The Kieszkowska Rutkowska Kolasiński law firm was established by recognised experts in pharmaceutical and medical law - Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik, Advocate, Ewa Rutkowska, Advocate, and competition law - Marcin Kolasiński,  Legal Advisor. The law firm comprises an experienced team, which has worked with the founders for a long time.

We all have many years of experience of working in international law firms (including Baker & McKenzie, Hogan Lovells and CMS Cameron McKenna).

We have been regularly recommended as leading lawyers in pharmaceutical law and competition law by Polish and international rankings of law firms and lawyers, such as Chambers Europe, Legal 500 and Rzeczpospolita. The Chambers Europe 2014, 2015 ranking acknowledged our law firm as the best Life Sciences practice in Poland.

We advise domestic and foreign businesses. We have been working for them for years and understand their needs. We ensure that our assistance not only provides our clients with legal safety, but also gives their business practical assistance.

We help businesses operate in compliance with regulatory requirements and the principles of competition law. We advise them in relations with public authorities, other businesses and consumers, including in product liability cases.

We provide services to businesses from various sectors, having special expertise in advising the pharmaceutical and medical sectors. We take advantage of this experience in our work for clients from other sectors. We also advise employers’ organisations and chambers of commerce.

We provide advice on the basis of Polish law and European law. We work with foreign law firms if the need arises for support by lawyers from other jurisdictions.

We represent companies in administrative and court proceedings. We also work pro bono.

REGULATORY ADVICE

  • Pharmaceutical and healthcare sector

    • Pharmaceuticals

      We provide legal advice in the following areas:

      • Clinical trials and observational studies
      • Marketing authorisation and post-authorisation variations
      • Manufacturing and imports of pharmaceuticals
      • Wholesale distribution of pharmaceuticals
      • Activities of pharmacies and retail trading of pharmaceuticals
      • Pharmacovigilance
      • Pharmaceutical advertising
      • Compliance
      • Regulations on veterinary drugs
      • Proceedings before the Main Pharmaceutical Inspector, the President of the Drug Registration Office, the Minister of Health and administrative courts in relation to pharmaceutical law
      • Business activities in the light of industry codes of good practice
      • Disputes based on codes of good practice
      English

    • Medical devices

      We provide legal advice in the following areas:

      • Applications and notifications of regulatory authorities
      • Clinical trials of medical devices
      • Manufacturing, imports and distribution of medical devices
      • Advertising of medical devices
      • Compliance
      • Medical device incidents
      • Administrative proceedings before administrative courts
      • Advice based on codes of good practice
      English

    • Reimbursement

      We provide legal advice in the following areas:

      • Market access
      • Reimbursement of drugs, medical devices and foodstuffs for special nutritional purposes
      • Reimbursement proceedings
      • Appeal proceedings and cases before administrative courts regarding reimbursement
      English

    • Healthcare

      We provide legal advice in the following areas:

      • Disputes between healthcare providers or patients and the National Health Fund
      • Appeal and administrative court proceedings with regard to the Act on Healthcare Benefits Financed with Public Funds
      • The establishment and operation of healthcare establishments
      • Medical experiments and research
      • Liability of healthcare establishments and physicians
      • Legal issues on matters covered by the Act on Healthcare Benefits Financed with Public Funds, the Act on Medical Activity, the Act on the Professions of Physicians and Dentists and other related legal acts
      English

    • Food and cosmetics

      We provide legal advice in the following areas:

      • Notification proceedings
      • Regulatory issues related to food and cosmetics
      • Advertising of foods and cosmetics
      • Safety of foods and cosmetics
      • Proceedings before the Chief Sanitary Inspector and other supervisory authorities
      • Disputes regarding unfair competition
      English
  • Other regulated sectors

    We provide legal advice in the following areas:

    • Solutions for highly regulated sectors, for example, the telecommunications, postal, railway and energy sectors
    • Obtaining administrative permits to conduct business
    • Launch of new products onto the market or definition of their terms of sale
    • Third party access
    • Administrative and court proceedings
  • Other regulatory advice

    We provide legal advice in the following areas:

    • Legal restrictions on conducting business in sectors other than highly regulated sectors
    • Borderline products and identification of their corresponding sectoral regulations
    • Standardisation, certification and marking of products, including the CE mark
    • Quality requirements and technical inspections
    • Inspections and authorities supervising markets
    • Product marking

COMPETITION ADVICE

  • Competition protection

    We provide legal advice in the following areas:

    • Identification of illegal agreements
    • Identification of the abuse of dominant market power
    • Notifications to the antitrust authorities of breaches of competition law
    • Notifications to the antitrust authorities about the intention of businesses to concentrate
    • Preparation of distribution and marketing strategies in accordance with competition law
    • Training on compliance with competition law
    • Antitrust audits
    • Mock dawn raids
    • Procedures in the event of audits by the antitrust authorities and assistance of clients in the case of such audits
    • Administrative and court proceedings
  • Combating unfair competition

    We provide legal advice in the following areas:

    • Identification of acts of unfair competition
    • Negotiations with market players on their acts of unfair competition
    • Audits of compliance with the Act on Combating Unfair Competition
    • Preparation of legally safe trading strategies
    • Administrative and court proceedings
  • Tender proceedings

    We provide legal advice in the following areas:

    • Preparation of tender procedures in public and private procurement
    • Preparation of tenders and participation in tender procedures
    • Development of specific tender strategies (e.g. establishment of consortia)
    • Administrative and court proceedings
  • State aid

    We provide legal advice in the following areas:

    • Analysis of the possibility of the existence of state aid in specific situations
    • Identification of permissible and prohibited state aid
    • Proceedings on the award of state aid
    • Proceedings on the refund of illegal state aid

