We are pleased to advise that B2RLaw has been short-listed by the prestigious international legal magazine with the largest global readership – ‘The Lawyer’ in the category ‘Law Firm of the Year: Central Europe’ for its annual European Awards 2020.
The Lawyer European Awards was the first initiative of its kind to reward and celebrate excellence across the European legal market. The awards scheme attracts entries from hundreds of independent law firms headquartered in Europe, and global firms across the Continent. Each year The Lawyer European Awards showcases the impressive achievements of Europe’s finest within the legal industry and 2020 marks its 11th year.
The shortlist is picked by an elite judging panel comprised of in-house counsel and international law firm senior and managing partners, which select the short-list on the basis of a number of factors including how the firms have managed the pressures of the economic environment while maintaining high levels of client service, as well as firms that clearly articulate their strategy and vision for the future, both in terms of significant developments in the past year and planned investment. Other factors considered include:
• Initiatives in diversity, employee development or sustainability,
• Use of technology and improvement in processes and operations that enhance service delivery to clients,
• Client work,
• Financial performance.
The Lawyer is a leading weekly British magazine for commercial lawyers and in-house counsel, first published in 1987.
Ordinarily the winner would be announced at an awards ceremony in London. However, due to COVID-19 the awards ceremony will be held online on 1st December 2020.
Senior Partner Rafał Zięba states, “Given the large number of entrants, being short-listed itself is a great achievement – in effect meaning that we are amongst the six best law firms in Central Europe. This is quite an achievement in view that B2RLaw as a brand, did not exist one year ago in view of our merger earlier this year. We are very pleased that our early achievements as B2R have been recognised across Europe and we look forward to continue to excel in areas such as firm development, improving the client experience, enhancing diversity and employee development and our use of technology.”
Senior Partner Bartłomiej Jankowski adds, “2020 has been a very difficult year for everyone. I’m absolutely delighted that in this difficult year, B2RLaw has been short-listed for this coveted award. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the whole team, we have been able to push the boundaries to provide the best service possible to our clients, in an efficient and flexible way. It has very much been a team effort, both prior and after our merger. We continue to strive to help businesses in industries that have been severely impacted by COVID-19 and we dedicate this nomination to those clients that have turned to us in their time of need.”
In its first full three months since announcing its merger on 21st June 2020, B2RLaw has been ranked by Pitchbook in its Q3 2020 League Tables, as the most active law firm for venture capital in Poland and the wider CEE. Moreover, the firm has been ranked as the 9th most active law firm advising venture capital investors in the whole of Europe.
This success is against a backdrop where European VC funding was at a near record in Q3 2020. After an easing in venture activity in H1 2020, European funding was back at near record levels in Q3. European startups and scaleups raised EUR 10.5 billion in Q3 2020, the second highest total for a single quarter ever, after Q2 2019.
In Poland, according to a report by PFR Ventures, Q3 of 2020, saw PLN 707 million worth of VC transactions, which represented a record quarter for the Polish market. To put that into context, the value of VC transactions in Q3 of 2020 was higher than the value of the whole of the years 2015 – 2018 combined. In total, 88 transactions were conducted between July and September 2020, with 80 funds involved.
Pitchbook’s league tables are widely regarded in the venture capital community as the leading and most comprehensive ranking of global VC activity. The tables detail top investors by region, firm headquarters, AUM and more, as well as the most active law firms and acquirers of VC-backed companies.
Rafał Stroiński, Senior Partner and Head of B2RLaw’s Corporate Practice Group advises, “When we merged to form B2RLaw we knew that one of the key synergies between the legacy firms JS Legal Jankowski, Stroiński i Partnerzy and Zięba & Partners was that both firms had a strong focus on transactions (whether that be venture capital, general M&A, private equity and capital markets) in the technology space. One of our strategies upon merging was to be the go-to law firm in Poland and the wider CEE for transactions relating to the technology industry. It’s very pleasing that this strategy is coming to fruition and in our first three months of operation, we have been trusted to act for more venture capital funds investing in technology, than any other law firm in the CEE region. B2RLaw’s highly experienced team has been deeply involved in the venture capital scene since its early days, and its satisfying to see that we are now considered the dependable law firm for the VC market. We combine an accomplished and skilled transaction team with great understanding of technology”.
