JURAJ ONDREJKA GAVE US AN INTERVIEW

He likes to dive into cold water, but even more so into legal problems and the search for solutions in the energy sector. As a new partner, he will oversee strategic projects for clients and help people in the firm grow. Juraj Ondrejka.

You have been at Poláček & Partners since October 2016. Do you remember your beginnings? Why did you decide to join the team?

Yes, and very freshly. Those six years went by very quickly. To tell the truth, the reason why I am at Poláček & Partners is a simple "coincidence". After moving to Bratislava, I met Jozef Hudák. After some time, when I mentioned to him that I was planning to change law firms as part of my trainee attorney at law practice, he approached me with the offer that they also needed a lawyer at Poláček & Partners, specializing in the energy sector. For me, as a lawyer, who at that time focused more on the law of intellectual property and trademarks, that energy sector sounded relatively "exotic". However, I really liked the "drive" that the lawyers in this law firm had, and especially that they weren't afraid of challenges. In the end, even the energy sector showed itself in a completely different light than I imagined. Over time, I feel that I have found myself in it. I am grateful to Jozef for reaching out to me at that time.

How do you perceive the growth of the law firm during the time you have been here?

Dynamically. At the time I joined, we were basically a small legal "start-up", which consisted of five lawyers including Pavol. Now there are seventeen of us lawyers, and our work is also helped by a skilled admin support. We have a richly equipped library, secure internal systems, high-quality technological equipment and, basically, everything a lawyer needs to work. It is already a well-established law firm with everything that goes with it. Together, we have defined our own corporate values, which serve as a compass to guide us in more complex situations or more fundamental decisions.

I am particularly proud of the fact that we have managed to build a high-quality team of exceptional people who are not only professionally skilled but also share our values.

What did working at the law firm Poláček & Partners teach you?

Since I have essentially "grown up" as a lawyer at this law firm, there is a lot that I have learned, across the litigation, transactions, or analytics agenda.

However, the acquired knowledge is only part of what a lawyer needs. It was also important for me that Pavol involved me in large projects from the beginning and allowed me to experience business relations and their pace from the first row.

A special chapter was the presentation of the law firm at various events. The idea of standing in front of dozens or hundreds of people and lecturing on a topic scared me. I was thrown into cold water on this one. I am grateful for that, in time. Every year I give lectures at several events and I even enjoy it (laughs).

Which case do you like to remember the most?

If I were to take it as when the results of my work affected the most people, it would be the case of the termination of support in 2020. The Support Act at the time contained a very strict, even liquidating, sanction. It was supposed to be imposed on the producer of electricity from RES even for being in arrears in the sum of several euros. This concerned dozens of biogas stations, photovoltaic power plants, but also companies that employed many people. We really bit into this topic. Our analysis revealed that such legislation is unconstitutional, and at the same time we proposed a legislative solution, which not only remedied the unconstitutional interference with the rights of producers, but also fairly set this sanction for the future. Numerous negotiations and meetings followed in cooperation with the Slovak Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPI).

How did it turn out?

With joined forces, we managed to convince the legislator of the urgency of this topic and the proposed solution. At the end, we sat down with our colleagues for a beer and were happy that a good thing had been achieved.

What will you being a partner bring to the law firm's clients?

As a partner of the law firm, I will share the responsibility for its management, but I will also be in charge of the strategic supervision of solving key projects and cases.

The greatest value of a law firm is people, their experience and knowledge. I will therefore strive to ensure that they have the best possible conditions so that they can fully utilize their potential in the service for the client. This is the only way to provide clients with the top legal service they are used to and for which they turn to us with confidence.

Finally, tell us something about you that few people know. Besides work, do you do something that inspires you?

I probably don't have anything, that I do besides work and only a few people know about. Something everyone in the law firm knows about is swimming in ice water. I invite everyone to join me, but no one wants to (laughs). I don't know if it inspires me to do anything, but it helps clear my head.

Mountain biking has a special place in my heart. Of course, if my wife and children give me a pass to go.