Robert Neruda’s Post

Do you love to dream? 🛏😴🌛 I do! Especially, I like the dreams that come true. This was one of those dreams. ❤ When I entered private practice 14 years ago, I dreamed that we would build a strong competition practice in Czechia and Slovakia. It was not at all certain - the market was already quite crowded and mature at the time (2010). I dreamed that our team would not only serve great clients and work on complex cases, but also train new generation of competition lawyers and economists who would eventually become recognized experts. And it seems that we have succeeded in living our dream. We regularly work for hundreds of clients, many of them leaders in their sectors. We help them with big cases on both the national and the EU level. And our #competition team, which meanwhile grew to 30 members, regularly ranks at the top of all respected international rankings. And not just the team, but more and more regularly the individuals - my amazing colleagues. Just see the latest news. THE LEGAL 500 > 🇨🇿 CZECH REPUBLIC > EU AND COMPETITION 🏰 Tier 1 Firm: HAVEL & PARTNERS 🤴 Leading Individual: Robert Neruda (🙋♂️) 🏅 Next Generation Partner: Lenka Štiková Gachová ⭐ Rising Star: Roman Světnický Wondering how our clients turned our dreams into reality? These are the testimonials we received: ➡️‘We appreciate the extent to which the competition law lawyers are familiar with our business. They are able to propose solutions that are extremely beneficial to us because they do not just focus on the legal part of the matter, but always try to assess as far as possible the impact of the proposed solution on our business.’ ➡️‘The EU & competition team was very professional and a pleasure to work with. I would recommend them to anyone who, like us, dealt with matters related to competition law, though their erudition is at a high level in other areas of law as well.’ ➡️‘Robert Neruda is a true professional.’ Thank you - to the team, the clients and friends all around the world - for making my dreams come true. 😍🤩🙏 #competition #legal500 #havelpartners #Czechia

THE thing about the #antitrust team at HAVEL & PARTNERS (CZ + SK) that you might want to know? It is LARGE, RECOMMENDED and has a FUTURE. Recently it was confirmed by Who's Who Legal Competition 2024. You've probably already noticed my insufferable rant about me being included in the list again But now to the really important stuff. The list of top competition lawyers mentions two more of my brilliant colleagues. Lenka Štiková Gachová was the only partner from Czechia to be selected as a FUTURE LEADER. She is among the best experts of the next generation. And Petr Kadlec is among the RECOMMENDED experts or leaders in competition law - state aid. I strongly recommend following Lenka and Petr and working with them on any antitrust/state aid/FDI/FSR stuff connected with Czechia (and Slovakia, too). You will get nothing less than experience, wisdom and future! #competition #czechia #antitrust #rankings

I would like to thank to clients for their trust in our competence and to bnt attorneys in CEE | Czechia team for the great job we do. #realestate #realestateinvestments #investinrealestate #lawyers #legaladvice

WHAT DO I EXPECT FROM COMPETITION AUTHORITIES? 🔃 At that moment, the roles were reversed - the vice-chairs of the Czech and Slovak Competition Authorities asked me, a practitioner, what my expectations were of them and the institutions they manage. My answer? 1️⃣ I think that the entire professional community and most of the general public recognise the importance of antitrust and competition policy. This is good and not self-evident news. ☑ 2️⃣ I want independent and well resourced and staffed competition authorities. I will support this and I will fight against efforts to limit independence. 3️⃣ I expect competition authorities to be transparent and predictable. I do not want my clients to face surprising decisions and moves.slunce 4️⃣ I like the fact that both the Úřad pro ochranu hospodářské soutěže and Protimonopolný úrad Slovenskej republiky are willing to expose themselves to outside views. However, this requires not only hearing these opinions, but also taking them into account. 5️⃣ A modern competition authority actively promotes the principles of competition in public, and is a visible and vocal advocate for the removal of barriers to doing business. 📣 6️⃣ A competition authority is an integral part of the state and the state is there for the citizens, not the other way around. Competition authorities should not forget this and should strive to be as efficient and informal as possible wherever possible. 7️⃣ And yes, by the same token, I expect not just a COP 👮♂️ but a PARTNER 🤝, too. Particularly in mergers, but also in less serious breaches of competition rules, I seek active assistance to entrepreneurs to get rid of the competition problem as quickly and painlessly as possible. In the end I was glad that Peter Demčák and Kamil Nejezchleb gave me this question because it made me think and try to formulate my expectations. This happened at a great conference organised by the Slovak Competition Authority last week. I delibarately spoke (and am now writing) about my own expectations and preferences because I dare not speak for other competition lawyers and businesses. ❓ That is also why I would like to know what you expect from the competition authority? Do you agree or have I forgotten something important. Please share your thoughts in comments.⬇ It may help to make competition policy and protection more robust, if the authorities hear your voice. Thank you! #antitrust #slovakia #czechia HAVEL & PARTNERS #competition #team

