CMS Cameron McKenna has entered into a joint venture with fellow CMS firms, CMS Strommer Reich-Rohrwig Karasek Hainz and CMS Hasche Sigle, to establish a specialist German-speaking practice to be based at its Prague office. The practice will be led by new partner Andreas Ueltzhoeffer, supported by a team of five legal advisers and three support staff.
The expansion responds to the opportunities both CMS Strommer Reich-Rohrwig Karasek Hainz and CMS Hasche Sigle see for their respective Austrian and German clients in the Czech Republic. In 2002 Austrian and German companies invested US$5714m in the Czech market (61.4% of the total foreign investment into the Czech Republic in 2002).
This trend, according to Managing Partner Dick Tyler, looks set to continue: “With the Czech Republic due to join the EU in May 2004, such investment is likely to increase. We want to be the first point of contact for those needing lawyers that can combine German language and legal skills, with in-depth knowledge of the local market”.
Andreas Ueltzhoeffer joins as partner from German law firm Schaffer & Partner (where he was also a partner). He has worked in Prague for many years, and has established a reputable practice consisting primarily of German-speaking clients. The German-speaking team specialises in providing clients with advice in a wide range of areas, including corporate, commercial and real estate. Clients include UBM, Hertz, Rentex, Mafra and Mövenpick.
