David Sehnálek

About me

I am passionate about my work and my approach is guided by a simple principles: to act with integrity, work conscientiously and give my heart to what I do. I am particularly interested in innovation and efficiency, and in legal education I am an advocate for the increased use of technology in the classroom. I have long campaigned for the teaching of legal skills to be given greater importance in the education of future lawyers at our Faculty. I communicate directly with my students, who I consider to be my colleagues, and I am interested in their needs and opinions, seeking concrete solutions based on their needs. 

At the Faculty of Law, I hold the position of Vice Dean.When I took up the post, I took over the agenda of undergraduate and postgraduate studies from my predecessor, and I also took responsibility for internships, which had previously been the responsibility of the Vice-Dean for Master's Studies. The agenda for lifelong learning was entrusted to me after the Vice-Dean for Strategy and Development.In all these areas, I have managed to implement successful reforms, including:

• In the area of lifelong learning, I was instrumental in the creation of the completely re-conceptualised LL.M. programmes, which brought valuable income to the faculty budget at a time when government funding was inadequate. The innovative concept of education based on distance elements and the use of MS Teams has been highly appreciated by the students of these programmes. Furthermore, the development of micro-certification courses aimed at better professional placement in the labour market has been successful in this area.
• In the area of internships, together with the students, I have carried out a deep and comprehensive reform of how internships work.This has succeeded in minimizing the administrative burden on both students and providers of apprenticeships. The new system emphasizes self-reflection to allow for continuous improvement and professional growth. Students are not bound by time when completing their internships, and can undertake them at any time, regardless of the semester.
• In the field of education, I spearheaded the creation of the first online courses at the Faculty of Law and developed a methodology for their creation using the tools in IS.I advocate the creation of study aids in interactive curricula and the use of AI in teaching, especially in the combined form of study. These materials have replaced expensive textbooks for students, which often become obsolete due to frequent changes in legislation.
• In the field of  bachelor's studies, I am co-author of a new teaching method, iComenIUS, which was implemented in the first ever distance learning programme accredited in the Czech Republic in the field of law.The International Law Business Studies programme was accredited in distance format in 2024.
• I have also played an active role in the accreditation of a novel and unique study programme in Criminal Studies, a first for the Czech law faculties.
• For the past 13 years, I have been supporting legal skills training in my spare time through the organisation of the Autumn School of Legal Writing and Related Global Legal Skills.This course became the first course at the Law School to be part of the curriculum at the Vienna Law School and the Goethe Universitat in Germany. Experts from the USA, Austria, Sweden and Germany participate in the teaching.
• I have established a tradition of bringing academics together to share good practice and experience, namely the Legal Knowledge and Skills Conference.The first one was held in January 2020, and when the COVDID-related restrictions came, we were ready.Indeed, topics such as distance learning in MS Teams and the use of web-based applications for teaching were discussed at the conference.
• In the Master's programme, I am currently working on a major reform of our Law and Legal Studies major. This is with the aim of modernising the programme, addressing the problem of waning interest in lectures, providing students with more opportunity for specialisation in their studies, responding to and reducing academic failure, and facilitating study abroad trips.
• I am also active at the university, having been a member of the committees that defined the standards for learning support in combined degree programmes, as well as the requirements for IS, with the aim of transforming it into a real learning tool for teaching.
• I have a huge interest in innovation, as evidenced by my pioneering work in uploading lectures and making their recordings available to my students in 2007 for undergraduate courses where it was acutely needed. Currently, I am testing and introducing a chatbot specialized in international law into the classroom, with the aim of expanding this to include a chatbot specialized in European Union law.

In recognition of these activities, I have been honored with the following awards:

• Masaryk University: Masaryk University Rector's Award for Innovation in Teaching
• Global Legal Skills Institute (USA): Recognition of Achievement in Global Legal Skills Education - award for the activities of the Faculty of Law in the development and promotion of global legal skills and international legal education. This award acknowledges the sustained implementation of the Autumn School of Legal Writing and Related Global Legal Skills.

I am deeply grateful for these awards, as they serve as a source of motivation to continue refining and enhancing our existing initiatives. 

