Speakers 2023 Edition

Head of the Consular Section at the U.S. Consulate General in Krakow. She arrived in Krakow in late September and had an honor of representing the U.S. Consulate at the opening ceremony of the new academic year at JU. Margaret is a professional U.S. diplomat.

She served on diplomatic assignments in five countries – Ukraine, The Czech Republic, Poland, Morocco, and Ghana – as well as in Washington, DC. Prior to joining the U.S. Foreign Service, Margaret practiced corporate law at a multi-national law firm in New York and in Tokyo, Latham & Watkins. She graduated with a J.D. degree from the Berkeley Law School at the University of California and holds a B.A. in French from the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA). Margaret also studied Polish law at UJ in 1980s and had a pleasure of meeting the participants of the UJ-CUA exchange program in Krakow in 1993.

J.D. from Boston College Law School; admitted to the Massachusetts Bar; Counsel at the Bank of New York Mellon. Prior to his current position, Jonathan was a Counsel at State Street.

His practice focuses on commercial contracting including for software licensing, technology, outsourcing, consulting and a range of other products and services.

Founder & CEO, LYNKA; Vice Chair, American Chamber of Commerce in Poland; MBA (The Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania); B.S. Mechanical Engineering (Lehigh University).

John is an American entrepreneur, writer and public speaker who lives in Krakow, Poland since 1991. He was one of the first expatriates to launch a start-up in Poland in the aftermath of the fall of communism. His company LYNKA is a European leader in corporate apparel. In 2014, John was awarded the highest civilian honor in Poland, the Order of the Gold Cross from the President of Poland, for his contributions to building Poland’s free market economy during the past 25 years. In 2017, John was voted CEE’s Ex-Pat CEO of the Year. His first novel, The Ark, an international business and legal thriller set in Poland, was published in 2021 by Ringier Axel Springer and made the Polish best-seller list.

Dean of the Columbus School of Law, The Catholic University of America; graduate of B.S. Cornell University; J.D. Yale Law School. Dean Payne was a partner and the chair of the FDA and Health Care practice group at the global law firm, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP.

Previously, he practiced at Sidley Austin LLP and was a Captain in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps. Admitted to the DC and New York bars, he received the highest rating of “Leading” from the Practical Law Company, was named a “Life Sciences Star” by the legal guide LMG Life Sciences, and was ranked in 2019 as a “Litigation Star” in Washington, D.C. by Benchmark Litigation.

CUA Director of CUA-UJ Law Programs, namely American Law Program, International Business and Trade Summer Law Program, and LL.M. in American Law. Professor Emerita of Law; J.D. (Harvard Law School).

She served as CUA Law’s clinical program coordinator, an Associate Dean, and taught professional responsibility, criminal law, and the externship seminar, Becoming a Lawyer. She has taught, presented, or consulted in 35 countries regarding teaching legal ethics, legal profession reform, clinical education, and legal education generally. Professor Wortham was Chair of the Rules of Professional Conduct Review Committee and the Legal Ethics Committee of the DC Bar, which has more than 100,000 members.

Director of the CUA-UJ American Law Program, Ph.D. in law (diploma cum laude), assistant at the Chair of Civil Law UJ (Department of Comparative Private Law), attorney at law, court expert in American inheritance law.

Winner of 4th place Risings Stars – Lawyers of Tomorrow Prize, scholar of Ministry of Science and Higher Education for outstanding young scientists, scholar of “Start” by Foundation of Polish Science.
Former post-doc in the grant project "Homo consumens, Homo ecologicus – Ecological Efficiency Test of the New Directive on Certain Aspects Concerning Contracts for the Sale of Goods" financed by National Science Centre, former scientific assistant at the University of Osnabrück, European Legal Studies Institute.

Attorney-at-law, counsel at PwC Legal Żelaźnicki sp.k., head of PwC Legal team in Cracow, graduate of Faculty of Law and Administration at Jagiellonian University, alumni of the American Law Program.

Has extensive experience in advising international clients, including the U.S. companies, in establishing their business presence in Poland, during their day-to-day business conduct, as well as in comprehensive reorganization processes and cross-border M&A transactions. Member of the PwC succession planning team. Additionally, Filip is regularly recognized by Legal 500 EMEA Ranking as a key lawyer in the PwC Legal investment funds practice.

