-
Karin Madisson elected member of supervisory board of Enefit Green
Our partner Karin Madisson was elected an independent member of the Supervisory Board of Enefit Green, a leading renewable energy company in the Baltic Sea region. Along with Karin, the General Meeting appointed Erkki Raasuke as an independent Supervisory Board member in addition to three representatives of Eesti Energia . Karin’s mandate lasts for three years. “Karin Madisson is known for her professionalism and extensive knowledge, making her an excellent addition to the Supervisory Board of Enefit Green. We are confident that her contribution will support the company’s further development,” said Juhan Aguraiuja, Chairman of the Management Board of Enefit […]
-
Bringing christmas joy to foster children again with Naerata Ometi NGO
“Christmas is a time when we all deserve warmth, love, and joy. However, for many children across Estonia, Christmas is just another ordinary day in hospital, in a foster home, or due to their family’s financial difficulties. You can change that,” writes Naerata Ometi, urging donors to bring Christmas joy to children in need. “Many companies, such as Sorainen, have been helping us fulfil children’s Christmas wishes for years. If your company has the opportunity to support a good cause, we ask you to consider collaborating with us. Together, we can bring a smile to many children’s faces,” states Naerata […]
-
Norman Aas takes on a new, significant role in the Ukrainian legal system
Our partner Norman Aas has been elected as a legal expert for the Public Council of International Experts (PCIE). The PCIE’s mission is to assist the Commission in selecting judges for the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC). It is composed of international experts: judges and prosecutors with experience in Estonia, the USA, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Canada. The Commission’s work takes place in sessions on the ground in Ukraine. Due to the current state of war, its work may also take place in a bomb shelter, where this photo of the commission members was taken. World-class expert This represents significant recognition […]
-
Sorainen tops Chambers FinTech 2025 rankings
In the recently released Chambers FinTech rankings, our team has not only maintained its Band 1 position in Lithuania for the sixth consecutive year, but has also reached new milestones in Estonia, with the team moving up to Band 1 as well. As a client highlighted during the research process, “Sorainen has long and valuable experience in the Baltic markets that differentiates them from other market players.” Leading experts across the Baltics Our team leaders have also been recognised as top experts in the sector. In Estonia, partner Kätlin Krisak has improved her individual ranking to Band 1, solidifying her […]
-
Carri Ginter elected to prestigious arbitrators’ panel
Our partner, Dr Carri Ginter, has been elected to the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) arbitrators’ panel. DIAC arbitrators are independent and impartial specialists with extensive international experience and high regard in their field. The decisions of the arbitrators are binding. “I am excited to be part of this dynamic community and look forward to contributing to DIAC’s continued success in promoting fair and efficient dispute resolution,” commented Carri Ginter on his inclusion in the list. Why Dubai? Dubai has become one of the world’s most important commercial hubs thanks to its strategic location, supportive legislation, and modern infrastructure. Complex […]
-
Dr. iur Violeta Zeppa-Priedīte has been appointed as a member of the European Commision Expert Group on EU Criminal Policy
The EU Commission selects twenty experts from scientific and research organisations and legal practitioners every three years to ensure a high level of expertise and, as far as possible, an adequate balance in terms of a range of competencies, geographical origin, and gender, taking into account the specific tasks of the Group and the type of expertise required. We are happy to inform you that our Head of Corporate Crime Investigations and Compliance, Dr. iur Violeta Zeppa-Priedīte has been appointed as one of the members of the Expert Group on EU Criminal Policy in a personal capacity for a mandate of […]
-
IFLR1000 rankings: Sorainen remains the only Tier 1 law firm in the Baltics
Yesterday, the International Financial Law Review (IFLR) released its latest rankings, and Sorainen once again secured a place as the only firm in the Baltics rated as top-tier across all practice areas. This recognition underscores our commitment to delivering excellence in providing legal services to our clients. Our team was recognised as the best in the market in the following areas: Lithuania – Banking and finance, Capital markets, Financial services regulatory, M&A, and Project development Latvia – Financial and corporate Estonia – Financial and corporate, and Project development. These accolades highlight the expertise and dedication of our lawyers, who consistently […]
-
At the forefront of innovation: Sorainen launched an in-house developed AI tool
As the legal industry embraces technological transformation, law firms increasingly turn to artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline operations and enhance client services. While incorporating AI tools is becoming a strategic move for many law firms, Sorainen has embarked on an ambitious journey to develop its own. Meet AiVar: Sorainen’s very own AI tool Whether automating routine tasks, enhancing content creation, or supporting strategic planning, Sorainen’s custom-made AI tool, AiVar, offers a versatile solution for all challenges. AiVar was launched for Sorainen’s employees this autumn, and already, in its first month in use, it has proven highly efficient. Its integration into […]
-
Baltic family business owners eager to hand the business to next generation
Yesterday, Sorainen and Baltic Family Firm Institute (BFFI) presented the results of the first pan-Baltic survey of family businesses. The survey has revealed that Baltic family firm owners are eager to hand over their businesses to the next generation. Nine out of ten Lithuanians and almost as many Latvians, and eight out of ten Estonians who took the survey would like to pass their business to “NextGen” family members. While the desire to hand over the business to younger family members is clear, the preparedness to do so in an organised manner varies. When asked if the business has a […]
-
Sorainen Tax team got recognised with EMEA ITR Tax Award and top rankings in ITR Tax
Baltic States Tax Firm of the Year Award Yesterday, Sorainen was named the Baltic States Tax Firm of the Year by the International Tax Review (ITR), the leading publication for tax professionals. It is the eleventh time our Tax team has received this recognition since ITR established the Baltic category in its European awards in 2010. The award honours the most innovative and impactful tax and transfer pricing work, reflecting our ability to support our clients in complex projects in the Baltic market. Indrė Ščeponienė, co-head of our regional Tax team, said: “The tax landscape is becoming more complex, with new […]
-
The Financial Times names Sorainen one of the most innovative law firms in Europe
In The Financial Times Awards Sorainen was ranked No. 28 in the list of the Top 30 firms to have have significantly impacted the transformation of their clients’ operations. “I am happy to announce that Sorainen has risen yet another step closer to the top in the Financial Times Innovative Law Firms Europe ranking,” Irina Seniut, head of Sorainen Knowledge Management and Innovation team, shared proudly. Where do we stand out? Sorainen was recognised for launching and adopting a variety of innovative practices: building and launching an in-house generative AI model preparing and adopting our first-ever technology strategy integrating TIQ […]
-
Sorainen publishes Sustainability Report 2024
We have released this year’s edition of our third annual Sustainability Report, outlining the efforts made by Sorainen during the year 2023. “These efforts are not just about compliance but about making a real difference for our people, communities and region,” Managing Partner Eva Berlaus noted in the report’s opening comments. She noted that the firm remains committed to improving environmental performance, strengthening social responsibility through pro bono work and education, promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace, and supporting our clients on their ESG journey. Our Sustainability Officer Olga Solovyanchik noted that rather than being just a disclosure measure, releasing […]
-
Sorainen earns two nominations from The Financial Times
Sorainen counsel Lise-Lotte Lääne has been shortlisted for the prestigious “Innovative Lawyers in Deals and Financing” award. As a firm, Sorainen has been nominated for the “Most Innovative Law Firm in Europe (HQ outside the UK)” award. The Financial Times Awards recognise law firms and in-house teams that excel in digital innovation and employ creative strategies to provide outstanding value to both business and society. The awards ceremony is scheduled for 12 September 2024 and will take place in London. Leading innovation in the healthcare sector Counsel Lise-Lotte Lääne, regional co-head of the Life Sciences & Healthcare sector group, has […]
-
Clients: Sorainen’s legal competence is the best in the market
According to the 2024 Baltic Kantar Prospera client survey of top-tier Baltic law firms, Sorainen ranks first in the “Best legal competence” category, as it has done for the past three years. Sorainen Estonia ranked as #1 law firm in Estonia according to overall rankings. Strongest legal fields according to clients Sorainen placed first in five out of 14 legal competence categories, including: Banking & Finance Competition & EU Employment Tax Real Estate We positioned second in the following fields: Mergers & Acquisitions Dispute Resolution Public Procurement Intellectual Property IT & Telecom, Media and Entertainment Private Equity Energy Corporate Advisory […]
-
Sorainen receives gold label from the Responsible Business Forum
We are pleased to announce that we have received the gold-level quality label from the Estonian Responsible Business Forum (VEF). This award recognises our efforts to promote responsible entrepreneurship in Estonia. Responsible entrepreneurship involves the seamless and voluntary integration of economic, environmental and social dimensions into a company’s daily activities, management and business strategy. “We have been systematically working on responsible business objectives and activities for a long time, and we applied for the VEF index for the first time in 2019. We support clients in addressing climate change and we make sure we choose partners who align with our values. […]
-
Spreading misleading information about competing drugs can be an infringement of competition law
On 22 July 2024, the European Commission (EC) announced that it will be imposing certain commitments on Vifor, a manufacturer of intravenous iron medicines. Vifor is a dominant player in this market and had spread misleading information about the safety of a competing drug, Monofer, to healthcare professionals. The EC had opened an investigation, suspecting a potential competition law infringement. However, after concluding its investigation, instead of imposing fines, the EC imposed a set of legally binding commitments. Among other things, Vifor will have to launch a “comprehensive” communication campaign that will clarify that Monofer is safe to use, including on Vifor’s […]
-
Marcus Niin was appointed as the insurance conciliator of the Estonian Insurance Association
The Estonian Insurance Association appointed our senior associate Marcus Niin as the conciliator of the insurance conciliation body. His term begins on October 1, 2024, and lasts five years. “An insurance conciliator is an independent and impartial expert in insurance disputes. The conciliator aims to help resolve disputes between the insurer and the insured. The conciliation body resolves a significant portion of insurance disputes in Estonia,” Niin explains the work of the conciliation body. Reaching out to the conciliator is free of charge and it offers a much quicker resolution than court proceedings.
