Corporate law
and M&A

We provide comprehensive legal services for the formation of companies, their daily operations, and corporate restructurings.

Contact us

CUSTOMER PROFILE

We will assist you at various stages of your business

Are you (co-)founding or launching a new business?

Do you have a great idea, a solid business plan, and entrepreneurial energy to spare? We can help clarify the legal structure of your business and the framework within which you aim to operate. Understanding corporate law and its requirements is essential at the start—regardless of your business focus. Equally important is being aware of legal and regulatory requirements and understanding how to mitigate legal and commercial risks. By putting in the necessary effort at the beginning and adhering to the “hard on the training ground, easy on the battlefield” principle, you’ll lay the foundation to devote yourself fully to the business and only the business later on.

Are you navigating growth, expansion, or an exit strategy?

M&A transactions can vary widely, but one thing remains constant: they’re often challenging and complex processes. At the start of each collaboration, we put genuine effort to understanding your motivations and goals. A comprehensive analysis helps us address risks and identify opportunities. Together, we then create a strategy that integrates the legal, tax, and economic aspects of the transaction.

Are you looking for lawyers who understand your business? 

We work with companies developing software, engaging in agriculture, manufacturing physical products, and building sophisticated e-commerce solutions. Our expertise spans a range of cross-functional areas, including IT law, real estate, and public procurement. With experience in the Czech Republic and internationally, we support projects ranging from tens of millions to billions of crowns.

Do you see yourself in our client profile?

  • Statutory representatives of companies

  • Company owners

  • Board members/company managers

  • Heads of legal departments

  • Investment funds & private equity funds

REFERENCE PROJECT

We oversaw the joint venture transaction between Grand IT and EUROMEDIA GROUP, introducing BookUP, an e-content distribution platform, to the book market. 

The newly launched e-commerce project, BookUP, focuses on the management and distribution of audiobooks, e-books, and other e-content products, aspiring to be the number one partner for major publishing houses and their distribution channels. 

The transaction was successfully concluded with the high-quality legal support of David Fyrbach and attorney Iva Horáčková from our firm, whose expertise spans corporate law, M&A, intellectual property, and IT law. The AKFŽ team, in collaboration with Petr Doubrava from EUROMEDIA GROUP, resolved the legal and commercial challenges of the project and brought the transaction to a successful conclusion.

David Fyrbach was an exceptional guide throughout the entire process. His expertise, connections with associated experts, and the speed with which he grasped the complexities enabled us to set the parameters of the agreements between both entities effectively. I also highly value attorney Iva Horáčková’s approach. Her empathy, diligence, and meticulous work ensured we were moving forward constantly and consistently.

— Director of Business Product Development, Grand IT s.r.o. —

LAW FIRM

Projects we enjoy

We excel in managing large, intricate projects and often collaborate with law firms domestically and abroad.

This includes investor entries into startups and established businesses, corporate restructuring and transformations to address generational ownership shifts, or Joint Ventures. Our objective is always to understand, analyze, and develop a tailored strategy for each M&A transaction, ensuring its sustainability in the long term.

REFERENCE PROJECT

The Boltjes Group is a multinational engineering company specializing in the processing of tubes and profiles for over 30 years. They supply various components to the automotive, medical, and heating industries. Boltjes Group products are used by some of the world’s top car manufacturers, including BMW, Rolls-Royce, VW, and Jaguar.

This transaction, spanning almost a year and a half and considered somewhat rare in the Czech context, was managed by a three-person team in cooperation with Czech tax advisors, Dutch attorneys, notaries, and tax consultants. Along with the merger, the team facilitated the restructuring of the Boltjes Group and established effective governance mechanisms within the group.

From the start, our firm was entrusted with overseeing the entire transaction and managing communications with Dutch counterparts. We fulfilled this role seamlessly—nothing was left unresolved, the pace was brisk, and every step followed a clear plan. I placed my full trust in them and allowed them to guide me through the entire process. They provided advice on what to address and how to address it in a way that made complete sense in the long term.

— Ing. Ivor Poprach, Ph.D., CEO Boltjes Group —

SERVICES WITHIN THE SCOPE OF SPECIALIZATION

We address legal issues related to company formation

The memorandum of association is fundamental

Are you establishing a company as a one-person operation? A founding document will be sufficient. Will there be more of you? Legal assistance becomes essential when drafting a memorandum of association or articles of association for a joint-stock company. This key document governs the operation of the company, its structure, authority, and also the relationships between shareholders.

Establishing relationships among partners or stakeholders

Have you agreed on a common vision for the company and its business objective? Do you have a plan if the managing director falls ill for an extended period of time? What roles and responsibilities will each of you hold—and which won’t you hold? An experienced lawyer will guide you through these critical discussions early on, helping you avoid future disputes and potential impasses.

