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Responsible Business

The scale and scope of the global challenges our society faces today, and in the future, are enormous – from the climate crisis to inequality. Guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals and our commitment to the UN Global Compact, we collaborate with our stakeholders and use our talents, reach and resources to make a positive impact in the communities in which we work and live.

At CMS, we are committed to running our business ethically and sustainably. We are diverse, supportive and inclusive, taking our responsibilities seriously and creating a culture in which all our people, whatever their background, can maximise their potential and thrive.

It is also our ambition to help our clients become responsible and sustainable businesses. Read more about how we do so here.

Our approach

Our Approach tile

For more information, please download our recently published Responsible Business Review.

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Charitable Giving

Supporting Children’s Home no. 6 in Warsaw

“Carol singing for charity”

Since 2018 we have organised “Carol singing for charity” – a firm-organised meeting at which the employees sing the best loved Polish and foreign Christmas carols and songs.

While carols are being sung, a charity auction is held, as well as a “Bake & Sell” where budding bakers can show off their baking skills for a good cause.

“School starter”

Every year, before the school year begins, our employees organise the “School starter” project, where they collect money to buy schoolbooks and classroom materials for children from Children’s Home no. 6. Given the cost of school materials, this is a very important help for the children, which improves their chances of getting a proper education.

Christmas presents

Apart from “Carol singing for charity”, during the Christmas period our employees give Christmas presents to the Children’s Home. The firm covers the cost of packing and sending them.

Meeting local needs

“Pismo”

As lawyers, we understand very well the power of words and events. They can change attitudes, build bridges between people and change the world around us.

Work is not everything – many of us like literature and value Polish journalism, which can help broaden our horizons. This is why we regularly organise meetings with well-known Polish reporters and have supported the magazine “Pismo” ever since it was started in 2018.

Together with the magazine’s editors, we have held numerous debates at which we talked about Poland, the world, and climate awareness. 

Environment

Charity initiatives for local animal shelters

As part of events such as the International Cat Day in February and International Dog Day in July, initiatives are organised twice a year in our offices in support of local shelters for homeless animals. Our employees send cash donations and items for the animals and take the animals for walks. Employees who are owners of animals send photos of their pets which are then used in a competition to promote having and caring for pets. 

Social mobility & education

Co-operation with the Court Watch Polska Foundation

What lay behind the creation of the Court Watch Polska Foundation was the view that the low level of trust on the part of Polish society in the court system is not only a result of a poor knowledge of the law or defects in the justice system, but also a result of a lack of communication and mutual understanding. The Foundation is trying to solve this problem. It is trying to achieve this above all by using public participation in court cases. The right to a public trial enables members of society not only to inspect how the courts exercise their powers, but also to see for themselves that courts conduct cases in accordance with the law, in an objective and honest way. With this kind of experience it is possible to build society’s trust in the justice system, which is the best guarantee of judicial independence in a democratic state.

We are pleased to be able to support the Court Watch Polska Foundation by financing training sessions for independent court observers.

Co-operation with student organisations, schools and pre-schools

We always support young and talented lawyers from the very beginning of their careers and continue to support them, regardless of the circumstances.

Since 2016 we have been the Strategic Sponsor of ELSA Poland, a student association which supports the legal education system, promotes civic attitudes and a sense of social responsibility, as well as forming a mind-set which is open to international co-operation.

We also engage in a range of initiatives jointly organised at Polish universities with academic circles, which are aimed at improving students’ knowledge of the law.

Our lawyers also organise mock court hearings for school and pre-school children.

Pro bono

The Krystyna Janda Foundation for Culture

For years now we have supported pro bono the Krystyna Janda Foundation, founded by the famous Polish actress. The Foundation supports culture, in particular by managing theatres. The organisation also helps people to gain access to culture and the theatre, helps vulnerable people, works with children’s homes, Warsaw hospitals, nursing homes, Universities of the Third Age, retirement homes, etc., as well as engaging in charity work and promoting young artists.