The Legal 500

Within Banking, finance and capital markets, Kinstellar is a second tier firm,

Kinstellar s.r.o advokátní kancelár’s ‘very professional’ Prague team attracts praise for its international perspective. Its cross-border mandates included advising a group of international banks on one of the region’s largest acquisition financings in 2009. Along with restructuring and refinancing, the practice also recently acted on a club loan transaction. Senior associate Martina Brezinova was appointed as banking and finance practice head in March 2010 and provides a ‘responsive, knowledgeable, client-oriented approach’. Kamil Blažek offers a range of financing and restructuring expertise.

Within Corporate and M&A, Kinstellar is a first tier firm,

With a focus on energy, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, Clifford Chance was able to stay active with transactional work handling local and cross-border deals. The practice completed the sales of local operations for International Power and Anheuser-Busch InBev, and acted on significant regional TMT and energy sector transactions such as Dalkia’s acquisition of NWR Energy, and EQT Partners’ acquisition of Bulgaria-based telecoms companies. The group provides ongoing corporate and commercial advice to clients such as Chevron, Pfizer, KIT digital, Essmann, and Unipetrol. Practice head Alex Cook is supported by David Kolácek, who continues to develop the team’s energy-related work.

Within Dispute resolution, Kinstellar is a second tier firm,

Commercial, IP and insolvency disputes are key for Kinstellar s.r.o advokátní kancelár, which represents several well-known global brand manufacturers and government entities. Recent highlights include acting on a BIT arbitration, and representing a Czech gas company in an alleged €1bn breach of a shareholder agreement. Of counsel Ruzena Trojánková specialises in bankruptcy proceedings, while Jitka Logesová represents companies in commercial litigation and arbitration.

Within Real estate and construction, Kinstellar is a second tier firm,

Kinstellar s.r.o advokátní kancelár is ‘a strong team’ that provides ‘very clear and structured advice’, and can ‘apply commercial realities to legal issues to find a successful outcome’. Albeit mainly focused on real estate transactions, the group’s recent work also includes restructuring, disputes and energy-related matters. These include handling cross-border transactions for Tesco and Area Property Partners. Practice head Klára Štepánková leads on key deals, along with managing associate Martin Nemecek, ‘a commercial lawyer with an excellent understanding of real estate law’ and who has ‘very good analytical skills and is solutions-oriented’. Kamil Blažek is also recommended, and advised Czech Property Investments on various acquisitions and PPF ECM on the permitting process for a residential development in Prague.

Within TMT, Kinstellar is a second tier firm,

Kinstellar s.r.o advokátní kancelár’s ‘very efficient’ counsel Hana Gawlasova heads the TMT group in Prague, which advises clients such as Microsoft and British Telecom on IT and telecoms. Recent instructions include advising on regulatory, data protection and corporate matters, including competition law issues relating to a cross-border acquisition and a successful settlement in a domestic IT arbitration regarding software agreements.

Within Tax, Kinstellar is a third tier firm,

Kinstellar s.r.o advokátní kancelár focuses on tax relating to domestic and cross-border transactions for clients such as JPMorgan, Hyundai Motor and E.ON Ruhrgas. Recent matters include advising on cross-border tax aspects of Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech’s bond issuance, and providing tax structuring and due diligence advice to a consortium of banks on financing CVC’s acquisition of CEE subsidiaries of Anheuser-Busch InBev. Associate Petr Sebesta heads the team and has tax litigation experience.