CONSUMER LAW

  • Abusive clauses

    We provide legal advice in the following areas:

    • Identification of contractual provisions breaching consumer interests
    • Preparation of model contracts, sales and promotional regulations used in retailing
    • Advice on online sales and other forms of modern communication
    • Audits of compliance regarding the risk of using abusive clauses
    • Register of prohibited clauses
    • Administrative and court proceedings
  • Breach of the collective interests of consumers

    We provide legal advice in the following areas:

    • Identification of breaches of collective consumer interests (e.g. unfair market practices, acts of unfair competition)
    • Audits of compliance regarding the risk of breaching collective consumer interests
    • Preparation of the principles of an information policy in sales relations with consumers
    • Administrative and court proceedings

     

PRODUCT LIABILITY

  • Product safety

    We provide legal advice in the following areas:

    • General product safety and specific requirements for a given type of product
    • Corrective actions in the case of unsafe products
    • Recall of unsafe products from the market
    • Administrative proceedings on recalling products from the market
    • Product liability risk management
  • Crisis situations

    We provide legal advice in the following areas:

    • Assessment of legal risks and support in building a strategy
    • Coordination of activities of experts and the crisis team
    • Representation before supervisory authorities and the law enforcement agencies
    • Legal assistance in relations with injured parties
    • Legal assistance in relations with business partners
    • Cooperation with PR specialists and insurers
  • Product liability disputes

    We provide legal advice in the following areas:

    • Building a strategy with respect to claims for damages
    • Coordination of the process of examining claims for damages
    • Settlement negotiations
    • Representation of businesses in product liability litigation
    • Cooperation with lawyers from other jurisdictions in the case of disputes in various countries
    • Cooperation with PR specialists and insurance companies

OTHER ADVISORY SERVICES

  • Compliance

    We provide legal advice in the following areas:

    • Identification of areas of legal risk
    • Preparation of compliance procedures (at Polish and European level)
    • Verification of compliance procedures of multinational corporations in the light of Polish law
    • Coordination of the localisation of procedures and of compliance advice in other countries
    • Training on compliance
    • Assessment of consistency of operations with the compliance rules
    • Compliance audits
    • Negotiation of contracts encompassing compliance clauses
    • Representation of clients in proceedings conducted by authorities responsible for areas of compliance
    • Training and internal procedures in the case of dawn raids
  • Litigation and arbitration

    We provide legal advice in the following areas:

    • Product liability litigation
    • Disputes regarding competition protection and unfair competition, including advertising disputes
    • Consumer law disputes
    • Disputes regarding parallel imports of pharmaceuticals
    • Other business disputes
    • Proceedings before arbitration courts (permanent and ad hoc)
    • Administrative court proceedings (Voivodship and Supreme Administrative Courts)
    • Proceedings before industry disciplinary courts and the Advertising Ethics Council
    • Individual complaints to the Constitutional Tribunal
  • Ongoing advice to businesses

    We provide legal advice in the following areas:

    • Legal support in civil law, commercial law, labour law, personal data protection, advertising law, etc.
    • Advice on company restructuring, e.g. advice during merger processes and the reorganisation of distribution models
    • Conducting due diligence analyses
  • European law

    We provide legal advice in the following areas:

    • Advice on the relationship between European law and Polish law
    • The State’s liability for the incorrect implementation of European law
    • The use of European law in commercial relations with players on the market
    • Proceedings before the European Commission and the European courts
  • Legal assistance to industry organisations

    We provide legal advice in the following areas:

    • Ongoing legal advice
    • Training and audits
    • Analysis of the compliance of draft legislation with European law
    • Analysis of the practical effects of planned amendments to legislation
    • Preparation of draft positions in public consultations on draft legislation
    • Preparation and revision of codes of best practices
  •

Partners

  • Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik - Attorney-at-Law

    Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik, attorney-at-law, advises companies and industry organisations on healthcare law, especially the Pharmaceutical Law, the Reimbursement Act and the Act on Medical Activity. 

    Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik is also a co-founder of the Lege Pharmaciae Foundation, a non-governmental organisation formed to analyse and hold a public debate on defects in legal regulations in the healthcare sector. Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik works with the Civic Legislation Forum at the Stefan Batory Foundation on the introduction of European lawmaking standards in Poland.

    Recommended for many years by Polish (Rzeczpospolita and Dziennik Gazeta Prawna) and international (Chambers Europe, PLC Which Lawyer) rankings as the best specialist in pharmaceutical law in Poland. She advises patient organisations pro bono, including the Polish Coalition of Cancer Patient Organisations, the Alivia Foundation and the Federation of Polish Patients. Paulina worked at Baker & McKenzie law firm for a decade, having previously worked at CMS Cameron McKenna.

    Rzeczpospolita Ranking Kancelarii Prawniczych 2016 - Paulina Kieszkowska - Knapik is the leader in this ranking for the 10th time in Pharmaceutical Law.

    Chambers Europe 2016: Star Individual - “A formidable figure who stands out as a leader in the market, Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik earns the admiration of her clients: She's a star, the queen of pharmaceutical law in Poland. She has acted for businesses and industry organisations for many years, advising on issues of pharmaceutical and healthcare protection laws, the Reimbursement Act and the Act on Medical Activity. She also provides pro bono advice for patient organisations."

    Who’sWho Legal 2016 (Life Science) - Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik recommended.

    paulina.kieszkowska-knapik@krklegal.pl
  • Ewa Rutkowska - Attorney-at-Law

    Ewa Rutkowska, attorney-at-law, is an expert in pharmaceutical law, healthcare law and product liability.  She has many years of experience in legal advice to Polish and international companies from the pharmaceutical industry, the medical devices sector and the FMCG sector. She advises industry organisations which she has repeatedly represented as the public party in the legislative process as well as supporting them in work on industry codes of best practices.

