Starting March 1, 2024, the second largest Czech law firm, Císař, Češka, Smutný, will operate under a new name, marking a new chapter in the company’s 30 years of existence. The reason for the change is the need to reflect the company’s expanding range of services that go beyond the usual scope of law firms. The previous name, Císař, Češka, Smutný, has not sufficiently captured this development in recent years.
PORTOS advokátní kancelář, s.r.o., as the full new name goes, has been providing legal advice to its clients for over three decades, with its services also extending into management consulting, ESG, and AI. The company’s identity is therefore emphasized by the tagline Strategic Legal Advisory, as the growing client demand for strategic legal advice was instrumental in creating the PORTOS brand.
“The name change after three decades of our existence also reflects a generational shift, with many of our younger lawyers stepping forward,” comments Pavel Smutný, one of the founding partners of the firm, which recently ranked second in the TOP Employers 2024 survey.
PORTOS is headquartered in the top floors of the City Tower skyscraper at Pankrác Plain. The firm has grown significantly over the last five years. “Currently, our office comprises 110 lawyers and attorneys, with a total staff of 140. We have had to adjust our capacity accordingly, which is why we significantly expanded our office space and created unique workspaces for all attorneys, trainees, and legal assistants on the 25th floor. We aim for the highest standards both aesthetically and functionally,” comments Filip Drnec, director of the PORTOS office, on the latest developments.
PORTOS is also expanding to Brno, where it is opening new offices: “Although it might seem like that, this is not about establishing a branch with headquarters in Prague. Rather, we wanted to offer our colleagues who do not want or cannot relocate to Prague an extended arm of our office on the other side of the country. This way, they can enjoy the full support of the firm without having to spend hours traveling on the highway,” Drnec adds.
