PL

B2RLaw advises Fortress REIT on another logistics transaction regarding property in Zabrze

B2RLaw has advised South African-based Fortress REIT Limited on another logistics and warehousing acquisition, regarding property in the Silesia region of Poland.

The acquisition was made with the purpose of developing a modern logistics hub in Zabrze, in the vicinity of the City, and in close proximity to a junction of the A4 motorway and existing retail parks. The development will offer a leasable area of up to 115,000 m2 of modern logistics space.

Fortress REIT Limited is South Africa’s largest owner and developer of core, premium-grade logistics real estate.

B2RLaw provided full legal advice to Fortress on the acquisition, including financial aspects of the transaction, with its team supervised by Senior Partner Rafał Zięba, and led by core members of the group including Senior Associates Aleksandra Karteczka – Gurgul and Piotr Leonarski, Counsel Filip Badziak, as well as support provided by Senior Associate Radosław Minh Nguyen and Junior Associate Michał Blados.

We thank the Fortress team for again trusting us on this important transaction to expand their presence on the Polish market. With offices in Krakow and Katowice, its great that real estate developers and funds regard B2RLaw as the go-to law firm for prime real estate deals in the Małopolski and Silesia regions, in addition to our core Warsaw market – said Rafał Zięba.

B2RLaw recommended in the Legal500 ranking 2022

We are proud to announce that in this year’s edition of The Legal 500 we have been recommended in 5 categories:

White-Collar Crime – Tier 2

In June 2020, Zieba & Partners and JS Legal Jankowski Stroiński I Partnerzy merged to form B2R Law Jankowski Stroinski Zieba. The team undertakes criminal litigation as well as cases involving political and human rights disputes. Co-founder, advocate and arbitrator Bartlomiej Jankowski is head of the practice, and has substantial experience in advising clients on all aspects of anti-corruption related issues, including FCPA matters. Counsel Anna Grochowska–Wasilewska handles criminal and compliance matters.

Construction – Tier 3

B2R Law Jankowski Stroinski Zieba‘s construction team advises public authorities, municipalities and private businesses on projects, PPP mandates and related disputes. Areas of focus include transport, power generation and transmission, and urban regeneration. Paweł Gunia and Rafał Zieba head up the practice, which was joined by new arrival of counsel Krzysztof Marzyński in January 2021 from Crido Legal.

Strong young and innovative team, hungry and keen to delivery – really impressed.

Private Equity – Tier 3

B2R Law Jankowski Stroinski Zieba’s practice has a strong focus on the venture capital market, particularly in relation to the technology sector. Heading the team is experienced corporate lawyer Rafał Stroiński, who is instructed by buyers, sellers and target companies. Aleksandra Polak is a key member of the team, handling transactions for Polish and international venture capital funds and founders of target companies in their investment rounds.

Very motivated team led by an experienced M&A and PE expert – Rafał Stroiński.

Rafał Stroiński is great with clients and has extensive experience in PE deals.

It is a large team with a strong early stage VC practice, litigation, real estate.

Real Estate – Tier 3

B2R Law Jankowski Stroinski Zieba thrives in its handling of commercial real estate transactions. Co-founder Rafal Zieba heads up the practice which has been bolstered by the addition of former Crido Legal lawyers: counsel Krzysztof Marzyński who has expertise in real estate transactions, asset management and property development, and Filip Badziak who brings substantial experience in real estate financing. Counsel Andrzej Zajac also joined the firm from CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang Posniak i Bejm sp.k.,, arriving with a strong transactional practice.

Dispute Resolution – Tier 4

B2R Law Jankowski Stroinski Zieba has a varied practice that includes real estate and energy sector disputes. Department head Bartlomiej Jankowski has longstanding experience of corporate and commercial litigation, arbitration and white-collar criminal defence matters. Roman Iwański has experience of construction arbitrations. Edyta Zalewska is noted for disputes spanning commercial law, unfair competition and commercial criminal law.

They are knowledgeable and practical in their approach.

Bartłomiej Jankowski is a leader in the dispute resolution practice of B2R Law.

Employment – Firms to watch

Established in 2020, B2R Law Jankowski Stroinski Zieba demonstrates particular expertise in assisting clients on their entry into the Polish market. Anna Cichonska co-leads the team alongside Roman Iwański and Kinga Kowalska.