    Ewa Rutkowska has many years of experience in product liability litigation, including highly publicised cases of global product recall from the market. She also represents clients in other cases before courts of law and arbitral tribunals.

    For years, she has been recommended by Polish (Rzeczpospolita) and international (Chambers Europe, PLC Which Lawyer) legal rankings as a leading lawyer in pharmaceutical law in Poland, and by the Expert Guides - Women in Business Law 2014 ranking in the area of product liability. Ewa works pro bono for non-profit organisations, including the Foundation “Warsaw Hospice for Children”.

    She worked for Baker & McKenzie for almost four years. Before joining Baker & McKenzie as a partner, with her team of four, Ewa worked for many years at the Hogan Lovells (formerly Lovells) law firm, creating and then managing the pharmaceutical law and product liability practice.

    Rzeczpospolita Ranking Kancelarii Prawniczych 2016 – Ewa Rutkowska is recommended for the 8th time in Pharmaceutical Law.

    Chambers Europe 2016: Life Sciences: Band 1 - “Ewa Rutkowska is a renowned expert who focuses on pharmaceutical, healthcare and product liability laws, with extensive experience in advising domestic and international companies in the pharmaceutical, FMCG and medical device sectors. Her expertise in product liability litigation is evidenced in high-profile cases pertaining to worldwide product recalls, and she receives extensive praise from satisfied clients: She is an expert in this subject, with a very good legal background. She is able to advise taking into account the business aspects of the clients.”

    Who’sWho Legal 2016 (Life Science) – Ewa Rutkowska recommended.

    Who’sWho Legal 2016 (Product Liability Defence) - Ewa Rutkowska recommended.

    Expert Guides 2016 (Product Liability) - Ewa Rutkowska recommended.

    Expert Guides: Women in Business Law 2016 (Product Liability) - Ewa Rutkowska recommended.

    ewa.rutkowska@krklegal.pl
  • Marcin Kolasiński - Legal Counsel

     Marcin Kolasiński, legal counsel,  has extensive experience in matters related to competition and consumer protection, combating unfair competition, public procurement, compliance, product safety, legal issues in regulated sectors and corporate advice.

    He worked for the Office of the Committee for European Integration, where he was involved in the process of implementing EU law into the Polish legalsystem. He then worked for the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection, where he was Deputy Director of the Competition Department. At that time, he gained experience at the European Commission’s Directorate General for Competition. He then worked for more than eight years at the Baker & McKenzie law firm, where, as a partner, head of the competition law and regulatory practice, he represented clients before the President of the OCCP, the European Commission, as well as Polish and European courts.

    Marcin Kolasiński is a member of the Polish Competition Law Association, the Polish Association of Law and Economics and the Centre for Antitrust and Regulatory Studies. He is also a non-governmental adviser within the International Competition Network.

    Marcin Kolasiński is a co-author of a commentary on the Act on Competition and Consumer Protection, edited by Tadeusz Skoczny, published by C.H. Beck, as well as the author of numerous publications in the daily press, as well as industry and specialist legal publications.

    Rzeczpospolita Ranking Kancelarii Prawniczych 2016 - Marcin Kolasiński recommended in Competition/Antitrust.

    Chambers Europe 2016: Competition/Antitrust: Band 2 – "Department head Marcin Kolasiński enjoys a long-standing reputation for competition law matters. I like his understanding of customer needs, speed in action and clarity in advice. He weighs the risks and objectively presents the pros and cons, a client says. He has strong practical experience of the pharmaceutical sector in particular."

    Who’sWho Legal 2016 (Competition) –  Marcin Kolasiński recommended.

    Expert Guides 2016 (Competition/Antitrust) –  Marcin Kolasiński recommended.

    marcin.kolasinski@krklegal.pl

Lawyers

  • Natalia Łojko - Legal Counsel

    Natalia Łojko, legal advisor, has been providing ongoing support for pharmaceutical companies for over 12 years in the broadly understood areas of pharmaceutical and reimbursement law, intellectual property law, personal data protection, advertising and distribution of medicinal products and ongoing business issues. She specialises in matters related to reimbursement, contracting for health services, regulatory issues, including personal data protection, advertising and distribution of drugs, as well as borderline products. She represents clients in cases before administrative and civil courts.

    For many years, she has also been advising hospitals and physicians on health insurance and terms of service. She handles pro bono court cases, including, in particular, cases related to access to healthcare services, both in Poland and in the transboundary context. For years she has been involved in legislative work for industry associations within the framework of successive revisions of the Pharmaceutical Law and the Reimbursement Act.

    She is an author of many articles in the trade and daily press, as well as a frequent speaker at conferences. She is a lecturer in the Postgraduate Course on Pharmacoeconomics, Pharma Marketing and Law organised by the Warsaw University of Technology Business School. She worked with Baker & McKenzie for the last decade. She is a long-standing expert at the Lege Pharmaciae Foundation. Member of the Masovian Committee on Medical Events in 2012-2015. She graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Warsaw and the University of Oxford.

    Expert Guides Rising Star 2016 - Natalia Łojko recommended.

