HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT LAW FIRM IN POLAND?

It is a Practical Guide for Foreign Companies. Choosing a law firm in a foreign jurisdiction is never simple. For international companies operating or entering the Polish market, the challenge is even greater: differences in legal culture, language barriers, unfamiliarity with court procedures, and uncertainty about enforcement standards may create real business risk. This guide provides foreign businesses with a practical framework for choosing a reliable, competent, and trustworthy law firm in Poland — particularly in the area of commercial litigation in Poland, dispute resolution in Poland, and cross-border enforcement in Poland. It is based not only on formal criteria, but also on real experience in representing foreign investors and SMEs in complex corporate and dispute matters.

1. English speaking lawyer in Poland

The base is to find an English speaking lawyer in Poland. For foreign companies, seamless communication is fundamental. A Polish lawyer should be able to:

• communicate fluently in business-level English (or German, French, Russian etc.),
• prepare bilingual contracts and pleadings,
• explain Polish legal procedures clearly and without unnecessary jargon,
• represent the client in negotiations and before Polish commercial courts.

A short introductory call is often enough to verify whether the lawyer is truly an English speaking lawyer in Poland, or whether communication will be filtered through intermediaries.

2. Look for Proven Experience With Foreign Investors

Cross-border representation requires more than language skills.

In my practice, I have:

• represented Swiss and UK investors in the acquisition of the Oscar-winning Se-ma-for Film Studio in Łódź,
• served on the supervisory board of Se-ma-for on behalf of foreign investors,
• handled joint venture disputes and shareholder conflicts,
• represented foreign clients (including from Sweden and France) in family-business conflicts involving commercial structures,
• established companies in Poland for German and Ukrainian entrepreneurs,
• structured M&A transactions and investor agreements as a PhD in commercial law.

These matters required not only knowledge of Polish corporate and civil procedure law, but also an understanding of how foreign investors assess legal risk, governance standards, and strategic exposure.

When choosing a law firm, ask for specific examples of cross-border experience — not general declarations.

3. Experience in Commercial Litigation and Shareholder Disputes

Many foreign companies seek assistance only once a conflict has escalated: unpaid invoices, breach of contract, deadlocked joint ventures, or shareholder disputes. Effective representation in commercial litigation in Poland requires:

• strong courtroom experience,
• strategic use of interim measures,
• familiarity with evidentiary rules under the Polish Civil Procedure Code,
• experience in shareholder disputes and corporate governance conflicts,
• knowledge of enforcement mechanisms through Polish bailiffs.

The Mediation and Negotiation Advantage: Litigation, however, is not always the optimal path. In many cross-border disputes, a carefully designed negotiation strategy or mediation process can significantly reduce financial and reputational risk. Early strategic intervention often determines whether a matter escalates into full-scale litigation or is resolved through structured settlement discussions.

I completed postgraduate studies in Negotiations, Mediations, and other Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods at the University of Warsaw: https://wpia.uw.edu.pl/pl/studia/studia-podyplomowe/podyplomowe-studia-negocjacji-mediacji-i-innych-alternatywnych-metod-rozwiazywania-sporow, as well as postgraduate studies in Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology at the University of Łódź: https://www.wpia.uni.lodz.pl/psychiatria. To further refine my strategic approach to conflict, I am currently continuing my professional development at the Behavioral Analysis Studies in Wrocław: https://sie.edu.pl/analiza-behawioralna/#Opis.

I am also a member of the Advocates’ Mediation Center at the District Bar Council in Łódź: https://lodz.adwokatura.pl/adwokackie-centrum-mediacji/mediatorzy/

4. Understand the Real Concerns of Foreign Clients

Foreign entrepreneurs often express specific concerns:

• unpredictability of court practice,
• duration of proceedings,
• litigation costs,
• reliability and accountability of local counsel.

I am personally familiar with these concerns.

Predictability and Timelines

I outline realistic timeframes and procedural stages at the outset of every case. While no responsible lawyer can guarantee the duration of court proceedings, it is possible to explain procedural milestones, likely evidentiary phases, and potential appeal scenarios.

