The Legal 500

Allen & Overy’s ‘top-class’ team is ‘first choice for derivatives and capital markets regulatory cases’, and is busy with financing and refinancing. In 2012, the firm advised ING Bank on the €250m refinancing of Euromedic group, and Komerční banka and Česká spořitelna on the CZK982m financing of a buyout of remaining shares in HOPI. The team also advised Czech Export Bank on export credit financing provided to Mongolian importer AUM LLC for the purchase of Tatra trucks and semi-trailers. The ‘proactive’ Václav Valvoda heads the practice, which also includes Robert Pavlu, who is ‘a strong analyst’; Robert David, who has ‘broad industry knowledge’; and Petr Vybiral, who is ‘proactive, reliable and very professional’.

BBH, advokatni kancelar, v.o.s. handles an impressive array of work, including bond offerings for such clients as J&T IB and Capital Markets a.s., and major export financings for PPF banka. Other clients include Bank of America and Home Credit Group. The firm enhanced its regulatory expertise when it recruited Adam Necas from the Czech National Bank in 2012. Practice head Tomáš Otruba is well regarded.

Baker & McKenzie, v.o.s., advokátní kancelár provides ‘flawless service’, and is ‘terrific for private equity and cross-border work’. In one highlight, department head Libor Basl led advice to ČSOB and Komerční banka on their €100m refinancing of Hame, a local food producer. On the export financing side, the firm advised a raft of banks including Czech Export Bank and UniCredit Bank Czech Republic on an export financing for PG Silesia, a Polish coal mine, which was the first club financing of its kind. In addition, the firm is acting on major restructurings for EPH and Tatra, and project financings for Ceskoslovenska Obchodni Banka and UniCredit Bank Czech Republic.

CMS has ‘strength-in-depth’ and shows ‘long-term dedication to the client’. It advised UniCredit Bank as leader of a syndicated €470m commercial loan to Telekom Srbija. Borrower-side mandates included advising Mid Europa Partners on the financing of its acquisition of shares in ENERGY 21. Other clients included Erste Bank, ING Bank and Advent International. CEE banking and finance head Paul Stallebras is ‘extremely knowledgeable in leveraged finance’, and Ana Radnev is ‘flexible and consistently excellent’. Local head of banking Pavla Křečková has a superb reputation.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges is ‘the premium provider of legal services in the Czech market’, and its partners ‘really care about the individual cases and transactions’. Karel Muzikar and Petr Severa led advice to ČEZ on a €7bn financing – with options to increase – to develop two new units at Temelin nuclear power plant; the firm is also advising ČEZ on a significant US bond offering. The team advised Česká spořitelna on regulatory requirements pertaining to the establishment of a new fund. Other clients include Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, Transport Authority of City of Prague, Edwards Group, and Stock Spirits Group.

In 2012, White & Case’s David Plch, Jonathan Weinberg, and Jakub Dostal assisted a club of banks, including Citibank Europe and RBS, on the refinancing of guarantees provided to European Investment Bank for the construction of Terminal II at Prague Airport. Other clients include AVAST Software, Barclays, and J.P. Morgan. Acquisition and structured finance expert Jirí Tomola was promoted to the partnership in 2012.

The ‘excellent’ Balcar Polanský Eversheds is noted for its ‘professional approach and flexibility’. New practice head Libor Vacek is a collective investments and bank regulatory expert who joined from Clifford Chance in 2012. The firm is well regarded for handling contentious banking matters for clients such as Komerční banka and Česká spořitelna, including enforcement of lenders’ rights. Marek Pilař, Petr Neumann, David Lejček, Martin Trojan and senior associate Klara Udvaros are highly recommended.