Attorney-at-law, mediator, and partner at Trzeciak|Chmal, as well as a collector of contemporary art. Author of the book “Collection. A Personal Exhibition”, dedicated to his personal journey with art.

From 2000 to 2017, he worked with the international law firm White & Case, where he served as a partner leading the energy and natural resources practice. He was involved in some of the largest transactions in the energy sector in Poland. He is also a co-founder of Business & Science Poland in Brussels—a business association representing the interests of major Polish companies before EU institutions.

He was a board member and energy expert at the Sobieski Institute. He collaborates with various NGOs, including the Zbigniew Pełczyński School for Leaders, the Friends of the Museum of Modern Art Association, the Center for Divine Providence, and the Tertio Millennio Institute.

He is also a high-altitude mountaineer. In his professional practice, he focuses on regulatory matters and public affairs.

Fulbright Alumni Ambassador, Fulbright Junior Visiting Scholar at Columbia Law School in New York (2023), and the Foundation for Polish Science START Fellow. Conducts research on financial markets regulation at the Business Law Department of the Jagiellonian University. Manager for External Relations at the Kościuszko Mound Committee in Kraków.

Earned his Master of Laws degree with summa cum laude distinction from Jagiellonian University in Kraków. Project Coordinator at the CUA Columbus School of Law in Washington D.C., Principal Investigator of the National Center for Science research grant at the University of Warsaw. Two-time recipient of the international SYLFF grant (in United States and Australia). Completed numerous scientific scholarships and internships at prestigious academic institutions, including University of Cambridge, Melbourne Law School, Bucerius Law School, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, and the Program in the EU Private Law for Postgraduates. Graduated with honors from the American Law School at Jagiellonian University and Columbus School of Law in Washington D.C. Founder and board member of the Semper Augustus Foundation, a scientific think tank offering pro bono education in the field of business and company law.

My participation and expert contribution to the substantive content of this event were made possible thanks to the generous support of the Polish National Science Center (NCN) scientific grant “Preludium” No. 2018/29/N/HS5/02977.

American trained attorney with 24 years experience working as both attorney and senior management in Central & Eastern Europe.

Currently Director of Landwealth sro, a Czech based real estate developer and former Director of several real estate investment funds in CEE. Member of the Polish Canadian Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors in Poland.

Team Leader at the Investment Centre, she specialises in serving investors from the modern services sector, advising them on locating investments in Poland.

Prior to joining PAIH, from 2008 to 2019, she worked at Big Four consulting firms, including supporting entrepreneurs in obtaining financing for new investments and research and development projects from EU and national funds. She graduated from the University of Warsaw and the Warsaw School of Economics with degrees in Iberian Studies and Management, respectively.

Ph.D. in law (Jagiellonian University), advocate in Poland and partner in M&A / VC practice of B2RLaw - independent law firm that houses multi-disciplinary experts focused on the different types of matters and transactions ranging from VC, PE, Public Listed M&A, Cross-Border/Multi Jurisdiction; the standout leader for VC and NTT company transactions in Poland and CEE.

An author of several books and articles in recognized magazines, co-author of the series of e-books "Make a startup right", free guides for startup originators. Conducts transactional projects from VC to multi-entity and multi-jurisdiction industry transactions. Has extensive cross-border experience and knowledge of international standards and requirements in the area of compliance & ESG as a head of B2RLaw’s Compliance 360 practice.

M.A. (Faculty of Law and Administration, Jagiellonian University in Kraków), MBA (University of Bedfordshire, UK). He joined the American Chamber of Commerce in January 2019, to run the Kraków and Katowice Branch of AmCham Poland and was appointed Branch Director in January 2021.

Mateusz is also responsible for running ’AmCham 30 Under 30’ - a youth development program, coordinates energy-related issues and the ‘Rebuild Ukraine’ working group. Except that he is a lead of American Investor Desk – an AmCham project supporting Polish companies on their way to the U.S. market expansion. He has 18 years of professional experience in senior management positions, working for both Polish and international companies, where he focused on finance, quality, relationship-building, and sales.

