TMT: Czech Republic

THE FIRM Baker & McKenzie rises in the rankings this year in recognition of its consistently high performance in TMT. The department predominantly handles IT and telecoms mandates, advising on areas such as outsourcing, legal audits on websites and advertising law. It also handles contentious cases. The group recently advised IDS Scheer on licensing, corporate and IT-related matters regarding the acquisition of the company by AG Software. It also assisted Barclays Capital with the development of in-house software. Further key clients include Telefónica O2, Fox International and Level 3 Communications.

Sources say: "A diligent and effective team with understanding of the local environment as well as EU regulatory matters."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jirí Čermák is noted for his knowledge of IT and cyber law. He leads this practice group as well as the IP group at the firm. He is also well versed in communications matters and in advising on contentious cases. 

Clients cite Tomás Skoumal as being "committed to excellence. A perfect choice for complex transactional matters." As head of the M&A department at the firm, he has vast experience in advising TMT clients on transactional matters.

THE FIRM With 12 lawyers focusing solely on TMT, Pierstone maintains its position as a prime choice in the sector. Its established regional presence means it is well placed to advise on large cross-border cases. It acts for clients in the IT industry as well as for telecoms operators, advertising agencies and media groups. Its client portfolio features Microsoft and Vodafone. Highlights include acting for AVG Technologies on commercial, regulatory and corporate matters. The team advised social media monitoring website Socialbakers on its monitoring activities and on personal data protection issues. 

Sources say: "For clients they are a dream; the partners enjoy handling the work themselves, which allows us to keep a close relationship throughout."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Tomas Schollaert earns praise for his "devotion to TMT and long-standing focus on this area." His practice includes both M&A and telecoms regulation, and he handles cross-border deals well, lately with Russia and Slovakia.

Jana Pattynová is described as a "diplomatic, extremely positive" practitioner who "keeps her cool when things are hectic." Her practice covers IT, litigation, telecoms regulation and competition, and she has recently handled cross-border work in Israel, Sweden, Germany and Indonesia.

THE FIRM This international firm has a strong TMT offering with experience in regulatory, corporate and contentious matters. Much of the team's focus is on areas such as regulatory telecoms work, internet cases and e-commerce, and clients include prominent names such as Verizon, IDT Europe, Warner Bros. and Glogster. On the IT front the team advised a client in the banking industry on licensing and support for a financial services software package, including on an outsourcing agreement with a US-based provider. It also acted for Lenovo on the warranty and post-warranty services agreement relating to the supply of Lenovo laptops for a joint promotional campaign with T-Mobile.

Sources say: "Working with them is very refreshing as they are advisers in the true sense of the word: business-oriented and always a few steps ahead of you, with solutions for any situation."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Vojtech Chloupek heads the firm's IP and TMT practices, and commentators say "there is no doubting his expertise and passion for work in the technology field. He is very well informed on TMT developments, both in and outside of the Czech Republic."

THE FIRM With a sizeable team of 13 practitioners, Rowan Legal firmly remains one of the leading practices in this field. The team is a leader on the ICT side, and offers specialist advice in areas such as cyber-security and related dispute resolution. Clients include big names such as CEZ ICT, Erste Group and Ericsson. Recent work highlights vary from advising Czech Post on a telecoms infrastructure project to assisting T-Systems with creating a contractual framework for cloud computing services.

Sources say: "Real leaders on the IT front, especially on outsourcing projects."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department head Martin Maisner is "a well-known leader in the IT field." He is an expert on ICT law, and his practice covers outsourcing and cyber-security matters.

THE FIRM This prominent full-service US firm is highly regarded for its strong TMT offering. It is well known for representing leading telecoms player Telefónica, most recently advising it on an abuse of dominant position case against another internet service provider, which is seeking recovery of EUR167 million damages from Telefónica. Other clients include the City of Prague, which the team is advising on contractual issues relating to the OpenCard electronic payment card system, and CEZ Distribuce, which it is assisting with a contractual dispute relating to a software delivery agreement. 

Sources say: "They have excellent lawyers and are strong competitors in the media area."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Managing partner Karel Muzikar has a diverse practice covering transactional and regulatory matters. He is experienced in advising both local and foreign clients on matters ranging from joint ventures to privatisations. 

THE FIRM White & Case continues to be recognised for its leading TMT expertise. The firm is experienced in advising on a wide spectrum of matters in the communications sector, including M&A, finance and procurement. The seven-strong team represented TMT Czech in a high-profile dispute against Telefónica O2 regarding the operation of alternative operators in the Czech Republic. Other work includes advising HBO on all contractual documents and the production services contract relating to the production of the Czech language version of the TV series 'In Treatment'.

