What we say about the firm's legal practice in Czech Republic
Banking, finance and capital markets
Within Banking, finance and capital markets, White & Case LLP is a first tier firm,
White & Case’s ‘excellent’, ‘dedicated’ banking, finance and capital markets teams is ‘usually one step ahead of the others in terms of knowledge and awareness of the commercial and legal environment’. The group, which has particular expertise in export financing, advised Ceskoslovenská obchodni banka on an €80m club project and export financing for Belarusian refining enterprise OJSC Naftan, and acts extensively for Czech Export Bank. It acted for lead manager Ceská sporitelna on the CZK2bn issue of floating rate municipal bonds by Statutory City of Liberec. David Plch heads the team and is recommended, as is the ‘loyal’ and ‘professional’ Jakub Dostál. Michal Dlouhý heads the capital markets team and Kvetoslav Krejcí is recommended for his client-friendly and solutions-oriented approach. Newly promoted partner Eva Svobodová is also recommended.
Corporate and M&A
Within Corporate and M&A, White & Case LLP is a first tier firm,
White & Case ‘always outperforms the opposition’. It strengthened its resources when Horák & Chvosta merged into the firm, adding corporate experts Ludek Chvosta and Jirí Horák to the team. Recent instructions include advising MidEuropa Partners/Falcon Group on its sale of Ceské Radiokomunikace; Euromedic Czech Republic on acquiring healthcare facilities; and Istrabenz on the €382m auction sale of Droga Kolinska. Team head Michal Dlouhý and Damian Beaven are recommended.
Dispute resolution
Within Dispute resolution, White & Case LLP is a first tier firm,
White & Case’s broad practice spans commercial law litigation as well as white-collar crime, and boasts a strong presence in international arbitrations. It is representing Unipetrol and Synthos Kralupy in proceedings before the European Commission in a cartel investigation against members of the ESBR (styrene butadiene rubber) industry association. Ivo Janda is ‘highly qualified and experienced’.
Legal market overview
Within Legal market overview,
The Czech legal market saw a large number of lateral moves in 2011, following a period of spin-offs by firms. The most notable move was DLA Piper Prague LLP’s recruitment of corporate practice head Jakub Adam and finance head Pavel Marc, who joined along with a number of associates from Wolf Theiss in co-operation with Czech lawyers. Among notable law firm changes, the Prague office of Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. merged into PRK Partners at the beginning of 2011, and local firm Horák & Chvosta merged with White & Case.
Real estate and construction
Within Real estate and construction, White & Case LLP is a first tier firm,
White & Case represents investors, banks, real estate funds and developers in development, construction, investment and restructuring. It advised VGP N.V. on its €300m sale of its 80% majority share in six industrial parks, and the Municipality of Prague on the €1.7bn Blanka tunnel project. Petr Pánek heads the team, and Václav Kubr is recommended.
TMT
Within TMT, White & Case LLP is a second tier firm,
White & Case recently advised AVAST Software on IP matters prior to its sale to Summit Partners. TMT Czech and HBO are also clients. Practice head Václav Jerman focuses on telecoms matters including the incorporation of subsidiaries, licensing tenders, and litigation. Media law and private equity expert Michal Smrek advises on acquisitions and investments. The firm recently bolstered its IT and IP team practice by recruiting associate Jakub Mencl and of counsel Barbora Rovenská from Horák & Chvosta.
Tax
Within Tax, White & Case LLP is a first tier firm,
White & Case’s ‘dedicated tax team’ advises its domestic and international corporate and banking clients on various tax optimisation issues and structures. Aleš Zídek is advising AVAST Software on tax structuring in respect of its international expansion and Tomáš Hlavácek is providing tax advisory services to KBC Bank on a proposed share offering by Ceskoslovenská obchodní banka and its listing on the Prague Stock Exchange.