Our law firm advised the prominent Czech investment and development group Accolade on the acquisition of a 100% stake in FK Teplice, a first league Czech football club.
The extensive and long-term legal advisory during the transaction involved negotiating and preparing the acquisition agreement as well as conducting related legal due diligence.
The advisory team was led partners Jan Koval and Lukáš Syrový, working alongside managing associate Ivo Skolil, senior associate Nikola Pospíšilová Leová, associate Jiří Moravec, and junior associates Dominika Hřebačková and Johana Němečková.
Accolade’s purchase of FK Teplice marks a strategic, long-term investment aimed at supporting the development of the entire region. The club’s former owner, AGC Group—active primarily in the glass manufacturing industry—will continue to collaborate with Accolade on the club’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, particularly in youth sports development.
The Czech-Slovak law firm HAVEL & PARTNERS has welcomed a new partner this April. Jan Procházka, an expert in banking and finance, has joined the firm. He will lead the further development of this specialised practice, which includes a team of 30 experienced lawyers, including six partners.
With a decade of experience in banking and finance, Jan Procházka focuses on providing legal advice to banks, insurance companies, individual and collective investment entities, and other financial market clients. His expertise covers regulatory requirements and regulatory aspects of transformations, restructurings, and acquisitions, AML, payment services including licensing, financial product distribution, and compliance in the financial sector.
“Banking and finance is one of key specialisations of our firm, showing long-term growth. Jan brings not only his detailed expertise and extensive experience but also the ability to connect regulatory advice with current market requirements. His arrival will allow us to further develop top-notch expertise and respond more effectively to the needs of banks, insurance companies, investment funds, and fintech companies,” said Jaroslav Havel, managing partner at HAVEL & PARTNERS.
Jan also specialises in labour law, including standard labour matters, flexibility, innovative benefits, and international postings. He has experience negotiating terms in employment and management contracts as well as contracts with statutory body members. Jan has represented clients in both judicial and extrajudicial phases of employment termination and has led projects assessing employee or statutory body liability for damage and setting up corporate governance.
He co-authored the Commentary on the Labour Code published by C. H. Beck in 2018. Prior to joining our law firm in 2025, Jan was a partner and head of the Banking and Finance and Labor Law departments at Deloitte Legal.
Banking, finance, and capital markets are among the main practice areas of HAVEL & PARTNERS. The firm’s clients include leading Czech, Slovak, and international banks, insurance companies, financial institutions, corporations, and major institutional and private investors. Most lawyers in the specialised team have experience from renowned international law firms or leading positions in regulatory authorities such as the Czech National Bank.
The Czech-Slovak law firm HAVEL & PARTNERS has joined the Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI), aimed at streamlining the construction of rental apartments in the Czech Republic to significantly improve housing accessibility. Supported by HAVEL & PARTNERS and other partners such as Central Group, Česká spořitelna, KPMG Czech Republic, Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU), and LOXIA architects, the initiative is launching a new simplified design & build model for affordable housing construction for municipalities and cities.
The new model, leveraging standardized projects and typically fixed construction costs, significantly accelerates and simplifies the building process—from design to implementation. This approach effectively reduces the risk of additional work and delays associated with extensive paperwork.
HAVEL & PARTNERS has joined the initiative by preparing model contractual and tender documentation, enabling municipalities to implement the construction of apartment buildings. The preparation was led by a team headed by partner František Korbel, along with managing associate Mária Kopecká and senior associate Tomáš Kalenský.
“We believe this approach could be a basic impulse for the creation of thousands of rental apartments across the country, helping municipalities respond to the growing demand for quality and affordable housing,” commented partner František Korbel on the firm’s involvement.
The Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI) is a specialised think-tank of leading companies and institutions aimed at improving housing accessibility in the Czech Republic. The simplified design & build system and standardized construction solutions can be utilized by both public and private investors nationwide. The initiative closely cooperates with the Ministry of Regional Development (MRD), the State Investment Support Fund (SFPI), the National Development Bank (NDB), and the Union of Towns and Municipalities (SMO).
Central Europe’s largest independent law firm, HAVEL & PARTNERS, once again reported outstanding economic results for the last year. The total turnover of the law firm in 2024 grew by 8% year-on-year, reaching CZK 1.5 billion. The group’s overall turnover, which includes the debt collection agency Cash Collectors and other specialised services, reached a preliminary figure of CZK 1.7 billion.
