Norton Rose Fulbright has announced its intention to close its Prague office on May 1, 2014.
This marks the second time the firm has closed in Prague, as it also withdrew from the Czech capital in September, 1996, before re-opening 10 years later. Corporate Partner Milana Chamberlain will return to the firm's main office in London, while Czech Partner Pavel Kvicala and his team have agreed to join Havel, Holasek & Partners -- making the largest firm in the Czech Republic even larger. In a statement on the Havel, Holasek website Founding Partner Jaroslav Havel explained the move: “The reasons for our expansion are mainly connected with the long-term plans of Havel, Holasek & Partners to extend its team of lawyers and client base in the Czech and Slovak Republics in key areas." He added: “Joining forces with prominent Partner Pavel Kvícala and his experienced team will give us an opportunity to provide expert legal services to a number of global and local clients.”
Havel, Holasek & Partners claims to have more than 165 lawyers in its Prague, Brno, Ostrava, and Bratislava offices.