15 lawyers are recommended in The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa 2022 editorial:

White-Collar Crime: Bartłomiej Jankowski, Anna Grochowska–Wasilewska

Construction: Rafał Zieba, Paweł Gunia, Krzysztof Marzyński

B2RLaw appoints Piotr Szelenbaum as Partner to lead Capital Markets and Public M&A practices

B2RLaw has appointed well-regarded lawyer Piotr Szelenbaum to lead its Capital Markets and Public M&A practices.

Piotr has over 25 years experience in the legal industry. He is one of Poland’s preeminent legal experts in Corporate, Capital Markets and M&A, with a particular focus on transactions. He has advised on some of the largest and most recognized transactions involving Poland, including corporates and funds on private M&A (inclusive of Venture Capital and Private Equity); issuers and investment banks on first or further public offerings, offers of acquisitions of shares, bonds and other financial instruments; foreign listings (including dual listings); and the delisting of companies.

Piotr developed his career in the Warsaw team of Greenberg Traurig and its respective predecessors Dewey & LeBoeuf and Dewey Ballantine, where he progressed to Local Partner. Thereafter, he spent 4 years at the Warsaw office of White & Case as Partner, before moving to Polish law firm SPCG, also in a Partner position. Most recently Piotr worked as General Counsel at leading video games company assisting the company to undertake an IPO to enter the Warsaw Stock Exchange.

Prior to moving in-house, and for many years, Piotr was highly recommended by international ranking publications such as Chambers Global, Chambers Europe and Legal 500 EMEA in the Corporate/M&A and Capital Markets categories.

Senior Partner Rafał Stroiński advises, “we are very pleased to have Piotr join and welcome him to the B2RLaw team. Piotr is a distinguished lawyer in the Capital Markets, Corporate and M&A practice areas. I have known Piotr for many years, and we have had the pleasure to work successfully on the other side of transactions. Piotr’s appointment demonstrates our objective of providing the very best legal services, provided by a team of exceptional lawyers. Piotr’s practice focus perfectly fits into our offering and firm strategy of being the premier law firm in CEE to the technology industry, by helping technology companies to access capital and/or grow throughout their life cycle utilizing corporate and finance transactions. It is our belief that B2RLaw, unlike any other law firm in CEE, houses a team of lawyers that combine expert transaction expertise with in-depth technology industry knowledge, that advise on transactions involving the technology space, from early stage venture capital to an eventual large industry sale, merger or IPO”.

B2RLaw advises Nasdaq-listed fintech company Billtrust on Polish aspects of its acquisition of Order2Cash

B2RLaw has advised US B2B accounts receivable automation and integrated payments company Billtrust on Polish aspects of its acquisition of Netherlands-based B2B financial software platform Order2Cash.

Billtrust is the global leading provider of Payment Cycle Management and accounts receivable solutions, helping businesses accelerate Invoice-to-Cash. The Company’s EU team now exceeds 100 members, serving more than 700 customers. The acquisition of Order2Cash gives the Company a stronger global presence and ability to expand its Business Payment Network.

Order2Cash operates from Netherlands locations in Amsterdam and Joure, as well as offices in Krakow, Poland and New York City, USA.

B2RLaw worked with the Amsterdam office of international law firm Fieldfisher.

B2RLaw’s team was led by Agnieszka Hajos-Iwańska (Partner) and comprised Anna Cichońska (Partner), Agnieszka Wojciechowska (Counsel) and Radosław Kowalski (Associate).

B2RLaw advises B+N Referencia Zrt. on its acquisition of Polish company INWEMER to form the largest facilities management company in CEE

B2RLaw has advised Hungarian owned B+N Referencia Zrt. on its acquisition of Polish company INWEMER to become the facilities management market leader in Central Eastern Europe.

B+N Referencia Zrt. has existed for over 20 years and is regularly ranked as one of the 500 largest Hungarian companies. The Company acquired the business interests of the ISS Group in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania and Hungary in the Spring of 2021. This was followed by the acquisition of the Slovenian subsidiary of the ISS Group. The acquisition of INWEMER creates a business which provides services in six key countries of the CEE region, covering 15 million square metres of managed areas, with 18,000 workers.

INWEMER has been a dominant player in the facilities management industry in Poland since 1992. Its customer portfolio includes State institutions and companies, and private enterprises, as well as a number of domestic and multinational companies. With its 7,000 workers, the firm offers services for more than 750 customers with 5.5 million square metres of managed areas. Its main activities include cleaning and facility management services.