“Last year’s results once again confirm our exceptional long-term economic stability, which is the result of a well-thought-out strategy, investments in innovation, and systematic strong team building. In the last year, we not only maintained but also strengthened our position as the largest independent law firm in Central Europe. We expanded our international presence, which is crucial in the era of globalization, by opening a direct representation office in Frankfurt, Germany. Our success is primarily based on the solid foundations of top-notch expertise, the trust of our clients, and our ability to provide them with comprehensive solutions for their business development,” summarized Jaroslav Havel for 2024.
HAVEL & PARTNERS saw significant economic progress in its tax practice in 2024, with turnover growing by 17%. Economic growth was also supported by favourable results from teams specialising in litigation, private client services, and public procurement. Additionally, there was growth in practice groups specialising in mergers and acquisitions, competition law, and real estate law.
Last year saw exceptional interest in legal and tax services for private clients, particularly in the areas of professional asset management and protection. This is linked to the significant expansion of services offered by the affiliated family office, ONE FAMILY OFFICE, which provides comprehensive services for high-net-worth clients. These services include succession planning for family businesses, Czech endowment funds and trusts and foreign trusts, global mobility of family and assets, international investment opportunities, healthcare and family security, education and development of the next generation, and family philanthropy strategies.
“The development of ONE FAMILY OFFICE in its first year since its official launch has significantly exceeded our expectations, not only in terms of expanding our service portfolio but also in establishing new business partnerships and increasing the number of affiliated families and individuals. Overall, we have made new investments totalling CZK 4 billion, with 75% allocated abroad, particularly in the USA,” said Jaroslav Havel, founding partner of ONE FAMILY OFFICE.
In 2024, HAVEL & PARTNERS Group was ranked among the TOP 100 most valuable companies controlled by Czech owners, according to the Česká elita ranking. The ranking was compiled by Seznam Zprávy in collaboration with Deloitte. The latest analysis by Patria Corporate Finance valued the law firm HAVEL & PARTNERS, including its Slovak office and educational Academy, at CZK 2.8 billion. The value of the entire group, which also includes the debt collection agency Cash Collectors and other specialised entities, was estimated at over CZK 3.3 billion.
HAVEL & PARTNERS’ success and the high level of services provided are further supported by numerous professional awards, including the title of Law Firm of the Year 2024 for a domestic firm in the Czech Republic and Law Firm of the Year 2024 for the best client services. The firm also won the main award for the best international law firm in the Slovak competition Law Firm of the Year last year.
Petra Rudová has joined HAVEL & PARTNERS as the new HR Director, taking charge of human resources management and development across the entire HAVEL & PARTNERS group. Her focus will include HR innovations, strategic talent management, and further employee development.
“HR is crucial for our firm because top-notch advisory services stand and fall on an excellent team and the ability to retain the best people and support the new talents in their development in the long term. Investing in modernizing HR processes and supporting our employees’ growth is a priority for us. We believe Petra’s expertise from her previous roles will support our strategic vision and effective HR management,” commented partner Jan Koval on the appointment of new HR Director.
Petra Rudová brings extensive experience in human resources management with an international reach. Before joining HAVEL & PARTNERS, she served as Group Senior HR Manager for PPF Group (Home Credit International). Throughout her career, she has held various HR positions at Plzeňský Prazdroj, Human Garden, T-Mobile CZ, and Czech Airlines.
Petra has managed HR projects in Europe and Asia, specialising in remuneration management, HR digitalization, and the development and education of managers. Her goal is to enhance team efficiency and motivation, support collaboration, and build a long-term successful organization. In her previous roles, she actively participated in discussions on workplace diversity and working in multicultural teams.
For the eleventh consecutive year, HAVEL & PARTNERS has topped the rankings of law firms in the TOP Employers survey, based on votes from students at Czech universities. The firm also excelled in the related Lawyer category, where only the top-performing students cast their votes.
“Receiving repeated recognition in the TOP Employers survey is particularly significant for us because it comes directly from students. I believe this confirms that our long-term efforts to create a supportive environment for the professional development of young legal talents are meaningful. We offer students a combination of challenging practice under the guidance of experienced mentors and a supportive atmosphere. This enables our colleagues to achieve exceptionally rapid professional and career growth,” says Petra Rudová, who joined HAVEL & PARTNERS as HR Director in February.
With seven offices and a team of 350 lawyers, tax advisors, and patent attorneys, HAVEL & PARTNERS is the first choice for clients dealing with sophisticated cases with an international element or cases involving various legal and business fields. Currently, around seventy students are part of the firm, directly involved in expert teams and gaining valuable experience working on major transactions, often with international aspects.
In the 14th year of the unique TOP Employers survey, 11 872 university students and 7 014 high school students provided their responses. Companies are evaluated in categories such as work environment, offered professional education, social responsibility, and prospects for future high earnings.
