An in-depth look at Tomas Sequens of Kocian Solc Balastik covering his career path, education, and top projects as a lawyer as well as a few insights about him as a manager at work and as a person outside the office.
Career:
- Kocian Solc Balastik; Partner; 2022-present
- Kocian Solc Balastik; Counsel; 2017-2022
- Kocian Solc Balastik; Associate; 2003-2017
- Kocian Solc Balastik; Junior Laywer; 1999-2003
Education:
- Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Law; JUDr.; 2002
- Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Law; Mgr.; 1999
- Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Natural Science; Mgr; 1996
Favorites:
- Out-of-office activity: Architecture
- Quote: “We wanted the best, but it turned out like always” – Viktor Chernomyrdin
- Book: Ordinary Life (Obycejny Zivot) by Karel Capek
- Movie: The Matrix I
Top 5 Projects:
- Advising Smart Energies Group on the construction of a first-class Czech hydrogen project;
- Offering long-term legal advice to the REMA Group on the operation of collective end-of-life product management (EPR) systems;
- Advising Green Gas DPB on the operation of a system for the extraction and distribution of mining gas and its use in cogeneration power plants, including legal aid in pricing and operational aspects of the operation of a gas leak detection system;
- Offering long-term advice to Lovochemie, including advice on the redevelopment and operation of its energy source and the development of a number of chemical processing units;
- Advising Asental Land on the cleaning and redevelopment of its land affected by coal mining.
CEELM: What would you say was the most challenging project you ever worked on and why?
Sequens: Without any doubt, I consider the most challenging project to be the current HyFlex Alpha hydrogen project of Smart Energies Group. The aim of the project, which will be located on the site of the Triangle Strategic Industrial Zone near the Czech city of Zatec, is to build a flexible renewable hydrogen and low-emission hydrogen production zone with a capacity of approximately 30 megawatts. Another pillar of the project is the simultaneous supply of heat to commercial properties located within the Triangle industrial zone and the provision of power balance/ancillary energy services. The HyFlex project is scheduled to be completed and operational by the end of 2027. The project is quite exceptional in its size, the intersection of energy, chemistry, and law, and the absolute emphasis on sustainability principles.
CEELM: And what has been your main takeaway from it so far?
Sequens: The HyFlex Alfa project is extraordinary in its multidisciplinary nature requiring the cooperation of a number of professionals from different fields: chemists, planners, energy engineers, financial investors, and legal and transactional advisors. The importance of the project goes beyond the borders of the Czech Republic and is fully transnational – just like the efforts to mitigate the impact of the climate crisis on human civilization. Behind such a project are many individuals, with their everyday worries and joys but those must never be allowed to take priority over or affect the life of the project itself.
CEELM: What is one thing clients likely don’t know about you?
Sequens: If I had talent and could draw, I’d be an architect. However, I was not given such an aptitude and that is why I am an attorney specializing in environmental and energy law.
CEELM: Name one mentor who played a big role in your career and how they impacted you.
Sequens: I started studying at my first alma mater, the Faculty of Science at Charles University, in 1990, immediately after the Velvet Revolution. At the very first lecture, we were welcomed by Professor Cihalik, the father of Czech environmental sciences. His opening words went something along the lines of: “You have a whole life ahead of you, free and democratic. Whatever you do, try not to spoil it.” In the end, only 15 of the original 30 of us finished our studies, but we all remember Professor Cihalik to this day.
CEELM: Name one mentee you are particularly proud of.
Sequens: Since 2005, I have been working on a number of environmental cases with my colleague Petra Mirovska, with whom we have created a quite unique environmental litigation team. I have successfully educated my colleague in environmental sciences and have learned many litigation tactics from her. We have provided countless precisely tailored legal advice to our clients since 2005, and our clients appreciate our passion and keen insight into the nooks and crannies of their businesses. While referencing Trinity, one of the main characters of the successful Matrix series, we often tell our clients: “Give us a few hours and we’ll definitely learn to fly your helicopter.”
CEELM: What is the one piece of advice you’d give yourself fresh out of law school?
Sequens: Grey is the theory and green is the tree of life. Don’t be disturbed by that.
This article was originally published in Issue 11.4 of the CEE Legal Matters Magazine. If you would like to receive a hard copy of the magazine, you can subscribe here.