B2RLaw provided full legal advice to B+N Referencia Zrt. on the acquisition with its team led by Partner Aleksandra Polak, and core members of the group including Associates Krystyna Jakubowska and Joanna Markowicz-Maciocha, as well as support provided by Partners Anna Cichońska and Marcin Huczkowski; Counsels Malwina Niczke-Chmura, Luiza Wyrębkowska and Filip Badziak, Senior Associate Radosław Minh Nguyen and Associate Radosław Kowalski.

Aleksandra Polak advises, “B+N Referencia Zrt. has seen rapid expansion over the last 2 years to make the Company the leading player in the regional market and we are proud to have had the chance to play our role in their journey. Since Europe’s blue-collar workers originate mostly from the Central Eastern European region, we can expect B+N Referencia Zrt. to expand further into Western Europe. The Company is also shaping the future of facility management. In addition to the continuous improvement of its services, it places a great emphasis on technological innovation, believing that automation and robotics are gaining more and more significance also in what has been a traditional sector”.

B2RLaw advises Skanska Residential Development Poland on the acquisition of a residential project in the center of Krakow

B2RLaw has advised long-standing client Skanska Residential Development Poland on the acquisition of a residential project in the center of Krakow. The planned investment will consist of residential and commercial space with a total project value of PLN 200 million.

The transaction comprised the acquisition of a property including a commercial office building which was subject to a number of lease agreements.

B2RLaw’s team was supervised by Rafał Zięba, Senior Partner, and led by Aleksandra Karteczka – Gurgul (Senior Associate), and included Piotr Leonarski (Senior Associate).

Rafał Zięba comments, “We thank Skanska Residential Development Poland for entrusting us to advise on this transaction. B2RLaw’s Real Estate Practice continues to be the team of choice in respect to transactions in the residential segment and this deal likewise demonstrates our strong position in relation to real estate matters in the Kraków and wider Małopolskie region”.

B2RLaw advises Fortress REIT on its acquisition of the MDC2 Park Łódź South warehouse park project

B2RLaw has advised South African-based Fortress REIT Limited on its agreement with Polish industrial developer MDC2 for the development of the MDC2 Park Łódź South warehouse park project including the acquisition of land for the project.

The distribution centre will offer a leasable area of up to 80,000m2 of modern, sustainable logistics space with its completion planned for late 2023. MDC2 Park Łódź South is designed with environmental and sustainable governance (ESG) at its core. For example, 95% of the construction materials that will be used are recyclable and the roofs of the buildings are designed to be photovoltaic-ready.

MDC2 is a developer of sustainable warehouse and industrial space operating on the Polish market. The project is MDC2 ’s third logistics development.

Fortress REIT Limited is South Africa’s largest owner and developer of core, premium-grade logistics real estate. The project is Fortress’ third logistics park in Poland.

B2R’s team was led by Senior Partner Rafał Zięba and included Counsel Agnieszka Wojciechowska; and Junior Associates Michał Blados and Weronika Nowosielska.

Rafał Zięba advises, “We thank Fortress REIT and MDC2 for trusting us on this collaboration. Logistics and distribution parks are in high demand in Poland. Its especially pleasing to advise on a real estate transaction concerning a property that will have ESG at its core, especially in view that ESG is an area where B2R has formed a specialist dedicated team which has consistently been advising clients on their sustainable and responsible transformations”.

B2RLaw advises SaaS Labs on its acquisition of Polish originating ICT SaaS company CallPage

B2RLaw has advised SaaS Labs in a transaction related to its purchase of 100% shares in CallPage. The transaction was run in parallel with SaaS Lab’s USD 42 million Series B fundraise led by renowned venture capital fund Sequoia Capital with participation from Base10 Partners and Eight Roads.

CallPage is a Warsaw based ICT SaaS company, following blockchain technologies. It was founded in 2015 by Ross Knap, Andrew Tkachiv and Sergey Butko. The company provides inbound marketing tools to its users. The company has developed an automatic callback solution, which connects website visitors with customer advisory representatives. In its history, the company has received investment from some of the largest and most recognised VC funds in CEE/the Baltics including bValue, Wise Guys Investment, Uno Capital, TDJ-Pitango Ventures, Innovation Nest and Market One Capital.