-
Who’s Who Legal commends our energy expert Andrius Šimkus
Who’s Who Legal: Energy 2024 includes our energy expert, counsel Andrius Šimkus, in its recently published list featuring market-leading lawyers and experts working in the field of energy across all major jurisdictions. Andrius Šimkus is listed as the go-to expert in both “Energy – Oil & Gas” and “Energy – Power/Electricity”, being the only expert recommended in both categories in Lithuania. Andrius is an expert in energy law, regulation, policy, strategy and management. He has practised in the energy sector since 2005, specialising in electricity, gas (including LNG), renewable energy sources, nuclear energy, energy efficiency, energy markets, climate change management, […]
-
Sorainen once again recognised by Chambers as having the leading private client team in the Baltics
In the recently released Chambers 2024 High Net Worth rankings, Sorainen stands out as the leading law firm in the Baltics, the only one with the highest Band 1 rankings across the region in private wealth law. This recognition highlights the proven experience and market standing of the Sorainen Private Client team. Sorainen also consolidated its position as the leader in the region, with the highest ranking of any law firm in the Baltics in all Chambers guide rankings in 2024. Currently, our teams have a total of 18 Band 1 rankings in this legal directory. Strongest Band 1 team […]
-
Sorainen selects 9 defence projects to receive free legal and tax advice
Sorainen has selected nine projects for our pro bono legal and tax advice in the Shared Mission programme. The selected projects will receive free legal and tax advice on various issues, from establishing an entity and employment arrangements to data protection and fundraising. Annually, we allocate over EUR 100,000 to the Shared Mission and other pro bono initiatives. Focus on supporting defence and national security projects This year, we invited innovative projects focusing on defence and national security to participate in the Shared Mission programme. To maximise the positive impact of our collaboration, we decided to focus our efforts on […]
-
Share your innovative ideas for improving the Estonian healthcare system
The discussion surrounding the lack of funding in Estonian healthcare and its deterioration is intensifying, with potential solutions being cautiously presented. We are partnering with AstraZeneca and the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) to find new, cross-sector solutions to Estonian healthcare funding challenges. Through our new healthcare platform, we are specifically looking for ideas that will truly transform and refine our healthcare system to one that can withstand the challenges ahead. However, this requires clever approaches and securing (or sometimes reallocating) additional resources. Our regional head of the Life Sciences and Healthcare sector group, counsel Lise-Lotte Lääne, will participate in […]
-
Edgars Hercenbergs will participate at ITR Global Transfer Pricing Forum Europe 2024
You will have a chance to meet Sorainen Latvia team member, Senior Associate, tax and transfer pricing expert Edgars Hercenbergs at the annual ITR Global Transfer Pricing Forum Europe in Amsterdam, September 11-12 this year. One more year, WTS Global is the lead sponsor of the conference defining the agenda for the first day, jointly with ITR, making sure that we cover the most relevant topics of the Transfer Pricing landscape. The agenda details will be shared soon. You will also have the opportunity to discuss your topics of interest in one to one meetings with WTS Global experts from […]
-
Ramona Miglāne’s joining strengthens Sorainen Finance and Insurance practice group
On 9 May this year, Ramona Miglāne, a recognised expert in the field of financial technology, joined Sorainen law firm, and will be leading the Finance and Insurance practice group together with partner Rūdolfs Enģelis. The expansion of the management group is being done with the aim of developing the fields of financial technology and financial startups, and providing more comprehensive services to clients in these industries. So far during her professional career Ramona has held leading positions in financial practices at a number of law firms, as well as gained hands-on experience at a leading commercial bank in Latvia. […]
-
M&A market participants: Things are looking up and geopolitical risk is falling
A general consensus emerged at the annual Baltic M&A and Private Equity Forum that the transaction market is recovering and investors are becoming increasingly confident about investing in the Baltics. The Baltic M&A and Private Equity Forum 2024 was organised by Sorainen on 16 April in Vilnius, in cooperation with leading Lithuanian business media Verslo žinios. As every year, the event gathered 250 participants representing private equity, venture capital funds and investment banking, consultants, lawyers, as well as business executives and owners from the Baltics and beyond. Join us next year on 23 April 2025 in Tallinn. Morgan Stanley analyst: M&A […]
-
Defence Workshop IV
This April, 16 law firms gathered in Denmark to share their experience of central aspects of the regulatory framework in each jurisdiction and to discuss major tenders and cases related to the defence industry. The Danish full-service law firm Horten hosted the event. Partner Andris Tauriņš and senior associate Robin Teever presented opportunities in the Latvian and Estonian defence industries, and shared information on legislative developments in the two countries.
-
We’ve got “National law firm of the year: Baltics” recognition at the IFLR Europe Award 2024
Yesterday Sorainen was proclaimed “National law firm of the year: Baltics” by the International Financial Law Review (IFLR). This award highlights our work in the fields of finance and corporate law, which included the most challenging and innovative cross-border deals that we advised on in 2023. This is the ninth time we have received this recognition. Some of the complex cross-border projects our team have been working on in the Baltic market include: Japan-based Roland DG and Lithuanian Veika established a joint venture – a rare case of investment from Japan in Lithuania, highlighting the increasing recognition of Lithuania’s potential in the global […]
-
Maag, Skeleton and PVcase announced as Baltic deals of the year 2024
Today, the Baltic deals of the year were announced at the Baltic M&A and Private Equity Forum 2024 in Vilnius. The winners of the title are Maag Grupp and Skeleton Technologies of Estonia and PVcase of Lithuania. Award winners 2024 The Baltic M&A Deal of the Year is Maag Grupp’s acquisition of HKScan‘s Baltic businesses for EUR 90 million. The Estonian food company bought the Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian subsidiaries of Finnish HKScan. The subsidiaries produce and sell meat and poultry products under consumer brands like Rakvere, Tallegg, Rigas Miesnieks, Jelgava and Klaipėdos maistas. Other nominees in the Baltic M&A […]
-
Our International Arbitration team among the best in the world
Our International Arbitration practice has been included in the GAR 100, Global Arbitration Review’s guide to the top specialist arbitration firms worldwide. Our team has now achieved this recognition for five years in a row, reflecting our solid experience and excellence in the practice. Experts with established track record The first seeds of our arbitration practice were sown in 2011. Since then, our arbitration team has a track record of successful high-profiles disputes involving major claims, state and investor representation, and highly complex landmark cases. During commercial arbitration cases, we have represented clients before such leading arbitration institutions as the […]
-
Maria Pihlak was voted AmCham Estonia board member
Our partner Maria Pihlak was voted American Chamber of Commerce Estonia (AmCham Estonia) board member at the AmCham Estonia Annual General Meeting on April 9, 2024, at Nordic Forum Hotel Tallinn. Four new board members were elected for the 2024-2026 term. “My mission with AmCham is simple: utilise my skills and knowledge as a dual-qualified lawyer to help advance the goals of the Estonian-American business community,” says Maria Pihlak. Maria heads the Sorainen International Arbitration subgroup. She is a highly recognised arbitration expert internationally, listed in the prestigious Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration 2024. The analysis features market-leading arbitrators, counsels, expert […]
-
The FORT partner Jānis Līkops joins Sorainen Latvia with team of experts
In April this year, Jānis Līkops joined the Sorainen partnership. Jānis will be complementing the Corporate and M&A management teams, as well as the Real Estate & Construction practice groups at the Sorainen Latvian office. Both of the aforementioned practice groups at Sorainen Latvia showed an excellent increase in turnover indicators last year (between 20% and 25%) and saw an expansion of their teams. This kind of growth creates a consequent need to strengthen the management of the teams by attracting an experienced manager and recognised expert in the field. During his career, Jānis has advised clients on many notable […]
-
The Legal 500: Sorainen remains the strongest law firm in the Baltics
In the recently released The Legal 500 2024 rankings, Sorainen remains the strongest law firm in the Baltics, with the most top-tier rankings across the region. The total number of Tier 1 positions this year increased to 29 out of 31 as our Intellectual property team in Lithuania receiving the highest ranking. The Legal 500 reports: „The IP team at Sorainen represents clients in high-stakes disputes regarding trademarks, domain names, and patents and advises on compliance with local and EU IP law. Assisting a range of large and small companies and startups, the ‘professional and responsible’ team is also noted […]
-
Exclusive interview of Sorainen Head of ESG Practice in Lithuania Vitalija Impolevičienė
In the rapidly changing world of law, one area has surfaced as both a challenge and an opportunity: sustainability. Our Head of ESG Practice at Sorainen Lithuania Vitalija Impolevičienė, whose journey from finance and insurance law to pioneering sustainability initiatives has been very inspiring, has shared with the global legal directory Legal500 her professional way and the ESG insights. Here is the full interview. How did you become involved in sustainability issues? I have been practising finance and insurance law for over 15 years. Throughout this time, I’ve observed the financial sector emerge as a pioneer in adopting mandatory sustainability […]
-
MP Eva Berlaus predicts growth for several sectors in Legal 500 interview
In an interview granted to the global legal directory Legal 500, our Managing Partner Eva Berlaus has predicted healthy growth in several economic sectors, including Defence, Energy and Private Clients. Emphasising the attractiveness of the Baltic countries as a place for investment, Eva Berlaus notes: “The efficiency of our business ecosystem has not gone unnoticed by our international clients.” Here is the full interview. What do you see as the main points that differentiate Sorainen from your competitors? Sorainen was the first and only top law firm in the Baltics that was created as a truly one-team firm, as opposed […]
-
Chambers Europe: Sorainen solidifies its leading position in the Baltics with all teams highly ranked
In the recently released Chambers Europe 2024 rankings, Sorainen improved its rankings in two categories and secured top-category rankings for all our teams in the Baltics. As a law firm, we are praised by clients for our client-focused approach, top-notch expertise, and excellent teamwork. Says a client: “The team has exceptional know-how in the specific field, offering unique and jaw-dropping solutions in the most complex matters while keeping the client calm and confident during the whole process.” Another client adds “Every team member that we have worked with has strong expertise in the field and we are always confident in […]
-
Second time The Legal500 has recognised us as an ESG-focused firm in the Green Guide 2024 edition
The EMEA Green Guide by The Legal500 has just been released, marking the second time Sorainen has been recognised as an ESG-focused firm. This recognition underscores that we are a leading ESG practice in the Baltic region as well as our commitment to sustainability. According to The Legal500, Sorainen brings expertise in high-value and landmark renewable energy projects and possesses deep knowledge in providing regulatory and project development advice to support the green ambitions of leading corporate clients and sustainability-focused organisations. Over the last year we have experienced steady growth in the environmental, social and governance (ESG) related services we […]
-
Sorainen becomes the official legal partner in the Latvian Blockchain Association
Representatives of the crypto asset industry have announced themselves as serious players in the financial sector with the adoption of the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation. Blockchain technology has untapped potential beyond financial services. These industries in Latvia have come together in the Latvian Blockchain Association, with Sorainen as its official legal partner, with the aim of helping the industry to develop even stronger. About the LBAA The Latvian Blockchain Association (LBAA) is a non-profit organization that promotes the adoption of blockchain technology and facilitates collaboration between market participants and stakeholders.