New year means new opportunities – 2025 not only brings dynamic changes in the legal and business environment, but also increasing demands for innovation and global connectivity. In the latest issue of our H&P Magazine, we would like to help you better navigate these changes and opportunities. Read it online or in PDF format.
What are the opportunities for expansion in Germany? Our colleagues from the Frankfurt office looked at the German market through the lens of a Czech entrepreneur. In the interview, our M&A and corporate finance experts also discuss strategic approaches to foreign expansion. In another interview, we explain why to expand abroad and why ONE FAMILY OFFICE focuses on global asset mobility.
In the magazine, you will also find other legal and business news. How does the building permit procedure work at the moment? How can endowment funds and trusts operate as a tool of the generation of leaders? What VAT news did 2025 bring and why should companies prepare for the new cybersecurity rules? These are some of the topics we cover.
We hope that you will find many inspiring topics in the magazine, not only for your business.
The path to success often requires the courage to overcome the pitfalls of a rapidly changing world, and we believe that we will still be your reliable partner in this respect in 2025. Together with you, we are ready to turn challenges into opportunities.
We have been advising the emeis/SeneCura Group in the sale of its Czech activities, comprising around 2,200 beds in 17 facilities to the Penta Healthcare Group.
Penta Hospitals International is the leading hospital and clinic group in Central and Eastern Europe, with nearly 60 facilities in the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia.
The completion of the transaction is expected for the first half of 2025 and is subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions.
HAVEL & PARTNERS professionals involved in the transaction were Martin Peckl (partner) and Robin Štork (senior associate) for the transaction part, and Roman Světnický (counsel) and Martin Rott (senior associate) for competition law matters.
A great thank you to the legal team of Jan Evan, advokátní kancelář s.r.o. (including Jan Evan and Petr Schmier) for very good cooperation in this project!
Renáta Šínová, a Czech expert in civil procedure and family law, received her academic title of associate professor at the Faculty of Law, Palacký University in Olomouc, which proves her exceptional expertise and experience in the field of civil procedure and family law. As counsel, Renáta is a member of the specialised family law team at the law firm HAVEL & PARTNERS, where she applies her extraordinary know-how especially when working with clients on their private matters.
Renáta Šínová has long focused on family and civil procedure law, particularly matrimonial law and the arrangement of relations with minor children, including proceedings for the establishment and denial of parenthood.
“In our office, we handle family law cases that are often very complex and challenging, not only from a legal perspective but also from a human and psychological standpoint. In such cases, it is the exceptional experience of our experts that plays a crucial role. Renáta has an extraordinary ability to combine her unique theoretical knowledge with the practical aspects of legal disputes. This often helps to find solutions even in the most complicated cases, where involving various points of view is essential to moving the case forward,” Veronika Bočanová, family law partner, commented on Renáta Šínová’s expertise.
In addition to her law practice, Renáta Šínová is a respected expert in the academic world with extensive lecturing and publishing activities. She lectures on family law not only at universities, but also at professional seminars of HAVEL & PARTNERS ACADEMY.
She is a co-author of a textbook series focused on civil procedure law, commentaries on the Civil Procedure Code, and the author of extensive passages in volume IV of the large commentary on the Civil Code, under the guidance of associate professors Melzer and Tégl. She is also the main co-author of a monographic series focused on family law institutes published by the Leges publishing house (Marriage, Divorce, Family Law Proceedings, Parental Responsibility). She has long cooperated with the Judicial Academy and the Office for International Legal Protection of Children. She is also a member of the working committee of the Legislative Council of the Government. Last year, she won the Czech-Slovak Flamma award as an exceptionally inspiring lawyer.
HAVEL & PARTNERS, the largest independent law firm in Central Europe, continues to invest in internal growth and development. In January, the firm expanded its partnership with the promotion of Robert Porubský, Petr Tušakovský, and Martin Vlk. Additionally, Štěpán Černý, Jan Králíček, and Martin Stančík have joined as counsel. The firm also elevated 12 attorneys to more senior positions. With a total of 41 partners and 21 counsel, HAVEL & PARTNERS now boasts a team of 350 lawyers, tax advisors, and patent attorneys across its offices in Prague, Bratislava, Frankfurt, Brno, Plzeň, Olomouc, and Ostrava. The firm’s headcount now stands at 500 associates, solidifying its position as the largest independent law firm in Central Europe.
The firm’s management has long been committed to creating an optimal environment for employees and associates to rapidly advance their careers. “Last year was a major success across the board,” says Jaroslav Havel, the firm’s managing partner. “We significantly strengthened our market position, as confirmed by independent assessments and ratings, and achieved strong turnover and profit figures while continuously expanding our expert teams.”