    Chambers Europe 2016: Life Sciences: Band 3 –  "Held out as a real expert in reimbursement law, Natalia Łojko provides ongoing advice relating to pharmaceutical law, IP law and the distribution of medicinal products."

    natalia.lojko@krklegal.pl
  • Magdalena Bąkowska - Attorney-at-Law

    Magdalena Bąkowska, attorney-at-law, provides day-to-day legal assistance to pharmaceutical companies and clients from the food and medical devices industries. She specialises in regulatory aspects, advertising and distribution of medicinal products, as well as pharmacy advertising and personal data protection. She represents clients in administrative proceedings before regulatory authorities, as well as in civil cases on product liability and unfair competition. She also advises clients on all matters related to cooperation with pharmacies, including admissible sales tools, as well as matters relating to pharmacy advertising. Her experience also includes advising clients on veterinary pharmaceuticals.

    In her practice, Magdalena Bąkowska also advises industry associations, participating in legislative work related to amendments to the Pharmaceutical Law. She is also a co-author of the Polish implementation of the Transparency Code. Magdalena Bąkowska also holds numerous training sessions and lectures on compliance and pharmaceutical advertising. She is also a lecturer in the Postgraduate Course on Pharmacoeconomics, Pharma Marketing and Law organised by the Warsaw University of Technology Business School.

    Before starting to work with Kieszkowska Rutkowska Kolasiński Kancelaria Prawna Sp. j., she gained many years of experience in the life sciences departments of the Baker & McKenzie and Hogan Lovells law firms. Magdalena Bąkowska is a graduate of the Faculty of law and Administration at the University of Warsaw and the British Law Centre - Cambridge University, Institute of Continuing Education.

    Expert Guides Rising Star 2016 - Magdalena Bąkowska recommended.

    magdalena.bakowska@krklegal.pl
  • Agnieszka Zielińska - Krywoniuk - Attorney-at-Law

    Agnieszka Zielińska-Krywoniuk, attorney-at-law, has extensive experience in legal advice regarding clinical trials, distribution, safety, as well as advertising and promotion for clients in the pharmaceutical, food, medical devices and cosmetics industries. Her practice also includes advice on product quality and product liability.

    She represents clients before courts and regulatory authorities. She has handled numerous legal audits at pharmaceutical companies, including compliance audits. She has stood in for the Good Marketing Practice Manager at one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies during his temporary absence.

    Agnieszka Zielińska-Krywoniuk gained her professional experience while working in contract research organisations (CRO), as well as at international law firms, namely Hogan Lovells and Baker & McKenzie. She holds internal training for companies, appears as a speaker at conferences organised for clients from the pharmaceutical industry and was a lecturer in the Postgraduate Course in Pharmacoeconomics, Pharma Marketing and Law at the Warsaw University of Technology Business School.

    agnieszka.zielinska-krywoniuk@krklegal.pl
  • Ewa Auleytner - Legal Counsel

    Ewa Auleytner, legal counsel, provides comprehensive legal advice to companies in the area of dispute resolution and represents clients before courts of law. She has represented clients in a number of civil cases, arising from the performance of complex civil contracts, which were related to the interpretation of contractual provisions and asserting claims. She also specialises in cases related to unfair advertising, product liability, as well as civil and criminal liability for damage to health, including in matters related to medical malpractice. She has extensive experience in representing clients in litigation between businesses and consumers related to unlawful contractual provisions and in labour law matters.

    Ewa Auleytner gained her professional experience while working for many years at international law firms in Warsaw, namely White & Case, Hogan Lovells and Baker & McKenzie.

    ewa.auleytner@krklegal.pl
  • Michał Chodorek - Attorney-at-Law

    Michał Chodorek, attorney-at-law, specialises in pharmaceutical law, intellectual property law (particularly e-commerce, copyright and trademark law), unfair competition and personal data protection.
    Michał’s professional experience includes transactional advice on intellectual property rights, representing clients in civil and criminal cases on infringements of IP rights and unfair competition, as well as assessing the legality of the purpose, scope, and methods of processing personal data.
    Michał also provides day-to-day legal assistance to pharmaceutical firms on the pharmaceutical law and other regulations. He has represented associations of pharmaceutical companies in legislative works on amendments to the pharmaceutical law and the reimbursement act.
    Michal graduated from Warsaw University’s Faculty of Law and Administration. He is also a graduate of the British Law Centre, created by Cambridge University in collaboration with Warsaw University. He was a trainee at the Warsaw Bar Association, where he passed his final exams to become an attorney-at-law.

    michal.chodorek@krklegal.pl
  • Maciej Konarowski - Attorney-at-Law

    Maciej Konarowski, attorney-at-law specialises in litigation (civil, criminal and administration matters), as well as in other forms of dispute resolution. His interests encompass intellectual property law and the law on new technologies. At KRK, he is responsible for litigation on medical and pharmaceutical law grounds, particularly product liability and competition law.

    Before joining KRK Kieszkowska Rutkowska Kolasiński, Maciej gained experience working for both smaller law firms in Warsaw and international law offices. While gaining his litigation experience, he practiced at the Office of the Prosecutor General of the State Treasury, as an assistant to a judge and as a representative of the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights.

    Maciej Konarowski is a graduate of the Faculty of Law and Administration at the University of Warsaw. He was a trainee at the Warsaw Bar Association, where he passed his final exams to become an attorney-at-law.

    maciej.konarowski@krklegal.pl
  • Daria Wierzbińska - Legal Counsel

    Daria Wierzbińska, legal counsel, Ph.D., provides ongoing support for both national and international companies in the fields of corporate and contract law as well as compliance. Her work encompasses day-to-day legal assistance for the pharmaceutical, medical devices and cosmetics industries. She specializes in legal aspects of clinical trials, distribution and advertising of medicinal products, medical devices and food supplements.

    She has also been advising to hospitals on ongoing activities, in particular public procurement law and contract law. Daria Wierzbińska provided for few years pro bono support for non-governmental organizations operating in the fields of healthcare and international humanitarian aid, including medical aid.