-
Baltic business advised to prepare for new data laws
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has been in force for six years, but the area of data protection legislation keeps evolving. “We have just started to live with GDPR when a new package of legal acts is knocking on the door,” Mihkel Miidla, head of our Data Protection team, noted at a webinar held in February. Since 2020 the European Union has been implementing the European data strategy, and new measures are gradually adopted to regulate data-related matters. It is no longer limited to personal data – new legislation also regulates the reuse, sharing, and movement of industrial and […]
-
Sorainen joins Fintech Latvia Association membership
Sorainen sees significant development potential in Latvia’s FinTech sector. To this end, we have become members of the Fintech Latvia Association. We believe that the joint effort of private sector representatives, financial sector supervisors, public authorities and other stakeholders can lead to real results. Latvia is currently in a perfect starting position where new companies can be built and existing ones strengthened in a clean and transparent financial sector. We’re ready to put our hand to that effort. About Fintech Latvia Association The aim of the Fintech Latvia Association is to unite the providers of financial services of the fintech […]
-
Carri Ginter was awarded an Estonian state decoration
The Republic of Estonia recognises Carri Ginter, our partner, arbitrator, and longtime lecturer at the University of Tartu, with the Order of Merit of the White Star. Leading up to Estonia’s Independence Day, the Republic of Estonia will bestow on people whose daily activity keeps adding new bricks of caring, noticing, and protecting to the wall that are Estonian state decorations, wrote President Alar Karis in the foreword of the decision. 151 people from Estonia and abroad will receive national honors. „What they all have in common is loyalty to the principles on which we want to see Estonia lean: […]
-
2023: Year in review
Welcome to our year in review for 2023. It’s been quite a meaningful chapter in our Sorainen story. As we reflect on the past year, we are proud to share the great strides we’ve made in the areas that define our identity and purpose. From championing sustainability to fortifying our defense initiatives, achieving significant awards, and celebrating the heart of our success – our people – this review encapsulates the essence of who we are. Sustainability Over the last year we’ve made great progress when it comes to sustainability at Sorainen. Our firm was recognised in the second edition of […]
-
Carri Ginter designated to the Panel of Arbitrators of ICSID
The Republic of Estonia has appointed our partner, Carri Ginter, as a member of the prestigious ICSID Panel of Arbitrators. ICSID is one of the five organisations of the World Bank Group and is located in Washington, USA. ICSID’s list of arbitrators includes the most sought-after and highly qualified arbitrators in the world, and each member state has the right to appoint up to four arbitrators for a six-year term. Investment treaty arbitration provides an opportunity to resolve international investment disputes through arbitration rather than traditional legal proceedings, and protects investments from various risks and political changes. ICSID arbitral awards are the […]
-
Aija Lasmane joins the regional Sorainen partnership
On 1 January 2024, Aija Lasmane joined the Sorainen partnership and, together with long-serving tax leader Jānis Taukačs, will head the Sorainen Latvia Tax practice, specialising in direct and international tax law and structuring M&A transactions. She has extensive experience in managing transfer pricing projects in collaboration with our international tax network’s WTS Transfer Pricing Centre in the Philippines. Aija Lasmane joined the Sorainen Latvia Tax team in 2013. Her professional experience in the field of tax consulting and finance goes back as far as 1996, having worked at the tax departments of two of the “big four” and at […]
-
Sorainen announces Eva Berlaus as new firm managing partner and Ieva Andersone as country managing partner of Latvian office
On 1 January, Eva Berlaus, currently country managing partner of our Latvian office, will become the managing partner of Sorainen, taking over the role from Laimonas Skibarka. Ieva Andersone, head of our Commercial and Regulatory practice in Latvia, has been appointed as the new country managing partner in Latvia. Both leaders have played a vital part in the development of Sorainen and risen to top leadership positions from within the firm. Eva joined Sorainen as a lawyer in 2000, and in 2010 became the first female country managing partner among the leading Baltic law firms, having built her reputation as […]
-
Sorainen Lithuania joins UN Global Compact initiative
Sorainen is pleased to announce that Sorainen Lithuania has oficially joined the United Nations Global Compact initiative. The initiative is a voluntary leadership platform for the development, implementation and disclosure of responsible business practices. This makes us the first law firm not only in Lithuania, but in the Baltic region to join the UN Global Compact. We’re proud to join thousands of other companies globally committed to taking responsible business action to create the world we all want. The UN Global Compact is a call for companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles. These […]
-
Sorainen donates Christmas funds towards Ukraine aid
As has become a tradition, this holiday season Sorainen once again donated Christmas funds toward aid in Ukraine. As a firm, we want to use our Christmas funds in a way that makes the biggest difference. Vehicle sent to Ukraine to help children Just as a year ago, this season we supported the “Tryzub” Charity and Support Fund with their invaluable work by granting a pre-Christmas donation of EUR 10,000. Tryzub used these funds to acquire a minibus that will serve the Ukrainian foundation “Z Bogom u Serdsi”. Our counsel Andrius Šimkus helps run “Tryzub”. Along with associate Simonas Šlitas […]
-
Who’s Who Legal recommends our arbitration expert
Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration 2024 lists our arbitration expert, partner Maria Pihlak, in its recently published list featuring market-leading arbitrators, counsels, expert witnesses, and Future Leaders aged 45 and under. Maria Pihlak is recommended on the list of Future Leaders — Partners category in Estonia. Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration Harnessing more than 130,000 data points augmented by hundreds of in-person interviews, Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration is an extensive analysis of the international arbitration market, featuring more than 2000 lawyers from 96 countries. For the eighth year, the guide also identifies future leaders among both lawyers and experts, with nearly 800 […]
-
Partner Jānis Taukačs was again recognised for his support to Ukraine
The commander of the 109th brigade of the Ukrainian army, Ruslan Trigubenko, expresses his appreciation to Sorainen partner Jānis Taukačs. Together with his Ukrainian colleague Ilya Sverdlov and the organisation Entrepreneurs for Peace, Jānis has helped with the organisation of donations and the purchase of necessary items for the brigade. You can learn more about the business and tax situation in Ukraine, as well as the support necessary, by listening to the Tax Stories podcast of Jānis and Ilya’s conversations (episode 25 and episode 26).
-
Jānis Taukačs – new Member of the Supervisory Board at WTS Global
After years of cooperation, in 2019 Sorainen became a global member firm of the WTS Global – a tax professionals’ network in 100+ countries, representing Europe. Now we are happy that this cooperation has only flourished through these years and become even stronger and our tax partner Jānis Taukačs became a Member of the Supervisory Board at WTS Global. Broader expertise toolset: new resources available Through its network firms WTS Global delivers practical and tailored solutions in all areas of tax: Corporate Customs Global expatriate services Indirect tax International tax and permanent establishments Transfer pricing Tax technology Transactions and real […]
-
A scholarship for research is awarded to the bachelor students of the Faculty of Law
Since 2004, the Foundation of the University of Latvia has provided an opportunity for patrons and cooperation partners to invest in the future of Latvia, supporting both the University of Latvia and other leading Latvian universities. The priorities of the University of Latvia Foundation are to support the most outstanding students and researchers and the projects and research they lead, to promote a modern learning environment, and to provide for the construction and renovation of university buildings. Within the framework of this project, our office awarded a scholarship for bachelor students (starting from the second year) and master’s students […]
-
Sorainen strengthens its position in the Chambers FinTech rankings for Lithuania and Estonia
In the recently released Chambers FinTech rankings, our Fintech team has maintained the top position in Lithuania for the fifth consecutive year. Sorainen has also earned new individual rankings in both Lithuania and Estonia. Well-rounded team with top experts Partners Tomas Kontautas and Augustas Klezys, who lead the team, both retained their positions among the leading fintech experts in Lithuania. Moreover, senior associate Liutauras Vasiliauskas has entered the individual rankings as an “associate to watch“. One of our clients praised him, stating “Liutauras Vasiliauskas is a strong professional, with a high level of responsiveness. He is able to approach complex […]
-
Carri Ginter was recognised with the University of Tartu medal
The University of Tartu (Estonia) recognised our partner Carri Ginter with a medal for his long-term significant contribution to the university’s development. Carri’s service at the university dates back to 2003, and currently, he is an associate professor of European Law. He has twice been named Lecturer of the Year by his students. Carri has been a great supporter of law students & studies beyond his work at the university. He is the founding father of the Sorainen ThinkTank – a team uniting law students working in the firm – and the Sorainen Student Academy program. Thank you, Carri, for […]
-
Laimonas Skibarka recognised among the top managing partners in Europe at The Lawyer European Awards
The Lawyer recognised Sorainen managing partner Laimonas Skibarka with the distinction “Highly Commended” (second place) in the “European Managing Partner of the Year 2023” category, announced at the annual awards ceremony in London last Thursday. Laimonas was the only law firm leader from the Baltic and Nordic region in this final round of the awards. The winner of the European Managing Partner of the Year title is Inês Sequeira Mendes of the Lisbon-headquartered Abreu Advogados. As a firm, Sorainen was also shortlisted in the “Northern Europe Law Firm of the Year” category. Source: The Lawyer “This recognition goes to Team […]
-
Sorainen and AmCham work toward mutually beneficial economic relations
Sorainen has been collaborating with local American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) organisations for several years, and this year has been full of events. Our Sorainen experts join AmCham in their aim to develop mutually beneficial economic relations between the United States of America and all three of the Baltic republics. Our Sorainen experts from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have been actively participating in AmCham events throughout 2023. Lithuanian colleagues have been active participants at many AmCham Lithuania events this year, sharing about our pan-Baltic legal knowledge and expertise. Focus on procurement in Latvia Katrīne Pļaviņa-Mika, our senior associate from Riga, […]
-
Embracing AI in the legal profession
Almost no profession has remained unimpacted by the ever-evolving technological landscape – and that includes the legal profession. At Sorainen we are aware that the integration of artificial intelligence, or AI in the legal profession, has already become a crucial part of staying ahead in the legal industry. As we step into the realm of AI, questions arise about its impact on the role of lawyers, billing structures, and the future of legal education. Our colleagues recently shared the Sorainen experience as we explore the potential transformations and challenges that lie ahead. Mārtiņš Stamguts presented at the YPO Baltic North […]
-
Copyrights: BSH Book Scandal