Vlad Petrus’ team at Clifford Chance is ‘excellent in all areas’. The firm advised on the recent €180m financing of PEGAS Nonovens group. On the capital markets front, the firm recently updated the Czech Republic’s €10bn EMTN programme, and advised on the €300m Eurobond issuance by the Czech state railway company. It is also a go-to firm for emission trading matters. Tomáŝ Rychly joined Wolf Theiss Advokáti s.r.o. in 2011, while Libor Vacek and Pavel Fara joined Balcar Polanský Eversheds in 2012.

Dentons advises on real estate finance, fund portfolio financing and refinancing, bond issues, and syndicated commercial loans. Olga Humlová heads the team, which includes real estate finance specialist Jirí Stržínek.

Havel, Holásek & Partners s.r.o.’s Ondrej Petr led advice to Letiste Praha regarding a guarantee facility provided by a consortium of banks including RBS and Citibank. Other clients include Česká spořitelna and Fond pojištění vkladů. Jan Topinka is also recommended.

Kinstellar s.r.o advokátní kancelár is ‘good value, with quick turnaround times, and is very commercially oriented’. In 2011, the seven-lawyer team advised Komerční banka on its €96m financing of CGS Group. Martina Brezinova has ‘a superb understanding of banking products, and understands what banking clients really need’. Hana Gawlasová recently joined the team.

Although it recently suffered the departure of Marek Belšan, Norton Rose v.o.s. shows ‘business acumen, flexibility and deep industry knowledge’. The firm has conducted major export financings and refinancings for clients such as GTS Group and AVIVA. Of counsel Pavlína Beránková now heads the team.

With strong regional ties in Hungary and Slovakia, PRK Partners ‘understands the client’s business and needs’. In 2012, the firm advised the underwriters on AVG Technologies’ public offering of shares on the New York Stock Exchange. Robert Němec, Radan Kubr, and Martin Aschenbrenner are recommended.

Vladimira Papirnik heads the team at Squire Sanders, v.o.s., advokátní kancelár. Recent instructions include the ‘professional’ Danica Šebestova advising Raiffeisenbank on restructuring loans made to Spolchemie, and the firm representing City of Prague in its CZK5bn municipal bond issuance. Managing partner Radek Janeček has a superb reputation.

Weinhold Legal is known for its ‘teamwork’ and ‘excellent knowledge’, and has a strong record acting for banks such as UniCredit Bank and Citibank on commercial lending. The firm is also advising Grandi Stazioni on project financing, and is noted for its work for Erste Bank Group on bond issuances.

bpv Braun Partners s.r.o. is ‘one of the best law firms for the financing of energy projects’. David Vosol, who shows ‘problem-solving’ ability and is ‘an emphatic negotiator’, recently led advice to longstanding client E.ON regarding the €24m financing of its acquisition of 12 local energy distribution networks.

CHSH Kalis & Partners s.r.o. is currently acting for Pilsen Steel in its €140m bankruptcy restructuring. The team also advises on financing and refinancing. Petr Kališ and Jiří Salač are highly recommended.

Dunovská & Partners’ David Urbanec and associate Jakub Backa are praised for their ‘professional attitude and excellent client support’. Urbanec led on the refinancing of Canada-based Targray Technology International Inc, and the firm is also undertaking a major restructuring on behalf of ČSOB. Barbora Simon Dunovska is also recommended for ‘in-depth preparation and the ability to negotiate’.

At Glatzová & Co., s.r.o., Dana Schweigelová shows ‘pragmatism’ and ‘a can-do attitude’, and associate Martin Krechler is valued for his ‘strong arguments and deep involvement’. Martin Danĉišin, who is also recommended, recently advised Goldman Sachs on providing a €40m working capital facility to a Dutch subsidiary of ČEZ. Other clients include Travelex Czech Republic and Commerzbank.

Kotrlik Bourgeault Andrusko advises a range of international corporations and banks, private equity investors and government authorities on financing and capital markets. It recently represented Central European Media Enterprises in the listing of its shares on the Prague Stock Exchange. Other clients include KORADO and Charles Advantage. Petr Kotrlík is recommended.

