Agnieszka Chrzanowska, Partner and Head of the Kochański & Partners Media Sector, has been appointed Publications Officer on the Media Law Committee of the International Bar Association (IBA). This achievement has twofold significance, as it is also the first time that such a high-ranking position within the IBA has been entrusted to a Polish lawyer.

Publications Officer is a new position created within the Media Law Committee and consists of a two-year appointment, with effect from January this year. This prestigious appointment consolidates the strong position of Kochański & Partners as a firm and Agnieszka Chrzanowska individually as one of the leading and most respected media law practitioners in this jurisdiction.

The IBA, active since 1947, is the largest organisation of lawyers in the world, with more than 80,000 members from over 170 countries. The IBA Media Law Committee develops and coordinates a wide range of projects and activities, focusing on the legal aspects of the media industry, with a particular focus on its international nature. With several hundred of the most respected media law practitioners from around the world, the Committee focuses on traditional media, but also deals with online communications and e-commerce issues, and regularly discusses new directions in media technology. As Publications Officer, Agnieszka Chrzanowska’s responsibilities will include coordination of IBA publications authored by individual Committee members and organisation of media webinars.

This new role is a great honour and a recognition of Agnieszka Chrzanowska's professional achievements. It will lead to not only the strengthening of the Kochański & Partners Media Sector Practice, which she heads, but also help establish new international contacts, in line with the IBA's mission of initiating and implementing activities beyond national frameworks, promoting intensive cross-border dialogue and cooperation.

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to actively engage and collaborate in the activities of the Media Law Committee, and am sure that my regional outlook will allow me to make a significant contribution to the work of the IBA” – stressed Agnieszka Chrzanowska.

Agnieszka has nearly a decade of experience in media law. She is a recognised expert in press law, in particular the freedom of the press, protection of personal interests, image and brand protection. She is a co-author of the book “Press law. Court proceedings in press matters”, published in 2017, and has authored various other articles on the subject, including a chapter of the metaverse report (available here). Agnieszka represents many notable clients, including Ringier Axel Springer Polska, one of the largest publishing houses in Poland, and owner of brands such as Forbes, Business Insider, Newsweek Polska and Onet. Over the years, she has successfully represented clients in proceedings before the Polish Supreme Court, conducting precedent-setting cases that have led to changes in case law and expanded the limits of freedom of speech, particularly in proceedings involving public figures. She has also represented Polish journalists before the European Court of Human Rights. Both Agnieszka Chrzanowska individually and her Practice are recommended in the most prestigious legal rankings, including The Legal 500 and Media Law International (MLI) 2022.