B2RLaw advised the founders of WalkSee sp.z o.o. on an investment made by EVIG Alfa Venture Capital into the company. WalkSee is an application used for creating virtual walks through the user’s smartphone.
Core to the product’s innovation is e-tripod technology, i.e. a software solution allowing for 360 degree spherical image acquisition using an ordinary smartphone camera. This technology allows the capture of high-quality photos, mitigating problems related to the imperfection of human coordination, as such providing a full 360 degree spherical image of the room without imperfections.
The investor is the Polish VC fund – EVIG Alfa Venture Capital. EVIG Alfa is a venture capital fund established in cooperation with CARLSON VENTURES INTERNATIONAL LIMITED in order to support investments in technological projects at an early stage of development, which are in research and development phase, and have global innovation potential.
The fund focuses on industries that are key to the modern knowledge-based economy, with particular emphasis on Internet of Things devices dedicated to the FinTech, MedTech and CleanTech areas. Their investment strategy is as a response to the need to invest in ideas resulting from R&D processes, and that without investment, would not reach their potential for full commercialization.
B2RLaw’s team was led by Partner Dr. Szymon Syp with the help of Senior Associate Iga Wojtczak-Opala.
With growing client demand and a fast changing environment, B2RLaw has launched one of the first cannabis practices on the Polish market.
The legal cannabis sector is a fast-expanding industry, with experts stating the market will grow to be worth $166 billion by 2025 [Source: Euromonitor International]. The Polish medical cannabis market has set itself ahead of the game in Europe. As such the Polish medical cannabis market is becoming more and more open.
B2RLaw’s Cannabis Practice is co-led by Partner George Havaris and Counsel Malwina Niczke – Chmura who combine leading legal and commercial expertise in the Polish and European cannabis industry. The Practice specialises in Cannabis Law and Regulation and provides unique insight into the complexities of Polish drug policy and law. George and Malwina are supported by a team of lawyers that cater for every need that a company within the cannabis industry might have, ranging from Corporate/M&A to IP, Regulatory and Trade.
B2RLaw’s Cannabis Practice works closely with the very best international experts in the industry to support Polish companies not only locally, but in other markets as they look to grow operations.
George Havaris, of Canadian/Greek background, is a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales. He is a corporate and banking lawyer with a broad experience of working on cross-border M&A and financing transactions. George has recently been appointed as an Executive Board Member of the Polish Canadian Chamber of Commerce, with Canada regarded as the most progressive country for cannabis having legalised recreational use in 2018, and with 8 of the largest 10 global cannabis product producing companies originating from Canada. George has been an ever-present expert speaker at the Central European Cannabis Forum since its inception.
Malwina Niczke – Chmura specializes in life sciences and healthcare, from manufacturing and distribution issues, through product registration, to advertising law and regulation of clinical trials. In particular, she focuses on creating distribution structures in the pharmaceutical market, including foreign markets. Malwina provides ongoing corporate advisory in the field of compliance, with particular attention to the issues related to transparency of internal and external processes, corporate governance and communication. She has also advised on a number of M&A transactions. More and more of Malwina’s time and expertise has been devoted to supporting Polish and international companies operating in the burgeoning Polish cannabis industry.
George advises, “B2RLaw is committed to supporting companies in niche but fast growing industry areas such as Fintech and Electric Mobility. Cannabis is one of those new industry areas where we, as a team, have been advising clients for quite some time. It was only natural for us to formally establish a practice which would clearly set out our experience and capabilities in a very exciting area. With Canada being such a focal point for the global industry, where, for example companies are accessing the Canadian market for it’s investor base, my Canadian background and strong links to Canada prove to be a huge advantage for our Polish clients.”
Malwina states, “B2RLaw has a breadth of expertise and valuable specialism in a fast-growing area of the market. We have advised companies in the cannabis industry on regulatory aspects, such as bringing products to market, as well as on Corporate and M&A transactions. We look forward to continue supporting our existing clients, as well as new clients that value our knowledge and commercial understanding of a very specific market.”
