An in-depth look at Jakub Celinski of Dentons, covering his career path, education, and top projects as a lawyer, as well as a few insights about him as a manager at work and as a person outside the office.
Career:
- Dentons; Poland Co-Managing Partner; 2025-present
- Dentons; Partner; 2016-present
- Baker McKenzie; Partner; 2005-2016
- Baker McKenzie; Associate; 1996-2005
Education:
- University of Warsaw; PhD in Law; 2004
- University of Warsaw; MA in Law; 1997
Favorites:
- Out-of-office activity: Mowing the lawn and gardening
- Quote: “Whatever you are, be a good one.” – Abraham Lincoln
- Book: Africa Is Not a Country by Dipo Faloyin
- Movie: Picnic at Hanging Rock
Top 5 Projects:
- Advising Profitroom, the largest regional provider of online reservation solutions for hotels, on its sale to private equity fund MCI;
- Advising Veolia on the ongoing project financing of a waste-to-energy facility in Lodz;
- Advising mBank on its inaugural EUR 400 million Tier 2 bond issuance;
- Advising ADM on its public takeover of Elstar Oils;
- Advising Telekomunikacja Polska on its privatization and IPO on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.
CEELM: What would you say was the most challenging project you ever worked on and why?
Celinski: Advising ADM on its acquisition of Elstar Oils was definitely one of the most challenging – and thrilling – deals I’ve worked on. It was a rare public M&A transaction on the Polish market, with two competing bidders, both major international corporations, going head-to-head for control of a Warsaw-listed company. The process was intense, fast-paced, full of dramatic twists, strategic maneuvers, and even private investigators entering the scene. At times, it felt more like a corporate thriller than a legal deal.
CEELM: What was your main takeaway from it?
Celinski: I learned the importance of recognizing my weaknesses and balancing them by building the right team around me. While one team member expertly handled documentation, I focused on negotiations and client-facing matters. Real strength doesn’t always come from within; it often lies in the team you build and how effectively you play to one another’s strengths.
CEELM: What is one thing clients likely don’t know about you?
Celinski: That I have over 30 years of professional experience – and with that comes a healthy perspective on the daily crises that often arise during deals. With the right mindset, most problems can be solved. If both sides are willing, a deal is almost always within reach.
CEELM: Name one mentor who played a big role in your career and how they impacted you.
Celinski: Peter Swiecicki, an American lawyer who came to Poland in the early 90s at the invitation of the Ministry of Privatization, played a key role in shaping not only my career but also that of many young lawyers at the time. He taught us how the law really works in practice and how little of what we learn at university applies in the real world. His cultural depth was equally striking. Peter showed us that being a great lawyer is as much about communicating with clarity as it is about knowing the rules.
CEELM: Name one mentee you are particularly proud of.
Celinski: Jarek Lorenz – now counsel at Clifford Chance – is a mentee I’m particularly proud of. I’ve always valued his calm, measured approach and emotional intelligence in navigating complex situations. It’s a rare combination, one that makes him not only an excellent lawyer but also someone who brings calm and clarity to high-pressure situations.
CEELM: What is the one piece of advice you’d give yourself fresh out of law school?
Celinski: Skip the law firm – go straight to private equity or investment bank. Fewer memos, more opportunities, and you’ll still get to argue a lot – just with higher stakes!
This article was originally published in Issue 12.9 of the CEE Legal Matters Magazine. If you would like to receive a hard copy of the magazine, you can subscribe here.
