10 Most Influential Polish Lawyers and Scholars

Published in

Heritage Digest

13 min readDec 19, 2023

Poland’s legal history is rich and diverse, marked by the remarkable achievements of numerous lawyers who have shaped Polish law and international legal practices. Polish lawyers have made significant contributions to the field, from early pioneers to contemporary legal luminaries. Here are ten of the most influential Polish lawyers throughout history:

Leon Petrażycki (1867–1931)
Raphael Lemkin (1900–1959)
Manfred Lachs (1914–1993)
Juliusz Makarewicz (1872–1955)
Kazimierz Sabbat (1913–1989)
Władysław Grabski (1874–1938)
Bronisław Geremek (1932–2008)
Adam Strzembosz (1930-present)
Tadeusz Mazowiecki (1927–2013)
Tadeusz Cyprian (1898–1979)

1. Leon Petrażycki (1867–1931)

Leon Petrażycki, born on 13 April 1867 into the Polish gentry in the Mogilev Governorate of the Russian Empire, embarked on a remarkable journey in law and sociology. His early years were marked by his education at Kyiv University, where he graduated in 1890. He further honed his academic prowess with a scholarship in Berlin, followed by a doctorate from the University of St. Petersburg in 1896. At St. Petersburg, he distinguished himself as a professor of the philosophy of law from 1897 to 1917, showcasing his deep understanding and innovative thinking in legal scholarship.

Petrażycki’s career was intertwined with political activism. In 1906, he was elected to the First Duma as a member of the Constitutional Democratic Party. His outspokenness and protests against the legislature’s dissolution led to his conviction and imprisonment. The political upheaval of the Bolshevik revolution in 1917 forced Petrażycki to flee Russia. He found refuge in Poland, where he became the first professor of sociology at Warsaw University in 1919, a testament to his resilience and adaptability in challenging times.

Despite his untimely death by suicide in 1931, Petrażycki’s legacy in the realms of legal sociology and theory is profound. He authored numerous influential Russian, German, and Polish works, although much of his later ideas survive only in lecture notes. His pioneering views on law as a psychological phenomenon, his distinction between “positive” and “intuitive” law, and his critical stance against legal positivism made him a forward-thinking scholar. Petrażycki’s ideas on legal pluralism, living law, and animal rights were ahead of their time, earning him the title of the “unrecognized father of the sociology of law.” His indirect influence on the field through his students, like Nicholas S. Timasheff, Georges Gurvitch, and Pitirim Sorokin, continues to shape sociological and legal studies.

2. Raphael Lemkin (1900–1959)

Raphael Lemkin, born on 24 June 1900 in Bezwodne, a village in what is now Belarus, was raised in a Polish Jewish family. His early life on a farm near Wolkowysk laid the foundation for his profound sense of justice and empathy. His parents, Józef Lemkin and Bella Pomeranz nurtured an environment rich in intellectual and cultural values. His mother, particularly, influenced his early education with her extensive collection of literature and history books, and his father was a farmer. This upbringing imbued Lemkin with a deep understanding of historical injustices and atrocities.

Lemkin’s academic journey was distinguished and varied. He initially studied linguistics at the Jan Kazimierz University of Lwów, demonstrating his linguistic prowess early on by mastering multiple languages. Later, he moved to Heidelberg University in Germany to study philosophy, then returned to Lviv to study law. His interest in laws against mass atrocities was sparked by learning about the Armenian genocide and the 1921 trial of Soghomon Tehlirian for the assassination of Talaat Pasha, the main perpetrator of the genocide. These events profoundly influenced his career path and legal philosophy.

Lemkin’s most significant contribution to the field of law was his introduction of the term “genocide” in 1943 or 1944 and his relentless campaign to have genocide recognized and outlawed internationally. His efforts were instrumental in establishing the Genocide Convention by the United Nations in 1948. Lemkin’s tireless advocacy and legal scholarship laid the groundwork for the modern understanding of genocide and the international legal mechanisms to combat it. His work was marked by a deep commitment to human rights and justice, transcending cultural and national boundaries to address some of the most grievous crimes against humanity. Raphael Lemkin passed away on 28 August 1959, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneering advocate for the recognition and prevention of genocide in international law. His tireless efforts and profound contributions have had a lasting impact on international legal frameworks and the global understanding of genocide and crimes against humanity.

