Kocián Šolc Balaštík

Managing Partner: Martin Krejčí

Other Partners: Jan Černohouz (Tax Partner), Pavel Dejl, Dagmar Dubecká, Jiří Horník, Jan Lasák, Petr Kasík, Martin Krejčí, Vlastimil Pihera, Václav Rovenský, Tomáš Sequens, Sylvie Sobolová, Martin Šolc, Drahomír Tomašuk, Jiří Balaštík (Emeritus Partner), Jan Dědič (Emeritus Partner), Alexandr Kocián (Emeritus Partner), Helena Navrátilová (Emeritus Partner)

Number of lawyers: 64

Number of tax advisers: 7

Languages: Czech, English, German, Italian, French, Slovak, Russian, Ukrainian

Firm Overview: 

For 35 years, KŠB, a four-time recipient of the prestigious Chambers Europe Award for Excellence, has been an acclaimed market leader, creating innovative and groundbreaking legal solutions for its clients involving new legislation and legal and business concepts. A proudly independent Czech law firm, KŠB is globally interconnected through long-term relationships with other leading independent law firms, with whom it frequently works on cross-border transactions. Its mission is to strategically guide its global and domestic clients in attaining and exceeding their business objectives in the Czech Republic. Delivering commercially driven and sector specific advice, the firm is not just ready for the future, but actively facilitating it in the evolving 21st century business world for the benefit of its clients, whose success is the firm’s greatest satisfaction.

Main Areas of Practice 

M&A: 

In the area of mergers and acquisitions, we provide full-scale advisory services, from helping clients select the optimal transaction structure, and preparing and negotiating term sheets and complete transaction documentation, to conducting due diligence and representing clients before regulatory authorities. With 35 years of experience and deep knowledge in this area, we are a trusted partner for investors, both domestic and foreign.

Corporate: 

From the establishment of business corporations and the preparation of materials to secure their financing, to setting up relationships between corporations and their elected bodies or among shareholders, and all the way to transformations, restructurings, or liquidation – we provide reliable legal guidance at every stage of a company's lifecycle. Our experts prepare and negotiate key documents, such as shareholder agreements, ensuring that your interests are protected. We specialize in working with the largest corporations and groups in the market, often implementing innovative corporate and restructuring steps as market pioneers.

Banking & Finance: 

We advise our clients throughout the entire investment life cycle, from the acquisition itself (including structuring), through financing operations, development and investments, to refinancing. We also advise banks and other financial institutions, private companies and public sector entities on domestic and international financing transactions across all sectors – commercial, financial and public. We have vast experience in all types of financing, including syndicated and club financing, both through standard loan transactions and promissory note programs or bond issues. We have also recently grown our experience in financing start-ups, particularly in the form of venture capital.

Securities & Capital Markets 

We are a recognised specialist on capital market transactions, with our capital markets practice ranging from large corporate senior bond transactions and hedge fund structures, to specific (tailor-made) unnamed securities and derivatives issues. Given our expertise in structuring financial transactions and in-depth knowledge of national and supranational regulation, we advise primarily on complex and first-of-its-kind issues. Our experts have been involved in the implementation of many EU regulations affecting capital markets, including the implementation of the Prospectus Regulation, the Transparency Directive, the Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (UCITS) and Alternative Investment Fund Managers (AIFM) Directives, and the MIFID2/MIFIR regulatory instruments.

Competition: 

We specialize in full-scale representation of clients before the Czech Competition Authority, Czech administrative courts and EU competition institutions. We assist with notifications of mergers of undertakings, defending against allegations of abuse of dominance and cartel agreements, and enforcement of claims for breaches of competition rules. Our team is known for its exceptional ability to successfully resolve the most complex competition cases before competition regulators and courts, including complex mergers and other competition cases.

Litigation & Arbitration:  

Dispute resolution is a key area of our practice. Our extensive experience includes representing clients in disputes in all areas of law as well as in business non-profit sectors. Thanks to many years of cooperation with respected foreign law firms, we are able to effectively represent clients in international disputes and arbitration and coordinate resolutions across jurisdictions. A number of court and arbitration decisions in favour of our clients have become landmark decisions in their respective areas of law and are cited in other subsequent case law and decision-making practice.

Energy (Including Mining): 

Our energy and mining practice combines full-service legal advice for two key pillars of the economy – the energy and mining industries. With in-depth knowledge of the legal, technical and regulatory aspects, we provide effective solutions that meet the specific needs of investors, operators and public institutions. Our services help clients ensure compliance with current legislation, support the sustainability of energy and mining projects, and contribute to the long-term sustainable development of these strategic sectors.

Real Estate: 

From residential projects to hotels, warehouses, highways, airports and power plants, we can help with permitting and construction everywhere. Likewise, we assist clients in the purchase, sale or lease of these properties and the related aspects of financing and taxes. At the same time, we have successfully represented many clients before the authorities or courts regarding their real estate. This unique combination of experience helps our clients succeed in a challenging real estate market.

Aviation and Aerospace: 

We are one of the few law firms in the Czech Republic that advises on aviation and aerospace issues. Not only do we advise on the purchase, financing and operation of aircraft, we are also very familiar with aviation regulation and have a successful track record of resolving disputes, including those against passengers, as well as those related to aircraft accidents and aircraft damage. In the aerospace sector, we assist in the implementation of projects for the supply of satellites and satellite components, as well as ground equipment necessary for the proper operation of aerospace activities.

IP: 

Our intellectual property legal services help protect and develop the value of our clients' innovations, brands, trade secrets and reputations in both the real and digital world. With a personalized approach and an emphasis on effective solutions, we defend our clients' interests in cases of competitive infringement and misappropriation of protected value.

TMT: 

We offer comprehensive legal advice covering all aspects which are key for modern TMT businesses. From electronic communications regulation, cyber security and data protection to the creation of e-commerce platforms, software development and internet marketing. With years of experience, we help clients navigate the legal challenges of the digital age. Our services include not only general advice and drafting documentation, but also representation in administrative and court proceedings. Whether it is setting up an IT company, operating a website or implementing IT systems, we are your reliable partner on the road to success

Employment: 

Our employment law team provides complete services and advice in key areas of employment law. We have long-standing relationships with major domestic and international employers, including leading market players, and provide our clients with practical and concrete solutions that meet their specific and diverse needs. We are also an active member of the Employment Law Alliance (ELA), a global network of law firms specializing in employment law in over 135 countries. This enables us to support clients on projects that extend beyond the borders of the Czech Republic.

Tax: 

We work with clients on day-to-day matters in all areas of tax, as well as on contingencies such as tax audits, transaction structuring, acquisitions, tax due diligence and conversions. It doesn’t matter whether the clients are multinational corporations, ordinary entrepreneurs or non-profit entities – we are happy to help everyone. What makes us unique is the connection of our legal team with our accounting specialists. Together we help clients solve their tax, legal and accounting problems.