Tobiasz Adam Kowalczyk has joined Volkswagen as its new Head of Legal for Poland.
According to Kowalczyk, as part of his new role, he will be responsible for identifying and managing legal risk in four Polish factories (which employ approximately 10,000 employees), coordinating and administering Volkswagen's Legal Department, bringing innovation and process improvements to the department`s organization and operations, and overseeing its data protection program.
Previously, Kowalczyk served as the Head of the Legal Department and Compliance Officer at Samsung Electronics Poland Manufacturing. For the last few months he worked as an Of Counsel in Dentons' Berlin office, focusing on compliance and corporate law.
Kowalczyk is a graduate of the Nicolas Copernicus University in Torun. He also studied European Law at the University of Miskolc in Hungary and in the European Academy of Diplomacy. As part of his pro bono activities, he is also the Head of Region in the National Chamber of Mediators and Arbitrators. At the same time, as an expert in the Center for Research and Analysis (Employers of Poland), he conducts research on the socio-economic effects of the actions of public authorities and social partners on socio-economic situation, in particular in the enterprise sector in Poland and Europe.
Commenting on the move, Kowalczyk told CEE Legal Matters: "As you know, the automotive industry finds itself in a state of transformation. It is facing major changes and enormous opportunities driven by electric mobility and digitization. I decided to join Volkswagen not only to identify and manage their legal risk but also to impact the business. I truly believe that the wave of the fourth industrial revolution, will profoundly change the outlook of traditional automotive sector. Could there be any better place to experience it than working for the world’s biggest car manufacturer? Being a part of their team was on my radar for a while, and finally became a reality. Over the years I’ve had the privilege of using VW vehicles and I know from first-hand experience what they bring to the market. Not only are they products thought out, but there is thought put behind the design and look of all the parts. I’m thrilled to be joining this dynamic Group and be part of great projects coming from Volkswagen!"
Kowalczyk was also a speaker at the CEE Legal Matters 2016 General Counsel Summit and was interviewed by CEE Legal Matters about his role with Samsung in December 2015.
