2021 ranking

We are happy to announce that in The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa 2021 ranking, our firm was recommended in 16 practice areas, including four in which we are ranked as a Top-Tier Firm. 35 of our lawyers received individual recommendations. Considering the fact that, last year, two of our practices were ranked as being within the Top-Tier and 20 lawyers received individual recommendations, this is a great leap forward and a significant success for the firm.

26.03.2021

Mergers & Acquisitions Insurance Capital Markets Banking & Finance Company Law & Corporate Governance Competition & Consumer Law

international

WKB with Slaughter and May advised Aviva plc on EUR 2.5 billion deal – the biggest on the Polish insurance market

WKB advised Aviva plc on the Polish legal aspects of its exit from Poland through the sale of its entire shareholding in Aviva Poland companies to Allianz for a cash consideration of €2.5 billion. This is historically the largest transaction on the Polish insurance market.

22.03.2021

Mergers & Acquisitions Real Estate & Property Development Company Law & Corporate Governance Banking & Finance Environment & Climate Changes Employment Law Intellectual Property Competition & Consumer Law

international

WKB advised Orkla Group on the acquisition of the enterprise of Ambasador 92

WKB advised Orkla Group on its acquisition, through a Polish subsidiary, of the entire confectionery and foodstuff supply enterprise, together with the enterprise’s owned and leased warehouse facilities and a fleet of trucks, of Ambasador 92 sp. z o.o. sp.k. which closed on 1 March 2021. The preliminary enterprise purchase agreement was signed on 10 July 2020 and was conditional on, among others, receiving antimonopoly approval from the Polish Office of Competition and Consumer Protection.

19.03.2021

Banking & Finance Mergers & Acquisitions Competition & Consumer Law Environment & Climate Changes Employment Law Energy Restructuring & Insolvency Infrastructure Projects Intellectual Property Private Equity Dispute Resolution Public Procurement

international

WKB in Chambers Europe 2021

We are pleased to announce that thanks to the opinions of our clients, WKB has once again been included in the latest edition of Chambers Europe 2021, the most prestigious ranking on the legal services market. Recommendations were received by 11 teams of the law firm, and our lawyers won 15 individual distinctions.

24.02.2021

Energy Public Procurement

international

Dr Jarosław Kola co-authored a chapter of the monograph “Electromobility as a megatrend of contemporary economy”

In February 2021, the PWN publishing house published a monograph entitled "Electromobility as e megatrend of contemporary economy", which contains an analysis of the key economic and legal challenges faced by all entities involved in the process of electromobility development in Poland.

18.02.2021

New Technologies, Media & Telecommunication

international

WKB top-ranked in Media Law International 2021

WKB Wierciński, Kwieciński, Baehr law firm has again been ranked by Media Law International – the most important international ranking published as a specialist guide to the world’s leading media law firms.

16.02.2021

Mergers & Acquisitions Intellectual Property Employment Law Food and Retail Sector Banking & Finance

international

WKB advised P. Van de Velde Group on the acquisition of Drukarnia Impresta’s enterprise

WKB advised P. Van de Velde Group on the acquisition of Drukarnia Impresta’s enterprise - a Polish manufacturer of paper and cardboard packaging company based in Poznań, together with its production facility.

22.02.2021

Competition & Consumer Law

international

WKB advised Safran Aircraft Engines SAS and MTU Aero Engines AG on obtaining clearance for a joint venture

Companies decided to jointly lead the development, production and after-sales support activities of the engine that will power next-generation combat aircraft, being a part of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS). The unconditional clearance for the joint venture was granted by the President of the Polish competition authority on 8 February 2021.

16.02.2021

Real Estate & Property Development

international

Anna Wyrzykowska appointed as Young Lawyers Liaison Officer of the IBA Real Estate Section

Anna Wyrzykowska was appointment as Young Lawyers Liaison Officer of the IBA (International Bar Association) Real Estate Section, gathering all real estate practitioners from around the world.