B2RLaw has advised the Life Science Innovation Fund on its investment in AIDLAB, a telemedical startup. The aim of the investment is to develop a new product, AIDMED, a device which remotely diagnoses diseases, particularly sleep breathing and cardiac disorders.
The healthtech industry is experiencing noticeable growth during the current pandemic. Innovative solutions that allow certain activities to be performed remotely are relieving the burden on medical personnel while providing more comfortable conditions for patients. AIDMED’s solutions can reduce hospitalization periods to a minimum using artificial intelligence to analyze measurements.
The investor is a Polish VC, Life Science Innovation Fund, which invests in MedTech, Biotech and Health Care, and has invested in a number of successful companies such as BrainScan, Bioseco, LumiSep and LifeFlow.
B2RLaw’s consisted of Partner Szymon Syp, Ph.D. and Senior Associate Iga Wojtczak-Opala.
B2RLaw advised Apis Venture sp. z o.o., a venture capital fund from Warsaw, with regards its investment in Byte Barrel sp. z o.o., a Polish video games developer from the Tricity area of Poland. B2RLaw’s support included conducting a due diligence analysis and negotiating the investment agreement.
Apis Venture is a venture capital and business angel fund supporting startups with high growth potential, including those in the computer and video games development industry.
Byte Barrel is an independent development studio which has been operating since 2017. It creates its own titles and is a subcontractor to other games developers.
B2RLaw’s team was led by Szymon Syp, Ph.D. (Partner), with the support of Angelina Stokłosa, Ph.D. (Counsel) and Iga Wojtczak-Opala (Senior Associate).
“We would like to thank Apis Venture for involving us in this transaction. This is another example of B2RLaw’s leading role as legal advisors in VC transactions and to the video and computer games industry in Poland”, commented Angelina Stokłosa, Ph.D.
We are pleased to advise that B2RLaw is one of the partners of the FinReg 2020 Congress, concerning regulatory issues in the financial services industry in Poland, organized by the Allerhand Institute.
In this year’s edition, experts will discuss not only the latest financial analysis, but also summarize the first half of the year in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and look at the technological challenges that are on the horizon.
The event will be attended by, among others Dr Marek Dietl, President of the Warsaw Stock Exchange, prof. Jacek Jastrzębski, of the Polish Financial Supervision Authority and Zbigniew Gryglas, Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of State Assets, Government Plenipotentiary for Offshore Wind Energy.
The congress will be held on October 23, 2020. Online from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Dr Szymon Syp, Advocate and Partner at B2RLaw, will appear as an expert at the FinReg 2020 Financial Markets Regulation Congress. Szymon will act as an expert in the panel “Sustainable financing on the capital market and green corporate bonds” at 2:45 pm. Also taking part: Radosław Krzyżak, Michael / Ström Dom Maklerski S.A. (as a moderator), dr Mirosław Kachniewski, Polish Association of Listed Companies, dr Anne-Marie Weber-Elżanowska, University of Warsaw and Marcin Dąbek, Board Member of Michael / Ström Dom Maklerski S.A.
More details in the link: http://www.allerhand.pl/index.php/pl/
B2RLaw advised VC fund KnowledgeHub on its investment process concerning Genomtec S.A. The investment value is up to EUR 1 million. Our support included conducting a due diligence analysis and negotiating the investment agreement.
KnowledgeHub is a VC fund supporting start-ups which offer unique technology with global development potential. KnowledgeHub focuses on investments in MarTech, FinTech, MedTech and DeepTech start-ups. The transaction on behalf of the fund was conducted by Krzysztof Dębowski, Managing Partner.
Genomtec is an innovative medical technology company developing and commercializing a mobile platform used in the molecular clinical diagnosis of various infectious diseases, including tests used to detect COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2.
The company’s flagship project is the mobile genetic diagnostics system, Genomtec ID -a unique solution which is innovative on a global scale. The system allows for quick and precise molecular analysis outside a laboratory environment, without the involvement of qualified laboratory personnel. The system uses micro-flow technology and SNAAT® proprietary patented isothermal technology. The system’s design allows the process to be carried out in record time, i.e. up to 15 minutes, with efficacy equal to, and in some cases exceeding, the quality of PCR laboratory tests.
