“At this point it is appropriate to say thank you,” said Barbora Vlachová immediately after receiving the award. “And I would like to thank especially the jury for deciding to award me this prize. I appreciate it very much, I see it not only as an appreciation of my work so far, but also as a great commitment for the future.”
In an interview for Advokátní deník, JUDr. Mgr. Barbora Vlachová, Ph.D., LL.M., about her relationship to advocacy and her (indirect) path to this area of law, why she chose cybersecurity and IT law, as well as what the award means to her.
When did you decide to go to law school, Doctor? And what would you be if you weren’t a lawyer?
My decision to go to law school was very much influenced by family tradition; both my parents and many other relatives are lawyers. I have a predominantly humanities background, which narrows the choice of possible fields of study considerably. Nevertheless, my path to advocacy has not always been entirely straightforward. In addition to law, I also graduated from the Police Academy. In the end, it all came together so nicely, because I do both. If I hadn’t been an attorney, I probably would have headed into another legal profession or academia. In case I wasn’t even a lawyer, I would be tempted to work in homeland or external security.
In your profession, you specialize in cybersecurity, IT law and data protection, and digital transformation. Why did you choose this area?
I chose to specialize in IT law, cybersecurity and personal data protection because of the growing importance of these areas in today’s digitally connected society. I was interested in the challenge that digitalisation poses to traditional legal systems. Technological developments are always one step ahead of regulation, but regulation must also reflect them appropriately. Particularly from the European Union, there have been a number of recent legislative acts that our clients must then take into account in their business. The subsequent application of these regulations by judicial and supervisory authorities is also interesting. At the same time, my inclination towards this field is again linked to family tradition.
In addition to your law practice, you also lecture at the Police Academy of the Czech Republic and the University of Economics and Management. Do you enjoy and find teaching and contact with the young generation fulfilling?
It is both fun and fulfilling. In addition to teaching at the two universities mentioned above, I run a variety of different training courses and seminars. Contact with the younger generation is certainly important to me, and one is always focused on the topic at hand and not on the phone or emails, which usually tend to distract us during other activities. Not only am I able to pass on my experience, but at the same time academic activities motivate me to further my self-education and publishing. In relation to clients, this knowledge and experience is also always an asset, as your erudition in the field is obvious to them.
You are the author and co-author of several publications related to cyber security, electronic communication or GDPR, which one is the most important for you?
V publikační činnosti se snažím být velmi aktivní, jsem autorkou či spoluautorkou asi deseti monografií, vedle toho jsem napsala několik učebnic a desítky odborných článků. Mezi monografiemi je těžké hledat favorita.
However, I consider the commentary to the Electronic Communications Act to be my biggest book challenge, as it is my most extensive work to date as a single author. In the future, I am very much looking forward to preparing a commentary on the Cybersecurity Act.
What does the St. Yves Award mean to you?
Receiving the St. Yves Award is not only a great honour for me, but also a confirmation that my work is appreciated not only by my colleagues and our clients, but also by the wider professional community, and that it is meaningful. I see this award as a support for further professional and personal growth and motivation to continue in the legal and academic sphere.
Thank you for the interview!
Read the full article at advokatnidenik.cz (29. 5. 2024)
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