Gaspar Kot is a markets, products, and structuring lawyer at UBS Asset Management in Zurich, Switzerland. PhD in law (Jagiellonian University in Kraków) and a member of the attorneys-at-law bar in Poland. He also holds an LL.M. degree from the University of Heidelberg as well as The Catholic University of America.

Gaspar Kot is a markets, products, and structuring lawyer at UBS Asset Management in Zurich, Switzerland. PhD in law (Jagiellonian University in Kraków) and a member of the attorneys-at-law bar in Poland. He also holds an LL.M. degree from the University of Heidelberg as well as The Catholic University of America.

Advocate, Managing Partner of KKG (Kubas Kos Gałkowski law firm), Ph.D. in law (Jagiellonian University in Kraków), LL.M. in American Law (CUA and UJ).

member of the Entrepreneurship Council, an advisory body to the President of Poland, member of The Board of Visitors at the Columbus School of Law (CUA, Washington D.C.), recommended lawyer e.g. in Legal 500 Private Practice Arbitration Powerlist - CEE Region.

Izabela Nowacka, LL.M. (University of Orléans), Ph.D. (Jagiellonian University). Attorney at law. She has advised on multiple cross-boarder transactions for IT, oil and gas and financial sector clients, mainly in the area of procurement, IP and technology outsourcing.

As a Vice President and counsel at a major US financial institution, her focus is to support global vendor agreements and advise on managing company’s IP portfolio. Prior to her current role, she held a counsel position at oil and gas company supporting its digitalisation process and commercial technology transactions.

A Polish-qualified legal advisor, an English-qualified solicitor and US-qualified attorney (state of New York), a Partner at Wardynski & Partners. M.A. in law (Jagiellonian University), LL.M. (Cornell Law School).

Jakub’s practice focuses on M&A, complex commercial transactions, joint ventures, private equity and capital markets. He has extensive experience in a range of share and asset acquisitions, mergers, leveraged and management buyouts and other forms of corporate restructurings. Jakub also advises in complex, multi-jurisdictional transactions and cross-border joint ventures. Prior to joining Wardynski, he worked with other international law firms in New York and Warsaw.

U.S. (New York State) and Polish attorney-at-law, LL.M. in Corporate and Finance Law (Widener University School of Law, Wilmington, Delaware, US), law graduate with honors (Jagiellonian University).

Founder and managing partner of the Gostyński & Partners law firm. He specializes in international law, particularly in international commercial transactions. His other specializations include civil and commercial law. His office coordinates the firm's litigation and arbitration department.

LL.M. (Harvard Law School), master in law (Jagiellonian University). He has extensive experience in cross-national commercial transactions.

As a senior legal counsel at Vestas Wind Systems A/S, a leading international wind turbine OEM, Michał assists with strategic offshore wind projects and related governance matters. Prior to his current position, Michał held roles at a prominent international law firm in Boston and Warsaw, as well as a Polish private equity fund.

LL.M. in American Law (CUA); advocate admitted to the Warsaw Bar; partner at Peak Legal; from 2018 to 2021, named as the top dispute resolution lawyer in Poland by Rzeczpospolita Daily; featured in the Who's Who of Foreign Attorneys section of the National Jurist Fall 2019; co-founder at Expedition Cooperative; member of CUA Law School’s Board of Visitors. He has led or supervised more than three hundred technology litigations, the aggregated value of which exceeds a couple billion USD.

LL.M. in American Law (CUA); advocate admitted to the Warsaw Bar; partner at Peak Legal; from 2018 to 2021, named as the top dispute resolution lawyer in Poland by Rzeczpospolita Daily; featured in the Who's Who of Foreign Attorneys section of the National Jurist Fall 2019; co-founder at Expedition Cooperative; member of CUA Law School’s Board of Visitors. He has led or supervised more than three hundred technology litigations, the aggregated value of which exceeds a couple billion USD.

Currently, an independent consultant in the fields of organizing and operating of defense logistical systems for western-made equipment; from 2003 to 2021, he worked or collaborated with organizations and companies (mainly from USA) from the defence industry dealing with issues of operating and maintaining of western aviation technology. In particular, he was responsible for organizing the supply system for the newly acquired F-16 aircraft, for its continued support and for its implementation in Poland.