Estonian media has been buzzing with recent news about alleged copyright infringements by local socialite and influencer Brigitte Susanne Hunt (BSH). In a nutshell, BSH used a photo resembling one of Kim Kardashian’s photos for the cover of her newly released biography. Additionally, BSH included some photos in her book for which Delfi Meedia AS holds the copyrights, without obtaining prior consent. There are some hot takes on whether BHS has infringed copyrights in one or the other case. Here are Senior associate Olivia Kranich‘s two cents on the topic. (1) Cover photo – Kim Kardashian / Jean-Paul Goude vs BSH […]
-
Sorainen regional team events highlights
August and September have been busy, but also fun at Sorainen. Our practise groups and business services teams gathered to discuss, engage, and spend quality time together during our Sorainen regional team events. The REC team was first to open the season of regional meetings and visited Munich this spring. Other workcations were held in Munich, Rome, Vienna, Budapest, and Vilnius. Meeting in person as a regional team fosters innovation, cross-cultural understanding, and team cohesion. Visiting other countries enables our teams to explore new cultures, cuisines, and gain new experiences. Tax, Marketing & Communications, and Business & Development Teams […]
-
Five Sorainen partners recognised as prominent female leaders
Leading international legal directory IFLR1000 has recognised five of our partners – Piret Jesse, Karin Madisson, Eva Berlaus, Lelde Laviņa and Aušra Mudėnaitė as prominent female leaders in its 2023 Women Leaders guide. Our experts have been recognised by the guide since 2020. Leading female lawyers All five are among the most experienced practitioners active in their markets. They have impressive track records and are consistently commended by clients and peers for the quality of their advice and services. Having over 20 years of experience in their field, all five have led numerous landmark mergers and acquisitions over the years. […]
-
The Financial Times ranks Sorainen among top 30 innovative law firms in Europe
Sorainen is the only law firm from Baltic and Nordic region ranked in this year’s FT Innovative Lawyers Index — Europe 2023. The index provides a ranking and a holistic assessment of law firm success in innovation. It features fifty of the most innovative European law firms, evaluated according to innovation, digital, people, and social responsibility criteria. The Sorainen team maintained a ranking in the top thirty by placing 29th. “The FT Innovative Lawyers ranking highlights the names of the forward-thinking law firms and acknowledges their efforts in modernising legal services,” says Irina Seniut, head of Knowledge Management and Innovation […]
-
IFLR1000: Sorainen is the only Tier 1 law firm in the Baltics
According to the 2023 rankings of the International Financial Law Review (IFLR), Sorainen remains the strongest law firm in the Baltics, being the only firm with the highest Tier 1 rankings across all practice areas. 38 of our lawyers were recognised by the guide as leading legal specialists. Top tier in all fields Similarly to previous years, Sorainen has retained its position as the leading law firm in the region, earning only the highest Tier 1 rankings in all practice areas. Our team was recognised as the best in the market in the following areas: Estonia – Financial and corporate […]
-
Sorainen is the most attractive private-sector employer in the legal field
In the survey conducted by Instar, an employer branding agency, law students chose Sorainen as the most attractive private-sector employer in the legal field. More than 6,000 respondents took part in the survey this year, out of whom 2,647 were students. The 5 most attractive employers for law students in 2023 (out of 264): Estonian Ministry of Justice Estonian Prosecutor’s Office Estonian Supreme Court Sorainen Lextal The survey revealed that students want to work part-time with a certain employer (45% of respondents considered it important), they prefer a home office and work-from-anywhere option. The most important factor influencing career choice […]
-
Sorainen is the strongest law firm in the Baltics
According to the 2023 rankings of four major international legal directories (Legal 500, Chambers, IFLR and ITR), Sorainen stands out as the strongest law firm on a pan-Baltic level. Furthermore, Sorainen is the only one from key market players to have improved its position in 2023 and now has the most Tier 1 rankings across the region, further solidifying Sorainen as a top-tier law firm and the clear market leader. Client-centric approach This summer, Sorainen became the most recommended law firm on a pan-Baltic level, being ranked by four international directories as the top-tier team in a total of 64 […]
-
Capital markets expert Dr Lina Aleknaitė-van der Molen joins Sorainen
Our team welcomes a new member – attorney-at-law Dr Lina Aleknaitė-van der Molen, an expert in the fields of finance and capital markets, joins the firm as a counsel. She will advise clients on financing transactions and securities, as well as investment fund formation and asset management. “Lithuanian capital markets have recently been breaking the ice for change, both through government initiatives and legislative amendments. I am excited to be joining law firm Sorainen at this time. I am confident that with this team, we will be able to offer the highest level of service to both Lithuanian businesses […]
-
Latvia Implements New Music Tariffs for Hotels
The Competition Council (CC) in Latvia recently conducted an in-depth investigation into the public performance tariffs applicable to playing music in hotel rooms. The investigation focused on the criteria set by the Latvian Performers and Producers Association (LaIPA) for calculating these tariffs. After careful evaluation, the CC found that some of the criteria used by LaIPA in their calculation procedure were unreasonable. These criteria included factors such as the GDP of the hotel, hotel category (e.g. star ratings), and traveller expenditures, which were not directly related to the cost of creating or playing music in hotel rooms. In response to […]
-
Sorainen tops Chambers’ rankings as the leading private client team in the Baltics
In the recently released Chambers 2023 High Net Worth rankings, Sorainen stands out as the strongest law firm in the Baltics, being the only one with the highest Band 1 rankings across the region in Private Wealth Law. This makes the Sorainen private client team the only one in the region with proven experience and market acknowledgement. ’’We are humbled to receive such positive feedback from our clients and major researchers like Chambers and Partners. As the legal issues get increasingly complex in our region, so do the sophisticated legal and tax needs of high-net-worth individuals and families. We have […]
-
Sorainen’s Estonian office certified as European Green Office
Sorainen’s Estonian office was certified as a European Green Office. The review took place in mid-May, during which areas related to environmental activities were discussed, criteria were verified based on the European Green Office control questionnaire, and a tour of the office was carried out. The certificate is valid for three years and is a major development in recognising our commitment and efforts in the field of environmental sustainability. What is a green office? The objective of an environmentally friendly or green office is to constantly monitor and reduce the environmental impact of the office’s activities, which entails cost savings, […]
-
Associate’s development programme at London law firm Addleshaw Goddard
In the middle of June, our colleagues, associate Krista Niklase and associate Simonas Šlitas, participated in the Global Connect Associate Development Programme organized by the international law firm Addleshaw Goddard in London, with the participation of associates from international law firms from the Addleshaw Goddard global connect network from Europe and outside. The programme is based on the associate’s professional growth, developing leaders, communication, client-shaped and personal branding skills, and learning about innovation in a lawyer’s work. In addition to the training sessions and activities, the programme participants, including our colleagues, had an excellent opportunity to exchange experience and build […]
-
Startup legal tips from Sorainen experts
Whether you’re an experienced businessperson or a first-time entrepreneur, the startup world is filled with legal land mines. There are many support organisations – incubators, accelerators, associations – specifically created to help startups grow and scale. However, nothing will quite protect your business like a legal expert. This is why our startup legal team has held several pan-Baltic free startup legal clinics. If you’re a bootstrapping startup, you may be used to applying the do-it-yourself attitude to various business aspects. When it comes to legal matters, we strongly advise you to ditch ChatGPT and internet searches. Instead, consult a legal […]
-
Revolutionary crypto asset regulation announced
The Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation (MiCAR) was finally published in the European Official Journal on 9 June 2023. When it enters into force on 29 June 2023, the European Union will finally have a uniform, directly applicable regulation on crypto assets. MiCAR is the first regulation of its kind in the world. Its framework provides: Key legal definitions, including distributed ledger technology (DLT), crypto asset, utility token, asset-reference token, e-money token, crypto asset service (including a definition of each crypto asset service), crypto asset service provider, issuer, and offeror (of crypto asset), etc. Uniform authorisation requirements and procedures for […]
-
Sorainen supports national defenders
For the first time in history, Estonian companies and organisations – 50 in total – have received recognition for their contribution to the security of our country, granted by the Estonian Ministry of Defence. We were among the companies to accept the award at the Estonian War Museum, and were represented by Aku Sorainen. The purpose of the award is to highlight the employers that not only support our national security by exempting reserve soldiers from their work duties but also consciously support them. Our contribution Notably, of our 120 employees, approximately 30 are reservists, members of the Estonian Defence […]
-
Edgaras Markevičius to lead the firm‘s Public Procurement practice in Lithuania
Edgaras Markevičius, a public procurement expert, has joined Sorainen. He will lead our Public Procurement & Public Projects practice in Lithuania. Edgaras is one of the leading experts in this field in Lithuania, having led the public procurement departments of the largest contracting authorities in the country. Before joining Sorainen, he worked as the Head of Public Procurement at Vilnius University for six years. Before that, he was the Head of Public Procurement at Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos. He holds a PhD in Law from Mykolas Romeris University. Kęstutis Švirinas, partner and head of the Dispute Resolution & Risk […]
-
Ober-Haus: Baltic real estate market sluggish, yet steady
Ober-Haus presented its annual real estate market report 2023 on the Baltic States capitals, confirming slow, but steady growth in Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius. The overview covers office, commercial, storage and residential markets, as well as plots of land in each of the capital cities. Legal notes for the report were prepared by our Baltic-wide team of real estate legal experts. Slow and steady growth The Baltic capitals experienced various geopolitical challenges presented by being located between Russia and Belarus, along with record high inflation in the previous year. Despite bleak predictions for 2022, the worst forecasts never materialised. “We […]
-
Fundamental and long-awaited changes make patent protection easier
The European Commission launched a new system for regulating patent protections, establishing a new Unitary Patent and Unified Patent Court. The changes will benefit companies and inventors in the European Union by facilitating the process for obtaining patents and enforcing their protection. What is a Unitary Patent? The new system provides for the establishment of a Unitary Patent, which will be regulated under the Unified Patent Court. Europe’s Unitary Patent is a new additional option for companies and inventors seeking to obtain patent protection in Europe. The European Commission has stated that the Unitary Patent is a legal title providing […]
-
Nasdaq Welcomes Sorainen as a Certified Adviser on the First North market
Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) announces that Sorainen ZAB SIA has been granted the status of First North Certified Adviser on the Riga market as of 30 May, 2023. First North is a growth market designed for ambitious small and medium-sized companies in the Baltics. Being a Certified Adviser permits Sorainen to guide growth companies in Latvia through the Firth North application process and ensure they meet all the market’s requirements on a continuous basis. “Latvian companies are interested in raising capital on the stock exchange, therefore, the experience and knowledge of certified consultants is an essential support for these companies on […]
-
Anti-money laundering expert Eimantas Vytuvis joins Sorainen
Eimantas Vytuvis, former director of the Centre of Excellence in Anti-Money Laundering, has joined our Finance & Insurance team. For the last two years, Eimantas headed the Centre of Excellence in Anti-Money Laundering, prior to that he was in charge of anti-money laundering at Nordea and Luminor banks, where he led the Customer Risk Management Unit of Luminor Group. Eimantas is an anti-money laundering expert certified by ACAMS, a global organisation of anti-financial crime professionals. Augustas Klezys, partner with Sorainen and head of the Finance & Insurance team, says that the geopolitical environment, evolving technology, and a tightening regulatory environment […]
-
Sorainen named Baltic-wide Law Firm of the Year by Chambers and Partners
Sorainen was named Baltic-wide Law Firm of the Year at the Chambers Europe Awards 2023. The award recognises our law firm pre-eminence in key jurisdictions in the region. The honour is awarded based on research for the latest edition of the Chambers Europe Guide. “Our Baltic-wide team has been consistently improving in all practice areas. We’re incredibly pleased to receive this acknowledgement from Chambers. I believe that the two key reasons for this success include our integrated approach across the region, and focus on client satisfaction,” says managing partner Laimonas Skibarka. Biggest projects in the Baltics The Chambers awards reflect […]
-
Eglė Venskūnienė joins Sorainen as new COO
On 1 May 2023, Eglė Venskūnienė was appointed the new chief operating officer (COO) at Sorainen. She is taking overall charge of Sorainen operations and will work together with the firm’s managing partner Laimonas Skibarka. Eglė, who joined Sorainen from Danske Bank Lithuania, is based at Sorainen Lithuanian office. Responsible for firmwide business services and regional integration, she will also be a member of the Sorainen management team. Laimonas says: “We are very happy that Eglė has joined our team. With a positive and energetic personality and extensive experience in leadership, technologies, development of services and project management, she will help […]
-
Baltic M&A and Private Equity Forum: expect an upturn after regional underinvestment
The Baltic M&A and Private Equity Forum 2023 was organised by Sorainen in cooperation with leading Latvian business media house Dienas Bizness. The forum, hosted by Sorainen Parner Eva Berlaus, gathered over two hundred participants representing private equity, venture capital funds and investment banking, consultants, lawyers, as well as business executives and owners from the Baltics and beyond. McKinsey & Company Partner Jussi Hiltunen presented the Global Private Markets Review during the forum, and several sectors were examined by keynote speakers and panels. After the conference, Baltic Deals of the Year received honours. The most notable transactions were carried out […]
-
Sorainen team receives CEELM award
On April 25, CEE Legal Matters presented Sorainen with the 2022 Latvia Deal of the Year award for its work on the Renta Group’s acquisition of Uprent Group from BaltCap. The pan-Baltic Sorainen team was led by counsel Jānis Bite and supported by country managing partner Eva Berlaus. In close cooperation with the lead legal counsel, we provided full legal support on the Baltic aspects of the transaction, including legal due diligence and transaction negotiations, as well as closing the transaction. The winners of this year’s Deal of the Year Awards were announced on April 25 in Istanbul, during the CEE Legal Matters Deals […]
-
Baltic Deals of the Year 2023: Milrem, Nord Security, Oxylabs and Sunly
Last night, the Baltic deals of the year received honours at the Baltic M&A and Private Equity Forum 2023 in Riga. The most notable transactions were carried out by Milrem Robotics and Sunly of Estonia, and Nord Security and Oxylabs of Lithuania. Nord Security Group CFO Laurynas Zabulis with the award for Baltic Private Equity Deal of the Year and partner Oxylabs award for Baltic Outbound Deal of the Year, Milrem Robotics CEO and Founder Kuldar Väärsi with the award for Baltic M&A Deal of the Year, Sunly Chairman of the Supervisory Board Martin Kruus with the award for Baltic […]
-
Legal500: Sorainen is the strongest law firm in the Baltics
In the recently released Legal500 2023 rankings, Sorainen has further solidified its position as a top-tier law firm and stands out as the strongest law firm in the Baltics, having the most Tier 1 rankings across the region. Market-leading expertise Across the Baltics, we received the highest Tier 1 rankings in 28 legal fields out of 31. Our Estonian Real Estate & Construction (REC) team earned the highly coveted Tier 1 ranking this year, joining our Latvian and Lithuanian REC teams as go-to advisors in the field. According to Legal500, ‘’Sorainen is a leading firm in real estate and construction […]
-
Sorainen partner Jānis Taukačs awarded the Order of the Three Stars
As we approach the 33rd anniversary of the restoration of Latvia’s independence, on 4 April the highest Latvian state award – the Order of the Three Stars – is awarded by decision of the President and the Chapter of Orders. This time, the Order of the Three Stars has been awarded to the organisers of civic initiatives who have selflessly provided assistance to Ukraine, its soldiers and civilians, as well as to Ukrainian war refugees in Latvia. The award highlights the merits and contributions made by many well-known Latvian musicians, businessmen, and figures in the fields of culture and education. […]
-
Sorainen spin-off Crespect received an innovative legal-tech product development grant and closed a seed investment round
Crespect is a cutting-edge technology spin-off from Sorainen. It is developing an intelligent cloud-based legal practice management system for law firms globally. The system will simplify and streamline lawyers’ daily tasks, as well as providing business insights to enable them to manage client and international partner relationships with ease. Crespect has achieved two major milestones recently: the tech spin-off received a grant EUR 227,000 from the European Regional Development Fund for innovative product development. Crespect also closed a seed round in which it received the first part of investment of EUR 605,000. A solution built by lawyers, for lawyers Crespect […]
-
Sorainen recognised by the Legal500 as the only pan-Baltic ESG-focused firm
Sorainen has been recognised in the second edition of The Legal 500’s EMEA Green Guide. We are the only firm in our region to earn recognition for our work in the field of ESG in all Baltic countries. Projects with a significant impact According to Legal500, our clients benefit from the firm’s cross-disciplinary approach to green work. ‘’The firmwide ESG team is dedicated to facilitating the green transition for clients and has become a go-to in the region for renewables projects. The team is comprised of multidisciplinary lawyers across Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania who collaborate closely on ESG matters.’’ Recent […]
-
Kęstutis Švirinas has been appointed to the working group for ECtHR judge selection
Lithuanian Ministry of Justice has announced the start of the selection process for applicants to the position of judge at the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).To initiate the national procedure, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania, Ingrida Šimonytė, has formed a working group to carry out this selection. The working group comprises the best legal experts in the country, including Sorainen partner Kęstutis Švirinas. The working group‘s task is to evaluate the applicants‘ documents and conduct selection interviews, in order to be able to present the candidacies of the three best-rated ECtHR judge candidates to the prime […]
-
Sorainen arbitration specialists deemed the gold standard
Our arbitration specialists have been recognized as the gold standard by the recently released Legal 500 Private Practice Arbitration Powerlist 2023. This esteemed list showcases leading arbitration practitioners from a broad range of countries, spanning from Austria and Poland to the Baltics and down to Serbia and North Macedonia. The six Sorainen lawyers featured on the powerlist exhibit an impressive depth of experience across various sectors. Established track record With a proven track record of successfully handling high-profile disputes involving major claims, state and investor representation, and highly complex landmark cases, our arbitration team comprises specialists with established reputations, in-depth […]
-
Fourth season of Shared Mission programme launched: focus on sustainable energy
For the fourth year in a row, we are inviting organisations developing innovative solutions to current environmental and social problems to participate in the Shared Mission programme. This year, the programme is focusing on innovative and sustainable energy projects. We will provide free legal and tax services in our jurisdictions to selected projects that are in line with our core purpose – increasing prosperity in the region – and that have a strong element of innovation. The application period is open from 27 March to 16 April. You can find out more about the programme and submit your application here. […]
-
Chambers’ research reveals respondents’ happiness with our client-focused approach
In the recently released Chambers Europe 2023 rankings, Sorainen has improved its rankings in two categories and stands out as the most client-focused law firm in the Baltic market. “Sorainen has a comprehensive team of experts in the field with in-depth, sector-specific knowledge and extensive experience. The firm is fully focused on achieving the client’s goals.” shares one client. Another adds: “Sorainen has a strong understanding of the business of clients and their needs.” Our team is praised for in-depth knowledge and market-leading expertise: “We love working with the Sorainen team because they can cover any topic at a high […]
-
New milestone for us! We are celebrating our 100th team member in Sorainen Latvia!
In 1995, Aku Sorainen established our law firm with the first office in Tallinn, Estonia. In 1997, we started our journey in Latvia, establishing Sorainen Latvian office with only three people. Over the past 3 years, we have onboarded more than 40 new team members in Latvia. Today, we can announce that Sorainen Latvia has welcomed our 100th member! We have reached the magic 100 and we are so proud of it! “This milestone proves that we are unstoppable on our way of continuous development, innovation and collaboration to find yet better ways to help our clients to succeed and […]
-
CEE Deals of the Year Awards: Country Selection Committee participation
Senior partner of Sorainen Aku Sorainen and country managing partner of the Latvian office Eva Berlaus have been selected to join the Country Selection Committee for the 2022 CEE Deals of the Year Awards — the most prestigious peer-selected awards for the legal industry in Central and Eastern Europe. The CEE Deal of the Year Awards have been granted since 2017 by CEE Legal Matters — the leading source of news and information about the lawyers and legal industry in Central and Eastern Europe — to celebrate the transactions, financings, IPOs, and other deals that underpin growth throughout the region, […]
-
Riga Graduate School of Law library continues cooperation with Sorainen
Cooperation between Riga Graduate School of Law (RGSL) library and Sorainen law firm, which successfully started more than 20 years ago, is continuing. Thanks to Sorainen’s support, the library collection is regularly supplemented with valuable books useful to legal professionals. Sorainen partner and graduate of RGSL – Valts Nerets emphasises: “This long-term cooperation has been very valuable both for the Sorainen law firm and for the Riga Graduate School of Law. We have made our contribution to the improvement of the university’s collection of law sciences and raising the quality of student education. We look forward to future collaborative projects […]
-
Estonia will start screening foreign investments from September 2023
The Estonian Parliament adopted the Foreign Investment Reliability Assessment Act on 25 January 2023. The Act is set to enter into force on 1 September 2023. The primary objective of the Act is to screen both direct and indirect investments made by non-EU investors in strategically important and sensitive areas in Estonia.
