An in-depth look at Michal Simunic of Cechova & Partners 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.

The planned legislation will introduce a screening of foreign direct investments to Slovakia from third countries. The aim of the screening mechanism should be the protection of Slovakia’s security and public order, whereas security and public order in the EU shall also be considered.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, the Slovak Labor Code has changed several times. In 2021, five amendments were adopted, and new changes are expected in 2022. Although we observe progressive changes, the labor code remains quite rigid. Its provisions on remote work do not distinguish between blue-collar and white-collar jobs, which makes their implementation more demanding. Remote working, constant changes to COVID-19 pandemic rules, vaccination, health and safety, data protection, and employment termination rules – these have been the most pressing issues that have led employers to turn to their legal advisors.

The Slovakian legal market has, for quite some time, been a vibrant landscape of international law firms. Given the positioning of the central European country, and the proximity of major markets such as Austria, Poland, and Ukraine, Slovakia has been able to maintain the high number of international law firms, especially relative to other CEE jurisdictions. Taking a deeper dive into the reasons behind the persistence of such a high number of major international law firms, we reached out to legal professionals who work in Slovakia to get their insights.

Kinstellar has advised NN Group on the acquisition of a majority share in Finportal from Arca Investment and Rudolf Adam. Majernik & Mihalikova advised Rudolf Adam on the deal. Dentons advised Arca Investment and AG Legal advised Finportal.

CEE Legal Matters readers will likely be familiar with Patricia Gannon as one of the founders of Karanovic & Partners. Since her withdrawal from the firm (reported by CEE Legal Matters on September 21, 2020), Gannon ran her own "holistic strategic advisory business" (as reported on October 12, 2020) and, recently, she announced she is working on a new social media app for lawyers – Platforum 9. We caught up with her to learn more about her new project.

Slovakia’s biggest challenges, in light of the ongoing war in the neighboring country, are dealing with sanctions and seeking alternative sources of supplies for its automotive industry, and implementing renewable energy projects, according to Eversheds Sutherland Managing Partner Bernhard Hager.

Kinstellar has advised CPM International Telebusiness on the establishment of its new service center in Slovakia.

Recently, the European Parliament and Council adopted Directive (EU) no. 2021/2167 on credit servicers and credit purchasers relating to transfer and servicing of the non-performing loans (NPLs) issued by the banks.

PRK Partners, working with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, has advised CVC Capital Partners Fund VIII on Czech and Slovak law aspects of its GBP 767 million takeover of the Stock Spirits Group.

As Ukraine’s neighboring country, the war has added extra complexity to Slovakia’s existing economic challenges, according to Dentons Partner Patricia Gossanyiova.

On April 5, 2022, leading lawyers from across all of CEE will be coming together for the Dealer's Choice Conference and Deals of the Years Awards Banquet. Leading up to the event, we spoke with Vladimir Rangeloff of Kambourov & Partners to learn what they are looking forward to the most.

On April 5, 2022, leading lawyers from across all of CEE will be coming together for the Dealer's Choice Conference and Deals of the Years Awards Banquet. Leading up to the event, we spoke with Silvije Cipcic-Bragadin of Cipcic-Bragadin Mesic and Associates to learn what they are looking forward to the most.

On April 5, 2022, leading lawyers from across all of CEE will be coming together for the Dealer's Choice Conference and Deals of the Years Awards Banquet. Leading up to the event, we spoke with Gabor Bebok of Pontes Budapest to learn what they are looking forward to the most.

Eversheds Sutherland has advised owner Jiri Lupac on the sale of the Emos group to Legrand. White & Case advised the buyer.

On April 5, 2022, leading lawyers from across all of CEE will be coming together for the Dealer's Choice Conference and Deals of the Years Awards Banquet. Leading up to the event, we spoke with Oana Ijdelea of Ijdelea & Associates to learn what they are looking forward to the most.

Kinstellar has advised 365.invest on its acquisition of three shopping center projects from the CPI Property Group. Rybar, Soppe & Partners reportedly advised the seller.

White & Case has announced its Bratislava office will separate from the firm on March 31, 2022, with the local team to continue as Aldertree Legal.