The Legal 500

Baker & McKenzie, v.o.s., advokátní kancelár ‘strikes the right balance between legal and commercial issues’. Practice head Martin Hrodek is particularly well known for competition litigation. His team also successfully represented ČSOB in ICC arbitration against the Ministry of Finance.

CMS’ ‘highly professional’ team is led by the ‘deeply engaged’ Tomáš Matějovský, and also includes senior associate Barbora Dubanská, a regulatory specialist who joined from Weinhold Legal in November 2011. The team is representing Siemens’ Austrian and Slovakian subsidiaries in a dispute concerning a tender relating to the modernisation of the railways in The Slovak Republic.

Dentons’ chief strength is arbitration, and the firm fields a number of arbitration specialists, including International Court of Arbitration appointed arbitrators, as well as lawyers with ad hoc arbitration experience. Olga Humlová is the key contact.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges is recommended for its ‘high-quality advice’ and ‘knowledge of the issues and the functioning of the state administration’. In 2012, Martin Kramar successfully defended Odra River Basin Directorate against a €650m claim for damages caused by flooding of the Odra river basin. Kramar, Karolina Horaková and Roman Vojta are ‘high-quality lawyers who solve problems quickly’.

Weinhold Legal ‘always reacts promptly with relevant information, and is a reliable business partner’. In 2012, Daniel Weinhold led the successful representation of the Czech Republic in international proceedings against German entrepreneur Rupert Joseph Binder, in a CZK4bn case concerning the alleged frustration of his investment in Cargo Transport. Practice head Milan Polak, Ondrej Havranek and Zbysek Kordac are well regarded. Other clients include Mercedes-Benz and UniCredit Bank.

‘Among the best’, White & Case is praised for its ‘appropriate prices’ and ‘high-quality’ service delivered by ‘flexible’ lawyers Ivo Janda and Samuel Schreiber. In 2011, the firm merged with Horak Chvosta, a development that brought in practice head and disputes expert Ludek Chvosta. The merger also added new clients including ArcelorMittal, Mars, Tesco, IKEA, Reader’s Digest, and Vienna Insurance. The firm recently brokered a settlement involving Airbus Military, OMNIPOL and the Czech Ministry of Defence in respect of a disputed $150m purchase agreement. Jaroslav Fenyk is recommended for white-collar crime cases.

Allen & Overy brings ‘an exceptional offering to the table’. Mikuláš Touška leads the litigation, arbitration and regulatory practices in Prague, and is well known for advising banks and investors. The firm is representing Hitachi in an ECJ hearing regarding a competition matter. Senior associate Markéta Císařová’s caseload includes minority shareholders’ disputes, and disputes relating to unfair competition and breach of copyrights. International arbitration expert Matthew Hodgson is ‘outstanding’, and Robert Pavlů is also recommended. Vítězslav Šemora joined from the Czech National Bank in August 2011.

Arbitration is a cornerstone of BBH, advokatni kancelar, v.o.s.’ practice, which also handles civil litigation before the Czech courts. The firm recently represented a Czech investor in the energy sector in arbitration proceedings against multinational companies regarding breach of the shareholders’ agreement. František Honsa is the key contact.

David Lejček’s ‘excellent’ team at Balcar Polanský Eversheds represented Komerční Banka in several cases against the customs authorities. The firm ‘builds a team with very good knowledge of the client’s business’.

Glatzová & Co., s.r.o. is advising a large corporation in a complex breach of contract claim worth €40m, and is also acting in the Czech Republic’s first sexual discrimination case. Vít Horáĉek heads the team.

Havel, Holásek & Partners s.r.o.’s practice is jointly led by Marek Vojáček, Dušan Sedláček, and Daniel Uličný. The firm handles contentious matters in a range of industries, including sports law cases for the Czech Football Association, construction disputes for Metrostav, and commercial arbitration on behalf of Inekon Group.

Hogan Lovells (Prague) LLP is particularly well known for competition litigation, and is defending Alstom in a high-profile dispute with the Czech Competition Authority over a cartel investigation. PKN is also a client. Miroslav Dubovsky and Pavel Skopovy are highly recommended.

Kinstellar s.r.o advokátní kancelár’s ‘friendly and professional’ team is especially valued for complex insolvency proceedings, with Ruzena Trojankova and Kamil Blažek the key figures. Trojankova is also known for complex real estate litigations and arbitrations. Jitka Logesová and Lukáš Ševčík are recommended for complex shareholder disputes and litigation arising from M&A.

Kocián Solc Balastík’s practice includes compensation claims, employment, unfair competition and IP infringement disputes. Clients include Alstom Power, Czech National Bank and Global Payments. Pavel Dejl is well versed in arbitration and commercial litigation.

PRK Partners is known for its ‘short response times and value for money’. The highly regarded Robert Němec heads the team, which acts in litigation for government ministries, and also handles complex antitrust cases before the Supreme Administrative Court.

Peterka & Partners is known for its ‘responsiveness, competence, and quality’. The firm is representing Baltom, an Inreco subsidiary, in its dispute with Geosan Group. Jiri Cerny and Stanislav Bednar are ‘always personally engaged’ in cases.