-
Sorainen Tartu HUB opens doors
Sorainen now has remote working spaces in Tartu – we opened our Tartu HUB on 10 February. The hub has two office rooms with workspaces and a larger meeting room. The hub has everything necessary for a comfortable working environment – a kitchen, IT solutions and fun artwork. Great teamwork environment The hub enables Tallinn and Tartu colleagues, the latter of whom are primarily students, to have more contact with each other, which in turn promotes the multifaceted development of young lawyers. The spaces support learning and are a community for students living in Tartu. In addition, the hub provides […]
-
Sorainen becomes a member of FSDI Latvia
On 25 January this year, the 70th Council meeting of the Federation of Security and Defence Industries of Latvia (FSDI Latvia) took place, during which, after a vote, Sorainen was accepted as a member. FSDI Latvia was founded in 2013. It unites a wide range of economic sectors and is the only national-level organisation that represents companies and universities working in the security and defence sector. FSDI Latvia has been recognised as a cooperation partner by the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As our office considers it necessary to contribute to […]
-
Protecting the security and competitiveness of the Baltic high-tech sector at the Innovators Next Door Project
With an increased risk of malicious use of innovative dual-use technologies from the Baltics, the Innovators Next Door tech security initiative brings together industry, civil society and government stakeholders to strengthen the policy, practice, and cross-sector networks that protect the Baltic high-tech sector. The Project is coordinated by Motive International, a US social enterprise, with the support of the U.S. Department of State and the Latvian and Lithuanian Ministries of Foreign Affairs. Participating experts at Project events have included representatives from NATO, the European Defense Fund, FedTech, the Center for Security and Emerging Technology, and the West Point Robotics Center. On October 5 and 6 […]
-
Saulė Dagilytė becomes the new country managing partner of the Sorainen Lithuanian office
As of 1 January 2023, partner Saulė Dagilytė, currently head of the Sorainen Tax team in Lithuania, is the country managing partner of the Sorainen Lithuanian office. She has taken over this position from Tomas Kontautas, who held it since 2017. Outgoing country managing partner Tomas Kontautas comments: “Sorainen’s partnership agreement provides for a two-year term as office managing partner. I thank the partners for their trust and the opportunity to lead the Lithuanian office for three terms, and I am glad that Saulė, who has developed the largest tax law practice in Lithuania, is taking over this position. I […]
-
Sorainen expands circle of owners, promoting renowned arbitration expert Maria Pihlak to partner
Sorainen promoted sworn advocate Maria Pihlak, who heads the firm’s International Arbitration sub-practice in Estonia, to partner. Maria becomes the fourth partner on the Sorainen Estonian office’s Dispute Resolution and Risk Management team, alongside partners Carri Ginter, Allar Jõks and Norman Aas. Sorainen currently has 350 employees across four countries, including 45 partners, 13 of whom are women. Maria is the first female partner on Sorainen’s international Dispute Resolution and Risk Management practice. The firm’s Estonian office has a staff of 123, including 13 partners, four of whom are women. Maria helps clients to solve highly complex and resource-heavy disputes […]
-
Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration 2023 lists our arbitration experts
Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration 2023 lists our arbitration experts in its recently published list featuring market-leading arbitrators, counsel, expert witnesses and Future Leaders aged 45 and under. Our highly regarded arbitrators are: Carri Ginter (recommended on the list of Future Leaders – Partner category in Estonia) Maria Pihlak (recommended on the list of Future Leaders – Non-Partner category in Estonia) Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration Harnessing tens of thousands of data points augmented by hundreds of in-person interviews, this is an extensive analysis of the international arbitration market. The report features more than 1,250 lawyers from 93 jurisdictions. In addition, over 300 expert witnesses […]
-
Sorainen acclaimed by Mergermarket as Baltic M&A Legal Adviser of the Year 2022
Mergermarket has once again named Sorainen “Baltic M&A Legal Adviser of the Year”. This is the seventh time already that Sorainen has received this prestigious award for creative advisory work on complex transactions. Last year, in addition to winning the “Baltics M&A Legal Adviser of the Year” award, Sorainen also became the first Baltic law firm to win the title of “Central and Eastern Europe M&A Legal Adviser of the Year”. Toomas Prangli, head of our regional Corporate and M&A team, comments: “The tech startup sector has dominated the Baltic M&A market in 2022. Even though activity in the sector […]
-
Sorainen remains top fintech legal advisors in Lithuania in the Chambers FinTech rankings
In the recently released Chambers FinTech rankings, our Fintech team has retained the top position in Lithuania for the fourth year in a row. Partners Tomas Kontautas and Augustas Klezys, who lead the team, are also both ranked among the leading fintech experts in Lithuania. According to Chambers, “Sorainen is a go-to choice for Fintech work”. Well-rounded team contributing to the development of fintech sector Our fintech team assists with the development of e-money and payment institutions, and help blockchain and cryptocurrency companies with a range of legal issues. Our dedication to helping clients succeed is also highlighted. The client […]
-
Ieva Rimavičienė appointed as a Lithuanian delegate to the International Chamber of Commerce Commission on Arbitration and ADR
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has announced the renewed membership composition for the 2022-2024 ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR, the ICC’s leading think tank for international dispute resolution. Sorainen senior associate Ieva Rimavičienė, who has significant experience in arbitration and the ADR field, has been appointed by the National Committee as an ICC Lithuania delegate. “I am thrilled to join this new and diverse group of more than 1,300 expert members from over 100 countries, comprising lawyers, in-house counsel, arbitrators, mediators, law professors and experts in various dispute resolution fields. I look forward to contributing to the important work […]
-
Sorainen publishes sustainability report
We have published the first sustainability report of Sorainen, covering the procedures we have introduced and the initiatives we have undertaken to make the firm act in a more sustainable way in 2021-2022. The areas covered in the report are business and clients, people, society, and environment, introducing the conscious steps Sorainen has taken in all of those areas. “I hope that this report will not only shed light on our sustainability and ESG initiatives, but will also encourage other businesses in our region to promote a sustainability mindset, forge partnerships, and build sustainable businesses,” says Laimonas Skibarka, Managing Partner […]
-
Sorainen raises to 22nd position on FT’s most innovative European law firms list
Sorainen raised to the 22nd position on the list published yesterday by Financial Times that ranks the most innovative law firms in Europe. The ranking (found on the link, at the end of the article) is based on a sum of scores for innovation, people, digital, client mentions and financial growth. Sorainen is the highest ranked Baltic firm, with most firms positioning ahead of us being UK, US or global firms. Aku nominated as Individual Leader This year, Sorainen was shortlisted in five categories. As a firm, we were nominated for the title of the “Most innovative law firm in […]
-
Gunta Bambāne receives a Fulbright scholarship to study in the US
The US government’s Fulbright Program annually awards scholarships to outstanding students from around the world, including from Latvia. The Fulbright Program in 1946 was founded by former Senator J. William Fulbright in order “to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and people of other countries”. As part of the programme, more than 300,000 participants have participated in an exchange, studying in the USA or elsewhere in the world. In Latvia, Fulbright scholarships are organised by the US Embassy. There’s already a tradition of Fulbright scholarships at Sorainen. In 2005, a Fulbright scholarship was awarded to our […]
-
ITR recognises Sorainen as the Baltic States Tax Firm of the Year for the tenth time
On 15 September, International Tax Review (ITR) presented Sorainen with the Baltic States Tax Firm of the Year award. Our team received this recognition now for the tenth time since ITR established the Baltic category in its European awards in 2010. Says Jānis Taukačs, head of our regional Tax team: “There are amazingly strong tax teams in the Baltics and it made me think – what is the main reason for clients to keep coming back to us with their most complex tax issues. It is clearly a team effort of around thirty tax professionals across the region. But it is also a […]
-
Sorainen Summer Days: Become more in client experience topic
Learning and development is an important part of the experience of Sorainen’s people in everyday life, as well as at major firm events. Summer Days is a special event where people from all our offices gather to connect, learn and have a great time together. On the way to superior client experience This year, our training focused on the topic of client experience and people from all our teams engaged in interactive sessions. Client experience is created not only by our legal experts, but by every department of business services too – participants in the training had a chance to […]
-
Sorainen is ranked first in the Baltic client satisfaction survey
Sorainen ranks first among Baltic top tier law firms, according to the annual Kantar Prospera client satisfaction survey. We also hold the top position in Estonia and Lithuania, and second position in Latvia. Sorainen has received the highest regional ranking in the following service criteria: Strong reputation Lawyers’ skills Client understanding Business mindedness Strategic speaking partner Personal contacts Availability and service Large projects Project management Project staffing Quality across the Baltic region International competence Usage of digital tools Clients have placed Sorainen in the top position for willingness to recommend. Moreover, Sorainen also tops the leaders’ list for best legal […]
-
The Financial Times recognises Sorainen for its innovations: nominated for awards in four categories
Sorainen was shortlisted in four categories in The Financial Times’ Innovative Lawyers Awards Europe 2022, this being the highest number of nominations of any law firm from the Baltic or Nordic regions. Leda Iržikevičienė, COO of Sorainen, comments: “Innovation is a part of our firm’s DNA and our understanding of it is much broader than only applying innovative technology in our work. We constantly look for new approaches in everything we do and aim to increase the value we create for our clients through innovation. We appreciate that our multiple efforts in this direction have also been recognised by The […]
-
Rūdolfs Eņģelis atop Latvian Banking & Finance leaderboard
This month, CEE Legal Matters, a print and online publication for and about lawyers interested and working in Europe’s emerging legal markets, has published an overview of the most active dealmakers in the CEE region. CEE Legal Matters follows local markets and publishes the most prominent transactions in each country. According to the publication’s statistics, Sorainen partner and head of the Finance & Insurance practice group Rūdolfs Eņģelis has led 16 reported Latvian financial and bank sector deals since 2013. He is also the only practitioner in Latvia who has reached double digits in this category.