    She is a member of Association for Good Clinical Practice in Poland (GCPpl).

    Daria Wierzbińska is an author of many articles in the trade and daily press. She is a lecturer of Pharmaceutical Law at the Faculty of Law of SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Warsaw. She graduated from the Faculty of Law at the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin and she was awarded Ph.D. degree in Law at Faculty of Law of SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Warsaw. She also completed one-year postgraduate studies on “Clinical trials -  methodology, organization and management” (with ICH-GCP certification), organized by Jagiellonian University.
  • Barbara Trabszys - Attorney-at-Law

    Barbara Trabszys, attorney-at-law, specialises in matters of broadly understood public law. Her day-to-day practice focuses on matters related to the functioning of the pharmaceutical, FMCG and medical markets, as well as day-to-day assistance to companies operating in these markets.

    Barbara Trabszys supports the law firm’s lawyers in proceedings before administrative authorities and courts in a variety of cases of a regulatory nature, as well as before civil courts in unfair competition and product liability cases.

    Her main areas of interest include legal issues related to the organisation of the healthcare system, advertising of medicinal products, medical devices and food supplements, clinical trials and observational studies, as well as product liability. Barbara Trabszys was involved in negotiations on the wording of contracts in Poland of a multi-centre observational study sponsored by one of the renowned medical universities from the USA.  She has been involved several times in legal audits of companies operating on the pharmaceutical and food supplement market.

    Barbara Trabszys worked with the Baker & McKenzie law firm before joining the Kieszkowska Rutkowska Kolasiński law firm. Barbara Trabszys is a graduate of the Faculty of Law and Administration and the Faculty of Journalism and Political Science at the University of Warsaw. During her studies, she went to study at the Institut d’études politiques de Bordeaux (Sciences Po Bordeaux) in France on a half-yearly scholarship. She graduated from 1-year studies on American law organised by the American Law Centre – a joint project of the University of Warsaw and the University of Florida.

    barbara.trabszys@krklegal.pl
  • Tomasz Kaźmierczak - Attorney-at-Law

    Tomasz Kaźmierczak, attorney-at-law, PhD student at the Competition Law Department of the Polish Academy of Sciences, specializes in issues related to competition and consumer protection law, public procurement and corporate advice.

    He has worked for the LachowicziPartnerzy law firm, as well as companies from the Allianz Group, where he gained experience in the corporate support of business entities.  He has also collaborated with the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, where he provided legal aid in the Legal Intervention Programme.  He participated in  a scholarship at the University of Sheffield while studying at the Faculty of Law and Administration of the University of Warsaw. After graduating, he worked for the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (Competition Protection Department). He handled administrative proceedings in competition protection and represented, the President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection at the meetings of the European Competition Network organised by the European Commission. 

    Tomasz Kaźmierczak is a member of the Competition Law Association.

    tomasz.kazmierczak@krklegal.pl
  • Adam Krenke - Legal Counsel Trainee

    Adam Krenke, trainee legal counsel, specialises in legal aspects of reimbursement of medicinal products, financing of the healthcare system and clinical trials. His work also encompassesregulations on medical devices. In his daily work, he focuses on day-to-day legal assistance to pharmaceutical companiesas regards regulatory and contractual issues.

    Before joining KRK Kieszkowska Rutkowska Kolasiński, Adam Krenke worked atthe Legal Department of the Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Tariff System and was responsible for issues related to reimbursement procedures, financing of the healthcare system and holding seminars for healthcare providers. He also worked as an intern in the Compliance Department of an international pharmaceutical company.

    Adam Krenke is a graduate of the Faculty of Law and Administration at the University of Warsaw. During his studies, he attended the American Law School organised by the Levin College of Law, University of Florida in cooperation with the University of Warsaw. Adam Krenke is an alumnus of the Healthcare Leaders project organized by the Lesław A. Paga Foundation. He is currently a legal advisor trainee at the Warsaw Bar Association.

    adam.krenke@krklegal.pl
  • Emilia Kasjanowicz - Legal Counsel Trainee

    Emilia Kasjanowicz, trainee legal counsel handles matters of broadly-understood pharmaceutical law, competition and consumer protection law and public procurement law. Her practice focuses on day-to-day legal assistance to companies operating on the healthcare and FMCG markets.

    Before joining the KRK Kieszkowska Rutkowska Kolasiński law firm, Emilia Kasjanowicz completed a two-year internship in the legal department of an international pharmaceutical company. She also gained experience as an intern at the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights.

    Emilia is a graduate of the Faculty of Law and Administration of the Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw. During her studies, she attended a two-year specialisation programme named “Business Law”, which gave her in-depth knowledge of economic law, commercial law and financial law. Emilia is currently a legal counsel trainee at the Regional Bar Association in Warsaw.

    emilia.kasjanowicz@krklegal.pl

Of Counsel

  • Marek Świerczyński, PhD Habil., prof. UKSW - Attorney-at-Law

    Marek Świerczyński, PhD Habil., prof. UKSW, attorney-at-law, advises healthcare businesses and organizations on the Pharmaceutical Law, Reimbursement Law, Intellectual Property Law, e-commerce and private international law.

    He is employed as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Civil Law and Private International Law of the Faculty of Law and Administration of the Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University. A graduate in law from the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, he defended his doctorate in legal sciences with honours at the Faculty of Law and Administration of the University of Silesia.  He has been awarded the title of Doctor Habilitatus in Legal Sciences by a resolution of the Council of the Faculty of Law and Administration of the University of Silesia. Author of numerous scientific publications, including the co-author of the first textbook on pharmaceutical law (two editions of 2008 and 2012), and the monographs: “Advertising and Promotion Law”, “Internet Law” and “Legal Aspects of E-Commerce,” as well as a supplement to the encyclopaedia “Cyber Law in Poland.” He is an arbitrator at the Arbitration Court for Internet Domains.

