Insurance and transaction banking teams strengthened as DWF says the latest partner arrivals demonstrate DWF's rapid expansion in Poland since it acquired the legal services business of K&L Gates Jamka sp.k. in May.

Polish expansion

Pawel Stykowski has been appointed head of insurance from Wierzbowski Eversheds Sutherland, where he headed the financial services and compliance practice. He has 13 years of experience providing legal advice to the insurance and banking industry, including four years as head of legal/compliance officer for an insurer. Mr Stykowski said, “It is an exciting time to join the business given DWF's expansion into Poland earlier this year. Insurance is one of DWF's primary sectors and the business enjoys an international reputation for its innovative approach to legal services in the insurance sphere.” Meanwhile, Tomasz Kaczmarek has joined to lead the transactional banking team. He has over 12 years of experience in banking and finance law in the Polish market, gained in previous roles with Baker McKenzie. Mr Tomasz said, “The chance to join DWF at such an early stage in its progression into the Polish market is an exciting opportunity given the business has such a strong reputation as a fast-growing, innovative legal services provider."

Important gateway

The business sees the country as an important gateway to Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe and key to the expansion of DWF in Europe more generally.  Michal Pawlowski, DWF's managing partner in Poland, said of the new partners “Their vast expertise, particularly in our core sectors which include insurance and financial services, will provide us with the ideal platform from which to strengthen our full service offering in Warsaw for the benefit of clients, both domestically and internationally.”