Competition/Antitrust: Poland

THE FIRM This team is universally praised for its consistently high-quality work. Recent highlights include advising Liberty Global on the competition-related aspects of UPC Polska's acquisition of Aster, and acting for CEMEX in proceedings relating to the Polish competition authority's fine for cartel activity.

Sources say: "One of the main players in the market."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department head Marta Sendrowicz is singled out for the strength of her authority on competition matters, and for her excellent leadership skills. She recently advised Akzo Nobel on cartel-related proceedings before the Court for Competition & Consumer Protection.

THE FIRM This outstanding practice regularly attracts high-quality work from big-ticket organisations such as METRO GROUP, MasterCard, Mid Europa Partners, HJ Heinz, Ciech and Telekomunikacja Polska. Clients are quick to praise the team's efficient co-ordination and excellent management of its workload.

Sources say: "The team is always on the top of our list for competition advice in Poland." "I truly like their style – they are communicative, co-operative and hard-working."

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "always perfect" Malgorzata Szwaj is highlighted by peers and clients for her "incomparable expertise, analytical ability and goal-oriented approach." 

Piotr Skurzynski is noted as being increasingly active in competition and antitrust matters. 

Mariusz Laszczyk enters the rankings on the back of enthusiastic client feedback. One source describes him as "a customer-focused practitioner."

THE FIRM This leading group is particularly highly recommended for its specialisation in the energy, pharmaceutical and retail industries. It recently advised PSE-Operator on a contemplated state aid notification.

Sources say: "One of the best teams in the Polish market."

KEY INDIVIDUALS The masterly Agnieszka Stefanowicz-Barańska is lauded as "a distinguished adviser – she is exceptionally experienced and knowledgeable." She assisted Agros Nova with unfair competition-related proceedings.

THE FIRM This relatively compact team is prominent in the market, and highly regarded for its experience in the field of private enforcement. It is also valued for its expertise in the banking, construction, consumer goods, hi-tech and pharmaceutical sectors. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources praise Iwona Terlecka for her "thorough approach and commercial acumen."

THE FIRM Market sources recommend this group for its highly talented lawyers. Recent highlights include assisting PKO Bank Polski with the competition law aspects of a long-term co-operation agreement with an international financial services company, and representing BRE Bank in merger control proceedings before the Office of Competition & Consumer Protection. 

Sources say: "Exceptionally quick turnaround times."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Market observers confirm that team leader Robert Gago is "practical, technically gifted and co-operative." He recently advised Lesaffre Polska on explanatory proceedings before the Office of Competition & Consumer Protection. 

THE FIRM This firm enjoys a strong reputation in the domestic market. The team is lauded for its expertise in M&A-related competition matters and for its enviable client portfolio of sizeable Polish companies.

Sources say: "Extremely pragmatic and a pleasure to work with."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Krzysztof Kanton is lauded for his "attention to detail and hands-on approach." 

THE FIRM Well known for the dedicated state aid sub-team within its competition and antitrust department, this firm is valued for its results-driven and proactive approach. Key highlights include assisting Trade-Stomil with appeal proceedings before the General Court regarding the EC's cartel decision on the butadiene rubber and emulsion styrene butadiene rubber markets. The team also advised McCormick & Company on its merger notification to the Polish competition authority following its acquisition of Kamis.

Sources say: "It always finds the best solution."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Interviewees regard Marcin Kolasinski as "a creative, solution-driven and extremely knowledgeable practitioner." He advised Fresenius Medical Care on preparing a merger notification to the Polish anti-monopoly authority regarding its acquisition of Eurodial.

THE FIRM This one-partner practice is renowned for its specialisation in consumer products, energy and TMT. Highlights from the past year include advising EFG Eurobank Ergasias on the merger of its Polish bank subsidiary with a Polish subsidiary of Raiffeisen Bank International, and advising Statoil on merger filings arising from the acquisition of St1 Polska.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Małgorzata Urbańska is the partner in charge of the practice. She led the team assisting ENEA with privatisation-related merger control proceedings before the EC.

THE FIRM This quality group is highlighted by interviewees for its long-standing experience and impressive reputation in the domestic market. The team has expertise in general competition and antitrust matters as well as private enforcement.

Sources say: "Technically skilled and talented lawyers."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Tomasz Wardyński is the main point of contact here. 

THE FIRM This team is noted for its prompt advice and high-quality expertise in the telecoms sector. It successfully represented Telekomunikacja Polska in proceedings to reduce a fine for abuse of dominant position imposed by the Polish competition authority, and acted for the same client on an appeal before the General Court against a EUR127.5 million EC fine for abuse of dominant position.

Sources say: "They meet strict deadlines and provide thorough advice." "I always use them when there is a complex matter."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Małgorzata Modzelewska de Raad heads the group here. Highlights include representing Energa before the Polish competition authorities in regards to its acquisition by PGE.

THE FIRM This group is noted for its expertise in the energy sector. Its recent highlights include advising PGNiG on regulatory and competition matters relating to alleged abuse of dominant position in the natural gas market.

KEY INDIVIDUALS "Impressive young lawyer" Aleksander Stawicki has been advising Ruch on various competition-related matters of late. 

Bartosz Turno is noted for his "practical approach and in-depth analysis." Recent mandates include assisting Kompania Piwowarska with competition issues. 

THE FIRM This compact department appears in the rankings for the first time this year, having won recommendations for its accessibility. Key mandates include assisting Polkomtel with merger filings and competition matters related to its PLN18 billion sale by shareholders.

Sources say: "Responsive and able to grasp the broad picture."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Anna Cudna-Wagner is recognised as being "very accurate in her assessments."  

THE FIRM This quality team advises on a wide range of competition matters, including merger clearance and compliance. It regularly works in close conjunction with the firm's IP group.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Group head Bernadeta Kasztelan-Świetlik is widely described as "a skilful competition lawyer."

THE FIRM This one-partner practice has a highly active merger control practice. Recent highlights include advising ArcelorMittal Distribution Solutions on merger control matters relating to its acquisition of steel distribution company Cognor.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Dariusz Tokarczuk is the key point of contact for this practice area.

THE FIRM This newcomer to the rankings is acknowledged for its in-depth expertise and experienced team. It is highly active in legislation. 

Sources say: "An excellent boutique." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Founding partner Jarosław Sroczyński is "an exceptionally prominent adviser."