Behind the scenes at KWKR: Radosław Urban on law, passion, and working with our team

What do you do, what areas of law are closest to you?

Tax advisory – and although it may sound like a dry answer, in reality it is one of the most dynamic and demanding areas of law. Every day I help clients navigate the maze of tax regulations, which in Poland can be more confusing than the Minotaur’s labyrinth.

I deal with comprehensive tax planning for companies – from small startups to multinational corporations. I analyze the tax implications of business transactions, restructurings, mergers, and acquisitions. I also advise on transfer pricing, optimizing holding structures, or settlements with foreign contractors. It is a field where every detail matters – one misinterpreted statute or an overlooked tax relief can cost a client millions.

I also work on disputes with tax authorities – I represent clients in tax proceedings, prepare individual interpretations, and assist in negotiations with tax offices. Tax law is not just numbers and paragraphs – it is an ongoing strategic game with the tax authorities, where you need to know not only the regulations but also the practice of their application and the latest case law.

What is your superpower at KWKR – what is your strength at work?

Not Superman, not Batman, but definitely Taxman. If there is a tax puzzle to solve, I’m there to help – armed with a full arsenal of analytical tools.

My superpower is the ability to translate complex tax regulations into the understandable language of business. Clients often come to me with problems that seem unsolvable – a transaction blocked by unclear tax consequences, a tax audit threatening business continuity, or simply chaos in settlements. That’s when Taxman steps in: I analyze the situation from every angle, search for loopholes (legal ones, of course), find precedents, and build a strategy that minimizes risk and maximizes benefits.

I can also look at the case from the perspective of a tax officer – I know their mindset, their priorities, and the arguments they will use. This allows me to anticipate their moves and prepare my client for every scenario. In tax law, it is not enough to know the regulations – you also need to understand the psychology of the people who enforce them.

What do you value most about working at KWKR? Why do you like being part of our team?

At KWKR, no two cases are ever the same. This diversity keeps my mind in constant “challenge accepted” mode. Tax law is a field that rewards intellectual curiosity – the deeper you dive into the regulations, the more fascinating connections and opportunities you uncover. And that’s exactly the kind of projects I handle at KWKR – not routine PIT filings, but real tax puzzles.

Beyond that, I really value the people I work with: intelligent, reasonable, competent, and collegial. At KWKR there is no toxic atmosphere where everyone hides their knowledge and treats colleagues as competition. Here we can openly discuss complex issues, exchange experiences, and look together for the best solutions. If I have doubts about interpreting a provision, I can approach a colleague from another field of law and get a fresh perspective that often solves my problem.

What are your passions – what do you do in your free time?

My life outside of law is above all about literature and philosophy. I love books, debates, and podcasts on philosophical, cultural, and related topics. Paradoxically, philosophy and tax law have more in common than one might think – both require precise thinking, analysis, and the ability to see hidden meanings.

I am particularly interested in political philosophy and ethics – questions about justice, freedom, and the limits of state interference. As a tax lawyer, I deal daily with the tension between the state’s right to collect taxes and the citizens’ right to protect their assets. These philosophical dilemmas are not abstract – they are the real-life cases of my clients, who often face arbitrary decisions from tax authorities.

And also film and music. I enjoy everything that makes you think and feel. And weekends? That’s camper time. I pack my family into the camper and we set off across Poland – no plan, no schedule, just us and the open road. It’s the perfect way to disconnect from work.

What is one piece of legal advice you would give to clients without hesitation?

Before making any business decision, think about taxes. Seriously. It sounds obvious, but the number of clients who come to me after the fact asking “and what will the tax consequences be?” is staggering.

Taxes are not something you think about at the end, when closing the books. They are a fundamental element of every business decision – from choosing the legal form of activity, through structuring transactions, to employee compensation schemes. A decision that looks great from a business perspective may be a tax disaster. And a decision that seems unprofitable at first glance may, thanks to smart tax optimization, turn out very beneficial.

I’ve seen entrepreneurs lose millions because they didn’t think about taxes when restructuring their business. I’ve also seen those who avoided huge liabilities because they asked a tax lawyer before signing a contract. The difference? Timing. In tax law, prevention is a thousand times cheaper than cure.

And one more thing: don’t underestimate tax formalities. Even if they seem silly, absurd, or unnecessary – ignoring them can cost you much more than complying with them.

What has surprised you most about working as a lawyer since joining the profession?

The variety of approaches to tax risk among clients. We see the full spectrum: from “Please make sure there is not the slightest doubt and nobody bothers me” to “Please make sure I pay as little as possible and don’t go to prison.”

And here lies the core of my job – I’ve learned that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to tax advisory. Every client has a different risk appetite, different priorities, and a different philosophy of doing business. Some sleep well only when they know every penny of tax is overpaid, every interpretation is crystal clear, and the tax office has no grounds to raise objections. For them, tax optimization means the safest possible reliefs and preferences explicitly provided by law.

Then there are clients at the other end of the spectrum – those who want to balance on the edge of what is still legal. They ask about the most aggressive structures, search for loopholes, and test the limits of interpretation. And here my role becomes more challenging – I need to show them where the line lies between optimization and avoidance, between permissible tax planning and what could end in serious consequences.

Interestingly, neither of these approaches is “bad” or “good” – just different. My job is to understand the client’s philosophy, assess their true risk appetite (because sometimes what they say differs from what they can actually accept), and tailor the tax strategy to their needs. Sometimes that means convincing an ultra-cautious client that a certain solution is genuinely safe. And sometimes – cooling the enthusiasm of a client who wants to go too far.

In what area of law are you and the KWKR team ready to support clients?

Planning a complex transaction, business reorganization, or an investment with international capital? You need support that combines strategic thinking with full tax safety? Together with the KWKR team, I will help you navigate the complexities of tax law with full control over risks and opportunities.

I specialize in comprehensive tax advisory for companies at every stage of their growth. From planning M&A transaction structures, through securing settlements with the tax authorities and negotiating with them, to optimizing the efficiency of the entire venture – we make sure your decisions are not only profitable but also compliant with the law.

I help structure investments in a way that minimizes tax burdens while ensuring full legal security. I advise on transfer pricing, restructuring of holdings, optimization of settlements with foreign contractors. I prepare individual interpretations and represent clients in disputes with tax authorities – from ordinary audits to complex proceedings before administrative courts.

If you are wondering how to tax a new business model, how to settle with a foreign shareholder, or how to defend yourself against a tax audit – I am ready to help. Because in tax law, it’s not just about knowing the regulations, but above all about the ability to think strategically and anticipate the consequences of every decision. And that’s exactly what I offer together with the KWKR team – comprehensive support that combines legal expertise with business pragmatism.