Dentons > Prague, Czech Republic > Firm Profile

Dentons > The Legal 500 Rankings

Czech Republic > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 1

The comprehensive banking, finance and capital markets practice at Dentons is well equipped to advise on the full range of financing mandates, including syndicated and corporate lending, refinancing and debt restructuring, in addition to export finance, real estate finance, and project finance. In the capital markets arena, the firm is skilled at handling bonds issuances, sustainability-linked bonds, and ESG-linked transactions. Leveraging its international presence, with offices in more than 80 countries, the firm is also well placed to advise on various cross-border transactions. Jiří Tomola leads the team alongside Daniel Hurych; the former is experienced in handling complex financings and restructurings, while the latter is an expert in high-value acquisitions. Ondřej Bartoň joined from White & Case, s.r.o., advokátní kancelář in April 2023, bringing additional strength in out-of-court restructuring and insolvency mandates to the team.

Czech Republic > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1

The comprehensive corporate and M&A practice at Dentons counts multinationals, investment funds, and major corporations amongst its key clients. The team engages in complex, high-value and high-profile cross-border M&A transactions across an array of industry sectors, including financial services, chemicals, TMT, energy and life sciences. In addition to collaborating with its restructuring, real estate, and capital markets practices, the firm also boasts English law expertise. Petr Zákoucký, who leads on landmark transactions across Australia, the US and Asia, heads up the department alongside English law-qualified Chris Watkinson, who has a strong focus on private equity and venture capital work.

Czech Republic > Dispute resolution Tier 1

Dentons’ dispute resolution practice showcases strengths in both the gamut of civil disputes, and white-collar crime cases. The firm counts employment disputes, commercial litigation, and insolvency claims within its scope of regular work, and acts for clients from industries including energy, tech, and financial services. A significant proportion of the team’s contentious cases involve a cross-border element. Seasoned litigator Ladislav Smejkal heads up the department and has a wealth of experience in complex construction disputes, as well as employment-related litigation. TMT specialist Zdeněk Kučera further bolsters the group’s capabilities and focuses on disputes relating to IP, IT and data privacy.

Czech Republic > Employment Tier 1

Dentons’ employment practice is well-placed to advise on various cross-border employment matters and international mobility cases, due to its global network. The firm advises on an array of cases, including the implementation of HR policies, reorganisations, and acquisitions, as well as complex compliance issues such as redundancies, discrimination, and unequal treatment matters. The department’s client base comprises international corporations and local employers, primarily from the pharmaceutical, financial, and chemical industries. Tomáš Bílek heads the team and handles both contentious and non-contentious matters, often advising on complex restructurings. Ladislav Smejkal is a key team member, and focuses on sensitive boardroom issues and concerns involving employment and white-collar crime elements. Associate Michael Mráček covers GDPR concerns.

Czech Republic > Projects and energy Tier 1

Situated within an integrated global network, the energy and infrastructure practice at Dentons covers the full spectrum of work, including transactional and regulatory matters, and contentious issues in the oil and gas spaces. Acting for major energy companies and large corporations, the firm adopts a multidisciplinary approach through its frequent coordination with its litigation, capital markets, and banking and finance departments. Recently, the team has demonstrated strong activity in advising on energy prices and contract reviews, procurements for alternative energy sources, and acting on high-value M&A deals within the energy and mining sectors. Petr Zákoucký heads the group and focuses on complex environmental regulatory cases, as well as energy transition matters. Lukáš Výmola and Štefan Potočnák are notable practitioners within the team.

Czech Republic > Real estate and construction Tier 1

Dentons’ real estate practice advises on the full gamut of matters, including asset management, regulatory concerns, development and construction, and property-related litigation. Active across the retail, residential, logistics, and office sectors, the firm also handles real estate financing. Leveraging its global network of offices, the firm is well positioned to undertake cross-border work and counts international investors and financial institutions amongst its roster of clients. The team is jointly led by Jiří Stržínek, who focuses on complex transactions, and Markéta Tvrdá, who covers acquisitions and disposals. Renowned practitioner Evan Lazar advises on cross-jurisdiction property and finance deals, whilst Jana Matisková assists clients with large projects locally, and Monika Kajanková advises on sale and lease agreements.

Czech Republic > TMT Tier 1

Dentons’ TMT practice advises on an impressive array of contentious and non-contentious matters within the field, including tech product rollouts, transactions, outsourcings, and IT-related licensing and service agreements. The firm is also recognised for its strengths in regulatory and compliance work and IP-related matters. Recently, the team has witnessed considerable growth in its client base, and has advised global corporations such as Nike, Netflix, and HBO, in addition to local start-ups and investors. Expert Zdeněk Kučera spearheads the department and specialises in structuring complex projects, tech disputes, and the acquisition of IT companies. Kučera is ably supported by Štěpánka Havlíková, who focuses on electronic contracting issues and AI matters, Jiří Maršál, and Kateřina Kučerová.

Czech Republic > EU and competition Tier 2

Dentons’ antitrust and competition practice counts FDI control, merger clearance, compliance work, and notifications and complaints to the EU Commission within its scope of work. Acting for clients from various regulated industries including tech, retail, and energy, the firm also handles M&A related competition work, as well as various distribution issues. Benefitting from a network of international offices, the group is well-placed to advise on cross-border mandates, particularly across the CEE region. Petr Zákoucký leads the team and frequently assists with dawn raids and competition audits. Senior associate Adam Přerovský is a notable member of the department and has extensive experience in advising clients in antitrust proceedings.

Czech Republic > Intellectual property Tier 2

Dentons’ growing practice handles a wide range of work, including domain name disputes, trademark registrations, patents, unfair competition litigation, and copyright protection concerns within the real estate field. Recognised for its strong TMT-related IP offering, the firm has expertise in advising on tech and content sourcing, as well as licensing agreements within the sector. Acting across a variety of industries including life sciences, entertainment, and e-commerce, the firm counts global corporations amongst its clients, such as Nike and Netflix. Zdeněk Kučera heads the group and focuses on copyright piracy work as well as software licensing arrangements. Associate Štěpánka Havlíková is a key contact within the team and specialises in IP, data protection, and M&A work.

Czech Republic > Tax Tier 3

Dentons’ tax department benefits from a local and international client base, and serves corporations and individuals from the retail, energy, tech, and financial services sectors. The firm is skilled at handling cases relating to tax planning, compliance concerns, tax reports, and tax structuring of M&A deals. Elsewhere, the group has demonstrable experience in representing clients in tax disputes before the national administrative courts, including the Supreme Administrative Court. Petr Kotáb guides the team and focuses on international tax, the tax treatment of employee benefits, and tax planning of cross-border transactions.