3. Manfred Lachs (1914–1993)

Manfred Lachs, born on 21 April 1914 into a Jewish family, was a prominent Polish diplomat and jurist who made significant contributions to international law. He studied at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, earning a doctorate in Law in 1937. Lachs’ early career included work at the Consular Academy of Vienna and the London School of Economics. His family tragically perished in the Holocaust during World War II. At the same time, Lachs escaped to London, where he served as secretary to Ignacy Schwarzbart in the Polish government-in-exile.

Lachs’ post-war career was marked by various judiciary positions in the Polish government, including the director of the Department of Treaties and Legal Jurisdiction in Poland’s Foreign Affairs (1947–1960) and as a special advisor to the Prime Minister (1960–1967). He was also the first Chair of the Legal Subcommittee of the UN Committee for the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, showcasing his expertise in international law. Lachs played a significant role as a delegate in the negotiations over the Paris Peace Treaties of 1947 and later became a professor of international law at the University of Warsaw.

Lachs’ most notable achievement was his tenure as a judge at the International Court of Justice, where he served from 1967 until he died in 1993, including a term as President of the Court from 1973 to 1976. He authored influential works on space law and international law, such as “The Law of Outer Space: An Experience in Contemporary Law Making” (1972) and “The Teacher in International Law” (1982). His contributions were recognized by the International Institute of Social Studies with an Honorary Fellowship in 1982, and he was named Member Honoris Causa of The Mexican Academy of International Law. After his passing on 14 January 1993, the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Competition was established in his honor, commemorating his substantial impact on international law and space law.

4. Juliusz Makarewicz (1872–1955)

Juliusz Makarewicz, born on May 5, 1872, in Sambor, was a distinguished Polish lawyer and professor of criminal law at the University of Lviv. His patriotic family deeply influenced him; his parents, Spirydion (a railway engineer) and Emilia (née Malick) were involved in the January Uprising. Makarewicz’s education began in Tarnów’s junior high school, and he later moved to a junior high school in Kraków, where he completed his high school education. He pursued legal studies at the Jagiellonian University’s Faculty of Law and Administration, actively participating in student community organizations.

Makarewicz’s scientific work began after earning his doctorate in 1894. He studied under Franz Liszt in Berlin, Halle, and Paris on a research scholarship. Upon returning to Poland in 1897, he started his legal career as a judge in Kraków and later achieved habilitation with his thesis on Austrian criminal law. In 1904, he joined the Jagiellonian University as an associate professor and later took over the Law Department at the University of Lviv in 1907. His work “Introduction to the Philosophy of Criminal Law” gained significant recognition, contributing greatly to legal scholarship.

Makarewicz’s most notable achievement was drafting the Polish Penal Code of 1932, known as the “Makarewicz Code,” a major codification achievement in legal history. He was actively involved in the Codification Commission from 1919, significantly influencing Polish criminal law. His political and scientific participation included being a member of the State Tribunal the Polish Academy of Learning and serving as the rector of Jan Kazimierz University. Elected as a senator of the Republic of Poland, he actively contributed to the legal and political landscape of the era. Makarewicz passed away on April 20, 1955, in Lviv, leaving a legacy as a respected legal scholar and an influential figure in the development of criminal law.

5. Kazimierz Sabbat (1913–1989)

Kazimierz Aleksander Sabbat, born on February 27, 1913, in Bieliny Kapitulne, Poland, was a significant figure in the Polish government-in-exile. Raised in the shadow of Lysa Gora mountain, he completed his secondary education in Mielec and pursued law at Warsaw University before World War II. His upbringing included a strong involvement in Scouting, a commitment that stayed with him throughout his life.

During World War II, Sabbat briefly served in the Polish Navy and joined Stanisław Maczek’s Motorized Brigade. He was wounded during Poland’s retreat in 1939 but managed to escape to Great Britain. He worked with the British General Staff in Britain, focusing on youth-related responsibilities, reflecting his lifelong dedication to Scouting.

