CERHA HEMPEL Kališ & Partners is the Czech member of the CEE-wide firm network and a prominent player in the Czech legal market. Based in Prague, the firm was created in 2013 following the merger of Austrian-headquartered CERHA HEMPEL with Kališ & Partners; a spin-off from DLA Piper. The team advises on complex cross-border and domestic transactions, across corporate, M&A, banking and finance, dispute resolution, real estate and regulatory matters. Key figures in the Prague office include partners Tomáš Bílek, Pavel Dvořák, Jan Havel, Jan Kališ, Vít Matějka, David Říha and Petr Šimek.

Key clients
Calderys, CHANCE, Credendo, Credendo - Short-Term EU Risks úvěrová pojišťovna, Erste Group Bank, FCC Group, IQOption Europe, JIP východočeská, Livesport Digital, MaverixCH Group, Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic, MOTORGAS, Národní rozvojová banka, RHI Magnesita, RIMOWA CZ, SAFINA, Sony Music Entertainment, State Investment and Development Company, Státní investiční a rozvojová společnost, TAO Capital Partners, Telio Czech Republic, Tipsport.net, BVfon Czech Telecommunication

Highlights
The M&A team led by Petr Kališ represented Sony Music Entertaiment and its London and New York branches in its return to the Czech market and the acquisition of the company Supraphon, the largest Czech record label.

The banking and finance team advised SAFINA in resolving their negative equity situation and with the preparation and installation of a strategy for the acquisition of the receivable by its parent company along with the subsequent restructuring and capitalization.

As part of an intra-group restructuring, the firm assisted Credendo Group in implementing a cross-border merger of two subsidiaries regulated as insurance companies having the same sole shareholder, Ducroire, the official Belgian export credit agency ultimately owned by the Belgian state. The merger resulted in the absorption of the Czech company by another group subsidiary, an insurance company based in Belgium.

Testimonials
“The team combines strong technical expertise with practical commercial understanding. They are highly responsive, well organised and able to explain complex insolvency and restructuring matters in a clear, business-oriented manner.” – Insolvency

“The work is completed swiftly and to a high standard. The team is also able to explain matters in a practical way and propose commercially viable solutions.” – Insolvency
“The team is reliable, responsive and highly effective.” – Insolvency

“The team demonstrates very strong insolvency and restructuring expertise, supported by a high-quality and well-resourced practice.” – Insolvency

“Despite handling a large volume of matters, the team remains fully across the detail of each case and is able to provide expert advice even on less conventional issues. Their responsiveness and clear communication are particularly valued.” – Insolvency

“I approached the team because of its reputation in insolvency matters, and my experience has fully confirmed this. They explain processes clearly and focus on the steps that are most relevant from a creditor’s perspective.” – Restructuring

“What stood out to me most about CERHA HEMPEL was their combination of deep legal expertise and a highly practical, business-oriented approach. Their team was very responsive, detail-oriented and proactive throughout the process, making complex matters significantly easier to navigate.” – Banking and finance

“Coordinated cross-border services delivered to a consistently high standard.” – Financial services regulatory

“We have worked with the lawyers at CERHA HEMPEL for many years and have been extremely satisfied with their service. Their dedicated public procurement specialists, Martin Kartner and Hana Maláčová, are highly responsive and consistently deliver excellent work.” – Project development

“Professionalism, precision, tailored advice, flexibility and premium client care distinguish the team.” – PPP/PFI
“Professionalism, empathy, patience and detailed support are key strengths of the team.” – Restructuring

“The team provides expert insight into relevant transactions and demonstrates strong negotiation skills based on extensive M&A experience.” – M&A

“CERHA HEMPEL demonstrated a very strong combination of legal expertise, commercial understanding and exceptional responsiveness throughout the transaction. Their thorough multi-jurisdictional due diligence enabled early identification and mitigation of risks, while their practical, business-oriented advice remained solution-focused throughout challenging negotiations. Their seamless coordination of local counsel across jurisdictions and efficient management of complex domain transfer and intellectual property issues were particularly impressive.” – M&A

“The team stands out for its approach, client-focused attitude, technical know-how and high-quality delivery.” – M&A

“What stands out about CERHA HEMPEL is their combination of technical expertise and pragmatic, business-oriented advice. The team demonstrates deep knowledge of M&A transactions and Czech legal matters, while remaining responsive, efficient and easy to work with. Their proactive issue spotting, clear communication and practical solutions are especially valued.” – M&A

“The team's combination of deep legal expertise, proactive approach and strong client focus was greatly appreciated. They were also exceptionally responsive.” – M&A

“Solution-oriented advice and a genuinely client-focused approach distinguish the team.” – M&A

“CERHA HEMPEL CZ provides an excellent blend of transactional experience, sector-specific expertise and cross-border capability. The team delivers highly commercial advice while remaining responsive and efficient.” – M&A

“The team demonstrates professionalism, flexibility and a strong customer-oriented approach.” – M&A

“The team delivers extraordinary speed of execution, remains highly flexible and is always reachable. Their performance has consistently been of the highest professional standard.” – M&A