Competition/Antitrust | Europe

A&O Shearman has a market-leading practice in Polish competition law. The law firm offers outstanding expertise in merger clearance notifications. Moreover, this practice acts in some of the most high-profile follow-on damages mandates in Europe, as well as handling behavioural investigations and appeals against decisions of the Polish competition authority. Team members have further experience in state aid matters and competition law compliance queries.

Clifford Chance remains one of the strongest practices in Poland for behavioural and consumer protection matters. The law firm represents clients in high-profile abuse of dominance investigations, as well as challenges to competition authority decisions and private enforcement damages actions. Its recent work also includes investigations into allegations of misleading advertising and greenwashing. The team further assists clients with merger clearance notifications. It often collaborates with the law firm's other departments on multidisciplinary matters.

Dentons is one of the leading firms in Poland for assisting clients from the real estate and automotive sectors with competition clearance for proposed joint ventures and mergers. The team is also strong in behavioural investigations and appeals against authority decisions, in addition to mandates in relation to the Digital Services Act. It additionally advises clients on competition compliance in connection with distribution agreements and European regulations.

Linklaters offers a market-leading practice group with outstanding knowledge of contentious competition matters. The law firm acts in follow-on damages claims, as well as behavioural investigations, representing clients before the Court of Appeal in challenges to Polish competition authority decisions. Additionally, the team collaborates with the firm's corporate department on merger control matters, including those requiring Foreign Subsidies Regulation and Foreign Direct Investment clearance. It also advises on state aid matters and competition law compliance.

WKB Lawyers has a highly esteemed competition team that assists with a range of contentious competition matters. The law firm's mandates include investigations into alleged cartels or abuses of dominance, with additional experience in leniency applications, challenges to Polish competition authority decisions and damages actions. The team is frequently engaged in merger control proceedings, assisting with both notifications and third-party complaints. The practice also advises on the preparation and implementation of compliance programmes.

Baker McKenzie has a well-regarded practice group advising prominent international and domestic companies, often from the TMT, energy and financial services industries. The law firm assists with merger control matters, working alongside the firm's competition teams in other jurisdictions on multi-jurisdictional filings. The team represents clients in Polish competition authority investigations into possible price fixing and consumer protection issues, as well as challenges to authority decisions and damages actions. Team members have additional experience in state aid mandates.

Greenberg Traurig has a well-regarded competition and antitrust practice group, frequently retained by a number of notable private equity firms to assist with high-value merger control matters before both the Polish and European authorities. The law firm also represents clients in behavioural investigations into allegations of abuse of dominance, including before the Supreme Court. The team further assists clients with competition compliance matters.

Modzelewska & Paśnik is a highly regarded competition boutique recognised for its in-depth expertise in a broad array of competition issues. The law firm is particularly adept at dealing with investigations conducted by Polish and European competition authorities, especially those concerning cartels. The team is further active in disputing decisions of the competition authorities before the Polish courts, as well as litigating in private enforcement actions. It also offers experience in merger control filings and distribution strategies.

Sołtysiński Kawecki & Szlęzak houses a highly respected practice group with a strong reputation for handling a variety of contentious competition law issues. The law firm represents clients in behavioural investigations before the Polish competition authorities and in subsequent court proceedings challenging infringement decisions. It also represents clients in damages actions and is capable of handling complex merger control mandates.

CMS offers an accomplished team advising on both merger control and contentious antitrust issues. The law firm is noted for its representation in anti-competitive behaviour investigations. Moreover, the team represents clients in appeals against infringement decisions, including before the Supreme Court. CMS is experienced in advising on competition compliance matters, including distribution issues, and state aid mandates. The competition practice frequently works with notable transport and e-commerce entities.

Rymarz Zdort Maruta's team is recognised for its robust merger control practice. The law firm advises on phase II merger clearance investigations, often involving multiple jurisdictions. The practice also handles behavioural investigations, state aid matters and competition compliance issues. Its clients include high-profile multinational and Polish companies.

Wardyński & Partners rises in the rankings in this year's guide on the basis of an impressive portfolio of work. The law firm houses a well-regarded team that assists clients with competition authority investigations into allegations of greenwashing, abuse of dominance and cartel involvement. It also represents clients in subsequent appeals against fines and damages awards. The law firm also advises clients on obtaining competition law clearance for mergers and corporate transactions.

Domański Zakrzewski Palinka advises clients on merger control filings and mandates relating to foreign direct investment and the Foreign Subsidies Regulation. In addition, the law firm represents clients in investigations into allegations of price fixing and possible non-compete agreements. It has further expertise in antitrust litigation, leading work for clients in private enforcement actions.

White & Case has a strong focus on merger control, often collaborating with the law firm's network of international offices to assist with multi-jurisdictional notifications. It is particularly active on transactions in the media, automotive, financial services and energy sectors, and handles filings related to the EU's Foreign Direct Investment Regulation. The team also represents high-profile clients in behavioural investigations by the Polish competition authority.