After the war, Sabbat was discharged from the army in 1948 and established a successful business in England. He continued his commitment to community service, actively participating in Scouting and the Association of Polish Veterans. In 1976, Sabbat’s political involvement deepened when he was appointed Prime Minister of the Polish government in exile. He played a pivotal role in uniting émigré communities and supporting the opposition movement in Poland, both morally and materially. In 1986, Sabbat became the President of the Republic of Poland (in Exile), succeeding Edward Raczyński. He passed away in London on July 19, 1989, the same day Wojciech Jaruzelski was elected President of Poland. Sabbat’s legacy continued through his efforts to maintain Polish sovereignty and culture during exile. He is buried in Gunnersbury Cemetery in London, survived by his family residing near London, including eight grandchildren.

6. Władysław Grabski (1874–1938)

Władysław Dominik Grabski, born on July 7, 1874, in Borów near Łowicz, Russian Empire, was a prominent Polish economist, historian, and National Democratic politician. He was raised in a patriotic family, with parents Spirydion and Emilia, who were involved in the January Uprising. His education began at a junior high school in Tarnów and continued in Kraków, leading to law studies at Jagiellonian University. His time in Paris at the École Libre des Sciences Politiques and the University of Sorbonne significantly influenced his political ideology, shifting from socialist to more right-wing views.

Grabski’s involvement in the Polish government began after returning from Paris in 1905. He founded the Agricultural Society in Łowicz, which garnered substantial peasant support and led to the National Labor Union’s formation. His increasing influence led to his arrest by Russian authorities and subsequent imprisonment in Warsaw. His political career progressed with his election to the Duma, where he focused on budgetary issues, particularly with the Russian Ministry of Agriculture. These experiences cultivated his desire to serve as Poland’s finance minister.

Grabski’s most notable contribution was as the architect of Poland’s monetary reform, establishing the Bank of Poland and introducing the złoty, stabilizing the national economy. His tenure as Prime Minister (1920, 1923–1925) saw the implementation of significant economic reforms, including the foundation of the state banking network and the Bank for National Economy. Despite criticisms for his foreign policy and agricultural reform approaches, his economic strategies, particularly the currency reform, were pivotal in post-WWI Poland’s financial stabilization. Grabski passed away on March 1, 1938, in Warsaw, leaving a legacy as a key figure in Poland’s economic development during the interwar period.

7. Bronisław Geremek (1932–2008)

Bronisław Geremek, born as Benjamin Lewertow in Warsaw on March 6, 1932, was a prominent Polish social historian and politician. The tragedy of World War II marked his early life; his father, Boruch Lewertow, was murdered in Auschwitz, and Bronisław, along with his mother, Sharca, escaped the Warsaw Ghetto in 1943. They were sheltered by Stefan Geremek, who later became Bronisław’s stepfather. Raised in a Roman Catholic tradition, Geremek identified neither as a Jew nor a Catholic in his adult life.

Geremek’s academic journey was illustrious. He graduated from the Faculty of History at Warsaw University in 1954 and completed postgraduate studies in Paris. He earned his PhD in 1960 and became a postdoctoral fellow at the Polish Academy of Sciences in 1972. His academic career was notable for his research on medieval society and culture, significantly contributing to understanding labor markets and underworld groups in medieval Paris.

Politically, Geremek was active from a young age, joining the Polish United Workers’ Party in 1950 but leaving in 1968 due to the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia. He became a leading figure in the Polish democratic opposition during the 1970s. His political significance grew in the 1980s as he played a crucial role in the Solidarity movement and the peaceful democratic transition in Poland. As a key figure in the Solidarity movement, he faced internment and arrest. Post-1989, he served in the Sejm, was Minister of Foreign Affairs, and later became a Member of the European Parliament. Geremek’s dedication to European integration and vision for a united Europe marked his tenure in the European Parliament. He passed away on July 13, 2008.

8. Adam Strzembosz (1930-present)

Adam Justyn Strzembosz, a distinguished Polish lawyer and judge, was born in Warsaw on September 11, 1930. Coming from a family with strong legal and political ties, his father, Adam, was a lawyer and member of the People’s National Union, and his mother, Zofia, came from the Gadomska family. Strzembosz grew up in Warsaw and completed his primary education there. His upbringing was marked by the turbulent times of World War II, during which he continued his education in secret classes.