“In the new year, we want to continue these positive trends, which also applies to our internal talent development strategy. We have therefore brought three new partners into the company’s top management – top professionals who have long demonstrated exceptional contributions to their teams and bolster the competitiveness of our firm,” added Jaroslav Havel.
Robert Porubský, HAVEL & PARTNERS’ leading energy and M&A lawyer, possesses extensive experience spanning conventional and renewable energy sources, including design and construction. He has represented clients before Czech courts, public authorities, and international arbitration tribunals, playing a pivotal role in the country’s most significant transactions as counsel for both sellers and buyers from various sectors.
Petr Tušakovský is a tax advisory expert, specialising in VAT-related services for major multinational companies. Drawing on his extensive experience, he has led teams advising clients across diverse industries, including retail, consumer goods, automotive, real estate, and construction. His work has also focused on companies based in Mainland China and Taiwan. During his practice in the U.S., he assisted clients with global tax structuring and advised on the tax implications of commercial transactions mainly in the EU.
Martin Vlk, a seasoned expert in real estate law, mergers and acquisitions, and contract law, has been also promoted a new partner. Based in HAVEL & PARTNERS’ Prague and Bratislava offices, he advises clients on the sale and purchase of real estate, as well as contractual matters related to the construction, operation, management, and leasing of commercial, residential, office, industrial, and logistics properties. With extensive experience in M&A transactions across the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and other Central and Southeast European markets, Martin also provides specialised services in complex commercial contracts and high-risk commercial transactions.
The firm has seen a wave of career advancements among its legal talent. Štěpán Černý, Jan Králíček, and Martin Stančík have been promoted to the level of counsel. Adam Karban, Petra Kašpárková, Martin Pecha, and Jakub Vojtěch have joined the ranks of managing associates. Additionally, Patrik Chrást, Jakub Jireš, Tomáš Mach, Jiří Pokorný, Nikola Pospíšilová Leová, Petr Potůček, Petr Řezníček, and Kateřina Trzaska were recently elevated to the position of senior associate.
Experienced journalist Pavel Schrötter is now in charge of developing the brand of ONE FAMILY OFFICE, a unique ecosystem dedicated to asset protection, management and growth, founded on the collaboration of successful families and individuals. Pavel Schrötter joins the marketing team of HAVEL & PARTNERS as a Senior PR Specialist, transitioning from Czech Television, where he spent nearly twelve years focusing primarily on legal and judicial topics.
The new marketing team member also brings experience from the Hospodářské noviny daily, Czech Radio, and the news channel Z1. “The cornerstone of our marketing strategy is high-quality, well-thought-out content. We provide clients and the professional public with an information service in the fields of law, taxes, and finance, which we aim to continuously improve. Therefore, we are strategically strengthening HAVEL & PARTNERS’ communication team to include colleagues who have rich journalistic experience. Pavel is already the fourth seasoned journalist in our ranks. With his long-standing practice in Czech Television, we also aim to further utilize audiovisual formats in our communication,” adds Veronika Dvořáková, Partner and Marketing Director of HAVEL & PARTNERS.
Veronika leads nearly two dozen professionals who internally ensure comprehensive marketing and PR communication, including events, across the entire HAVEL & PARTNERS Group. They also offer selected services to clients in these areas. Thanks to their experience and results, HAVEL & PARTNERS’ in-house marketing team has become an associate member of the Association of Public Relations (APRA) and regularly receives prestigious marketing awards for its projects (such awards as Czech PR Award – Lemur, Zlatý Středník, and Fénix Content Marketing Award). This year, the team won two first places and two second places at the Czech PR Awards for the NextŽeny project.
The law firm HAVEL & PARTNERS has provided legal advice to the real estate company Ownest and its investor, European Housing Services, offering unique rent-to-own services in the Czech market, in connection with the entry of a new investor, ČSOB, one of the leading banks active in the Czech Republic.
The HAVEL & PARTNERS advisory team, led by partner Petr Dohnal, included managing associate Josef Bouchal and junior associate Anna Gloserová. The legal advice primarily involved negotiating the investment documentation terms and ensuring the smooth entry of the new investor into the company. Competition law aspects were handled by the firm’s competition law experts – partner Lenka Štiková Gachová, counsel Roman Světnický, and senior associate Martin Rott.
This transaction marks the first entry of a banking entity into a company offering rent-to-own services in the Czech market. The essence of these services allows customers to first rent a property and then purchase it at a predetermined price. This model particularly benefits young people, enabling them to acquire their dream homes even if they have not yet qualified for a mortgage loan.
The transaction was finalized this September, following the necessary clearance from the Office for the Protection of Competition.