Peterka & Partners is known for its ‘responsiveness and competitiveness’. In 2012, the firm represented Raiffeisenbank in a debt recovery matter in Germany. Other highlights included a €67m export financing to Russia. Jan Liska and David Simek are recommended.

Wolf Theiss Advokáti s.r.o. ‘always makes itself available for the client’. New team head Tomáš Rychlý, who joined from Clifford Chance, recently advised lender ČSOB on the financing of a domestic energy grid distribution operator. Other clients include News Licensing Group and Talanx AG.

DLA Piper Prague LLP’s ‘professional’ team has been building on Pavel Marc’s arrival from Wolf Theiss Advokáti s.r.o. in 2011 with a raft of instructions from major banks such as Raiffeisen, RBS, and UniCredit. The eight-lawyer team handles major debt restructurings, and complex acquisition and capex financing.

Dvorak & Spol., advokatni kancelar, s.r.o. is active across the board in financing, capital markets and major restructurings, as well as mutual fund work. Clients include Conseq investicní spolecnost. Stanislav Dvorák is the key contact.

In 2012, Hogan Lovells (Prague) LLP’s ‘astute’ Miroslav Dubovsky leveraged the firm’s regional network to advise a leading German bank on the CZK1bn extension of a factoring transaction to the Czech subsidiary of a pharmaceuticals company. Miroslav Dubovsky acted as part of a cross-border team advising GLOBUS on the renewal of a €200m revolving credit facility. UniCredit Bank is also a client.

Kocián Solc Balastík has strong credentials acting for banks such as Barclays and RBS, and is particularly well known for advising on investment instruments and insurance products. The firm also has capital markets and securities experience, having acted for clients such as Prague Stock Exchange and Tiger Global Management. Petr Kasík and Martin Krejcí are the contacts.

Noerr’s ‘client-oriented approach’ is exemplified by Barbara Kusak, who is also valued for her knowledge of German and Czech law, and for finding ‘creative solutions’. Clients include Credit Suisse and Anglo Irish Bank.

David Skopal heads the team at Pokorny, Wagner & Partners, which advises on a range of transactional matters, such as intricate share buybacks, and also handles complex administration proceedings before the ČNB.

Tomáš Rydvan and Alois Šatava head Randa Havel Legal’s ‘excellent’ team, which recently assisted a group of investors with the financing of their acquisition of a chain of jewellery stores. The firm also has experience in the financing of management buyouts.

Rowan Legal provides ‘truly bespoke’ legal advice, and department head Martin Subrt is appreciated for his ‘pro-business approach, and broad understanding of the entire banking industry’. The firm recently advised Imperis Invest on licensing proceedings before the Czech National Bank. The firm also acts for RBS.

Rutland Jezek, advokatni kancelar’s Josef Otčenášek is expert in domestic bond offerings and international finance work. He recently advised Dom Maklerski Banku Ochrony Środowiska S.A. on a complex derivatives matter. Monika Rutland is also recommended.

In 2012, Schoenherr handled various refinancings, including Carlyle’s refinancing of the Outlet Freeport Hatě shopping mall. Other clients include Eurohypo and Monier. Veronika Odrobinova is the key contact.

Vejmelka & Wünsch, s.r.o.’s ‘value-for-money’ team recently advised the International Capital Market Association on numerous repurchase and securities agreements. Josef Vejmelka and Petr Wünsch are recommended.

Vyskocil, Kroslak a spol. displays ‘flexibility, expertise and industry knowledge’, and is particularly well regarded for representing large steel-makers and brokers on a range of foreign exchange transactions and amendments to operating loans. Jiri Spousta has ‘a client-focused approach, and knowledge of business needs’.

Wilson & Partners v. o. s., advokátní kancelár’s clients include UniCredit Bank, Československá obchodní banka, and Aareal Bank. Karel Doktor has ‘a professional approach’, and recently advised Škoda JS on a large corporate financing.