Strzembosz pursued higher education in law, starting his studies at Jagiellonian University in Kraków before transferring to the University of Warsaw. He graduated in 1953 with a specialization in public international law. Post-graduation, Strzembosz worked at the Social Insurance Institution in Warsaw, starting in the Foreign Benefits Office and later in the Exceptional Pensions Department. His early career was a blend of administrative and legal responsibilities, setting the stage for his later judicial endeavors.

In the legal sphere, Strzembosz made significant contributions. He completed his judicial apprenticeship at the Provincial Court in Warsaw, became a judge in 1958, and was later appointed inspector. His judicial career was notable for his work with juvenile offenders and supervision of lower-level courts. He researched juvenile delinquency as an academic, earning his doctorate in 1969 from the University of Warsaw. He later received his habilitation from the Polish Academy of Sciences in 1979. Strzembosz’s scholarly work was widely recognized and awarded, particularly in criminology. Additionally, he was a respected professor at the Catholic University of Lublin, where he significantly influenced legal education until his retirement for health reasons in 2004.

9. Tadeusz Mazowiecki (1927–2013)

Tadeusz Mazowiecki, born on April 18, 1927, in Płock, Poland, emerged from a family deeply rooted in medical and charitable work. His father, a doctor, and his mother, who managed a charity, fostered an environment of compassion and service. His formative years were disrupted by World War II, during which he worked in a hospital. Post-war, he attended Warsaw University but never completed his law degree, instead becoming deeply involved in Catholic associations and publications.

Mazowiecki’s career was marked by his involvement in Catholic and political movements. He began as a journalist and editor in Catholic organizations, taking a critical stance against the communist regime. His political journey started with his election to the Polish Parliament in 1957, where he served as a voice of opposition. He was pivotal in the Solidarity movement, becoming its first non-communist Prime Minister in 1989. His tenure saw significant political and economic reforms, helping to transition Poland from a communist to a democratic state.

Post-premiership, Mazowiecki continued his influential work, notably as a UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the former Yugoslavia. His resignation in protest over the international response to the Bosnian war atrocities highlighted his commitment to human rights. He remained active in Polish politics, contributing to constitutional reforms and various political parties. Mazowiecki passed away on October 28, 2013, leaving a legacy as a key architect of modern democratic Poland.

10. Tadeusz Cyprian (1898–1979)

Tadeusz Cyprian, born on February 21, 1898, in Zabłotów, was a prominent Polish lawyer, judge, and criminal law professor renowned for his passion for photography. His father, Teofil, was a tobacco cultivation inspector, instilling a sense of discipline and rigor in young Tadeusz. He completed his secondary education at the Franz Josef Junior High School in Lviv 1916. His early years were marked by his service in the Polish Army in France during World War I, where he was appointed as a second lieutenant and later confirmed as a lieutenant in the Air Force, demonstrating his dedication and leadership qualities.

Cyprian’s legal career was distinguished and multifaceted. After graduating from the Faculty of Law at the Jagiellonian University in 1922, he began his judicial career, initially serving as a judge at the Municipal Court, then the District Court in Poznań. His expertise and reputation led to his appointment as prosecutor of the Supreme Court in Warsaw in 1938. World War II interrupted his career growth, but he continued to serve in the Polish Air Force in various locations, including France, Africa, and Great Britain. Post-war, he played a significant role as an observer at the Bergen-Belsen trial and as a member of the Polish delegation at the Nuremberg trials, highlighting his commitment to international justice.

Cyprian’s post-war career continued to be illustrious. He served as a prosecutor at the Supreme National Tribunal and as a professor at the Faculty of Law of the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin. His ability to blend his legal profession with his passion for photography was remarkable. He began his photographic journey in 1913, focusing on landscapes, and became a prominent figure in Polish photography, contributing significantly to the field through his writings, exhibitions, and organizational roles. Cyprian passed away on August 8, 1979, in Poznań and was buried in the Junikowo cemetery, leaving a legacy as a respected legal scholar and a passionate photographer.