Born on 25th October 1945 in Warsaw. Graduated from the Warsaw University Law Faculty in 1970. Articled to become a judge and a barrister. Runs a private legal practice since 1973. Was a defence lawyer in criminal cases, also specialized in family law and protection of personal goods and chattels. During the Martial Law period, acted for defence in numerous political trials such as those of Solidarity Trade Union locals in "Warszawa" steelworks and "Ursus" factory, Solidarity National Committee, Radio Solidarity, and Confederacy for Independent Poland. Acted as assistant public prosecutor in Father Jerzy Popiełuszko's kidnapping and murder trials, and as the counsel for defence in Colonel Ryszard Kukliński's trial. Co-founded and co-chaired an association assisting political prisoners - Stowarzyszenie Opieki nad Więźniami "Patronat" - which the communist regime closed on the day it imposed Martial Law. For many years held a seat on the Law Bar Council, also acted as a legal expert for Mazowsze Region Solidarity Trade Union. Lectured for articling students and was member of the bar examination commission. Co-wrote scripts to 17 films directed by Krzysztof Kieślowski including No End, Double Life of Veronika and Three Colours. His scripts received many awards, including the Felix European Film Award, and at film festivals in Cannes, San Sebastian, Venice, Berlin and Gdańsk. Won the grand prize at the Human Rights Festival in Strasbourg and the Award of the World Ecumenical Jury. His script for the film Three Colours: Red was nominated for the Oscar Movie Award, the French C蹡r, the British Bafta and the European Film Award. His scripts were translated into 10 languages and published as a book. In addition, he wrote scripts for films such as Heaven, Hell, Purgatory and Faith, Hope and Love. Member of the American Academy of Motion Pictures, French Soci赩 des Auteurs et Compositeurs Dramatiques and Polish Pen Club. Was member of the Mass-media Ethics Council, Programming Council of TVP Public Polish Television and Programming Council of Wyszyński University Studium Generale Europa. Current affairs commentator for many weekly and monthly magazines. In the Second Term Senate, was deputy chairman of the Culture, Mass-media, Science and National Education Committee and member of the Human Rights and the Rule of Law Committee, and Foreign Affairs Committee. In the Fourth Term Senate, was deputy chairman of the Human Rights and the Rule of Law Committee, and member of the National Defence Committee and Foreign Affairs and European Integration Committee. In the Fifth Term Senate, chaired the Blok Senat 2001 Senators Club and was a member of the Culture and Media Committee. In the Sixth Term Senate was deputy chairman of the Human Rights and the Rule of Law Committee and member of the Culture and Media Committee. No political party affiliation. Married, has two children. |
