JUDr. Jakub Lichnovský, MHA received his education at the Faculty of Law of Charles University in Prague and has worked for PRK Partners for over twenty years. In 2009, he became a partner. He is a recognized expert in complex and long-term industrial construction, infrastructure, energy and healthcare projects, including EPC contract negotiations, PPP projects, and public procurement.
You have been a leading law firm in Central Europe for 30 years. What is your success based on?
PRK Partners was founded as a joint project of partners Marek Procházka and Radan Kubr, both of whom had roots in Switzerland. They brought a certain culture — I would say a Swiss system of a round table, good relations, and mutual understanding of each other’s work. In addition, the firm is also united by a great loyalty to our clients and colleagues.
One of our significant strengths is our membership in Lex Mundi (a network of large independent law firms based in Houston, USA). This is a highly prestigious global network of major independent law firms from more than 100 countries around the world with extensive experience and knowledge in the field. It is a membership that allows us to work closely with the best law firms in the world.
You are a partner of local governments and developers in the areas of land development. You participate with them in domestic and international fairs concerning investment and real estate opportunities. What are the trends in these areas today?
Participation in trade fairs with a focus on real estate (i.e. especially MIPIM in Cannes and EXPO REAL in Munich) is essential for us in terms of monitoring current trends. It always provides a unique opportunity to discuss current topics with the most important players in the European real estate market and to gain insights enabling the prediction of development in individual sectors over a one- to three-year horizon.
Due to its multiplier effect, the problems in the energy sector are reflected basically in all industrial and service sectors. It has, however, become clear that the crisis can also have a positive effect and can be a catalyst for change. In the energy sector, it led to an acceleration in the building of conventional and renewable resources and their simultaneous high diversification and efficient distribution.
In real estate, we perceive a great emphasis on sustainability in construction and in the entire life cycle of buildings, where the compliance of construction projects with ESG/CSR principles will be crucial for their future bank financing. So, when considering real estate investments, emphasis will need to be placed not only on their use value and profitability (from the developer’s perspective) but also on environmental and social sustainability.
Your role in Central Europe is due to your extensive experience of the legal environment in neighbouring countries. What opportunities do you see in Czech-Polish business relations?
Poland can make very efficient use of the resources available both locally and at the EU level, and build capacities that are attractive to foreign investors with the help of investments. Both Poland and the Czech Republic currently have great potential to attract higher value-added investments due to their high level of education, relatively low labour costs, and quality transport and energy infrastructure.
Poland is also an important trading partner of the Czech Republic. We believe that, in the near future, Poland and the Czech Republic could, for example, share professional supply capacities in the construction of new nuclear power plants or in the healthcare sector.
Thank you for the interview.
