Rafał Kozłowski appointed Partner in the Corporate and M&A practice and Head of the Emerging Companies and Growth Capital team at Osborne Clarke’s Warsaw office

With effect from 1 April 2026, Rafał Kozłowski, previously Counsel in the transactional team, has been promoted to Partner in the Corporate and M&A practice and Head of the Emerging Companies and Growth Capital team at Osborne Clarke’s Warsaw office. This promotion aligns with the firm’s global strategy focused on the dynamic growth of transactional advisory services for innovative businesses and investment funds.

Rafał is a recognised expert in venture and growth capital transactions as well as M&A, with a particular focus on the technology sector. For many years he has advised founders of leading tech companies and financial investors at various stages of their development, including PE/VC, CVC and family office funds. In his new role, he will be responsible for further strengthening the firm’s position as the first-choice advisor for growth-stage companies and capital investors.

“Rafał has a rare ability – even among top-tier lawyers at the leading global law firms – to build truly deep and long-lasting client relationships. This is what makes clients see him not only as a lawyer, but as a strategic advisor in their business ventures,” comments Tomasz Olkiewicz, Co-Managing Partner at Osborne Clarke in Poland.

Rob Wood, a Partner in the London office of Osborne Clarke  and a leader of the firm's international Emerging Companies & Venture Capital (ECVC) group, adds: “Rafał’s appointment as Partner and Head of the Emerging Companies and Growth Capital team is an important milestone for our international practice advising on cross-border transactions. Poland has firmly established itself as a strong player in CEE, with a vibrant ecosystem that is attracting increasing interest from global investors and PE/VC funds. By strengthening our leadership in Warsaw, we are ensuring that our international clients have seamless access to the largest market in the region.”
Rafał’s unique expertise is also highly valued by the market and Osborne Clarke’s clients.

Stanisław Kastory, co-founder of Expeditions Fund VC, says: “We completed one of our investments, supported by Rafał and his team, in three days. There was no other option, as the company was highly competitive and we had to move decisively. In these conditions, which are common in VC, understanding the context and what matters most for Expeditions’ interests and security is crucial. The fast pace cannot come at the expense of the quality of advice. That is why we expected Rafał and his team to be able to properly assess risk and negotiate those deal terms that were critical from our perspective, without being distracted by secondary issues or purely theoretical risks. And that is exactly what we received.”

Adam Radzki, founder of HearMe (currently Hedepy), investor and business angel, comments: “In several transactions we worked on together, Rafał was more than just our lawyer. He has an excellent understanding of the rules of the game that apply to growth-capital-backed companies, and he translates that into a smooth transaction process. What I value most is his strategic mindset and his focus on what is truly important to closing the round – without unnecessary formalities. He is a great partner for founders – professional, straightforward and with a very strong grasp of the founder’s perspective.”

The newly appointed partner comments on his promotion: “Taking on the role of Head of the Emerging Companies and Growth Capital team is a great honour and a challenge that I accept with a lot of energy and humility. I would like to thank our clients for their trust and the fantastic projects we have delivered together, and the Osborne Clarke leadership for consistently developing our transactional practice. We believe in the potential of Polish entrepreneurs and innovators and in the growing maturity of the growth capital market. I am excited to further strengthen our transactional practice, making sure that our services are not only of the highest quality, but also tailored to a rapidly changing world. My priority remains supporting our clients’ growth and actively developing our team, which is the foundation of our success.”