Cost Transparency

I provide a clear cost structure and explain which elements are predictable (court fees, standard procedural costs) and which depend on developments during litigation. Clients receive a structured estimate and ongoing updates to avoid financial uncertainty.

Professional Accountability

As a Polish attorney, I bear personal professional liability. I guarantee the quality, integrity, and diligence of our work with my own name and assets. My professional liability insurance coverage amounts to EUR 2.5 million.

5. Independence and Conflict-of-Interest Procedures

Foreign companies should always request:

• a written conflict-of-interest check,
• confirmation of independence,
• written engagement terms.

Professional dispute resolution in Poland requires strict compliance with ethical and procedural standards.

6. Choose a Firm That Matches Your Scale

In our experience representing foreign SMEs in Poland, the most common strategic mistake is choosing a law firm that is too large — primarily because of brand recognition.

The Risk of Over-Scaled Structures

In such firms:

• the client often pays high hourly rates,
• the matter is delegated to a junior associate with limited courtroom experience,
• the well-known partner signs off but is not deeply involved.

Direct Partner Involvement

For many foreign SMEs involved in disputes or cross-border enforcement in Poland, a specialized boutique firm provides:

• direct partner involvement,
• strategic consistency,
• proportional cost structure,
• real courtroom experience.

Before instructing any firm, ask directly:
“Who will personally conduct representation before Polish commercial courts?”

The answer is decisive.

As a PhD in commercial law, I have extensive experience in:

• company formation in Poland,
• drafting shareholder agreements,
• structuring M&A transactions,
• preparing investor agreements,
• designing joint venture frameworks.

I place particular emphasis on clarity of contractual provisions and transparent cooperation rules with clients. Many shareholder conflicts originate from ambiguous clauses drafted without anticipating dispute scenarios.

Preventive structuring is often more valuable than litigation.

8. Cultural Awareness in Dispute Resolution

Disputes are not only about statutes and procedural codes. They also concern negotiation culture.

Companies from Germany, Switzerland, the UK, France, Scandinavia, the US or Ukraine often differ in:

• risk tolerance,
• documentation standards,
• approach to settlement,
• internal decision-making dynamics.

Effective dispute resolution in Poland requires understanding these differences and aligning litigation strategy accordingly.

9. Practical Verification Checklist

10. Common Mistakes Foreign Companies Make

Avoiding these mistakes significantly improves your position in any commercial dispute in Poland.

Jakubiec & Partners – Your Trusted Partner Across Poland

We support international clients across major Polish business hubs. We offer clear, practical guidance tailored to SMEs investing, operating, or resolving disputes in Poland. Whether you are entering the Polish market, managing a shareholder conflict, or seeking to recover assets, we provide strategic legal representation grounded in experience and analytical precision.

Contact us today to discuss your business objectives in Poland or to schedule a strategic legal consultation. English speaking lawyer in Poland:

📩 kancelaria@jakubieciwspolnicy.pl

You can read more about us here: https://jakubieciwspolnicy.pl/en/cross-border-commercial-disputes-in-poland-jakubiec-partners/

and here you see my text about shareholders disputes in three-person companies: https://jakubieciwspolnicy.pl/en/what-does-j-mearsheimer-teach-us-about-shareholders-conflicts/

FAQ – Foreign Companies and Legal Disputes in Poland

How long does commercial litigation in Poland usually take?
First-instance proceedings often last between 12 and 24 months, depending on complexity and evidentiary scope.

Can proceedings before Polish commercial courts be conducted in English?
Court proceedings are conducted in Polish. Documents in foreign languages require certified translations.

Can a foreign company sue in Poland without a Polish subsidiary?
Yes, if jurisdiction exists under EU regulations or applicable private international law rules.

How are foreign judgments enforced in Poland?
EU judgments are generally enforceable after formal recognition. Non-EU judgments require separate recognition proceedings before enforcement.

What are typical litigation costs?
Court fees are statutory and predictable. Legal fees depend on scope and complexity. A structured cost estimate should always be provided at the outset.