⚖ 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗹𝗮𝘄 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆! Discover the key takeaways from the ”Meet To Compete Competition Law And Policy Conference – Tools For The New Rules” held in Opatija, Croatia, on May 9-10, 2024. This conference, organized by Dunja Šimunić Mehdin, ICC Croatia and the Hrvatska gospodarska komora (HGK/CCE), provided an essential platform for competition authorities, judges, and legal experts from across Europe to discuss and exchange their experiences. CMS Belgrade as a part of the CMS Antitrust, Competition & Trade Group (ACT) in CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz is proud for traditionally supporting these professional gatherings. Throwback to the engaging conference discussions by our Srdjan Jankovic: 👉The conference highlighted the importance of legal certainty in today's dynamic economic and regulatory environment. 👉We engaged in debates re-examining fundamental antitrust concepts and tools, confirming that area of antitrust law remains dynamic. 👉Interactions with the audience on the second day revealed uncommon business aspects needing special attention. These discussions underscored the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and innovation in antitrust regulation to address modern market challenges. Srdjan is part of a broader team that attended the event, including Dieter Zandler from Austria; Marija Zrno Prošić, Dina Celikovic and Filip Bjelinski from Croatian firm Bardek, Lisac, Mušec, Skoko and partners in cooperation with CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz; Maja Živanović from CMS Belgrade, Montenegro and N. Macedonia; and Robert Kordić and Gašper Hajdu from CMS Slovenia. Find more insights from the event here: https://lnkd.in/dvCrWsCj #CompetitionLaw #CMSLaw #KnowledgeSharing

📢 There are some great BD and marketing panels at the International Bar Association annual conference in Mexico City next month supported by the Law Firm Management Committee's Subcommittee on BD and Marketing! Join us on Monday 16th September for: 💡 Better business development: future-proofing your firm: In a rapidly changing and competitive legal market, how can your firm future-proof the ‘three Rs’ of business development: relationships, reputation and revenue? This panel will look at different perspectives on what law firms could and should be doing right now to prepare for a successful future. Katherine Hutchinson and Charlotte Ford from our Subcommittee will share their insights. 💡 How to actually win pitches to clients: In-house counsel are the ultimate connoisseurs of legal services, setting the bar high for their panel law firms. They expect nothing short of a legal "Michelin-star" experience—impeccable service, a nuanced understanding of their business landscape, and solutions served with a side of strategic foresight. Like a tough restaurant critic, they have a knack for identifying any hint of complacency or generic product. So, for law firms aiming to make the cut, it's not just about legal chops; it's about delivering a superlative experience that leaves them craving your counsel again and again. We're looking forward to Subcommittee member Rachel Hussey's contributions on this. Full programme information: https://lnkd.in/e6SGBjV9 #IBAMexico #IBA2024 #LawFirms