Sources say: "We appreciate the team's business-oriented approach, know-how and ability to execute deals." "Very good at working as a team and coming up with creative solutions."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Václav Jerman has long-standing experience in telecoms law, especially relating to privatisations in the industry. He advises clients on establishing subsidiaries and participating in telecoms licence tenders. He also handles TMT-related litigations.

Sources regard Michal Smrek as "a strategic thinker and tough negotiator who is very good at defending the client's interests." He also has hands-on experience in the media industry as a film producer.

THE FIRM This TMT team is noted for its experience in dealing with IT clients, particularly on internet start-ups and venture capital deals. Recent highlights include advising Mid Europa Partners on the sale of Ceske Radiokomunikace to a consortium of funds managed by Macquarie, and representing an independent producer and publisher of computer games in a dispute with a Czech consumer support services company for Electronic Arts. Other clients include Advent International, GMT Communications Partners and the 3i Group.

Sources say: "The team is very good on regional deals in the TMT area." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Tomás Matejovsky is the head of the office's commercial, regulatory and disputes departments. He is an experienced litigator for technology issues.

THE FIRM This local full-service firm is experienced in advising TMT clients on a broad range of matters, from transactional work to day-to-day advice. It is particularly well known for its ability to assist clients with contentious matters, thanks to its top-flight dispute resolution practice.

Sources say: "A smart team and easy to work with." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department head Vít Horácek wins glowing praise as "a specialist, especially on IT matters."

THE FIRM This local firm's wide-ranging TMT practice handles mandates from the telecoms, media and technology fields, and acts for prominent clients such as Telefónica O2, Nokia and TNT Group. Highlights include representing Menghem Equity and Towercom in the sale of shares in two companies indirectly operating one of the biggest satellite TV operators in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The team also advised Primus CE on its dispute with a major Czech mobile network operator concerning the alleged right of the operator to use the client's construction as a base for its mobile network transmitter.

Sources say: "A firm which is increasingly active in the TMT field."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department head Martin Krejci is the first point of contact for this area.

THE FIRM PRK Partners is recognised for its broad TMT offering. It advises on telecoms and media law matters ranging from litigation proceedings to licensing issues, in addition to general corporate and regulatory work. Highlights include acting on an acquisition of a Slovak internet operator, and advising a local media company on acquiring new titles as part of its portfolio.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jan Kohout is the first point of contact for TMT matters. He also heads the firm's Russian desk.

THE FIRM Allen & Overy is commended for its growing TMT practice, and for its continued work for long-standing client Ceské Radiokomunikace. Recent mandates include advising the broadcaster on acquisition and regulatory work relating to DVB-T terrestrial broadcasting. The team also advised GTS CE on various high-profile deals.

Sources say: "They are practical and reliable, and always seek to provide commercial solutions to legal problems."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Václav Valvoda heads the department.

THE FIRM The four-lawyer team at this international firm is recognised as a leading media law practice. Its client portfolio features big-hitters such as Warner Bros., AOL and New Line Cinema. Ongoing mandates include advising Warner Bros. on a project concerning the protection of the company's IP rights in the Czech Republic for the Harry Potter franchise.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peter Valert is the managing partner of the firm and is upheld by peers as a leading expert on film and media matters. He is qualified at the California State Bar and is active on regional mandates as the head of the CEE IPT group.

THE FIRM This sizeable local outfit covers TMT work as part of its IP, telecoms, media and IT practice. Its work is varied, with recent mandates including advising Austrian telecoms company Kapsch on an electronic toll project, and representing IBM in a large e-government enterprise. The group has also assisted T-Mobile with regulatory matters, and advised Nokia on new contractual documents and distribution issues.

Sources say: "We appreciate how the lawyers find sensible solutions that move the case forward."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources describe department head Robert Nespurek as "an excellent TMT lawyer." His practice is broad, covering M&A and competition as well as telecoms and IT.

THE FIRM Kinstellar's TMT practice group operates within the corporate department, and covers both media and IT matters. Clients include prominent names such as Central European Media Enterprises, SAZKA and Microsoft. The team recently acted on a mandate concerning data protection issues relating to e-ticketing, and on a cross-border data transfer and data protection case. 

Sources say: "We'd happily recommend them for their speedy response times and ability to offer an international perspective."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Hana Gawlasová is valued by clients for her experience in the IT sector and for her ability to "really take care of us." She has a background in computer programming and network administration, and is noted for her experience on IT projects.

THE FIRM This firm's long-established TMT practice has grown to encompass EU law, competition and state aid matters, as well as transactional and administrative procedural issues. Recent TMT clients include Orange, Amdocs and Sonus Networks. On the telecoms front, the team advised Bohemia Telekom on the current status of the licensing and operation of virtual mobile network operators.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Rostislav Pekar is the first point of contact for this area.