Szymon Syp, Ph.D. (Partner) led B2RLaw’s team on the transaction with Iga Wojtczak-Opala (Senior Associate) and Przemysław Krzemieniecki (Partner) providing support.
“We would like to thank KnowledgeHub for giving us the chance to take part in this venture capital transaction. This is another example of B2RLaw’s leading role as legal advisors in VC transactions”, commented Szymon Syp, Ph.D.
Partner George Havaris has been appointed as an Executive Board Member of the Polish Canadian Chamber of Commerce. The PCCC aims to promote economic, cultural and commercial relations between Poland and Canada that lead to real investment and trade.
George Havaris, originally from Toronto, is a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales. He is a corporate and banking lawyer with a broad experience of working on cross-border M&A and financing transactions. George heads B2R’s English Law and Canada Desk and is also a recognised lawyer in the emerging Polish cannabis industry.
George advises, “I very much thank the Polish Canadian Chamber of Commerce for my appointment. Poland is Canada’s largest goods trading partner in the CEE region. The Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement provides opportunities to strengthen the bilateral economic relationship. Bilateral trade between Canada and Poland reached $3.08 billion in 2019. Canada exported nearly $744 million to Poland with $2.34 billion in imports. I look forward to working closely with the PCCC, and to further developing trade opportunities between Canada and Poland.”
In its 2020 review of lawyer positions, and since the announcement of its merger to form B2RLaw in June 2020, B2RLaw has decided to promote a group of lawyers.
Edyta Zalewska, a member of B2RLaw’s Contentious Practice Group, has been promoted to Counsel. Edyta advises and represents clients in all phases of proceedings, both before arbitration and public courts. She specializes in resolving disputes in the field of commercial law, unfair competition and commercial criminal law. Her experience includes independent and comprehensive handling of proceedings from various sectors of the economy, including the preparation of comprehensive procedural strategies and defense lines. She also advises clients at pre-trial stage and participates in settlement negotiations.
Paulina Milewska, a member of B2RLaw’s Contentious and Commercial Law Practice Groups, has been promoted to Senior Associate. Paulina is a newly qualified Advocate of the District Bar Association in Katowice and daily manages B2RLaw’s Katowice office leading relations with clients in the Silesian Region. Paulina is a multi-disciplined lawyer advising on corporate matters, commercial law, commercial and competition litigation, as well as business criminal and tax litigation. She has a particular focus on advising clients in the energy, industrial and technology sectors.
Teresa Pilecka, a member of B2RLaw’s Corporate and M&A, and Commercial Law Practice Groups, has been promoted to Senior Associate. Teresa is an advocate listed in the registry of the District Bar Association in Warsaw. She specializes in M&A transactions and commercial law having participated in M&A transactions, advising sellers or buyers at all stages of transactions, including during due diligence processes and drafting transactional documents. Teresa also provides day-to-day legal assistance to commercial companies and non-governmental organizations, including in matters relating to statutory activity, corporate governance and contract preparation.
Jacek Mizgier, a member of B2RLaw’s Real Estate and Construction Practice Group, has been promoted to Associate. Jacek is a trainee attorney-at-law at the Warsaw Bar Association and provides ongoing daily service to companies, funds and developers in respect to real estate, construction and infrastructure. Jacek participates in negotiations, drafting contracts, and conducting due diligence analysis with regards major real estate, and infrastructure transactions.
Senior Partner Bartłomiej Jankowski comments, “Edyta, Paulina, Teresa and Jacek are our first promoted lawyers since launching B2RLaw. We are incredibly proud of the talent, skill and dedication of all of our people, in particular since our merger announcement and during the challenges faced during COVID-19. As a business we are focused on creating an inclusive environment that enables everyone to work towards their aspirations. All four promoted lawyers are living proof of this as they have developed their skills and are often taking a key client-facing role at B2RLaw. We are especially proud of their development and congratulate them on their promotions, as well as wish them further success in their careers at our firm”.
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