About us

On 18 March 2015, GESSEL became the only Polish law firm to join Lawyers Associated Worldwide (LAW), a prestigious global alliance of approximately 100 boutique firms operating in more than 50 countries. Thanks to their membership in Lawyers Associated Worldwide, independent firms achieve a synergy effect, forging a highly effective international alliance.

In 2010, GESSEL became a supporting member of the Polish national committee of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and Beata Gessel-Kalinowska vel Kalisz, PhD, senior partner joined the Polish chapter of ICC as an ordinary member. The International Chamber of Commerce, established in 1919, is a non-governmental organisation bringing together business enterprises and chambers of commerce / industry from 130 countries. It holds consultative status with the United Nations and is the preferred partner of international and regional business organisations. The ICC draws up standardised rules for international business, and it operates the largest arbitration court for commercial disputes.

We support – not only at the level of legal advice – the Polish Private Equity Association (PSIK), which assembles private equity and venture capital funds active in Poland. Beata Gessel-Kalinowska vel Kalisz, PhD, is the president of PSIK’s Audit Committee.

Established in 1992, the BPCC has been working to foster business between the United Kingdom and Poland, bringing together business partners and promoting best practices. Its member companies represent approximately 25% of direct foreign investments in Poland.

Since 2016, GESSEL is a member of PAIWG, an organisation assembling companies from various sectors interested in furthering Austrian-Polish business cooperation as well as experts in foreign trade, economics, marketing and law. Their shared goal lies in fostering a joint platform supporting expansion of Polish and Austrian businesses.

The Deutsch-Polnische Industrie- und Handelskammer is not only the largest bilateral chamber in Poland, but also one of the largest within the worldwide AHK network. AHK Polska represents approximately 1,000 member companies, GESSEL among them, and is now celebrating the 25^th anniversary of its founding.

International Advisory Experts is a global alliance of renowned law firms, financial houses, and consulting outfits working to bring specialised solutions for global business. Aldona Pietrzak, partner in GESSEL, is one of its experts who, among themselves, represent 140 jurisdictions.

Aldona Pietrzak, partner in GESSEL, is a member of the Women’s Law Network, an organisation which works to further women’s advancement in the broader legal field by forging professional networks.

Aldona Pietrzak, partner in GESSEL, is a member of the Family Firms Initiative Association It was founded in 2008 by representatives of business, academia, and the consulting sector and has since developed into the largest organisation of family-owned businesses in Poland.

Aldona Pietrzak, partner in GESSEL, represents Poland within the Monterey Funds Club. In existence since 2002, the Monterey Funds Club assembles lawyers from fourteen European jurisdictions who specialise in advising investment funds and financial institutions. The Club’s members meet on a semi-annual basis to discuss and evaluate the most recent developments and trends in this line of practice.

GESSEL is a partner of the Association of Private Investors, the largest investor organisation in Poland (a member of Euroshareholders since 2001). This organisation pursues a number of initiatives to the benefit of the private investor community, including production of analyses and reports and organisation of training events and conferences. GESSEL’s involvement in activities of the Association of Private Investors is coordinated by Leszek Koziorowski, partner.

GESSEL cooperates with the Polish Association of Listed Companies. In existence since 1993, the Association offers assistance and consultations to member companies listed on the Warsaw Securities Exchange (and the New Connect alternative market) with respect to legal requirements, regulatory issues, and investor relations. The Association furthers development of Polish capital markets by way of educational, promotional, and lobbying work. Responsibility on the part of GESSEL rests with Leszek Koziorowski, partner.

We provide substantive support to the Women’s Congress (whose programme council includes Beata Gessel-Kalinowska vel Kalisz, PhD, our firm’s senior partner. The main goals of the Congress comprise gender parity among candidates for public office and institution of an independent office of an Ombudsman for Women and Equality.

SWIT is an initiative aimed at supporting women in the IT industry by giving them the opportunity to inspire and learn from each other, as well as to attain high managerial positions and leadership roles in this field. Launched in 2018 as a concept with 55 women, it has evolved into the recognized brand “Strong Women in IT”, which now engages about 350 C-level women in the technology sector. This organization creates and influences the best standards of equality in the industry, promotes diversity and inclusion, and supports women in developing their careers and creating their own personal brands through building strong support networks.GESSEL is proud to be a partner of SWIT, together we create training programs for women in the IT industry.

The goal of WOM&AN is to create a space for networking, gaining knowledge, spreading the idea of entrepreneurship, and mentoring for women involved in mergers and acquisitions. WOM&AN is an association aimed at inspiring, motivating, and encouraging women to achieve their full professional and personal potential while pursuing their own goals within a supportive community. As WOM&AN, we emphasize equality, diversity, and professionalism.We are one of the founders of this organization.

It is a non-profit organization whose main goal is to support and promote bilateral trade relations between Poland and the Netherlands. The Chamber acts as a platform for companies and entrepreneurs from both countries, enabling them to establish business contacts, exchange experiences, and access specialized knowledge about conducting business in Poland and the Netherlands.

Horizons Alliance brings together leading law firms from the region, including Biriş Goran, Erdős Partners, HKV Law Firm, Rowan Legal, and, among the most recent members, Lovrić, Novokmet & Partners and NKO Partners. The network offers comprehensive legal support in areas such as mergers and acquisitions, real estate, energy, and infrastructure, addressing the needs of companies active in multiple CEE jurisdictions.