In addition to my contributions to the Law School, I also engage in voluntary work. I have been instrumental in the formation of several charitable societies for which I have written bylaws and provide legal advice without compensation.I believe it is my mission to use my knowledge also for the benefit of society, and I am grateful for the opportunity to study law and feel it necessary to share my knowledge with those in need for the wider benefit of society. The association closest to my heart is Přátelé vily Stiassni, z. s., whose aim is to raise the profile of the memory of the Stiassni family of Brno and the villa they had built in Brno before World War II.In addition to my work as a lawyer, which I see as a vital link between academia and practice, I am dedicated to bringing students into contact with the living law. As a lawyer, I do not accept fees from those in need, as providing advice to those in need is part of my professional ethos and does not cost me anything.

I devote my free time to my wife and children, who come first in my life.I built our house with my dad and a friend by myself – we worked for several years, every summer during vacations. I have chosen to engage in manual labour as a means of maintaining physical fitness and as a respite from mental exertion.However, this was the first and last time I undertook roofing work, as I discovered that I am not fond of heights, unless the next house is a bungalow.

Education

Despite having passed the entrance exams to the medical faculties in Brno and Olomouc, I chose to pursue a career in law, completing my studies at the Faculty of Law at MUNI. I consider this to be a distinct advantage, having resided with the faculty and experienced it first-hand as both a student and an academic.During my studies, I engaged in teaching, specifically a course focused on IT skills.My inaugural article on IT was published as a supplement to the student magazine Octopus, and I was gratified by the positive response from the students of the Faculty of Computer Science. I have positive memories of my studies, as well as some negative experiences, such as when a seminar leader threw away the seminar papers without reading them and without telling the students.I am determined to ensure that such things never happen to my students.

• PrF MUNI: Habilitation in European Union law (2018 - doc.)
• PrF MUNI: Theoretical Legal Sciences, Doctoral Programme - field of study: PrF MEPS Private International Law (2007 - Ph.D.)
• PrF MUNI: Law and Legal Science, Rigorosius procedure - field of study: PrF PR Law (2004 - JUDr.);
• PrF MUNI: Law and Legal Science, Master's degree programme - field of study: PrF PR Law (2003 - Mgr.)
• Gymnasium Petra Bezruče (mathematics, physics, Czech, English)

Professional experience

My previous work is focused on the academy. In addition, I try to maintain (now only elementary) contact with practice, as an independent lawyer. However, law school has always been my first priority.

• Academician (2004 - present) Faculty of Law in Brno
  
• Attorney-at-law (2009 - present) - I did not suspend my activities, but due to the performance of the vice-dean's function, I completely curtailed them, except for the above-mentioned volunteer activities. Without a license, it would not be possible.

I have also worked at several private universities in the past. I completed an internship at the AK JUDr. Václav Peňáze in Brno and a trainee position (paralegal) at the AK Robert E. McGill III for a period of six weeks. I am based in Destin, Florida, USA. I was a legal trainee at the Law Office of JUDr. Pavel Schreiber, with whom I am still actively cooperating. I passed the bar exam in September 2008.

Publications and scientific activities

• A list of my publications and other scientific activities is available here: https://is.muni.cz/auth/osoba/davy#publikace
  
• The list of grants I have worked on or been involved in is also available.I have been an active member of the Central European Academy's scholarly research network of professors for many years (my research has focused on issues of legal interpretation, privacy protection in the context of new technologies and other EU law-related issues).
• I am a member of the Expert Body of Evaluators, established by the Council for Research, Development and Innovation. In this capacity, I evaluate selected research, development and innovation results in the field of law.

Please find below some examples of my teaching projects:

• A sample of the learning materials I have created for my students in EU Law II. https://is. muni.cz/auth/el/law/podzim2024/MP726Zk/index.qwarp (publicly available)
  
• A sample of the study materials I created for my students in EU Law I. https://is.muni.cz/auth/el/law/jaro2025/MP609Z/index.qwarp (publicly available)
  
• a website I created in connection with the new accreditation of the Law and Legal Studies programme. The objective was to provide transparent information to academics and students on all essential details, and to enable them to contribute to the development of this flagship programme for the Faculty. https://is.muni.cz/auth/do/law/stud/mgr/novy-magistersky-stud.qwarp (login to IS required)
  
• A website for colleagues, which I created in preparation for the new distance learning programme International Business Studies https://is.muni.cz/auth/do/law/stud/el/mps/standardy-distancni-slozky-vyuky.qwarp (login to IS required).
• A website I created during the time of covid restrictions, its purpose was to help colleagues with the need to conduct distance learning and testing https://is.muni.cz/auth/go/4ocdcg (login to IS required)

I utilised ChatGPT to assist in the development of this page's code, for which I am grateful to the tool's creators.

Download my CV (PDF)