    Employers of Poland legislative expert. From January 2013 to January 2014, he worked in Switzerland as the Legal Director Africa, S. Africa and Israel for a multinational pharmaceutical corporation. A long-time associate and counsel at the Baker & McKenzie law firm, he previously worked for the Traple Konarski Podrecki law firm, as the Warsaw Branch Director.

    Chambers Europe 2016 Life Sciences - Band 3 - „Marek Świerczyński advises pharmaceutical bodies on a broad range of pharmaceutical legislation, with particular strength in clinical trials, reimbursement, advertising, distribution and IP."

    marek.swierczynski@krklegal.pl
  • FIRM RANKINGS

    • Chambers Europe 2016
       

      Life Sciences – Band 1

      "Distinguished and specialised boutique law firm acting for established clients in the pharmaceutical, medical, food and cosmetics sectors. As well as regulatory issues, it advises on issues within competition law and legal aspects of business-to-consumer relations and public procurement. Also experienced in product liability and product safety issues". 

      "This team has very in-depth knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry. The lawyers are the number one specialists and are very responsive and pragmatic."

      "The lawyers are very good: they are very flexible and very responsive."

       

      Competition/Antitrust – Band 3

      "Recently established Warsaw-based competition boutique joins the rankings as a result of strong recognition for its competition and antitrust expertise. Advises on merger control, regulatory and compliance issues. Notably popular amongst pharmaceutical clients, but also advises companies from the energy and media industries".

      "I'm very satisfied with this team. The lawyers are very responsive, constructive and focused on finding solutions." 

      "The lawyers are able to objectively evaluate risks and losses. The team is receptive to our needs and operates very quickly."

    • Rzeczpospolita Ranking Kancelarii Prawniczych 2016
      KRK Kieszkowska Rutkowska Kolasiński – for the second time Leader in Life Sciences.

       

    • The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East and Africa 2016
      Competition/Antitrust oraz Dispute Resolution -  KRK Kieszkowska Rutkowska Kolasiński recommended.

    • Polityka Insight 2015 – Life Scienses – KRK Kieszkowska Rutkowska Kolasiński  – Group 1

    • LMG Life Sciences Awards 2015
      KRK Kieszkowska Rutkowska Kolasiński – Law firm of the year – Poland.

    • Chambers Europe 2015 Life Sciences – Band 1

      "Market-leading boutique well known for its expert knowledge of pharmaceutical law. Assists international pharmaceutical clients with contentious and advisory matters, including reimbursement, public procurement, regulatory advice, distribution and marketing. Provides additional expertise in competition law and product liability litigation."

      "It's leading the market in the area of reimbursement."

      "The lawyers really care for the client and have huge knowledge."

      "We use the firm for difficult and strategic matters."

       

    • Chambers Europe 2014 Life Sciences – Band 1

      "Market leading life sciences practice highly reputed for pharmaceutical knowhow. Singled out for regulatory work and additionally focused on the medical, food and cosmetics industries.

      Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik and Ewa Rutkowska recently left Baker & McKenzie with Marcin Kolasiński to set up a regulatory and competition spin-off, Kieszkowska Rutkowska Kolasiński. They were joined by other colleagues including Natalia Łojko."

  • INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS

    • Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik

      English

      Puls Medycyny List of the Hundred Most Influential People in Healthcare 2016

      Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik – 45th on the Puls Medycyny List of the Hundred Most Influential People in Healthcare, 2016, which has been published annually for over 10 years.

      Rzeczpospolita Ranking Kancelarii Prawniczych 2016

      Paulina Kieszkowska - Knapik is the leader in this ranking for the 10th time in Pharmaceutical Law.

      Chambers Europe 2016: Star individual

      “A formidable figure who stands out as a leader in the market, Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik earns the admiration of her clients: She's a star, the queen of pharmaceutical law in Poland. She has acted for businesses and industry organisations for many years, advising on issues of pharmaceutical and healthcare protection laws, the Reimbursement Act and the Act on Medical Activity. She also provides pro bono advice for patient organisations.”

      Who’sWho Legal 2016-2015 (Life Science) - Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik recommended.

      Chambers Europe 2015 Life Sciences - Star Individuals 

      "Revered by practitioners and clients alike, Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik is considered a star pharmaceutical lawyer. Clients appreciate her quick advice, saying: "She is very passionate about what she is doing" and "always fights to the end." She is renowned for her knowledge of reimbursement and the healthcare system."

      Chambers Europe 2014 Life Sciences: Star Individuals

      "Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik is an acknowledged authority in the sector, particularly for pharmaceutical and healthcare law. One client notes: "She has very deep knowledge and is one of the most experienced lawyers in the market.""

      Chambers Europe 2013 Life Sciences: Star Individuals

      "Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik is "knowledgeable and passionate. Her power is in her expertise – there is nobody out there who understands these matters like she does." She has broad experience of working with all major life sciences companies and institutions in Poland."

      Dziennik Gazeta Prawna Top 50 Most Influential Lawyers Ranking

      Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik (position 37: 2013) – (…), co-founder of Lege Pharmaciae foundation, rise from position number 39 (2012).

