Maria Pihlak

Professional highlights

Cross-border disputes and arbitrage. Owing to my international experience and academic background, I bring value to clients in cross-border disputes. In this context, the needs may vary from applying for interim measures, conceiving and carrying out a strategy for court or arbitration proceedings, working towards a compromise, to enforcing decisions in local and foreign jurisdictions. I represent the first Estonian investor to ever launch an international investment arbitration case against a foreign country at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, a part of the World Bank Group. In addition, I have advised a number of Estonian state and private enterprises in arbitration proceedings in connection with M&A transactions as well as transactions in the fields of infrastructure, construction and real estate, financing and trade under the rules of the ICC, LCIA, SCC, FAI and UNCITRAL.

Arbitration and Estonia. I regularly represent clients in the Court of Arbitration of the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and in national ad hoc arbitration disputes. I value the opportunity to develop the field of Estonian arbitration through awareness-raising and training activities, closer involvement of young generation, building a national community as well as fostering international cooperation networks. I advise the Estonian government agencies on the implications of international conventions and past arbitration cases.

Developing attorney profession. It is my strong conviction that the profession of attorney should develop in conjunction with market trends which would make it an attractive career choice despite its highly regulated character. Therefore, I serve on the Committee of Ethics and Methodology of the Estonian Bar Association where matters of professional ethics are addressed. I am also actively involved in the Estonian Young Lawyers’s Association where we aim to create an environment for young lawyers where they can freely exchange ideas and experience as well as learn from one another.