Structuring and planning the company from the start 

Beyond the mandatory memorandum of association, it’s advisable to consider a Shareholders’ Agreement (SHA)—a supplementary agreement among the partners or shareholders. This additional contract can address a number of issues essential to the company’s operation. Are you looking to grow the business with an investor? Are you planning for a future sale? How will you manage the potential departure of a shareholder?

REFERENCE PROJECT

We completed the management buyout for GPD a.s., a leading tire distributor in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The successful transaction, valued at CZK 200 million, followed nine months of preparation and thorough offer structuring. With a negotiated acquisition loan, the subsequent share reallocation, and a change of management, GPD Holding is now entering a whole new era in its business journey.

Our corporate team handled the management buyout of GPD a.s., with a total value exceeding CZK 200 million. In addition to negotiating the acquisition loan, the transaction involved a series of agreements for the financial settlement of the departing shareholders. We have dedicated a whole separate article to the insights into the specifics of the Management Buyout. 

We spent a total of 4.5 years working on the entire exit strategy for the 3 original shareholders and often encountered dead ends. Initially, the MBO model did not seem like the right transaction type for our company’s needs. We were also not accustomed to working so closely with a legal team before. However, the complexity of the transaction required greater assistance, which we received not only with professionalism but with a human touch as well.

— Petr Chvojka, GPD Holding —

SERVICES WITHIN THE SCOPE OF SPECIALIZATION

Legislation required for running a company and the system of rules—when it (doesn’t) work

Corporate governance

We provide legal support for all matters related to corporate structure and governance. This includes preparing and managing general meetings, appointing and dismissing board members, and drafting corporate management contracts. We will help you implement a suitable compliance and whistleblowing system and navigate ESG reporting requirements from a legal perspective.

Corporate disputes

Crises and challenging situations are inevitable, and preparation is key. How would you handle a serious dispute between company co-owners? We focus not only on designing preventive measures but also on managing commercial litigation arising from business transactions, contracts, or other facets of business operations. 

REFERENCE PROJECT

Brno-based Kentico, specializing in content management software (CMS) development, received foreign investment of up to CZK 1.5 billion from the British investment group Expedition Growth Capital.

The transaction required adapting British investor frameworks to the Czech legal environment through multiple SPAs, SHAs, and foundational documents. In parallel, the process included, alongside the investment, the spin-off of one of Kentico’s divisions. Given the transaction’s complexity, two dedicated teams managed the process simultaneously—the corporate team led by David Fyrbach and the IT team led by Petr Žídek. 

The preparation of the transaction took several months. I appreciate the level of the teams’ commitment and responsibility throughout. David Fyrbach was exceptionally well-suited for the task—he consistently approached all issues from a business perspective. And with his translations and interpretations of complex legal texts into clear, understandable language, he provided a real support to us.

— Petr Palas, Founder –– Kentico and Kontent.ai —

SERVICES WITHIN THE SCOPE OF SPECIALIZATION

Advising on investor entry, business succession, or company sale

Employee stock plans

An ESOP, or Employee Stock Option Plan, is a program that enables employees to share in the company’s success. It is an effective way to attract and retain talented team members and foster long-term loyalty to the company. Are you considering implementing an ESOP and wondering about the implications of real versus virtual shares? We’ll guide you through every stage, from program design to full implementation.

Options for business succession

Are you an owner looking to step back from the CEO role but still wish to remain involved in the company? There are several options for passing on leadership. This might involve transferring management to an executive team, a gradual transition to family, or a partial sale to investors. We have extensive experience advising on generational ownership transfers.

Investor entry

Are you looking for external funding, expertise, or a partner for international expansion? Start by clearly defining your expectations, then proceed with the groundwork. A company that is prepared legally, financially, and operationally for a potential investor audit generally achieves a stronger negotiating position and more favorable financial terms. We provide comprehensive acquisition preparation, including transaction structuring, due diligence, and contract documentation.

Selling the company

Have you built a successful business and are now looking to sell? Preparing yourself and the company well in advance is essential. Before you bring a teaser to market, it’s crucial to address any outstanding issues and ensure everything is in order. We’re here to support you with due diligence, transaction documentation preparation, and full transaction support.

We have been developing our M&A specialization since 2013

Since David Fyrbach became a partner, we have expanded our expertise in corporate law, M&A, and related representation in court and arbitration proceedings.

Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) require a diverse skill set that spans finance, accounting, and even psychology. Our corporate team has successfully managed numerous significant transactions, including company sales, investor entries into start-ups, and corporate restructurings.

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