Britta Retel

Professional highlights

Complicated disputes. I have represented clients in court disputes concerning offshore wind farms, nature reserves, forest notifications, environmental permits (hydroelectric power plants, mines, landfills), pollution charges, planning, construction, and related contracts. My extensive litigation experience allows me to provide strategic advice to clients both in planning new development projects and ensuring the continuation of existing activities.

Environmental expert across sectors. I collaborate with all Sorainen teams when environmental issues arise in their work, whether in real estate, energy, mergers and acquisitions, or public procurement. My daily work involves resolving matters related to Estonian and European Union environmental and planning legislation. I focus on advising development projects throughout their lifecycle.

Public, private, and third sector experience. I have worked with environmental law across the public, private, and non-governmental sectors. I spent over five years at an environmental consulting firm before joining the planning department at the Ministry of the Interior. As a legal advisor at the ministry, I was involved in legislative drafting and provided assessments on planning law interpretation. Additionally, I have interned at the Estonian Environmental Law Centre, an NGO that primarily advises private individuals and third-sector organizations.

Environmental education. I hold a master’s degree (cum laude) in landscape protection and management from the Estonian University of Life Sciences. Over the years, I have worked extensively on environmental projects, focusing on environmental impact assessments, environmental permit applications, and drafting waste management plans.