CERHA HEMPEL Kališ & Partners is the Czech branch of a large Austrian firm. Based in Prague, the firm was formed in January 2013 when the wider Cerha Hempel merged with independent Czech law firm Kališ & Partners, a 2009 spin-off from DLA Piper. The firm’s international network also includes offices in Austria, Belarus, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and the Slovak Republic. 

Key clients

Calderys, ČEPS, a.s., FCC Czech group companies (FCC Česká republika, s.r.o.), Jindřichohradecké místní dráhy, a.s., JIP východočeská, a.s., Národní rozvojová banka, a.s. (National Development Bank), OFFICEO s.r.o., PEMIC Group, SAFINA, a.s., Sony Music Entertainment, Státní investiční a rozvojová společnost, a.s. (SIRS), Tennant Company, Tipsport.net a.s.

Highlights

The insolvency and restructuring team, led by Marek Smula, is representing two Calderys Group entities in the insolvency proceedings of Liberty Ostrava a.s. The case is legally significant as one of the first major preventive restructuring proceedings under new Czech legislation.

CERHA’s corporate team, led by Petr Kališ, advised ČEPS, a.s., the Czech state-owned electricity transmission system operator, on its acquisitions of NET4GAS and RWE Gas. This is among the largest and most strategic M&A transactions in the Czech energy sector.

Testimonials

2025

• “They set up our holding structure and guided us through complex regulation in public procurement. Very cooperative, fast, professional, and excellent in compliance and procurement.” – Projects
• “They provide high-level knowledge, professional treatment, and are always helpful in complex M&A and compliance matters.” – M&A
• “We like their reliability and ability to manage a significant number of insolvency proceedings while remaining detail-oriented and delivering high-quality work on time.” – Restructuring and insolvency
• “They are very responsive, always on top of things, and provide good follow-up. We can count on them to handle matters efficiently.” – Restructuring
• “We value their business-oriented mindset and consistently constructive commercial insights.”  - M&A
• “They understand not only the legal framework but also the business context. Highly responsive and effective in handling complex projects.” – M&A
• “We are highly satisfied with their work, which consistently meets our expectations.” – M&A
• “Petr Kališ is an expert in M&A and insolvency, a guarantor of quality services, and a distinguished lawyer with outstanding commercial awareness and strategic vision.” - Petr Kališ, Corporate and restructuring/insolvency partner
• “Marek Šmůla has strong legal knowledge, great communication, and a pro-client approach.” – Corporate partner
• “Martin Kartner is always cooperative, responsive, and delivers quality work.” - Martin Kartner, Banking partner
• “Jiří Prouza is a highly skilled M&A lawyer. He understands our needs, negotiates effectively, and covers all potential risks in our favour.” - Jiří Prouza, Corporate senior associate
• “Michal Horký ensures clear understanding with excellent client communication. Always responsive and available.” - Michal Horký, Corporate senior associate
• “Martina Soukupová is detail-oriented, thorough, and consistently delivers superior quality solutions on time.” - Martina Soukupová, associate

2024

• “The team is always hands on, comprehensively and proactively solving given agenda, always being available.” (Insolvency client) 
• “Excellent awareness based on experience with similar projects. Professional approach and organisation of complex tasks in parallel.” - M&A 
• “Work was focused on key problems. Reaction was always matter-on-fact, always quick.” - M&A 
• “They always make best efforts to find a suitable business solution for us. Their M&A team provides creative and diligent services. The are loyal and trustworthy lawyers.” - M&A 
• “Quick, friendly, professional work.” - Private equity 
• “Expertise in contract writing, negotiating and consultancy in business.” - Restructuring
• “Explanation of the effects of the various scenarios to be taken is on an excellent level.” - Petr Kališ, Managing partner 
• “He has a remarkable experience and his negotiation skills helped us many times.” - Petr Kališ, Managing partner 
• “Expert in his field, communicate strategy, decisive and to the point solutions.” - Martin Kartner, Banking partner 
• “He was always cooperative, and ready to fulfill all my demands.” - Jiří Prouza, M&A senior associate 
• “Jiří is a contact person for our company. He advises us in relation to the M&A projects and also on other matter (banking & finance, regulatory etc.).” - Jiří Prouza, M&A Senior Associate 
• “Marek is very valued by the firm for his ability of meeting deadline and providing legal advice on a very short notice.” - Marek Smula, Restructuring and insolvency Senior Associate 
• “She is always hands on, very familiar with all agenda, proactively coming up with effective solutions, managing well the team.” - Martina Soukupova, Restructuring and insolvency associate
• “Michal Horký ensures clear understanding with excellent client communication. Always responsive and available.” - Michal Horký, Corporate senior associate
• “Martina Soukupová is detail-oriented, thorough, and consistently delivers superior quality solutions on time.” - Martina Soukupová, associate “Their professionality, input, passion about and pro-active approach.” - Insolvency
• “Very clear client communication and availability to answer any questions. Explanation of effects of various scenarios to be taken.” - Michal Horký, Restructuring and insolvency senior associate