12.02.2021

Banking & Finance Energy Environment & Climate Changes

international

Transaction in the Polish renewable energy sector – a discussion with market representatives

Poland is one of the most promising markets for green energy investments in Europe. One of the main conclusions of the international conference on “Transactions in the renewable energy sector”, held on 3 February, is that in addition to the involvement of investors and the support of financial institutions, a clear and predictable national policy is also necessary. The conference was organized by AEEC (Associated European Energy Consultants) and the law firm WKB Wierciński, Kwieciński, Baehr. Representatives of financial institutions, advisors and investors active in the renewable energy sector participated in the conference, with panels moderated by WKB’s expert lawyers.

12.07.2021

Mergers & Acquisitions

international

Grzegorz Godlewski joins M&A team as a partner

We are pleased to announce that Grzegorz Godlewski, an attorney-at-law with many years of experience on the M&A market, has joined our firm as a partner. Grzegorz specializes in M&A and corporate law and advises clients on transactions within insolvency and restructuring proceedings. He also provides support in state aid matters.

09.02.2021

Italian Desk

international

WKB Italian Desk in an article in Top Legal Review magazine

In a series of publications, Top Legal Review magazine discusses OMNIA’s activities, its latest issue focusing on law firms from Spain, Slovenia, Portugal, France, Germany and Poland. Development opportunities on the Polish market are presented in the commentary to the article by Domenico Di Bisceglie, partner and co-head of the Italian Desk team at WKB.

03.12.2020

Company Law & Corporate Governance Tax Law

international

WKB Legal Alert | CIT – update and commercial law significant changes in the taxation of partnerships starting on 1 January 2021

On 30 November 2020, the laws on corporate income tax (CIT) were published in the Polish Journal of Laws, introducing changes in the tax rules applicable to partnerships. As of 1 January 2021, limited partnerships will become CIT payers

27.11.2020

Competition & Consumer Law

international

WKB advised PineBridge Investments on obtaining clearance from the Polish competition authority for the acquisition of Benson Elliot Capital Management

PineBridge Investments was represented before UOKiK by WKB competition team including Aleksander Stawicki, Wojciech Kulczyk and Anna Bryńska.

06.11.2020

Mergers & Acquisitions Intellectual Property Employment Law Real Estate & Property Development Competition & Consumer Law

international

WKB advised Orkla Group on the sale of its Polish skin care business, including the Soraya and Dermika brands to Bielenda.

WKB lawyers advised Orkla Group on the sale of its Polish skin care business, including the Soraya and Dermika brands, together with their Radzymin production facility, to Bielenda Kosmetyki Naturalne. WKB provided Orkla Group with comprehensive legal support during the entire transaction process, including advising on the transaction’s structure, assisting during the due diligence and in the negotiation of the transaction’s terms and documentation.

06.11.2020

Dispute Resolution

international

Anita Garnuszek served as an arbitrator during the Foreign Direct Investment International Arbitration Moot

Anita Garnuszek, Senior Associate from the dispute resolution team, served once again as an arbitrator during the Global Orals stage of the Foreign Direct Investment International Arbitration Moot.

15.10.2020

Company Law & Corporate Governance Tax Law

international

WKB Legal Alert | CIT and Commercial Law – significant changes in the taxation of partnerships starting on 31 May 2021

On 30 September 2020, a draft act amending the laws on corporate income tax (CIT) was published, which will introduce changes in the tax rules applicable to partnerships. It is highly likely that limited partnerships will become CIT payers from the beginning of 2021. General partnerships may also be affected (i.e. they will become CIT payers) if they fail to meet the conditions specified in the new regulations.

06.10.2020

Start-ups Intellectual Property Capital Markets State Aid & EU Funds

international

WKB advised Giant Ventures on its investment and accession to Airly sp. z o.o.

WKB advised Giant Ventures on Polish aspects of its investment into Airly sp. z o.o. and provided comprehensive legal support during the entire transaction process, in particular undertaking a legal due diligence of the company, as well as providing support in negotiating transaction documents.

