The CEELMDirect Profile Pick: An Interview with Jiri Sixta of Glatzova & Co.

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CEELMDirect Profile Pick: A series of interviews with Premium profile-holders on the CEELMDirect legal directory. Today’s interview: Jiri Sixta, Partner at Glatzova & Co. in Prague.

CEELMDirect: Hi Jiri, and Happy New Year! What were the circumstances related to you joining Glatzova & Co.? 

Sixta: I started my career with Weinhold Legal back in 1996. It was originally part of Andersen Legal and subsequently a part of EY Law. Anyway, after ten years I needed a change. At that time, I got two offers: one from a big international law firm and the other from Glatzova & Co.  While making my decision, I started with an analytic approach. I defined 20 categories, compared offers, and the result was 10:10. Therefore, I identified five key aspects and the result was 2:2 and I was not able to make up my mind with respect to the last one. Therefore, I used a very simple approach: in which of those two offices did I feel better – or, to which of them would I be more pleased to come in the morning? And this intuitive approach resulted in Glatzova & Co. – which I joined in January 2007 – and I have never regretted my decision.

CEELMDirectWhat was your favorite firm team retreat or group social activity over the years? Why?

Sixta: In my previous firm, we (meaning the lawyers) organized mountain-biking trips twice a year – and it always was a real highlight. With Glatzova & Co., it is without any doubt our annual ski trip to Austria, this time organized (and paid for) by the firm. Just imagine: we close our offices on Thursday at noon, we hop on a bus with a lot of refreshments (including “schnitzels”), we have a good time for eight hours – and then we spend three full days in a nice hotel and on perfect Austrian slopes, including apres-ski or night sledge routes. The only negative is a lack of sleep (laughs).

CEELMDirectWhen you and your colleagues take visiting clients or prospective clients to dinner, which restaurant in Prague do you prefer to take them to? 

Sixta: I think that each of us partners has a slightly different preference. In my case, it mostly depends on the particular prospective client: sometimes it is better to go to a place with good Czech cuisine, and sometimes it is all about the view or the ability to sit outside in the summer. Over the years I have been fortunate enough to become friends with a significant portion of my clients and, therefore, I prefer something less formal for lunch, for example, La Bottega LinkaCasa De Carli, or Beef Bar. I am not a big fan of places where you can meet all of your competitors.

CEELMDirectLooking back at 2022, how was the year for the firm?

Sixta: Overall, it was not an easy year for our clients and even for us – the war on Ukraine is not just a political disaster and an economic issue, but also something that stuck all of us quite deeply; who of us would imagine a real war taking place several hundred kilometers from Prague? Anyway, strictly financially, it was a very good year – our turnover will be higher than in 2021. Obviously, as we increased the salaries of all our personnel, and given the increase in prices of everything, the profit will most likely be lower. I think that we will also have to increase our rates. Anyway, I believe that our clients will understand it – quality legal advice does not come cheap.

CEELMDirectThanks so much, Jiri. And again, Happy New Year to you and all your colleagues at Glatzova & Co.!