A&O Shearman is proficient in the entire spectrum of advisory, contentious and transactional matters surrounding restructuring and insolvency, and the local team benefits strongly from working as part of the firm’s global network of offices. Cross-border mandates form a notable element of the group’s offering. The team is particularly well known for acting on the side of creditors, as well as receiving instruction from foreign investors acquiring distressed assets. Insolvency expert Bartosz Merczyński sits at the helm of the department. Banking law specialist Arkadiusz Pędzich advises banks and borrowers on financings in the real estate, telecoms, energy, petrochemical and shipbuilding sectors, while counsel Jerzy Zdrojewski has a strong practice in restructuring transactions.

Clifford Chance‘s expansive client roster encompasses Polish and international lenders, insurance companies, and investors in distressed assets. The group is well equipped to advise on operational, asset and financial restructuring mandates. Cross-border matters also form a core part of the department’s offering, and the practice handles both in and out-of-court restructurings. Miłosz Gołąb co-leads the team, in addition to acting as head of the dispute resolution team, and is described by one client as being ‘in a class of his own‘. Bartosz Krużewski is the other team head, and he also steers the firm’s global financial markets group.

The multi-disciplinary practice at Dentons boasts a broad-ranging offering which encompasses dealing with restructurings, bankruptcies, and related disputes. It has a strong client base in the financial sector, and is also regularly instructed by companies in the infrastructure, automotive, transportation, manufacturing, energy, retail, FMCG, agriculture and TMT sectors. Anna Pukszto sits at the helm of the department and was promoted to co-managing partner in April 2023; she has expertise in cross-border bankruptcies and distressed asset acquisitions. Tomasz Trocki is praised as ‘a unique lawyer with a wide scope of knowledge and experience in restructuring’, and he heads up the consensual restructuring group. Counsel Stanisław Sołtysik is another notable name in the contentious insolvency space.

The multi-disciplinary team at Wardynski & Partners is highly adept at handling court restructurings, bankruptcy cases, and debt and corporate restructurings. Cross-border mandates are also within the strong capabilities of the team, especially EU or US-based restructuring and bankruptcy proceedings. Banks and other financial institutions form the core of the client base. Konrad Grotowski chairs the department with significant experience in contentious mandates, and he is ably supported by Łukasz Szegda, who is skilled in handling matters for distressed companies. Mateusz Tusznio is also recommended.

The restructuring and insolvency group at Baker McKenzie Krzyzowski i Wspólnicy Sp.k. frequently utilities the expertise of the firm’s dispute resolution, banking and finance, and M&A departments to provide debtors, creditors, and affected contractors and customers with all-encompassing assistance. This includes both out-of-court and court restructurings, and bankruptcies, as well as advice on transactional matters surrounding distressed assets, and assistance with debt recoveries and insolvency-related commercial contract issues. 'Standout' Karol Czepukojć is the key senior contact in the department.

DLA Piper Giziński Kycia sp.k. boasts a multi-disciplinary team of lawyers and tax advisors with expertise in corporate, insolvency, litigation, finance, and tax mandates. The team’s client roster includes organisations from the energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, retail, new media, healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, in addition to public sector organisations. Mariusz Hyla heads up the finance and restructuring arm, while the ‘brilliant' Krzysztof Kycia leads on the litigation and regulatory side. Magdalena Dec was promoted to counsel in July 2023 and she has notable expertise in acting on both the creditor and debtor side.

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka fields ‘a strong team of exceptional lawyers’ who handle in court and out-of-court restructuring and insolvency proceedings. Businesses in distress, debtors, and creditors form the majority of the team’s client base, and regulated sectors such as banking and renewable energy are core areas of focus for the practice. Bartosz Marcinkowski and Michał Cecerko head up the department; the former has experience in advising Polish and foreign companies, while the latter is a licensed restructuring advisor who focuses on debt and bankruptcy projects. They are ably supported by corporate and M&A specialist Sylwia Kuca.

Kochanski & Partners has substantial expertise representing creditors and investors, especially financial institutions and private equity funds. Out-of-court restructurings are a staple of the practice, in addition to corporate restructurings, post-restructuring disputes, and personal and corporate insolvency proceedings. Rafał Rapala and Mateusz Ostrowski jointly lead the group; the former has expertise in the corporate space, and the latter leads the firm’s litigation practice. Paweł Cholewinski is another name of note, with a focus on real estate transactions.

Rymarz Zdort Maruta is well versed at advising Polish and international clients on domestic and cross-border restructuring and insolvency mandates. Its offering encompasses matters involving large numbers of creditors, the restructuring of capital groups, credit extensions, and in and out-of-court restructuring proceedings. Liquidation bankruptcy matters and distressed M&A transactions are also areas of expertise for the department. Licensed restructuring advisor Magdalena Pyzik-Walag sits at the helm of the practice.

Tatara & Partners Restructuring & Insolvency Law Firm boasts ‘a highly experienced team’ with a ‘specialised focus on restructuring and insolvency, which makes them experts in the field’. Pre-pack transactions and quick restructurings, especially arrangement approval proceedings, form a key part of the group’s work. Founding partner Karol Tatara divides his time between Krakow and Warsaw, and is a licensed restructuring advisor, as are Maciej Knopek and Tadeusz Grzesiak, also senior members of the team. Anna Czarnota is another notable name.

WKB Lawyers‘s client base includes local and international parties, and spans financial institutions, debtors, and acquirers of distressed assets. One client notes the ‘great depth of the team and understanding of difficulties in restructuring proceedings‘. The group’s offering spans the gamut of domestic and cross-border restructurings and insolvencies, including debt restructurings, standstills, out-of-court restructurings, and pre-bankruptcy arrangements, as well as contentious mandates. Licensed restructuring advisor Klaudia Frątczak-Kospin, and banking and finance expert Piotr Grabarczyk, jointly lead the department.

Boutique restructuring, bankruptcy and insolvency firm Zimmerman Sierakowski and Partners is seen as a go-to outfit by debtors and creditors alike, in addition to official receivers in complicated bankruptcy estate cases. The group is praised as ‘exceptionally competent in restructuring processes’. Managing partner and former insolvency judge Piotr Zimmerman and Bartosz Sierakowski are the key senior contacts. Norbert Frosztęga is another name to note, and has particular expertise in advising entrepreneurs.

Eversheds Sutherland Poland‘s restructuring and insolvency offering sits within the firm’s dispute resolution practice, and it therefore has a strong focus on contentious mandates in this area. Key focuses include representing both creditors and debtors in debt collections, and insolvency and restructuring-related disputes. Maciej Jóźwiak leads the contentious practice.

EY Law ‘is a perfect choice for challenging and complex projects’ in the restructuring and insolvency arena, with a broad-ranging client roster consisting of companies in financial difficulties, creditors, investors, and state and supranational institutions. A key focus of the group’s work includes assisting with policy reform and advising on the mechanisms available to entrepreneurs in financial distress; the team has worked with the European Commission on two separate occasions regarding such matters. Magdalena Kasiarz sits at the helm of the practice, which also houses senior associate Piotr Podsiadło, who is praised for his ‘vast practical experience’.

Filipiak Babicz Legal sp. k. is skilled at handling a range of complex restructuring and insolvency mandates, including corporate restructurings, cross-border insolvency proceedings, and personal liability proceedings of managers for failure to file a bankruptcy petition. Its client base is similarly broad ranging, and includes debtors, creditors, trustees, and administrators. Qualified restructuring advisor Patryk Filipiak is head of the team, and he is ably supported by Anna Michalska, who has expertise in a range of bankruptcy and restructuring processes.

Greenberg Traurig Nowakowska-Zimoch Wysokinski Sp. k's multi-disciplinary team fields contentious and transactional expertise, and its offering spans in and out-of-court restructuring proceedings, as well as advice to purchasers of stocks and assets of insolvent entities. Sitting at the helm of the practice is Andrzej Wysokiński. Michał Bobrzyński is another key name to note.

KKLW Legal Kurzynski Wierzbicki sp.k. boasts a team of restructuring and insolvency ‘specialists with extensive knowledge and experience, clear empathy, and exceptional creativity’, and the group’s offering includes representation in liquidation proceedings, bankruptcy proceedings, and approval of arrangement proceedings. Licensed restructuring advisor Przemysław Wierzbicki heads up the practice, and he is ably supported by Marcelina Rzepkowska, Krzysztof Wanecki and Marcin Orzechowski, all of whom handle proceedings for both the official receiver and the creditor.

LSW Bieńkowski, Laskowski, Leśnodorski, Melzacki and Partners sp.k.‘s wide-ranging client roster consists of both Polish and international debtor and creditor-side parties. As a core part of the firm’s corporate offering, the team frequently acts in restructuring mandates and insolvency proceedings on behalf of public and private organisations. Practice head Władysław Bieńkowski established the restructuring and insolvency group and is well versed in the recovery of claims, debt collection, and securing claims or rights.

The restructuring team at Norton Rose Fulbright frequently handles mandates for entities active in the banking sector, including a range of domestic and cross-border financial institutions. Its offering spans debt restructuring, pre-insolvency restructuring, and enforcement proceedings, and the team benefits from the firm’s global network of offices. Grzegorz Dyczkowski and Tomasz Rogalski jointly lead the group, and the latter was promoted to the partnership at the beginning of 2023.

RESIST Law Firm is a boutique law firm focusing on restructuring, insolvency, and litigation. It was founded in 2022 by Oskar Sitek and Piotr Rezanko, and they are ably supported by Tomasz Romanowski and Piotr Kieloch; all four are praised by a client for their ‘deep sector knowledge and insolvency and restructuring experience’. Among its client base are large Polish companies, as well as individuals and entrepreneurs who are undergoing consumer insolvency proceedings.

SSW‘s client roster includes large corporates and medium-sized businesses based in Poland, Europe, and farther afield. The team expertly handles insolvency and restructuring proceedings for creditors, debtors, and investors. Janusz Mazurek and Łukasz Grenda sit at the helm of the department. Łukasz Cudny and Helena Czechowska are both notable for their expertise in contentious mandates.

White & Case M. Studniarek i Wspólnicy - Kancelaria Prawna sp.k.‘s team frequently handles corporate and financial restructuring transactions, multi-jurisdictional insolvencies, and debtor and creditor-related disputes. Its client roster includes multinational corporations, financial institutions, and insolvency practitioners. Restructuring distressed businesses is another core area of expertise for the group. Practice head Grzegorz Abram ‘has a wealth of knowledge and experience’ and acts on both the lender and debtor side.

Wolf Theiss handles a broad spectrum of financial restructuring, insolvency, and distressed investment matters for both creditors and debtors. This offering encompasses mandates such as representation in out-of-court restructurings, advice on standstill agreements, and service on creditors’ committees of insolvent companies. Since the departure of Lech Giliciński to Soltysinski Kawecki & Szlezak in October 2023, counsel Joanna Gąsowski is now the key senior contact. Krzysztof Libiszewski joined the firm from Wardynski & Partners in July 2023 and now leads the M&A team with notable experience in corporate restructurings.