01.10.2020

German Desk

international

LEGAL ALERT | KONZERNRECHT – SEIT LANGEM ANGEKÜNDIGTE NOVELLE DES POLNISCHEN GESELLSCHAFTSRECHTS

Am 5. August 2020 wurde die seit langem erwartete Gesetzesvorlage zur Novellierung des polnischen Gesetzbuches für Handelsgesellschaften veröffentlicht, mit der u.a. bisher unbekannte konzernrechtliche Regelungen erstmals den Weg in die polnische Rechtsordnung finden können.

16.09.2020

Company Law & Corporate Governance

international

WKB Legal Alert | Publication of draft amendments to the commercial companies code

On 5 August 2020, the Government Legislation Centre published the long awaited draft bill amending the Commercial Companies Code and certain other acts. The primary purpose of the proposed amendments is to introduce certain regulations from holdings law (the law on corporate groups) into the Polish law system, which will regulate relationships between parent companies and their subsidiaries such that the interests of all parties concerned are taken into account. Furthermore, the draft bill, as published, provides for a number of amendments strengthening supervisory boards by giving them tools allowing them to exercise more effective corporate supervision. The bill also sanctions a duty of loyalty of members of a company’s governing bodies.

01.12.2020

Energy Public Procurement Environment & Climate Changes

international

The Commentary to the Act on electromobility and alternative fuels, co-authored by WKB’s experts, has been published

Experts from WKB’s energy, public procurement and environmental protection practices have co-authored the commentary published by C.H. Beck.

03.09.2020

Real Estate & Property Development French Desk

international

Anna Wyrzykowska, attorney-at-law and partner at WKB – the first Pole with the position of Vice-President of AIJA.

Anna Wyrzykowska, partner at WKB, was elected on 28 August by the General Assembly of AIJA (Association Internationale des Jeunes Avocats / International Association of Young Lawyers) to the position of First Vice President of the Association. Anna is the first lawyer from Poland with such a high position on the board of AIJA, one of the most important international legal organizations in the world, and which has been operating since 1962.

27.05.2021

AML German Desk Company Law & Corporate Governance Capital Markets

international

WKB Legal Alert | NOVELLE DES GESETZES ZUR BEKÄMPFUNG VON GELDWÄSCHE UND TERRORISMUSFINANZIERUNG – ACHT WICHTIGSTE ÄNDERUNGEN

Die Novelle des Gesetzes vom 1. März 2018 zur Bekämpfung von Geldwäsche und Terrorismusfinanzierung, mit der die Regelungen der sog. 5. Geldwäsche-Richtlinie (des Europäischen Parlaments und des Rates (EU) 2018/843 vom 30. Mai 2018) in die polnische Rechtsordnung umgesetzt werden, tritt in Kraft.

03.08.2020

Mergers & Acquisitions Tax Law Employment Law

international

WKB advised ABB on the divestment of the Power Grids Division in Poland within a global joint venture transaction with Hitachi

WKB advised ABB with regards to the Polish legal aspects of ABB’s divestment of the Power Grids Division into a separate entity, together with the part of the company which provides support services to this Division in the CEE region. The transaction was carried out simultaneously in multiple jurisdictions across the world.

01.10.2020

Banking & Finance Mergers & Acquisitions Energy Capital Markets Infrastructure Projects

international

WKB recommended in the IFLR1000

In the most recent edition of the IFLR1000, WKB has again received recommendations in six categories: Banking, M&A, Capital markets: Debt, Project development: Infrastructure, and Project development: Power and Project Finance. Eight of WKB’s lawyers have been granted individual recommendations.

28.07.2020

Mergers & Acquisitions Competition & Consumer Law

international

WKB Legal Alert | New law expanding foreign investment controls

Poland adopted a new law on foreign direct investment controls as part of the so-called “Anti-Crisis Shield 4.0”. The law expands the State’s control over M&A transactions in some strategic sectors of the economy. These provisions came into force on 24 July 2020 and they seem to apply to ongoing transactions (those not closed before that date). On 21 July 2020 President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK, the authority responsible for application of the new measures) published guidelines concerning new rules on foreign direct investment. Even though the guidelines are not a binding source of law they show how the new measures will be interpreted and adopted.

