Maciej Michalak
Senior Associate
Advocate
Specializes in complex litigation in all the successive stages of a dispute. He is a very skilled negotiator, focused on finding the most effective solutions for clients.
Languages:
BIO
Maciej specializes in litigation before the general courts, administrative courts and the Supreme Court. He is an experienced negotiator, always putting his clients’ interests first.
He has extensive experience in commercial litigation in the fields of business law, real estate law, and corporate law. He also acts in criminal proceedings as a defence attorney, attorney for victims and subsidiary complainants. His professional experience to date includes advising, among others, entities in the construction, automotive, mining, waste management and IT sectors.
Maciej advises clients at all stages of a dispute. He actively seeks opportunities for an amicable resolution of the dispute at its early stages, and prepares and implements a comprehensive litigation strategy from the first steps in the case to effective enforcement of the judgment rendered.
He is also experienced in representing clients during commercial negotiations regarding the terms of share deal and asset deal transactions. He prepares drafts of complex agreements and transaction documents.
Prior to joining GESSEL in 2022, he worked at a renowned law firms in Krakow and in Katowice. In 2016, he worked at the European Commission in Brussels, in the Directorate General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs.
Maciej qualified as an attorney in 2018.
"I proactively seek opportunities for amicable termination of the dispute at its early stage, prepare and implement a comprehensive litigation strategy from the first steps in the case until the execution of the decision made."
Experience
Business disputes
- Advised a leading developer in a complex compensation case involving claims under a real estate transfer agreement
- Represented the investor in negotiations and disputes with the owner of the property in claims arising in connection with execution of an investment replacement contract for the construction and commercialization of a significant office development
- Represented a property owner in a complex compensation case involving the owner’s claim for nationalization of the property
- Advised a leading waste management company on a multidisciplinary integrated permit case
- Advised automotive entities in disputes involving sales contract claims
Corporate disputes
- Advised investors in disputes related to claims against other shareholders for obligations under investment agreements
- Advised the remaining partners of a leading IT company in negotiations involving exit of one of the major partners from the company
Negotiations
- Negotiated SPA and DMA agreements for one of the largest office developments in southern Poland
- Negotiated a number of leases and rental agreements, representing both tenants and landlords
- Represented clients in settlement negotiations, often enabling a favourable conclusion of the dispute for clients at its earliest stage
Education and achievements
- Legal studies at the Faculty of Law and Administration of Jagiellonian University in Krakow (2014)
- Course in international relations at the Faculty of International and Political Studies of Jagiellonian University in Krakow
- School of American Law organized by the Jagiellonian University in cooperation with the Catholic University of America in Washington (2013)
- Postgraduate studies in environmental law in Poland and the European Union at the Faculty of Law and Administration of Jagiellonian University in Krakow (2017)
- Mediator at the Mediation Centre of the National Advocates’ Council (2021)
