Kamila Dutkowska-Wawrzak: Legal Leader Specializing In Real Estate & Negotiations

A contemporary wave riding the construction and infrastructure sector strengthens the in­dustry’s foundation by blending engineering rigor with sophisticated legal strategy.

With an inclination to adopt AI and modern digital tools, or­ganizations are improving accuracy to enhance the im­pact of project outcomes, navigating complex projects and partnerships. The future will be defined by integra­tion of innovation and legal precision to elevate perfor­mance for long-term growth.

A seasoned legal professional, Kamila Dutkows­ka-Wawrzak brings extensive experience in real es­tate development projects, and strategic negotiations. Kamila dwells upon years of collective experience of leading complex client and contractor negotiations and supporting large-scale development projects.

Her work speaks volumes about innovation in the legal field while leveraging the power of AI and technology to en­hance efficiency and decision-making.

Take us through your professional journey and the diverse roles that you played in the initial years of your career.

As a law student at the University of Warsaw, I pursued a diplomatic path and spent four months working at a Polish Embassy in Washington. I chose to return to Po­land and complete my legal studies. I accepted a role in real estate by chance, joining Sullivan, previously part of Deloitte’s real estate team.

After a year, I advanced to another company within the industry. It became clear that my strongest abilities truly were in people-cen­tric and business-driven environments. This passion shaped the first chapter of my legal career, which be­gan right after university and eventually led me to an exciting role at Blackstone.

After several years in re­tail-focused real estate, the transition into the ware­house segment was challenging and compelling. These diverse roles offered meaningful exposure and truly ex­pansive scope to build my career.

The milestones I've achieved have always been about the people along my path, through their trust, collaboration, and mutual interests

What core areas of specialization have you developed by working across organizations over the years?

My strongest area of expertise in my professional jour­ney is negotiation. Through my roles, including my time at Blackstone, I was consistently responsible for leading and finalizing lease negotiations with tenants across shopping centres. It is a specialization I have built through experience and deep practical engage­ment.

During my time at Panattoni, I was responsible for handling complex negotiations with client and general contractors.

At Atlas Ward, I deal in high-level negotiations with clients and overseeing general contractor agreements. Working on negotiations in every aspect remains the most significant part of my professional contributions.

Introduce us to Atlas Ward and the nature of your role within the company.

Atlas Ward was expanding into Warsaw from their 25- year presence in Wroclaw and wanted leadership capa­ble of building the legal structure for their new office. The company’s rapid growth combined with strong in­ternal capabilities showed real long-term potential.

The opportunity to shape their next growth phase made my decision even more impactful. I naturally enjoy work­ing with people and navigating diverse business needs. The broad scope and the company’s growth made my role dynamic and deeply rewarding.

What challenges do you encounter as a legal leader? How do you address them effectively?

My focus as a leader is centered on my team, as I pri­oritize creating a positive culture, specially within re­mote and hybrid settings. When people enjoy working together, they deliver better outcomes, communicate more effectively, and feel more fulfilled.

Through my role, I use economic uncertainty facing the real estate market to lead my team and clients with confidence through this change. Second, integrating artificial intelligence into our departments as a strong tool has strengthened our analytic capabilities and al­lowed us to make better decisions.

I engage with these initiatives as the legal leader so that our department evolves with the rest of the organizations.

How do you see regulatory evolution, safety standards and business innovation reshap­ing the future of construction and infrastruc­ture in Poland and the CEE region?

Today, Poland is ranked among the 20 largest econo­mies in the world, and our industrial sector has con­tinued to grow steadily. We have had steady growth during the past five years and have established a solid foundation for our economy, thus turning Poland into an attractive partner for international cooperation.

Our industry stands out for its modern approach and strong capabilities in construction and engineering, with con­tinuous pursuit of innovative solutions across Europe.

Ambitious AI development by a growing nation, we are propelled by a talented and highly educated popu­lation. Poland remains a secure, modern, and steadily developing market. In my opinion, the industrial and economic potential of our country is exceptional, plac­ing us in the top three of European countries judging by future growth capacity.

Looking back, what professional milestones are you most proud of? What is your ‘success mantra’?

My move to Atlas Ward was a defining moment, profes­sionally and personally. Knowing I was pregnant while negotiating a new role in itself was a strong reminder of how resilient and committed I am. The experience equipped me with newer knowledge, exposure, and growth opportunities.

More than anything else, I am proud of the teams I have been able to put together and the relationships I've built. The milestones I've achieved have always been about the people along my path, through their trust, collaboration, and mutual interests.

As a le­gal professional and negotiator, my greatest assets continue to be my relationships. Above all, empa­thy and connectedness have been at the root of my growth.

Kamila Dutkowska-Wawrzak, Legal & Business Development Director, Atlas Ward

Kamila Dutkowska-Wawrzak leverages her deep legal specialization in real estate law, negotiations, and corporate contracting. She champions the adoption of modern tools, including AI, to elevate the outcome of legal operations and support smarter business decisions.