Banking & Finance | Europe

The firm is a premium practice with an excellent reputation for its banking and finance activity. The law firm boasts a diversified transactional practice, covering areas such as acquisition, project and real estate finance. The department is frequently instructed by lenders in high-stakes transactions, and also acts for borrowers. The team offers regulatory advice and is well prepared to handle multi-jurisdictional transactions on the side of international banks. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.

Clifford Chance is a market-leading practice group representing both lenders and borrowers. The law firm is active on the full range of banking and finance transactions, covering areas such as acquisition and project finance as well as debt refinancing. The department boasts a client roster of sizeable domestic and regional banks as well as Polish corporates from a variety of industries. Clifford Chance also acts on project financing in the energy sector. The law firm benefits from its global network and is frequently sought out by international clients.

Dentons is a notable practice group known for its strong capacity and substantial experience in international transactions across the CEE region. The law firm is best recognised for its extensive expertise in real estate financing and refinancing. The legal practice also handles project finance mandates, demonstrating a strong track record in the renewable energy sector, with additional activity on leveraged and corporate acquisition financing transactions.

Linklaters houses a highly regarded team which is known for its capabilities in cross-border mandates in the region and offers Warsaw-based English law expertise. The law firm is experienced in a range of financing and refinancing transactions, including real estate, project and acquisition finance. The legal practice is instructed by prominent lenders, including bank consortiums and development funds and additionally assists borrowers, particularly in the energy sector.

Norton Rose Fulbright is a well-respected practice group undertaking a wide range of financial mandates, covering acquisition and project financing as well as corporate loans and debt restructuring. The law firm assists banks and borrowers with large syndicated financings, including transactions across several CEE jurisdictions. Norton Rose Fulbright is also adept at handling aviation financing matters.

CMS has a strong team that boasts a broad practice encompassing corporate loans, acquisition and real estate finance as well as refinancings. The law firm offers further capabilities in project finance, including within the renewable energy space. The legal practice is instructed by local and international banks and also advises domestic borrowers and sponsors. CMS is often instructed on cross-border deals due to its network of offices across the CEE region. The law firm also has an active insurance practice.

DLA Piper is well regarded for its significant expertise in real estate finance, where the team advises both lenders and borrowers. The law firm also provides M&A financing advice and is increasingly active in project financing. The team is additionally visible in financial restructuring cases. DLA Piper has additional expertise in insurance regulatory issues.

Gide Loyrette Nouel has a solid practice group advising both domestic and international clients on sizeable financing transactions. The department stands out for its expertise in secured and structured finance, including in factoring facilities. It also covers corporate loans as well as project and real estate finance transactions. The law firm frequently represents Polish borrowers on domestic transactions as well as on the local law aspects of large multi-jurisdictional financing deals. It also acts as counsel to bank lenders and leasing companies.

Wardyński & Partners is a large domestic firm with a well-reputed team acting for banks, direct lenders and borrowers on financing and refinancing transactions, including debt restructuring and corporate finance. The law firm is active on corporate loans, construction and acquisition financing, with additional expertise in warehouse facilities and other structured finance matters. The practice often works in cooperation with international law firms, advising on the Polish aspects of global transactions.

WKB Lawyers assists banks and borrowers with acquisition, project and general financings across diverse sectors such as real estate, fintech and manufacturing. The law firm also houses a strong insurance practice. The legal practice regularly advises international law firms on the Polish aspects of cross-border transactions.

Greenberg Traurig is a regarded team best known for advising on real estate finance and frequently advises borrowers on domestic and international financing. The team is also active on corporate loans and refinancing mandates as well as covering project finance. The practice additionally assists with regulatory matters.

Rymarz Zdort Maruta advises an array of borrowers on financing matters including acquisition and project finance. Debt refinancing and financial restructuring also serve as frequent sources of instruction for the law firm. Rymarz Zdort Maruta showcases a client list featuring numerous domestic corporate entities and private equity houses and an increasing number of regional banks.

White & Case advises on financing and refinancing mandates, providing clients with the benefit of a strong international network. The law firm is particularly active advising domestic and international banks on corporate loan and refinancing mandates. The department has additional experience assisting borrowers from the energy sector.

Wolf Theiss is most visible advising on real estate financing, including offices and logistics warehouses in Polish regions. The legal practice also assists with acquisition and corporate financing as well as the financing of renewables. The team frequently acts in conjunction with the law firm's wider network on multi-jurisdictional deals. Wolf Theiss is an experienced adviser to banks, direct lenders as well as corporate borrowers and real estate developers.

Baker McKenzie enters the rankings thanks to successfully expanding and raising the profile of its banking and finance team. The practice is particularly active on the borrower side, advising Polish companies from sectors including manufacturing, mining and real estate, on corporate loans, debt refinancing and restructuring matters. It also assists investment funds and bank lenders with real estate and acquisition financings. The team is an experienced adviser on term loans, revolving credit facilities and secured loans. Baker McKenzie additionally has expertise in insurance matters, covering commercial, regulatory and contentious issues.

Czabański Gałuszyński i Partnerzy is a domestic law firm with an offering comprising acquisition finance, real estate financing and NPL portfolio sales. The law firm advises a clientele of domestic banks as well as borrowers active in the energy and real estate sectors.

Domański Zakrzewski Palinka acts on acquisition and corporate financing mandates, and frequently assists clients with debt refinancings. The practice also advises on project financing in the renewable energy sector as well as structured finance matters. The department is active in the real estate sector and frequently assists domestic and international banks.

SSW advises on refinancings as well as new corporate loans and acquisition financing matters. The practice is additionally active on real estate finance transactions, as well as in the renewable energy sector where it assists borrowers with project finance mandates. Its clientele also consists of funds and banks.