06.05.2021

AML Company Law & Corporate Governance Capital Markets

international

WKB Legal Alert | Amendments to the Act on Counteracting Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism – the eight key changes

New amendments to the Act of 1 March 2018 on Counteracting Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism, which transpose the provisions of the so-called 5th AML Directive (Directive (EU) 2018/843 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018) into Polish law, will be coming into effect.

08.07.2020

Public Procurement

international

Jarosław Kola among the co-authors of the publication “Public Procurement Regulation in Africa: Development in Uncertain Times”

In June 2020, Lexis Nexis (South Africa) published the publication titled "Public Procurement Regulation in Africa: Development in Uncertain Times", with contributions from an international team of academics specialising in public procurement law and edited by Prof. Geo Quinot and Prof. Sope Williams-Elegbe from Stellenbosch University in Cape Town.

31.08.2020

Mergers & Acquisitions Company Law & Corporate Governance German Desk

international

NEUE REGELUNGEN ZUR ERWEITERUNG DER KONTROLLE AUSLÄNDISCHER INVESTITIONEN AUF BESTIMMTE SEKTOREN (ZUR VORBEUGUNG “FEINDLICHER ÜBERNAHMEN” IM ZUSAMMENHANG MIT COVID-19).

Im Rahmen des sog. „Anti-Krisen-Schutzschildes 4.0” sind am 24. Juli 2020 neue Regelungen über die Kontrolle direkter ausländischer Investitionen in Kraft getreten. Mit den neuen Rechtsvorschriften wird die staatliche Kontrolle über M&A Transaktionen in manchen strategischen Wirtschaftssektoren erweitert.

20.04.2021

Company Law & Corporate Governance

international

WKB Legal Alert | More time to prepare and approve financial statements for 2020

As in the previous year, due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and in response to proposals put forward by non-government organisations and economic operators, deadlines for the preparation of financial statements for 2020 have been extended.

07.07.2020

Mergers & Acquisitions Real Estate & Property Development

international

WKB advised Orbico d.o.o. and Distribev Orbico sp. z o.o. in the sale of shares to United Beverages S.A.

WKB advised Orbico d.o.o. and Distribev Orbico sp. z o.o. in the sale of 80% of shares in the share capital of Distribev Orbico sp. z o.o. to United Beverages S.A. WKB lawyers advised Orbico d.o.o., the largest distributor in Europe, providing them with comprehensive legal support during the entire transaction, in particular during negotiations concerning the terms and transaction documents.

30.06.2020

Restructuring & Insolvency

international

WKB Legal Alert | Shield 4.0 – Simplified restructuring proceedings

Simplified restructuring proceedings will be available until30 June 2021. The legislature’s intent was to enable debtors to undertake negotiations with their creditors without the need for the courts to formally open proceedings, while simultaneously protecting them from enforcement by their creditors.

25.06.2020

international

WKB Legal Alert | New law expanding foreign investment controls

Poland adopted a new law on foreign direct investment controls as part of the so-called “Anti-Crisis Shield 4.0”. The law expands the State’s control over M&A transactions in some strategic sectors of the economy.

19.06.2020

German Desk Company Law & Corporate Governance

international

AKTIONÄRREGISTER – AM 16. MAI 2020 WURDEN WESENTLICHE TERMINE FÜR DIE EINFÜHRUNG VON AKTIONÄRREGISTER GEÄNDERT

Am 1. Januar 2020 sind Gesetzesänderungen zur Einführung von Aktionärregister für nicht börsennotierte Aktiengesellschaften und Kommanditgesellschaften auf Aktien teilweise in Kraft getreten. Das Aktionärregister ist ein der polnischen Rechtsordnung bisher unbekanntes Rechtsinstitut, mit dem Aktien der vorgenannten Gesellschaften verpflichtend entmaterialisiert werden. Das Ziel ist, den Handel mit Aktien nicht börsennotierter Gesellschaften sicherer zu machen und die Identifizierung aller Aktionäre zu ermöglichen.

