Peter Valert, Partner and Head of the firm's offices in Prague and Sofia, has over 12 years' experience in Central and Eastern Europe.

He has advised on commercial contracts with an emphasis on IP, IT and telecommunications-related contracts. Peter has also participated in a number of significant M&A transactions in the region and has expertise in the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights and in dispute resolution. Peter began practising as a private lawyer in the Czech Republic in 1995; prior to that he was a Legal Advisor to the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as at the Czechoslovak Federal Supreme Court. His clients include national and international businesses and government entities, including various Czech Ministries.

Peter obtained a J.D. degree from Whittier College School of Law, Los Angeles (1993 - Dean’s List, Jurisprudence Award, Merit Scholarship) and a B.A. degree in History from UCLA - University of California Los Angeles (1985, Honours). Peter is a member of the Bar Associations of the Czech Republic and of California, and of the 9th Circuit Federal District Court for California.

Peter qualified as a Czech Advocate in 1997 and as a US attorney-at-law in California in 1993. He speaks English and Czech.

Professional Qualification

• Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales