BUSINESS

A Lawyer Should Be the Client’s Ambassador We implement our international legal experience here at home, and we’ve been active in the Moravian-Silesian region for many years already. Jakub Lichnovský, a partner at attorneys at law PRK Partners, is a recognized specialist in industrial development projects, development and investments, and in energy projects in general. His specialization includes quite complex international and local projects involving the need to protect resources and create value and, in partnership with management, to achieve the requested objectives. In contrast to the other lawyers, Jakub’s focus is on development and growth rather than on dispute resolution, although litigation and representation in court is also part of his legal practice, when needed. You are a Central European law firm that also serves Ostrava. What is behind your substantial interest in the MoravianSilesian region? PRK Partners is a leading Czech and Slovak law firm providing business legal advisory services at an international level. We opened our Ostrava office in 2008 (the firm also has offices in Prague and Bratislava). PRK Partners is a member of Lex Mundi, the world’s leading network of premier independent law firms. The firm has more than 130 legal practitioners across all areas of law. We’ve always been aware of the high concentration of industry in and around the Moravian-Silesian region, representing

about 35 percent of Czech industrial production. In addition, I’m a local from the region, so I realized that if we wanted to maintain and transform this industrial heritage, it would be absolutely necessary to establish a law firm in Ostrava with international reach. I place the highest value in people with legal experience and expertise at the local and international levels, including language skills and cultural awareness. A lawyer should act as a sort of ambassador, who is the best negotiator on the client’s side while also being on the team developing the strategy. The Ostrava office specializes in providing legal advice on complex projects and transactions, providing a full range of legal and consulting services to international corporations, local entrepreneurs and important individuals/families. You work with both local and international companies. With this kind of perspective how do you assess the level of infrastructure and business opportunities in our region? The Moravian-Silesian region is unique in the Czech Republic, and the people here possess excellent industrial and technical skills. The local environment has a number of comparative advantages (infrastructure capacity, technical skills, the presence of technical schools, a well-functioning healthcare system, etc.), and the level of

readiness of the local business environment is above average for the Czech Republic. This is also thanks to the efficiency and readiness of experienced local authorities with the confidence needed to handle, authorize and decide on projects – and we really appreciate their approach. I’d also like to point out one key issue in this regard – investors nowadays prefer to invest in regions that are ready, in terms of infrastructure. Regions and towns must first be able to offer a prepared infrastructure (be it industrial parks, office space or research centres), and only then will there be demand. We’ve already assisted numerous companies in investing several billion Czech crowns in the MoravianSilesian Region. We’ve taken a slightly different role and approach than what our entrepreneurs have generally been used to. We advise on how to create value, i.e. to combine the financing, technology, people and real estate (with all connected utilities); to obtain the permits and licenses; and to create a functional unit. We are pleased that, in addition to international clientele, we are increasingly assisting Czech companies and prominent personalities or families, on a longstanding basis. It’s about helping our managers and owners become aware of how to achieve success.

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Thank you very much for the interview. Editorial of Magazine. POSITIV 2/2019 ǀ 33

34 ǀ POSITIV 2/2019