19.02.2021

Banking & Finance Mergers & Acquisitions Company Law & Corporate Governance Dispute Resolution Italian Desk

international

WKB in Chambers Global 2021

In the latest edition of the Chambers Global ranking, one of the most famous and prestigious international guides in the legal services market, WKB has been classified in five categories, and five of its lawyers received individual recommendations.

23.06.2019

Energy

international

Jakub Pokrzywniak co-authored the monograph “Urban Electromobility in the Context of Industry 4.0”

As one of the reviewers writes, "The authors combine with great expertise the issues of economic (economic efficiency of transport), logistics (city logistics) and related to new management in the context of the concept of industry 4.0.".

25.05.2020

Mergers & Acquisitions Competition & Consumer Law

international

WKB Legal ALert | Prevention of COVID19-related hostile takeovers

The Polish government is working on “Anti-Crisis Shield 4.0”. The proposed law includes, among others, provisions significantly expanding the State’s control over M&A transactions in some strategic sectors of the economy.

22.05.2020

Company Law & Corporate Governance Mergers & Acquisitions

international

WKB lawyers co-authored Chambers Corporate M&A 2020 Guide

Jakub Jędrzejak, Marta Midloch, Ben Davey and Katarzyna Kozak have co-authored the chapter on the Corporate M&A market in Poland in the latest publication Chambers Practice Guides 2020.

21.05.2020

Company Law & Corporate Governance

international

WKB lawyers co-authored the chapter in The Corporate Governance Review 2020

Andrzej Wierciński, Anna Wojciechowska and Anna Wyrzykowska have co-authored the chapter on Polish regulations regarding corporate governance in ”The Corporate Governance Review 2020”, which features an overview of the rules in 26 selected jurisdictions worldwide.

15.04.2020

Banking & Finance Energy Mergers & Acquisitions Capital Markets Privacy & Data Protection Dispute Resolution Employment Law Competition & Consumer Law Insurance Infrastructure Projects Intellectual Property Public Procurement Restructuring & Insolvency Private Equity

international

The Legal 500 EMEA 2020: WKB recommended in 15 categories

The most recent edition of The Legal 500 EMEA recommends WKB in a total of 15 practice areas, with 20 of the firm’s lawyers having received personal recommendations. Dr Jerzy Baehr, Aleksander Stawicki, dr Bartosz Turno, Jakub Pokrzywniak and Jan Roliński have been recognised as Leading Individuals, while Anna Flaga-Martynek has been named as a Next Generation Partner.

11.05.2020

Intellectual Property New Technologies, Media & Telecommunication

international

WKB top-ranked in Media Law International 2020

WKB Wierciński, Kwieciński, Baehr law firm has again been ranked by Media Law International – the most important international ranking published as a specialist guide to the world’s leading media law firms. This year WKB has received a Tier 1 recommendation, placing our firm among the top four law firms in this area in Poland.

16.03.2020

Energy Insurance Competition & Consumer Law Banking & Finance Public Procurement Environment & Climate Changes Infrastructure Projects Employment Law Intellectual Property Dispute Resolution Mergers & Acquisitions Restructuring & Insolvency

international

WKB in Chambers Europe 2020

We are pleased to announce that thanks to the opinions of our clients, WKB has once again been included in the latest edition of Chambers Europe 2020, the most prestigious ranking on the legal services market. Recommendations were received by 11 teams of the law firm, and our lawyers won 17 individual distinctions.

19.02.2020

international

Chambers Global 2020 recommends WKB in the new International & Cross-Border Capabilities rankings

In the new edition of Chambers Global WKB has been recommended in the newly published International & Cross-Border Capabilities rankings. Only four independent law firms have been recommended in this category.

27.01.2020

Mergers & Acquisitions

international

WKB advised Intel Corporation on its acquisition of Habana Labs

WKB law firm advised Intel Corporation on the Polish aspects of its acquisition of Habana Labs, an Israeli company specializing in the design of processors for machine learning and artificial intelligence applications. The transaction, worth approximately two billion dollars, was announced on 16 December 2019.

