CMS expands its Corporate/M&A practice in Poland with appointment of standout team

International law firm CMS is strengthening its Corporate/M&A practice in Poland. Partner Ryszard Manteuffel and counsel Robert Semczuk have joined the firm’s Corporate/M&A practice, led by Sławomir Czerwiński. The practice will be further strengthened over the course of the next few months with the arrival of senior associate Zuzanna Sapocińska and associates Łukasz Duchiński and Piotr Wójcik. The new team specialise in M&A and capital markets transactions and bring unique experience in advising private clients to the firm.

Andrzej Pośniak, managing partner of CMS Poland, said, “The business environment today is changing faster than ever. Similarly, our customers’ expectations are changing. This is why at CMS we are constantly on the lookout for exceptional talent to respond to the dynamics of the market. The expertise of Ryszard and his team, as well as their unique experience, provide the perfect synergy with our other business lines. No less important is also the personality of each of the new team members, their openness to cooperation and joint initiatives, and their collegial attitude.”

The Corporate/M&A practice at CMS in Poland is made up of more than 30 lawyers, specialising in corporate matters and handling the most sophisticated M&A transactions. In tandem with constant collaboration with the firm's other practices in Poland and international teams, it provides clients with a wide range of advice and comprehensive services, combining expertise in tax, real estate, energy, ESG and competition law. The Corporate/M&A practice is regularly recommended in internationally recognised rankings such as Chambers and Partners, The Legal 500 and IFLR1000.

Sławomir Czerwiński, partner and Head of the Corporate/M&A practice at CMS Poland, said, “I value Richard's competence and experience very highly. We have had the pleasure of meeting more than once while working on M&A projects. I am confident that together with his team, he will bring a new perspective and expertise to our practice, which will allow us to implement our development strategy even more effectively and to offer our clients unique and tailored solutions at the highest level.”

Ryszard Manteuffel, added, “I am delighted to be joining CMS and to be able to pursue the ambitious goals that the firm aims to achieve. Working with the other CMS teams in Poland and the international team will open up new opportunities for us to support clients in both local and cross-border projects. We will also participate in the development of customer tools based on new technologies, including AI.”

As a partner, Ryszard Manteuffel will primarily support CMS in developing the Corporate/M&A practice for private clients and capital markets transactions. He has many years of experience in corporate and capital market law, with a particular focus on acquisitions of listed companies and regulated entities (brokerage houses, TFIs), securities offerings (IPOs, SPOs, ABB) and regulatory matters. He advises private clients on their investments, listed companies, investment funds, and family offices on all aspects of corporate and securities law. He is also a lecturer at the Warsaw School of Economics.

Robert Semczuk is a Polish-qualified attorney-at-law specialising in commercial law, company law, mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings and private international law. He advises clients on the creation and implementation of restructuring processes in companies and capital groups, with national and international reach, including mergers, transformations, divisions and liquidations of companies. He also provides post-transaction support in corporate restructuring projects. Robert is also a law graduate in France and focuses on serving French clients.

In April, the Corporate/M&A practice will be further strengthened by the addition of senior associate Zuzanna Sapocińska and associate Łukasz Duchiński.

Zuzanna Sapocińska is a Polish-qualified attorney-at-law specialising in civil and commercial law. She advises clients on M&A transactions and provides ongoing corporate advisory services, both for private clients and investors. Her experience includes advising on transactions involving private equity funds and restructuring processes. She has participated in numerous due diligence investigations and in M&A transactions.

Łukasz Duchiński specialises in M&A transactions, including acquisitions of private companies, public companies and regulated entities and joint ventures, including cross-border investment projects. He advises on regulatory issues, especially concerning brokerage houses, public companies and investment funds.

In May, trainee advocate Piotr Wójcik will also join the Corporate/M&A practice as an associate.