-
IFLR recognises Sorainen as the only pan-Baltic Tier 1 law firm
According to the recently released IFLR1000 rankings, Sorainen is the only law firm in the region holding only the highest, Tier 1 rankings, in all categories in the Baltics. Furthermore, 27 lawyers have earned an individual ranking by the guide, highlighting them as the utmost experts in the region. Leading finance-focused publication IFLR1000 is the market-leading law publication for capital markets, and corporate and finance lawyers. The field of project development, including energy, infrastructure, mining, power, PPP, telecommunications networks, and transport is also researched. The research categories include: Estonia: Project Development and Financial & Corporate Latvia: Project Development and Financial […]
-
International competence in data protection
We are proud to announce that our associate Jūlija Terjuhana has received the CIPP/E (Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe) certificate, having successfully passed the examination. The certificate is issued by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), the largest and most comprehensive global information privacy community and resource. This certificate complements Jūlija’s experience in data protection and confirms her international competence.
-
Sorainen selects 15 projects to receive free legal and tax advice
Sorainen has selected 15 projects that will receive pro bono legal and tax advice from us in the Shared Mission programme. The selected candidates will receive free legal and tax advice on various issues they face, from establishing an entity and employment arrangements to data protection and fundraising. Great pool of participants in the environmental field One of the ways we, as a firm, can support climate action goal is by assisting environmentally-focused projects by doing something we do best – providing legal and tax services. The successful applicants are involved in a wide range of environmental innovative projects such […]
-
Carri Ginter appointed by the European Commission as arbitrator for bilateral TSD disputes
Stepping up trade agreements enforcement, the European Commission published a pool of almost 400 individuals eligible for appointment as arbitrators and TSD experts in bilateral disputes under trade agreements with third countries. Our partner Carri Ginter has been selected as one of the few individuals from the Baltic region. “Once again, we are punching above our weight,” says Ginter, referring to the extremely tough competition for such posts. Eminent experts seek to serve on high-level arbitration panels such as this one for the valuable contacts and experience they bring, which in turn translates into added value for clients. A diverse […]
-
Sorainen Shared Mission programme application period is now closed
Applications for participation in the third season of Sorainen Shared Mission programme are now closed. This year we focused on companies, NGOs, startups and initiatives aiming to do good in local and global communities by innovating in the environmental field. We received more than 20 applications from projects working on innovative waste management solutions, developing renewables and enhancing energy efficiency, advocating and educating on various environmental issues, and many others. We will carefully assess all the applications we received and contact the selected candidates. We aim to release the results by 1 July. The selected candidates will receive free legal […]
-
Kekava Bypass PPP won European PPP Deal of the Year award
The energy and infrastructure news and analysis service Proximo has awarded the European PPP Deal of the Year award for 2022 to the Kekava Bypass PPP project closed in Latvia in July 2021. We together with lead counsel Loyens & Loeff (Brussels) advised the Kekava ABT, formed by A.C.B., Binders, and TIIC (Portugal), on the 3+20 year Design – Build – Finance – Maintain contract with the Latvian state for the 17.5 km Kekava bypass on the Via Baltica route, with financing from the European Investment Bank and the Nordic Investment Bank. The total gross availability payments are slightly above […]
-
The third season of Sorainen Shared Mission programme launches: focus on environmental projects
To contribute to society and make the world a better place, for the third year in a row, Sorainen is inviting organisations to participate in the Shared Mission programme. The goal of this year’ is to support innovative projects in the environmental field. The selected candidates will be provided free legal and tax advice. Annually we allocate over EUR 100,000 for Shared Mission and other pro bono initiatives. Applications for the 2022 programme are open from 1 June and will be accepted until 19 June. You can submit your application on the Sorainen website. Creating a healthy environment through innovation […]
-
WTS Tax and Investment Facts: Estonia
Our team of taxation experts contributed to a WTS report on taxes and investments in Estonia. The document serves as a helpful textbook for investors and entrepreneurs. It has been designed with the purpose of having the most accurate overview of the tax situation in Estonia. What topics are covered in the report? The document is divided into eleven chapters: Ways of doing business and legal forms of companies Corporate taxation Double Taxation Agreements Transfer Pricing Anti-Avoidance Measures Taxation of individuals and social security contributions Indirect taxes Inheritance and gift tax Wealth tax Land Tax Other taxes one should know […]
-
Estonian startups raise EUR 1 billion of capital with 4 months
Estonian startups have started 2022 with a bang, raising a total of EUR 1 billion in capital within the first four months of the year. Sorainen, the go-to law firm for startups, has advised on more than 3/4 of the total capital raised in 2022. Mirell Prosa, head of our startup’s team, advising unicorns Bolt and Veriff, as well as unicorn-hopefuls Montonio, Aurelia and Reiterate, believes that the sector will continue to grow despite the war in Ukraine. “Record months follow an outstanding year for the sector – if in 2020 EUR 464 million was raised for a whole year, […]
-
International energy expert Andrius Šimkus strengthens Sorainen team
Andrius Šimkus, an experienced expert in energy law, regulation and policy, joins the Sorainen team. Andrius has over 16 years of experience in the energy sector – he has worked at Lithuanian energy sector companies (Litgrid, LEO LT and Lietuvos Energija) and at the Energy Community Secretariat in Vienna, as well as working at another leading law firm and developing a private energy law practice. “We are happy to welcome Andrius to our team. His joining is a strategically important step for the Sorainen Energy sector group. The energy market in Lithuania and the entire region has been increasingly active […]
-
Aspects of Confiscation of Property at the ECBA Criminal Law Conference
On April 22 and 23 of 2022, an international conference of the European Criminal Bar Association (ECBA) took place in Riga with the support of the Latvian Council of Sworn Advocates, bringing together more than a hundred defence lawyers from different European countries. Dr.iur. Violeta Zeppa-Priedīte, attorney-at-law, a member of the ECBA and Head of White Collar & Compliance Practice at Sorainen in Latvia, participated in a panel discussion on confiscation and seizure of assets in criminal proceedings with the topic “Confiscation of criminally acquired property – one of the tools to combat money laundering. Reflections from attorney’s-at-law practice”. The […]
-
Willem C. Vis Moot team of University of Latvia Team makes it to the finals of the Budapest Pre-Moot
We are extremely happy and proud that our colleague Katrīna Bičevska, together with this year’s VisMoot team, managed an excellent performance at the XII Budapest Pre-Moot. In this competition of 78 different universities from all around the world Willem C. Vis Moot Team University of Latvia made it to the finals. In a very exciting final the team from the University of Gottingen prevailed. Budapest Pre-Moot is widely known as one of the biggest pre-moots before the main rounds in Vienna. This year was no exception, as it gathered participants from the USA, China, France, Germany and many other countries. […]
-
Sorainen strengthens position as top-tier legal advisor in Legal500 rankings
In the recently released Legal 500 rankings, we have strengthened our position in Lithuania in the areas of EU & Competition and Transport & Shipping, and considerably boosted our team’s personal rankings. We thank our clients and cooperation partners for their confidence. Our success is the outcome of hard work by our team, whose primary goal has always been, and continues to be, Client success. Focused on client success In total, we received 26 Tier 1 rankings in the Baltics with over 56 individual recognitions for our lawyers, including three lawyers who successfully improved their personal rankings and nine who […]
-
Baltic M&A and Private Equity Forum: hopeful outlook, cool deals, search for impact
The war in Ukraine will have repercussions but will not harm the Baltic investment and transaction climate in the long run, market participants seemed to agree at the Baltic M&A and Private Equity Forum held on 7 April and co-organised by Sorainen, Äripäev and EstVCA. “There is going to be an extended period of reorientation,” noted William Wells, Managing Director at Rothschild. “Still, disruption of the supply chain will be sorted out, as substitution and reorganisation will happen.” The war will certainly affect the valuations and increase inflation pressures, market experts predicted. Deals revisited: Linas Agro and Fortum M&A forum […]
-
Baltic deal top winners announced: Bolt, Fortum, Livonia and Wise
Last night, the most outstanding transactions carried out in the Baltics during the period 1 January 2021 – 31 March 2022 were awarded at the annual Baltic M&A and Private Equity Forum in Tallinn. The award winners are Livonia selling Santa Monica Networks and acquiring CSUB, Wise’s debut on London Stock Exchange, Bolt’s impressive fundraising rounds as well as Fortum’s sale of its Baltic business. Here is an overview of the winning deals: Baltic M&A Deal of the Year – Partners Group Holding’s acquisition of Fortum’s Baltic district heating business. A global private markets firm Partners Group Holding acquired […]
-
Sorainen takes pan-Baltic win at CEE Deal of the Year award gala
As the only truly pan-Baltic law firm, last night, Sorainen was presented with the 2021 Baltic Deal of the Year award, as well as the Deal of the Year Estonia and Lithuania awards by CEE Legal Matters. The recognition follows a successful year for the firm, also named CEE M&A Legal Adviser of the Year by Mergermarket last week, being the first Baltic law firm to win the title. Deal of the Year Baltics – largest M&A transaction in 2021 The pan-Baltic Deal of the Year award was awarded to Sorainen for advising Fortum, a European energy company with activities […]
-
Jorens Jaunozols becomes Sorainen Latvia partner
The Sorainen partnership continues expanding as, this April, Jorens Jaunozols becomes the ninth partner at the Latvian office. Jorens joined the Sorainen Real Estate & Construction group exactly eight years ago from a private sector company. Jorens is an attorney-at-law and head of the Real Estate sector group in Latvia, and as of January 2022 co-heads the Latvian Real Estate & Construction group together with partner Lelde Laviņa. Jorens has been involved in and advised clients on several notable projects – to name a few: numerous acquisition and sales transactions by real estate developer Linstow – most recently, the development […]
-
Five Sorainen partners among most prominent women lawyers across the world
The IFLR1000 recognized five of our partners – Piret Jesse, Karin Madisson, Eva Berlaus, Lelde Laviņa and Aušra Mudėnaitė in its Women Leaders Guide for 2022. This year’s guide – the fifth edition – is by far the most comprehensive yet, featuring around 1000 lawyers globally, a 33% increase from the number of lawyers recognized last year. Our experts have been recognized by the guide since 2020 with the list expanding every year. This year, Lelde Laviņa, head of the firm’s Real Estate and Construction practice in Latvia and Aušra Mudėnaitė co-head of the firm’s Real Estate and Construction team […]
-
Sorainen named “CEE M&A Legal Adviser of the Year” at the Mergermarket Europe M&A Awards