SaaS Labs, which was founded in 2016 by Gaurav Sharma, develops products for sales, support and marketing teams as well as contact centers to boost productivity. The fast-growing company, which operates out of India, the Philippines, and the US, has two main products: Justcall and Helpwise. Justcall enables small and medium businesses to install a cloud-based contact center for sales or support, within minutes with native integrations with over 70 other business tools. Helpwise allows users to consolidate all communication streams in a single shared inbox to increase the efficiency of the customer support team. The acquisition of Callpage adds to the company’s product suite which currently serves 4,000 customers in over 40 countries, including companies such as Walmart, Pipedrive, Dominos and Jaguar.

B2RLaw’s team advised SaaS Labs on legal and tax aspects of the transaction, and was led by Partner Aleksandra Polak, with core support provided by Partner Agnieszka Hajos-Iwańska, PhD and Associate Krystyna Jakubowska. Partners Anna Cichońska and Marcin Huczkowski; Senior Associate Piotr Leonarski; Associate Tomasz Michalczyk and Junior Associate Małgorzata Tomaka also advised.

JP Weber acted as Financial Advisors to SaaS Labs.

Aleksandra Polak advises, “Its fantastic to be advising on another transaction where Polish tech and/or tech expertise has reached such high levels of success to attract the interest from its international peers – a trend which we see is on the rise. We congratulate SaaS Labs and Callpage, and look forward to monitoring their progress as they conquer the global customer services market together”.

Photo – www.freepik.com

B2RLaw advises Focus Estate Fund on the acquisition of Turawa Park shopping center

B2RLaw has advised real estate investment fund Focus Estate Fund on the acquisition of Turawa Park shopping center in Opole, from international investment management group abrdn (previously Standard Life Aberdeen).

Turawa Park is a multi-format shopping center with more than 60 stores and a total area of 35,138 m2. It includes a gallery, a retail park, a DIY-format store area and 1,320 parking spaces. Anchor tenants include well-known brands Carrefour, Reserved, Sinsay, Media Expert, Action, Smyk, as well as other notable tenants such as Rossmann, Big Star, C&A, Pepco, Levis, Sephora and Deichmann.

Focus Estate Fund is a real estate investment fund focusing on non-prime retail properties in Central and Eastern Europe. The Fund’s strategy is to invest in existing mid-scale commercial properties in the most dynamic European markets. Turawa Park is the fourth asset of the Fund’s portfolio in Poland.

B2RLaw’s team advised Focus Estate Fund on the transaction, including legal and tax due diligence, and financing; and was led by Of-Counsel Krzysztof Marzyński. Counsel Filip Badziak led on financing aspects of the transaction. Other members of B2R’s team included Partner Marcin Huczkowski, Counsel Agnieszka Wojciechowska; Senior Associates Aleksandra Karteczka-Gurgul, Radosław Minh Nguyen and Piotr Leonarski; Associate Julia Pycka and Junior Associates Maria Markowska, Ewelina Gralicka and Weronika Nowosielska.

Krzysztof Marzyński advises, “We would like to congratulate Focus Estate Fund on the acquisition of another Polish asset and thank all the parties involved for fruitful cooperation during the whole process. Non-prime retail facilities have proved to be one of the most resilient real estate asset classes during the pandemic. In view of Focus Estate Fund’s concentration on the value added segment of the retail real estate market, we believe that the Fund and its portfolio will continue to flourish over the months and years to come”.

B2RLaw advises on PLN 2 million investment into fintech company, Digital Gateways

B2RLaw has advised private investors on their PLN 2 million investment into fintech company Digital Gateways.

Digital Gateways is a fintech startup powered by The Heart S.A., which provides authentication and customer onboarding procedures for KYC and AML processes, predominantly to the banking industry. The Heart S.A. is a Warsaw-based venture building company that partners, connects and helps develop an ecosystem for corporates to embrace technology changes in their respective industries by supporting entrepreneurs and startups in advancing their ventures.

B2RLaw’s team which was overseen by Senior Partner Rafał Stroiński and was led by Senior Associate Teresa Pilecka and included Associate Joanna Markowicz-Maciocha.

Teresa Pilecka advises, “We congratulate Digital Gateways, The Heart and our clients on this fundraise. The Polish fintech industry continues to see a lot of investment activity, and B2RLaw ‘s team has advised on a good portion of transactions on the market”.