Squire Sanders, v.o.s., advokátní kancelár provides ‘quick, professional and knowledgeable service’. Radek Janeček is ‘bright, quick, and creative’, and Martin Mládek is ‘exact’. The firm is one of a small pool of ‘really experienced law firms in the investment arbitration area’; it is lead counsel to the Czech Ministry of Finance in one such matter, and is also representing Finnish defence industry corporate Patria Land Services Oy in SCC arbitration. Rostislav Pekař is highly experienced.

Clifford Chance’s ‘responsive’ team has experience in complex construction disputes, defect liability cases, shareholder disputes, and contentious insolvency matters. Clients include Česká Spořitelna and KKCG Structured Finance Limited. Vlad Petrus is highly recommended.

Peter Valert heads DLA Piper Prague LLP’s practice. Strengths include investment arbitrations and major insolvency proceedings. Clients include Warner Bros, the Motion Picture Association and the Ministry of Finance.

Litigation is a core practice for Kotrlik Bourgeault Andrusko, which handles a range of work including securities and shareholder disputes, general commercial litigation, and unfair competition and regulatory investigations. It recently acted in a series of investment disputes brought by Central European Media Enterprises against the Czech Republic, which led to an award of $335m in favour of the client.

Mališ Nevrkla Legal, advokátní kancelár, s. r. o.’s ‘reliable’ team successfully defended Geosan Group in a CZK360m arbitration case concerning a complex waste removal contract dispute. The firm is also active in insolvency and construction litigation. Daniel Mališ heads the practice.

Norton Rose v.o.s. is particularly strong in government-related cases, and has recently handled cutting-edge privatisation and administrative disputes. Clients include PNC Bank, National Association and State Environment Fund. Milana Chamberlain heads the team, which also includes shareholder disputes expert Zuzana Valoušková, real estate litigator Pavlína Beránková and contentious M&A expert Richard Novák.

bpv Braun Partners s.r.o. is known for its ‘teamwork and problem-solving ability’. The well-regarded Pavel Vincík is currently taking the lead in E.ON Energie’s unfair competition action against Bohemia Energy. Practice head Fritjof Winkelmann is also recommended.

Alena Bányaiová and department head Lucie Bányaiová are the key figures at Bányaiová Vožehová, s.r.o., advokátní kancelá, which is currently representing Novácke Chemické Závody before the EU General Court in proceedings to annul or reduce a fine imposed by the European Commission. The firm is also defending Komerční Banka against four claims, which are currently at the extraordinary appeals stage before the Supreme Court.

At Bird & Bird, ‘deadlines are always met and response times are excellent’. The team is representing Aktiebolaget SKF in trade mark infringement and criminal proceedings. Ivan Sagál and Vladimír Nyč jointly lead the team, which also includes Vojtech Chloupek.

CHSH Kalis & Partners s.r.o. handles an impressive range of contentious matters, from high-value insolvency proceedings to civil law cases and significant international arbitrations. Petr Kališ is the name to note.

Stanislav Dvořák and Michal Wija lead Dvorak & Spol., advokatni kancelar, s.r.o.’s team, which is currently representing Mediatel in litigation over abuse of dominant position. Other clients include Tesco Stores, IMOB a.s., and Expandia.

Advokatni kancelár Pokorny, Wagner & partneri, s.r.o. is capable of handling major arbitrations, such as its representation of Agrofert in a high-value unjust enrichment case. It also represented Škoda in a contractual dispute. The firm also has expertise in unfair competition matters and energy disputes. Petr Málek, Pavel Beránek, David Skopal, Lenka Knopová, and Dalibor Šalek are recommended.

Randa Havel Legal is ‘not only professional, but a team player’. The practice, which is built around the complementary talents of Pilsen-based Jan Havel and Prague-based Martin Řanda, handled various contractual disputes for clients such as JCDecaux, Rencar Praha and MBM.

‘A small firm with big strengths’, Schoultz & Partners is particularly active in banking and insurance litigation, and also has a strong track record in international arbitration for clients such as Sports Aircraft International. Rostislav Šustek is recommended.

Tomaier Legal advokátní kancelár s.r.o. provides ‘top-quality legal advice comparable to the service of big names in the market’. Jan Tomaier is ‘an aggressive litigator with in-depth knowledge’, and the ‘precise’ Klara Tomaierova is also recommended. Clients include 2R Holding and Flammarion SA.

At Vejmelka & Wünsch, s.r.o., ‘important aspects are always understood and well treated, while auxiliary matters don’t slow down the process’. The firm recently represented Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in a court dispute, and acted for Petroplus Marketing AG in arbitration. Josef Vejmelka adopts ‘a balanced approach’, and is recommended along with the highly esteemed Petr Wünsch.

Vyskocil, Kroslak a spol. shows ‘flexibility and expertise’. Petr Ostrouchov regularly advises Laufen CZ in respect of defaulted transactions, and Frantisek Vyskocil is advising Metrostav in IP litigation. The well-respected Pavol Kroslak heads the team.

Wolf Theiss Advokáti s.r.o. ‘reacts to the client’s needs in a timely manner’. Senior associate and department head Petr Syrovátko has a superb reputation, and is currently advising Kotexma, a Swiss textile machines manufacturer, in a trade dispute with a transportation company.