Last night Sorainen became the first Baltic law firm to win the title of “Central and Eastern Europe M&A Legal Adviser of the Year” at the prestigious Mergermarket Europe M&A Awards. At the award ceremony, Sorainen was also named “Baltics M&A Legal Adviser of the Year”. “This win is a significant recognition for the entire Baltic region, which has grown much faster than other European regions in recent years, with the transaction market going up as well. We are truly grateful to our clients for entrusting us with their strategic business development and sales transactions, the number of which doubled […]
-
Sorainen supports Ukraine
Sorainen supports Ukraine and hopes that they will stand strong. We believe in democracy and freedom and will support them in the form of financial aid and pro bono advice. Aiming to offer immediate help to the people of Ukraine, Sorainen is donating 50,000 EUR to the Red Cross. We also offer pro bono legal and tax services to Ukrainian companies and people in need due to current events. We believe that by acting together we can make a difference for the people of Ukraine and also call others to support the nation during this difficult time. Please contact us at […]
-
Partner Nauris Grigals joins Sorainen Latvian office
This February, Nauris Grigals joins the Sorainen partnership. As a result, the total number of Sorainen Latvian office partners reaches eight. Nauris will take on the role of co-head of the Corporate and M&A practice group of the Latvian office, together with the country managing partner of the Latvian office, Eva Berlaus. The Corporate and M&A group is among the fastest growing units in the office. In the Latvian office, its turnover increased by 20% last year alone. This increase in the size of the team shows development, but naturally the need to increase the management capacity of the practice […]
-
Sorainen introduces employee e-learning platform called iKnow
A comprehensive e-learning platform iKnow was introduced to all our employees, allowing for efficient and personalised learning and access to world-class courses. Personalised and efficient It enables all newcomers to go through a four-week onboarding program at their own pace, and also offers an extensive range of courses to lawyers and business service teams at various levels of seniority, so they can develop professional skills at their own convenience. Each Sorainen team member is assigned with a personalised Learning Journey, which contains short interactive courses used by major law firms worldwide on topics such as communication, networking, and working with […]
-
Clients advise: to run successful projects, onboard advisors early
Timely involvement of relevant external advisors and good project management are key to a project’s success, Sorainen clients told at a webinar on Monday. When major companies like Bite, Fortum and Sunly launch a project, they attempt to include external advisors, including law firms, as soon as possible. “Timely involvement of all the external advisers is crucial, so we book a large room with everybody represented,” describes Sigita Kravale, Fortum’s senior legal adviser who, as former head of legal of Fortum’s business in the Baltics, was instrumental in Fortum’s sales of its district heating business in the Baltics. Equally important […]
-
Sorainen strengthens team with nine new partners
Nine partners from three different countries joined the Sorainen partnership at the beginning of the year. This new wave of leaders will strengthen six of our international teams: Dispute Resolution & Risk Management, Corporate and M&A, Finance & Insurance, Tax, Real Estate & Construction, and Competition & Regulatory. The new partners include five Lithuanians, two Estonians and two Belarusians, bringing the total number of Sorainen partners from 33 to 42. The new wave of leaders is made up of four women and five men. Remarkably, one new partner has just started their parental leave, refuting the ”old-school” notion that becoming […]
-
Sorainen once again recognised as top fintech legal advisor by Chambers
In the latest Chambers FinTech rankings our Fintech team has been ranked in the top tier once again in Lithuania and Estonia. This is the third year in a row in Lithuania and second year in a row in Estonia that our teams have been named the top advisers in the fintech sector. According to Chambers, “whether assisting the development of e-money and payment institutions or helping blockchain and cryptocurrency companies with a range of legal issues, Sorainen is a go-to choice for fintech work“. The international directory, released on 10 December, also ranked Sorainen partners Augustas Klezys and Tomas Kontautas among the leading […]
-
Senior associate Katrīne Pļaviņa joins the Sorainen team
At the beginning of December this year, the sworn advocate Katrīne Pļaviņa joined law firm Sorainen to develop the Public Administration Relations practice group in Latvia. Her knowledge and experience of public law disputes and regulated sectors will strengthen the office’s expertise in dispute resolution and risk management. Katrīne Pļaviņa has more than 10 years of experience of public law disputes, especially in the areas of public procurement, data protection and regulated industries. Her competence covers the entire procedural framework of national regulation, from the regulations of the World Trade Organization and the European Union to the technical regulations of […]
-
New legal platform for startups launched
To help Lithuanian startups during the early stages of running a business, we have created a free, publicly available platform together with Startup Lithuania, Unicorns LT and LT VCA, offering a package of legal documents relevant to startups and the entire startup ecosystem. Startup founders will be able to easily download the legal document template they need from this platform. You can find the new legal documents platform here. “This year has been record-breaking for Baltics startups. They have attracted significant investments, completed lucrative acquisitions deals and established themselves among top 10 deals in the M&A market. These trends set […]
-
Ginter on the digital transformation of Estonian courts before the ECHR
Our partner Carri Ginter spoke about the digital transformation of Estonian courts at the European Court of Human Rights. Carri participated in the panel focusing on information technologies as means of communication and remote access to case-file at the meeting with national bar associations as a representative of the Estonian Bar Association. The full meeting schedule is available here.
-
High client satisfaction in Baltic legal market, Sorainen tops competence ranking
The annual Prospera survey, which measures clients’ satisfaction with Baltic law firms, has revealed there is a tight race between the top-tier providers in the Baltics and a high overall level of client satisfaction. Sorainen received the highest regional ranking among the competitors for “Best legal competence – all legal areas”. Clients ranked us the Baltic law firm with the highest competence in the following eight legal and tax areas, out of a total of 14 surveyed: M&A Banking and finance Competition and EU Employment Tax Real estate Private equity Corporate advisory Sorainen was placed joint third in the overall […]
-
Prospera Tier 1 Law Firm Review results 2021
The research results indicate that we have the best legal competences in the areas researched. Clients placed us in the first positions for the following areas: M&A, banking and finance, dispute resolution, competition and the EU, public procurement, employment, tax, real estate, private equity, energy, corporate advisory, and government relations. The overall performance trends shows that all of the law firms researched in Latvia have improved their individual results. In the overall performance standing Sorainen is placed fourth, and the results suggest areas for future development. The market standing review shows Sorainen Latvia in first position for brand awareness, and […]
-
The Financial Times ranks Sorainen among the top 30 most innovative law firms in Europe
The Financial Times, one of the world’s leading business, financial, economic and political dailies, has named Sorainen, the only pan-Baltic and Nordic law firm, among the 30 most innovative law firms in Europe. This is the first time that a pan-Baltic firm has received such a high accolade for innovation in the legal services sector. Ranked alongside global market leaders According to Sorainen’s Chief Operating Officer, Leda Iržikevičienė, being included in the list shows recognition for all the Baltic states, which continue to promote our region as a world leader in innovation. It also disproves the stereotype that the legal […]
-
Sorainen Latvia: new details
We would like to inform you that as a result of the changes to the Advocacy Law of the Republic of Latvia of 16 March 2021, which obliged law firms in the commercial register to re-register as a partnership or limited liability company, ZAB Sorainen has been registered in the commercial register and the new office accounting details are: Sorainen ZAB SIA Registration number: 50203349641 Kr.Valdemāra iela 21-11, Riga, Latvija VAT number: LV50203349641 Bank: Swedbank AS, BIC/S.W.I.F.T.: HABALV22 Bank’s address: Balasta dambis 1a, LV-1048 Rīga, Latvija IBAN: LV53HABA0551020796445 In accordance with the law, Sorainen ZAB SIA is the successor to […]
-
M&A market heavyweights trust Sorainen
In Bloomberg’s latest rankings of Eastern European M&A deal advisors, Sorainen holds the first position among Baltic and Belarusian law firms by volume of deals advised, and the second overall place by deal count. Sorainen advised announced deals with a total volume of USD 1.7 billion and was one of the three law firms to close more than 30 deals. The rankings table covers all Eastern European announced deals of the first three quarters of 2021. Record market activity According to Piret Jesse, partner, and co-head of our Estonian M&A team, the M&A market continues to thrive with a number […]
-
Changes to Sorainen Latvia registration
We would like to inform you that as a result of the changes to the Advocacy Law of the Republic of Latvia of 16 March, law firms had to obtain permission from the Latvian Council of Sworn Advocates for registration in the commercial register as a partnership or limited liability company by 16 September. ZAB Sorainen has been registered in the commercial register with registration number 50203349641. Sorainen ZAB SIA has taken over all the rights and liabilities of ZAB Sorainen, and consequently all existing contracts remain valid and don’t need to be concluded again. Invoices with the new details […]
-
Financial Times shortlists Sorainen for the “Most Innovative Law Firm in Europe (non-UK)” award
Sorainen has been shortlisted for the “Most Innovative Law Firm in Europe (non-UK)” award in the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Awards 2021. We are the only law firm from the Baltics and Belarus nominated for this prestigious award. Additionally, we were nominated in the “Innovation in Social Justice” category for our Shared Mission programme. The awards, established by the Financial Times, highlight law firms and in‐house teams which are digitally advanced and use innovative approaches to deliver exceptional value to business and society. The awards ceremony will take place on 14 October 2021. The only Baltic and Belarusian firm in […]
-
Sorainen is the most attractive employer out of Estonian law firms
In the survey of student job expectations and employer reputation conducted by Instar, an employer branding agency, law students chose Sorainen as the most attractive private-sector employer in the legal field. The 3 most attractive employers for law students in 2021 (out of 242): Estonian Ministry of Justice Estonian Supreme Court Sorainen We thank the students for the recognition and invite everyone to apply for the tenth season of the Sorainen Student Academy! Expectations of 9000 students Estonian students once again found the most attractive employer in Estonia to be Microsoft Estonia. According to a nationwide survey of university students, […]
-
Sorainen’s international arbitration team among the best in the world
We are pleased to announce that Global Arbitration Review (GAR) has included our international arbitration practice in GAR 100, the guide to the top specialist arbitration firms worldwide. 10 years of arbitration The first seeds of our arbitration practice were sown in 2011. This was thanks to Estonia adopting legislation that had a retroactive effect on foreign investors, who were interested in the possibility of bringing claims against the state. In the ensuing years, we started receiving more work from parties seeking to enforce arbitral awards in Estonia and further afield, leading the firm to develop a specialisation in the area. Throughout […]