[JABŁOŃSKI KOŹMIŃSKI - SPONSOR OF THE TEAM] A few words about our wonderful sponsor! We are immensely grateful to Jabłoński Koźmiński without whose help this journey would not be possible. Jabłoński Koźmiński is also a patron of our XV Warsaw Pre-Moot taking place next week from 12-14th February 2024! Thank you for your trust and generosity 🌱 Jabłoński Koźmiński www.jklaw.pl 🔹’Law is an opportunity. Our job is to turn it into your success.' 🔹Within the framework of our practice, we offer legal services directed at solving complex, multifaceted legal problems (high-profile cases). In other words, we offer what is not commonly available on the legal market. 🔹The founders of the firm have a unique experience in advising both business clients (entrepreneurs, business organizations and industry entities as well as employers' associations), public institutions, think-tank organizations and political groups. With our opinions and projects we have supported i.a. public authorities both - Polish (e.g., the Sejm and the President of Poland, ministries, central offices), - foreign (e.g., the Parliament of Georgia), - as well as international (EU bodies, e.g., the European Economic and Social Committee).

📣 New Competition Tool in Germany – more power to intervene in markets. Find out more in our Law-Now article from Michael Bauer, Haellmigk Christian, Rolf Hempel, Björn Herbers, Harald Kahlenberg, Stefan Lehr, Kai Neuhaus, Dietmar Rahlmeyer, Tim Reher, Markus Schöner and Christoff H. Soltau. #cmslaw #competitionlaw

Our partner, Pablo Jimenez Zorrilla, was recently quoted in The Global Legal Post’s "Delegate Views" section, where he shared his excitement for engaging with peers from around the world at the International Bar Association Annual Conference Mexico City 2024. In his words, this opportunity allows for invaluable professional growth while also showcasing the richness of Mexican culture and the warmth of its people. We are honored to have his voice represented on such a prestigious platform. Read the quote here: https://bit.ly/3TGOuey #VWySTeam #GlobalLegalInsights

HAVEL & PARTNERS IN FIGURES 🔢 We continue to introduce our contributor for Czechia - HAVEL & PARTNERS. You already know from our last post that Robert Neruda considers his greatest professional achievement to be building the largest antitrust team in the region. But is that really the case? 🧐 And who actually makes up the competition team at HAVEL & PARTNERS? Let the figures speak for themselves. ⬇ 1️⃣ 2️⃣ women. 1️⃣ 6️⃣ men. In total, 2️⃣ 8️⃣ competition law enthusiasts with an average age of just under 3️⃣ 2️⃣ . There are those at the very beginning of their careers, still studying at university, as well as lawyers and economists with decades of experience. The competition team at HAVEL & PARTNERS advises more than 2️⃣ 0️⃣ 0️⃣ clients each year. They include both large and well-known multinational companies 🌎 and local players 📍 on the Czech and Slovak markets. The team assists both small and large companies, because according to the Czech Antimonopoly Office "there are no small cases". The longest competition dispute in the field of vertical agreements lasted for more than 2️⃣ 0️⃣ years and was brought to a successful conclusion by the competition team last year. The case concerned interconnection agreements between mobile operators. 📶 And last, but not least - 1️⃣ 0️⃣ . That is how many minutes it took the team to arrive in record time at the headquarters of a client where the Czech competition watchdog had just started an inspection. 🔎 Vladislav Bernard, Dita Krumlová, Robert Nersesjan and Robert Neruda are the key contacts who ensure that DLC - Distribution Law Center always has the latest information on Czechia. But the competition team at HAVEL & PARTNERS is much larger. And it is only natural, since HAVELs are by far the largest law firm in Czechia and Slovakia - more than 3️⃣ 5️⃣ 0️⃣ lawyers, economists, tax and patent advisors. So feel free to contact any of them. 👋 Stay tuned for more competition news from the land of Franz Kafka, Václav Havel and Antonín Dvořák. We'll be back next week.   #czechia #dlc #verticals #havelpartners