IFLR 1000
The Guide to the World's Leading Financial Law Firms

Driven by Daniel Weinhold and Vera Filkuková, Weinhold Legal has strengthened its co-operation with key client Ceská sporitelna. The firm assisted its client as the issuer and arranger on its €41 million structured bond issue due in 2014 under its new debt issuance programme. The firm also advised the company as issuer and arranger on another €352 million bond issue.

Led by Daniel Weinhold, Weinhold Legal has been fairly active in 2011. The firm advised UniCredit Bank in connection with syndicated financing provided to one of the major Czech players in the food processing industry.

Weinhold Legal has had a fairly busy year and strengthens its position in the third tier. The firm provided advice to the vendors on the sale of automotive supplier Auto Kelly to RHIAG, backed by Alpha Private Equity. The firm also provided advice to Granette (one of the biggest liquor producers in the Czech Republic) on its acquisition and subsequent restructuring of distillery u Zeleného stromu – Starorezná Prostejov (Distillery by Green Tree).

Led by Thilo Hoffmann, Weinhold Legal has been fairly active this year in restructuring and insolvency. On the insolvency side, the firm assisted clothes manufacturer Golden Lady in the planned acquisition of assets and shares from Czech companies and its anticipated insolvency procedure. The firm also advised Prologis XXIX and Prologis XXX on the exemption of their real estate assets from the bankrupt estate of a debtor.

On the restructuring side, the firm advised the Anvis group (a car parts producer) in regard to its restructuring.

Commentators note that Weinhold Legal's finance practice lacks the bite of its M&A department. "Weinhold are visible, not in banking and finance but in corporate," one partner says. Of late, the firm provided full-service advice to BRE Bank/mBank in its establishment of a presence in the Czech and Slovak Republics. "In financing, I don't see [it] as local counsel. Their mandates are probably in smaller segments," one partner says.