Piotr Falarz

Counsel
Advocate (adwokat)
Piotr Falarz is a highly committed, pragmatic and determined lawyer. His ability to turn around a challenging project deserves special recognition.
Legal 500, White-Collar Crime, 2025
About

Piotr Falarz has more than 15 years of experience in advising on anti-money laundering regulations (in both financial and non-financial markets) and on unfair competition and cybercrime.

He assists clients in internal investigations, including investigations and proceedings conducted by regulatory authorities, and supports them by designing and implementing preventive measures such as anti-corruption programmes, AML/CFT procedures, and instructions on crisis management aimed at minimising the effects of business disruption, for example as a result of a cybercriminal attack.

Piotr is a regular speaker at conferences and other events dedicated to anti-money laundering and cybersecurity and has authored many publications on anti-money laundering regulations.

In 2024, he launched the AML/CFT Observer on LinkedIn, where he publishes the latest information and comments on changes in AML/CFT regulations in Poland and the European Union.

Professional QualificationsAdvocate (Adwokat) registered with the Warsaw Bar Association of Advocates (Okręgowa Izba Adwokacka w Warszawie), 2013

EXPERIENCE

  • Representing a US client in the successful recovery of USD17 million stolen by cybercriminals.
  • Representing a Portuguese client in the successful recovery of EUR7 million stolen by cybercriminals.
  • Representing a US bank in the successful recovery of EUR9 million stolen by cybercriminals.
  • Advising major banks operating in Poland on AML regulations and customer due diligence processes, including assistance in drafting internal AML regulations.
  • Advising one of the biggest global media corporations on implementing a code of conduct and conflict of interest procedures in their companies in Poland.
  • Conducting and concluding an investigation for a major construction company in Europe in a case relating to trade secret espionage and employee poaching.
  • Advising a global media and entertainment company on audit management and on the preparation and implementation of internal compliance policies aimed at minimising operational risks.
  • Advising a US technology company that was the victim of an international internet fraud.
  • Representing a US-based coatings manufacturer as an injured party in criminal proceedings related to crimes committed by former employees and in civil cases in connection with breaches of non-compete obligations.
  • Representing a leading FMCG company in an internal investigation and in criminal proceedings related to fraud.
  • Advising a leading global ICT provider in the course of an internal investigation concerning irregularities in defining the terms of sale of its products during the implementation of one of the company's projects.
  • Advising a Europe-based FMCG reseller that was the victim of cybercrime.
  • Representing a US-based company from the oil and gas sector in a series of unfair competition cases in connection with its brand protection policy in Poland.
Languages
  • Polish
  • English
  • German

Awards and Recognitions

  • Recommended in White-Collar Crime – The Legal 500 EMEA 2021-24
  • "(…) and Piotr Falarz stand out not only because of their deep expertise in complex UBO cases but also due to their strategic foresight and unparalleled commitment to client. What sets them apart from competitors is their combination of legal brilliance, industry insight, and a pragmatic, results–oriented approach. What truly distinguishes the team is their strategic mindset, outstanding communication skills, collaborative and client–entered approach." – Legal 500 EMEA 2026, White–Collar Crime
  • "Piotr Falarz is a highly committed, pragmatic and determined lawyer. His ability to turn around a challenging project deserves special recognition.” – Legal 500 2025, White–Collar Crime
  • “Piotr Falarz is recognised specialists in terms of WCC cases on the Polish market.” – The Legal 500 EMEA, White-Collar Crime 2022
Education
  • Jagiellonian University, Kraków – Postgraduate studies in penal-fiscal and penal-commercial law, 2016
  • Jagiellonian University, Kraków – Master's degree in International Relations, 2010
  • Jagiellonian University, Kraków – Master of Laws, 2009

Prior Experience

  • May 2022 – present, Counsel, DLA Piper, Warsaw
  • April 2017 – July 2017, Law Clerk, DLA Piper (US), Chicago, Washington DC
  • May 2015 – April 2022, Senior Associate, DLA Piper, Warsaw
  • November 2011 – April 2015, Associate, DLA Piper, Warsaw
  • 2009 – October 2011, Junior Associate, DLA Piper, Warsaw
  • 2009, Trainee, global law firm, Warsaw

Memberships

Warsaw Bar Association of Advocates (Izba Adwokacka w Warszawie), 2013