Dentons has elected Tomasz Dąbrowski, Head of its CEE practice and Co-Head of its European Corporate group, as its new European CEO. He will take over from Dariusz Oleszczuk whose term ends on 31 December 2013.

Oleszczuk was Global Managing Partner of legacy firm Salans – a role he was elected to for three consecutive terms by the firm’s partnership since 2005 – prior to becoming the European CEO of Dentons in March 2013.

Francois Chateau, Dentons’ Global Vice Chair and European Chair, said: “I would like to congratulate Tomasz on his election as CEO of Dentons Europe. At a time when Dentons is entering, globally, a new era, I have no doubt that Tomasz, with his very successful track record as a manager and business developer, will lead the European region to capitalise on the unprecedented opportunities our new firm offers us to expand and service our clients across the globe.

I would also like to thank Dariusz for his outstanding service to the firm. During his three terms we have seen a period of tremendous growth, including our successful combination to become Dentons earlier this year. His leadership has built a strong foundation for the growth and success of our firm’s future.”

In over 20 years of practice, Dąbrowski has built a strong reputation as a Corporate and M&A specialist both in Poland and across Europe. During his career he has represented some of the largest international companies, private equity funds, banks and other institutional clients in the region. This includes mandates such as advising Groupe Canal+ on its €1.5 billion merger with TVN SA (a leading Polish media group) and representing Vivendi on its 11-year settlement dispute with Deutsche Telekom, for which Vivendi received compensation of €1.25 billion.

Dąbrowski joined legacy firm Salans as an Associate in Warsaw in 1992 and was made Partner in 2000. He became Office Managing Partner of the Warsaw office in 2006 and Head of the CEE practice and Co-Head of the Corporate Group in 2011. Under his leadership, the Warsaw office has tripled its revenues over the last six years and become the largest law firm and one of the top rated practices in the region.

Commenting on his new appointment, Tomasz Dąbrowski said: “I am delighted to see a strong support among our partners for the continued growth in Europe and for building a top law firm on the continent by capitalising on the new Dentons brand and the strengths of our global firm."

During Oleszczuk’s tenure, legacy firm Salans grew from around 405 to 760 lawyers, opened six new offices in Germany, Hungary, Spain, and Belgium, and reinforced its presence in Turkey. It achieved sustainable growth despite the global economic downturn and increased its revenue by around 65%. In March 2013, Salans combined with SNR Denton and Fraser Milner Casgrain to become Dentons, a new top-ten global law firm. Dentons has recently been ranked by Acritas as one of the top 20 legal brands in the world.

Dariusz Oleszczuk said: “It has been both a great honour and a privilege to be able to lead Salans and now Dentons Europe. We have experienced a period of unprecedented growth, challenge and change over the past nine years, and I would like to thank all our partners, lawyers and staff for  the support they have provided and who were the foundation for our success. 

Following our combination earlier this year, this is an extremely exciting moment in the life of our firm and for Tomasz to take over as the new CEO of Dentons Europe."  Tomasz has spent the past 20 years with us and brings a wealth of management experience and achievement, in addition to his outstanding career and practice as a leading corporate partner.  I am certain that his vision, energy and drive will help propel Dentons Europe to even greater success as a truly global law firm in the years to come.” 

Elliott Portnoy, Global CEO of Dentons, added: “Tomasz is an exceptional lawyer and inspiring leader, and I very much look forward to working closely with Tomasz and all of our colleagues in Dentons Europe as we build our new firm together in Europe and around the world.”

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