      “One of the most consistent and militant critics of the Reimbursement Act. Author and co-author of numerous pharmaceutical analyses. Thanks to her personal involvement, last year PricewaterhouseCoopers and IMS Health - a provider of insights into the pharmaceutical market, prepared two large reports summarising the effects of the Reimbursement Act. Her legal opinions have a large impact on the amendment of defective healthcare regulations. She was the first to raise the alarm about the adverse effects on patients’ welfare of the regulations of the Reimbursement Law which banned pharmaceutical companies from donating medicines to hospitals. Last year, the Ministry of Health amended the regulations at issue, and hospital donations were again permitted. Her major success was also bringing about the resolution of the eight-year long court battle to recognise that innovative, research-based producers have a legal standing in assessments of the legality of copies of their pharmaceutical products. As a member of the Batory Foundation’s Civic Forum on Legislation, Mrs Kieszkowska-Knapik fights for the introduction of European law-making standards in Poland. She enjoys voluntary work. She advises patients’organisations pro bono, including the Polish Coalition of Oncological Patients Organisations, the Rak’n’Roll Foundation and the Polish Patients' Federation.”

      Chambers Europe 2012 Life Sciences: Band 1

      "Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik is singled out for her "in-depth and client-friendly approach." "I admire her brilliance and business understanding," another source adds. She co-heads the department, focusing on regulatory, competition pricing and reimbursement matters."

      PLC Which Lawyer 2012

      Life sciences: regulatory – Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik recommended

      Life sciences: competition/anti-trust - Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik recommended

      Intellectual Property - Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik recommended

      Chambers Europe 2011 Life Sciences: Band 1

      "Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik is unequivocally regarded as one of the best advisers in the field and is lauded for her "vast knowledge, excellent expertise and agile mind."”

      PLC Which Lawyer 2011

      Life sciences – overview – Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik recommended

      Life sciences: regulatory – Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik recommended

      Life sciences: competition/anti-trust - Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik recommended

      Chambers Europe 2010 Life Sciences: Band 1

      "Interviewees agree that Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik is one of the market's standout lawyers: "She is extremely knowledgeable in regulatory aspects, widely respected and straightforward with her proposals.""

      PLC Which Lawyer 2010

      Life sciences: regulatory – Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik recommended

      Intellectual Property - Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik recommended

      Chambers Europe 2009 Life Sciences: Band 2

      "Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik is well known for taking a global view on cases; clients marvel at her ability to offer a business solution in addition to legal analysis.”

      PLC Which Lawyer 2008

      Life sciences – Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik recommended

      Intellectual Property - Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik recommended

      Chambers Europe 2008 Band 1

      Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik - Life Sciences.

      Chambers Europe 2007 Band 1

      Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik - Life Sciences.

    • Ewa Rutkowska

      English

      Rzeczpospolita Ranking Kancelarii Prawniczych 2016

      Ewa Rutkowska is the leader in this ranking for the 8th time in Pharmaceutical Law.

      Chambers Europe 2016 Life Sciences - Band 1

      “Ewa Rutkowska is a renowned expert who focuses on pharmaceutical, healthcare and product liability laws, with extensive experience in advising domestic and international companies in the pharmaceutical, FMCG and medical device sectors. Her expertise in product liability litigation is evidenced in high-profile cases pertaining to worldwide product recalls, and she receives extensive praise from satisfied clients: She is an expert in this subject, with a very good legal background. She is able to advise taking into account the business aspects of the clients."

      Who’sWho Legal 2016-2015 (Life Science) - Ewa Rutkowska recommended.

      Who’sWho Legal 2016-2015 (Product Liability Defence) - Ewa Rutkowska recommended.

      Expert Guides 2016-2015 (Product Liability) - Ewa Rutkowska recommended.

      Expert Guides: Women in Business Law 2016-2014 (Product Liability) - Ewa Rutkowska recommended.

      Chambers Europe 2015: Life Sciences: Band 1

      "Ewa Rutkowska receives praise from clients for her excellent communication skills. "She can easily explain things to non-lawyers, which is very important." comments an interviewee. Another adds: "She has a lot of energy and gives good, proactive advice."  Ewa Rutkowska has extensive experience in representing pharmaceutical clients in product liability litigation."

      Chambers Europe 2014 Life Sciences: Band 1

      "Sources say Ewa Rutkowska "has practical knowledge about local and EU law, and is very open to discussion and able to consider difference scenarios." She is particularly active in pharma and product liability litigation."

      Chambers Europe 2013 Life Sciences: Band 1

      "Ewa Rutkowska is revered as an "efficient lawyer with a brilliant mind and client-friendly approach." She has knowledge of the full range of life sciences law, although she has recently been particularly active in product liability cases. Sources also compliment her clear advice."

      Chambers Europe 2012 Life Sciences: Band 1

      "Peers describe practice co-head Ewa Rutkowska as "a highly skilled lawyer." She handles regulatory, commercial, product liability and reimbursement matters."

      PLC Which Lawyer 2012

      Life sciences: regulatory – Ewa Rutkowska recommended

      Life sciences: corporate & commercial - Ewa Rutkowska recommended

      Chambers Europe 2011 Life Sciences: Band 1

      "Ewa Rutkowska is also singled out as "a brilliant practitioner.""

      PLC Which Lawyer 2011

      Life sciences: regulatory – Ewa Rutkowska recommended

      Life sciences: corporate & commercial - Ewa Rutkowska recommended

      Chambers Europe 2010 Life Sciences: Band 1

      "Ewa Rutkowska is widely respected for her constructive approach: "She has a very good attitude, explains things carefully and in depth, and has the patience to push things through to the end without creating animosity.""

      Chambers Europe 2009 Life Sciences: Band 1

      "Both Ewa Rutkowska and rising star Agnieszka Zielińska-Krywoniuk are reported to be excellent at handling highly sensitive situations. Rutkowska is renowned for approaching issues from multiple perspectives and receives the highest of praise from one client, who is adamant that “you couldn’t ask for anything more in a lawyer.""

