UK-based firm DWF is adding 10 corporate and commercial lawyers from Hogan Lovells in Warsaw, led by office managing partner Beata Balas-Noszczyk, following the transatlantic firm’s decision back in September to close its office in the Polish capital.

Joining as partners alongside Balas-Noszczyk are former Hogan Lovells counsel Tomasz Grygorczuk and Bartosz Romanowski. Two senior associates and five associates are also moving across, according to a LinkedIn post by Balas-Noszczyk.

The group are noted for having one of Poland’s leading M&A and regulatory practices in the financial services and insurance sectors, as well as expertise in intellectual property, media, technology and energy.

Their arrival will add depth to DWF’s commercial services offering in the country and across Europe and will officially join on 1 January.

Paul Rimmer, CEO of commercial services at DWF, said: “We are excited to welcome such a talented and highly respected team to DWF. Their comprehensive expertise in insurance and financial services, combined with their deep relationships in the Polish market, will greatly enhance our capabilities and help us strengthen our position as a leading legal provider in these sectors.”

Balas-Noszczyk arrives after 25 years at Hogan Lovells, where most recently she was managing partner of its Warsaw office, specialising in insurance and financial services. She also previously worked in Poland’s finance ministry as director of the insurance department and deputy director of its banking and financial institutions department.

Grygorczuk brings with him 25 years of transaction law experience, more than 16 of them at Hogan Lovells where he was head of its commercial practice in Warsaw, while Romanowski joins after 17 years at Hogan Lovells where he was head of its financial institutions and insurance sector business in Warsaw.

The team also includes Aleksandra Kuc-Makulska, who led the IP, media and technology team at Hogan Lovells, where she was a senior associate.

Michał Pawłowski, country managing partner in Poland for DWF, said: “The addition of Beata, Tomek, Bartek and their great colleagues marks a significant milestone for our Poland office. Their proven track record and industry connections will allow us to deliver even greater value to our clients, particularly in insurance and financial services and further strengthen our market presence.”

Hogan Lovells said in September that it planned to close its Warsaw office along with its outposts in Sydney and Johannesburg, citing a focus on “strategic markets”. At the time, the firm listed 33 lawyers in the Warsaw office, which is due to close at the end of the year.

While Hogan Lovells is exiting Poland, other firms have been ramping up their presence in the country. In February, Ashurst expanded its new law offering with a low-cost delivery centre in Krakow, while last December Clyde & Co took on a team of 20 lawyers from Dentons for its Poland debut.