17.12.2019

Italian Desk

international

Domenico di Bisceglie assumed the position of an international partner at WKB

Domenico Di Bisceglie – hitherto a counsel at WKB’s Italian Desk – has assumed the position of International Partner at the firm. He specialises in international investment matters and business relations between Italy and Poland, in particular advising clients in matters involving Polish daughter-companies and branches of Italian companies.

27.02.2020

Company Law & Corporate Governance German Desk

international

WKB strengthens German Desk with new hire

It is with pleasure that we announce that WKB has bolstered its company law and corporate governance team with the appointment of Anna Fennig, advocate with many years’ experience in working with German-speaking clients. Anna will also strengthen the firm’s German Desk.

07.06.2019

Competition & Consumer Law

international

Who’s who legal lists Aleksander Stawicki and Bartosz Turno as leading competition lawyers

Aleksander Stawicki (a senior partner and head of the competition law practice) and Bartosz Turno (a partner in the competition law practice) rank among the leading lawyers worldwide featured in Who’s Who Legal: Competition 2019, published this May.

31.10.2019

Mergers & Acquisitions Competition & Consumer Law

international

WKB advised Avallon and Euro Choice on the sale of Meyra Group

WKB advised Avallon and Euro Choice IV funds in their sale of a majority stake in Meyra Group S.A. to H.I.G. Europe fund.

30.09.2019

Banking & Finance Energy Mergers & Acquisitions Capital Markets Infrastructure Projects

international

WKB recommended in the IFLR1000 2020

In the most recent edition of the IFLR1000, WKB has again received recommendations in six categories: Banking, M&A, Capital markets: Debt, Project development: Infrastructure, and Project development: Power and Project Finance, moving up in three of them. Seven of WKB’s lawyers have been granted individual recommendations.

17.02.2020

international

The annual Chambers Global international legal services guide, compiled primarily on the basis of client reviews, has recommended WKB in the following categories: Banking & Finance, Corporate/M&A, Dispute Resolution, Italy: Corporate/M&A: Foreign desks. Also, WKB has been recommended as a go-to partner for cross-jurisdictional matters in the newly introduced International & Cross-Border Capabilities rankings, among four other Polish independent (non-multinational) law firms. Five of our lawyers also received individual recommendations.

05.09.2019

Mergers & Acquisitions Competition & Consumer Law

international

The Czech company ČEZ acquires shares in Euroklimat

WKB law firm, in cooperation with the Czech law firm Skils, advised ČEZ capital group on the Polish aspects of their acquisition of a majority package of shares in Euroklimat (a provider of comprehensive building installation services, including fit-out, maintenance and design) from its founders and shareholders.

13.08.2019

Mergers & Acquisitions Banking & Finance Capital Markets Competition & Consumer Law

international

WKB advises Fiserv, Inc. on the acquisition of First Data Polska

WKB advised and represented Fiserv, Inc., a global financial services technology provider, in relation to its acquisition of First Data Polska (the owner of the Polcard brand of payment terminals and one of the major debit and credit card merchant transaction acquirers in the Polish market).

30.05.2019

Company Law & Corporate Governance

international

WKB lawyers outline corporate governance rules in Poland

Andrzej Wierciński, Anna Wojciechowska and Anna Wyrzykowska have co-authored the chapter on Polish regulations regarding corporate governance in ”The Corporate Governance Review 2019”. The publication is available for download.

10.05.2019

New Technologies, Media & Telecommunication Intellectual Property

international

WKB supported a winning team of the Global Legal Hackathon in their participation in the New York finale

For the second year in a row, WKB law firm has become a partner of the Polish edition of the Global Legal Hackathon – a one-of-a-kind marathon programming event aimed at developing innovative technological and business solutions for the legal industry, which will take place on 22-24 February, in Warsaw. All Legal-Tech innovators are welcome to join in.