      Chambers Europe 2008 Life Sciences: Band 2

      "Ewa Rutkowska is in charge of the life sciences group and handles regulatory, advertising and product liability issues. She is described by peers as an “accomplished lawyer with a likeable and easy-going approach.””

    • Marcin Kolasiński

      English

      Rzeczpospolita Ranking Kancelarii Prawniczych 2016

      Marcin Kolasiński recommended in Competition/Antitrust.

      Chambers Europe 2016 - Competition/Antitrust - Band 2

      “Department head Marcin Kolasiński enjoys a long-standing reputation for competition law matters. I like his understanding of customer needs, speed in action and clarity in advice. He weighs the risks and objectively presents the pros and cons, a client says. He has strong practical experience of the pharmaceutical sector in particular.”

      Who’sWho Legal 2016-2015 (Competition) – Marcin Kolasiński recommended.

      Expert Guides 2016-2015 - Competition/Antitrust – Marcin Kolasiński recommended.

       Chambers Europe 2015: Competition/Antitrust: Band 2

      "Marcin Kolasiński of Kieszkowska Rutkowska Kolasiński is best known for advising pharmaceutical clients on day-to-day competition issues concerning distribution, compliance and advertising. He is recommended by clients as a "sharp and experienced lawyer with excellent knowledge of the regulatory environment in Poland.""

      Chambers Europe 2014: Competition/Antitrust: Band 2

      "Marcin Kolasiński recently left Baker & McKenzie to set up boutique firm Kieszkowska Rutkowska Kolasiński Kancelaria Prawna Spółka Jawna with Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik and Ewa Rutkowska. He moves up in the rankings due to excellent client feedback. Impressed interviewees say: "He is proactive and very much liked by business colleagues, and he can really explain matters in a way that people can understand." He has almost ten years' experience in advising clients in this area."

      Chambers Europe 2013: Competition/Antitrust: Band 3

      "Marcin Kolasiński is noted for his expertise in the pharmaceutical sector. Clients indicate that he is “worth every penny” and appreciate the way he “understands the business and addresses its needs.""

      Legal500 2013

      "Very professional” (…) Marcin Kolasiński heads the practice, and ‘creatively challenges the status quo to find new strategies’."

      Chambers Europe 2012 Competition/Antitrust: Band 3

      "Interviewees regard Marcin Kolasiński as "a creative, solution-driven and extremely knowledgeable practitioner.""

      PLC Which Lawyer 2012

      Competition/Antitrust - Marcin Kolasiński recommended

      Life sciences: competition/anti-trust - Marcin Kolasiński recommended

      Legal500 2012

      “(…) Marcin Kolasiński has “a charismatic personality” and is recommended (…)”

      Chambers Europe 2011 Competition/Antitrust: Band 3

      "Marcin Kolasiński is "a fantastic lawyer with great understanding of the pharmaceutical industry and the requirements of the competition authorities," say sources."

      Legal500 2011

      “Clients praise Marcin Kolasiński’s "brilliant mind, analytic personality and pro-business approach"”.

      PLC 2011

      Competition/Antitrust - Marcin Kolasiński recommended

      Chambers Europe 2010 Competition/Antitrust: Band 3

      "Marcin Kolasiński is seen by sources as a dynamic leader of the practice. He is especially well regarded for his abilities in cases relating to the pharmaceutical industry."

      PLC Which Lawyer 2010

      Competition/Antitrust - Marcin Kolasiński recommended

      Chambers Europe 2009 Competition/Antitrust: Band 3

      "Marcin Kolasiński is singled out for showing great promise."

    • Natalia Łojko

      English

      Expert Guides Rising Star 2016-2015  - Natalia Łojko recommended.

      Chambers Europe 2016 - Life Sciences – Band 3

      “Held out as a real expert in reimbursement law, Natalia Łojko provides ongoing advice relating to pharmaceutical law, IP law and the distribution of medicinal products.”

      Chambers Europe 2015: Life Sciences: Band 3

      “Natalia Łojko is a highly regarded pharmaceutical lawyer focusing on reimbursement matters. She rises in the rankings in recognition of her experience in the field."

      Chambers Europe 2013 Life Sciences: Associate to watch

      “Associate to watch Natalia Łojko is the team's rising star and she enters the rankings following a year of increasing prominence in the market, advising a wide range of pharmaceutical bodies on the new reimbursement law.”

    • Agnieszka Zielińska - Krywoniuk

      English

      Chambers Europe 2009 Life Sciences: Rising Star

      "Both Ewa Rutkowska and rising star Agnieszka Zielińska-Krywoniuk are reported to be excellent at handling highly sensitive situations. Rutkowska is renowned for approaching issues from multiple perspectives and receives the highest of praise from one client, who is adamant that “you couldn’t ask for anything more in a lawyer.""

    • Magdalena Bąkowska

      English

      Expert Guides Rising Star 2016-2015 –  Magdalena Bąkowska recommended.

    • Marek Świerczyński

      English

      Chambers Europe 2016 - Life Sciences – Band 3

      „Marek Świerczyński advises pharmaceutical bodies on a broad range of pharmaceutical legislation, with particular strength in clinical trials, reimbursement, advertising, distribution and IP."

KIESZKOWSKA RUTKOWSKA KOLASIŃSKI
KANCELARIA PRAWNA SP. J.
ul. Emilii Plater 25/8
00-688 Warsaw, Poland
P. +48 22 620 63 25
F. +48 22 101 73 38
biuro@krklegal.pl
dataprotection@krklegal.pl
CV@krklegal.pl
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Tax ID No. - 7010414793
REGON No. - 147128364
BANK ACCOUNT
mBank: ul. Senatorska 18, 00-950 Warsaw
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