Currently, an independent consultant in the fields of organizing and operating of defense logistical systems for western-made equipment; from 2003 to 2021, he worked or collaborated with organizations and companies (mainly from USA) from the defence industry dealing with issues of operating and maintaining of western aviation technology. In particular, he was responsible for organizing the supply system for the newly acquired F-16 aircraft, for its continued support and for its implementation in Poland.

Regional Director CEE for Public Policy at Amazon and chair of the Digital Economy Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Poland.

Before joining Amazon, Mariusz was Executive Director, Government Affairs & Policy CEE at General Electric. Prior career steps include leading roles in Poland and in Brussels with Alstom, the European Commission (DG Regio, Unit Poland), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA). Mariusz holds a Bachelor in Business Administration, a Master’s degree in International Relations and a Postgraduate degree in European Law. He is also a graduate of the Stern Leadership Academy program at Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

Attorney at law; partner at Olesiński & Wspólnicy. He represents top European, American and Asian companies in their development in Poland, in particular in construction and development investments – from due diligence and feasilibity study of investment locations, through comprehensive support in the process of real estate acquisition and construction services, to control and settlement of investments.

He has been working by both greenfield and brownfield investments. He leads expert teams: US Desk, German Desk, Asian Desk and Spanish Desk specializing in services for clients from these regions and is responsible for the development of the international network and foreign investment & construction competence in Olesiński & Wspólnicy.

Dean of the Faculty of Law and Administration, Jagiellonian University in Kraków. Professor of law; head of the Chair of Civil Law (UJ), chairman of the Legal Committee of the Polish Academy of Skills (PAU) in Kraków; past vice-chairman of the Codification Commission at the Polish Ministry of Justice.

Past member of the group of experts of the European Commission for European contract law. In his research, he focuses his scientific interests on contract law (consumer law), rights in rem (in particular security for claims in rem), inheritance law, private banking law (in particular monetary settlements and credit agreements), European civil procedure and private international law.

Małgorzata Podrecka is a long-tenured officer, member and Vice President of the CANPACK Management Board since 2013, overseeing company’s legal, compliance, ESG and public relations strategies. In 2025, she was honored with the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta by the President of Poland. Małgorzata sits on the Board of the Council of Polish Global Entrepreneurs. She is also the member of the Council of the Jagiellonian University.

She holds a law degree from the Jagiellonian University in Kraków and is a licensed legal counsel and member of the bar. Her academic background also includes studies at the Catholic University of Leuven and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. She earned her post-doctoral degree from the Jagiellonian University in Kraków.

Vice President of the Krakow Technology Park, lawyer, local government member, entrepreneur, councillor of the City of Krakow in the 4th, 5th and 7th terms of office. He graduated from the Jagiellonian University with MA in law, he completed a post-graduate programme on the European Union and a traineeship for parliamentary officers.

Founder of 'School of Debates', the oldest Oxford Debate Competition in Poland, and a trainer of public speaking with long-standing experience. In Krakow Technology Park he oversees new investments of international companies in Małopolska region, that among other services of KPT, use Polish Investment Zone programme, successor to special economic zones.

Dr. Hab. in law, Professor at the Chair of International Public Law, Jagiellonian University in Kraków; head of OKSPO Center for Foreign Law Schools; member of UNA Europa Sustainability Self-Steering Committee; Head of the flagship project Centre for Advanced Sustainability Studies; member of Polish Accreditation Committee.

He is a principal investigator of the NCN research grant entitled Rights of Nature - a vehicle for sustainable development ? Operationalisation and critique from an international and comparative law perspective. His research interests are: international trade and investment law, international law of natural resources, comparative legal language.

Head of the Department for Entrepreneurship & Innovation of the Kraków City Hall.

Responsible for issues related to supporting the development of innovative economy and revitalization of urban space. A graduate of the Jagiellonian University in the fields of management and law.

Professor in law, Professor at the Chair of Civil Law, Jagiellonian University in Kraków and at European Legal Studies Institute, University of Osnabrück, doctor honoris causa of the West-Ukrainian National University in Ternopil.

Past member of the Executive Committee of the European Law Institute, the Common Frame of Reference and Committee of Acquis Group drafting teams as well as the Member of the Codification Commission at the Polish Ministry of Justice (until 2015 and from 2024).