11.04.2019

international

The Legal 500 EMEA 2019: WKB recommended in 15 categories

The most recent edition of The Legal 500 EMEA recommends WKB law firm in a total of 15 practice areas, with 25 of the firm’s lawyers having received personal recommendations. Dr Jerzy Baehr, Aleksander Stawicki and dr Bartosz Turno have been recognised as Leading Individuals, while Anna Flaga-Martynek has been named as a Next Generation Lawyer.

14.03.2019

international

WKB in Chambers Europe 2019

In the recently published Chambers Europe 2019 guide WKB and its lawyers have been recommended in 18 categories.

21.02.2019

international

WKB recognised in Chambers Global 2019

In the latest edition of Chambers Global, an international legal directory, WKB is recommended in four categories: Banking & Finance, Corporate/M&A, Corporate/M&A: Desk based Abroad in Poland, and Dispute Resolution. Individual recommendations went to Andrzej Wierciński, Tomasz Kwieciński, Bartłomiej Jankowski, Jakub Jędrzejak, Marcin Smolarek and Anna Wojciechowska.

31.05.2019

Intellectual Property New Technologies, Media & Telecommunication

international

WKB ranked in Media Law International 2019

For another year in a row, WKB has been ranked as one of the top nine firms in Poland specializing in media law by Media Law International – the specialist guide to the world’s leading media law firms.

12.07.2018

Banking & Finance Intellectual Property

international

International Comparative Legal Guide to: Fintech 2018

Lawyers from Banking & Finance and Intellectual Property & TMT teams of WKB have contributed to the second edition of the International Comparative Legal Guide to: Fintech 2018 – an international compendium of fintech law.

18.06.2018

Mergers & Acquisitions Real Estate & Property Development Company Law & Corporate Governance

international

The Corporate Governance Review 2018

Andrzej Wierciński, Anna Wojciechowska and Anna Wyrzykowska have co-authored the chapter on Polish regulations regarding corporate governance in ”The Corporate Governance Review”.

21.05.2018

Aviation Law Company Law & Corporate Governance

international

Ryanair Sun – a new carrier takes off in the Polish market thanks to WKB’s support

Ryanair Sun, a new airline offering flights to Poland’s favourite holiday destinations, commenced operations in April 2018. Ryanair Sun S.A. is an affiliate of Ryanair DAC, headquartered in Dublin, which is one of the largest low-cost airlines in the world. The support provided by WKB to Ryanair throughout the process of establishing Ryanair Sun S.A. included comprehensive corporate advice on setting up the company, increasing the share capital, and developing corporate governance rules, as well as day-to-day corporate assistance.

08.05.2018

Mergers & Acquisitions Banking & Finance

international

WKB assists on the sale of Korona Candles

WKB Wierciński, Kwieciński, Baehr advised BC Bavarian Candles Expansion GmbH on the purchase of 100% of the shares in Korona Candles S.A. Korona Candles S.A. is one of the biggest global private label manufacturers of candles. The customers of Korona Candles include IKEA and (through its operations in the US) Wal-Mart.

30.04.2018

Mergers & Acquisitions

international

WKB advises Joyson Electronics on the acquisition of Takata Corporation’s assets

WKB advised Joyson Electronics, one of the top component suppliers for global automotive manufacturers, being part of a Chinese consortium with Hong Kong-based private equity firm PAG, on the Polish aspects of a $1.6 billion acquisition of the global assets of Takata Corporation.

17.06.2020

international

WKB in The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa 2018

In the latest edition of The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa ranking, WKB received recommendations in 12 categories, including the newly created 'Construction'. 19 lawyers have been individually distinguished. Three experts were awarded the title of "leading individual".

12.03.2018

Banking & Finance Public Procurement Competition & Consumer Law Energy Environment & Climate Changes Restructuring & Insolvency Mergers & Acquisitions Dispute Resolution Intellectual Property Private Equity Infrastructure Projects

international

WKB in Chambers Europe 2018

In this year's edition of Chambers Europe – one of the most recognised international legal directories – WKB has been ranked in 11 practice areas, with individual recommendations for 7 lawyers.