Source: Estate (January 2020)
In 2021 HAVEL & PARTNERS celebrates its 20th anniversary. How did a small firm established by a group of five young lawyers become number one in the legal profession with 2.5 thousand clients, constant growth, the winner of prestigious awards for its expertise and service quality, an exceptional brand and the most sought-after employer in the industry?
Its success is based on a client-focused approach, a comprehensive range of first-rate legal and tax advisory services and mainly the ability to adapt as fast as possible to the current market and client needs and requirements. “From a legal and tax point of view, we guide the client through their business and help them develop further,” says Jaroslav Havel, the firm’s managing partner.
The firm was established in 2001 by a group of five young lawyers with the aim of building a firm with the highest standard of legal services and international reach. With their extraordinary efforts, strategic management of the firm as well as their courage to take risks, they gradually succeeded in fulfilling this vision. Today, with its 240 lawyers and tax advisors and a total of 500 employees, including employees of the affiliated collection agency Cash Collectors, HAVEL & PARTNERS is the largest independent law firm in Central Europe. It has offices in Prague, Brno, Olomouc, Ostrava and Pilsen, as well as in Bratislava, Slovakia.
The recipe for success is the best lawyers, efficient management and strategic development. Last year, HAVEL & PARTNERS managed to continue the achievements it made in previous years despite the COVID-19 pandemic and closed the year as the most successful in the firm’s history. Similar achievements were also accomplished during the financial crisis in 2008 to 2012. All because the firm sees crises as opportunities.
“We have been expecting a crisis with an impact on the economy for a long time and we prepared for it in advance. When it struck, although in a different form than we expected, we had something to build on and were able to immediately focus on our clients,” explains Jaroslav Havel, managing partner, adding: “We try to apply the most proactive approach. We focus on the clients and their business and work intensively with them to get ahead of others.“ It is this approach that has allowed the firm to keep growing every year in terms of turnover, personnel and the quality and scope of services.
The firm has been thriving not only in terms of its financial results. It has also received a number of important awards. HAVEL & PARTNERS has repeatedly won the prestigious Law Firm of the Year awards. Based on the total number of all nominations and awards in all years of this competition, it is the most successful law firm with the most comprehensive services in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In 2020 HAVEL & PARTNERS was also named the Best Czech Law Firm at the Chambers Europe Awards. It has also repeatedly won the Czech Business Superbrands award for its exceptional brand and is also the most sought-after employer in its branch of business.
Besides a focus on clients, one of the firm’s greatest assets is also the extensive portfolio of services that meet the highest standards of the legal profession. HAVEL & PARTNERS offers advice in all branches of law and business sectors. The firm’s flagship is services relating to acquisitions, divestitures and mergers of companies operating in all manner of sectors. The portfolio also includes advice on financing, taxes and other issues.
In the 20 years of its existence, HAVEL & PARTNERS has built one of the most stable client bases on the market in Central Europe. It provides services to a total of 2,500 clients from among major Czech and foreign companies and state institutions. Its regular clients include leading Czech and Slovak entrepreneurs.
HAVEL & PARTNERS builds its relationships with private clients by developing a long-term strategic partnership. That is why prominent clients, including about a third of the richest Czechs and Slovaks, are taken care of by a dedicated specialised team that the firm was the first to create on the market 13 years ago. With more than 25 mostly senior lawyers and another 12 tax experts, it is the largest advisory group in Central Europe.
“We know our clients and keep track of their business, family relationships or property situation. We know what visions and goals they have. Thanks to this, we can respond to their requirements immediately depending on the current situation,” says Jaroslav Havel.
HAVEL & PARTNERS advises business owners or representatives and their families on the management and long-term protection of their personal and business property as well as on foreign investments and taxes. Over the past 10 years, the firm has set up several hundreds of family holding companies and holding structures, and dozens of trusts. It also focuses on complicated probate proceedings, family law and, last but not least, on succession.
HAVEL & PARTNERS also provides comprehensive advice on real estate and construction law, with the further development of these services being one of the firm’s top priorities. A team of 30 experienced lawyers, including 6 partners, have extensive know-how. The are able to advise cities, architects, designers, construction companies, developers, investors, funds and asset managers in all fields of their business, from legislation (for example, the firm takes part in the preparation of new building regulations), construction preparation and planning, financing and implementation, to effective management and protection of existing real estate investments.
Since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis, HAVEL & PARTNERS has also been actively involved in dealing with the adverse consequences of the pandemic on real estate law. With its broad specialisation and maximum time flexibility, the real estate team is ready to offer clients immediate assistance.
