Welcome to ILN-terviews, a series of profiles of ILN member firm attorneys, designed to give a unique insight into the lawyers who make up our Network.

For our latest interview, we chose ILN member, Pavla Prikrylova of PETERKA & PARTNERS v.o.s. in the Czech Republic.

In one sentence, how would you describe your practice?
Our law firm, PETERKA & PARTNERS, operating in five countries (Czech and Slovak Republics, Ukraine, Bulgaria and Russia), is a full service firm advising clients in all main areas of commercial law (mainly in M&A, insolvency and restructuring, real estate, banking and finance and litigation). Myself, I specialize in real estate and M&A transactions.

Who would be your typical client?
Mid-size to large foreign corporation seeking advice with its investment in one or more countries in the CEE region or a local company seeking a lawyer with personalized and business approach, rendering a results-oriented service, very often involving cross-border and tax issues.

What would you like clients and potential clients to know about you?
That we always try to be flexible in finding business-driven legal solutions, we strive for maximum efficiency and high quality service and we work for being a real business partner and sometimes also a lead to our clients.

What has been your most challenging case? Why?
An acquisition of a group of real estate assets for development of a commercial building comprising offices and shops, where in the middle of the rather complicated acquisition process, the 100 years flood came to Prague and the acquisition of the land had to be completely restructured due to the consequences of the flooding and the new requirements imposed by the city authorities.  Very challenging both from legal and personal perspectives.

What has been your proudest moment as a lawyer?
When I could call our client and say, the contract was finally concluded after almost a year of tough negotiating and a year later, the client invited me to a celebration of completing the carcassing of a shopping mall.

What do you do when you’re not practicing law?
I enjoy skiing in winter, cycling in summer, travelling and reading – but all these activities are now a little bit at the back stage while all other activities I can do with my 1,5 year old son have priority.

What would surprise people most about you?
Probably that I am a great dance fan and can dance the majority of ballroom dances, Argentinean tango and salsa.

What has been your most memorable ILN experience?
My first ILN meeting in Seattle, where all the people gave me a very friendly and warm welcome and the Gala evening in Paul Allen’s music hall. It surpassed my expectations.

What career would you have chosen if you weren’t a lawyer?
A ballet dancer.

If a movie were made out of your life, who would you want to play you?
Meryl Streep.

How would you like to be remembered?
As honest, fair-minded and sensible towards others.