The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Tark Grunte Sutkiene is a second tier firm,

Tark Grunte Sutkiene produces ‘a high level of service and excellent response times’, and has ‘a good reputation for distinguishing between commercial and legal issues’. The lawyers in the team are ‘important figures for restructuring complicated real estate finance structures’. The team recently advised FCE Bank on the financing of Ford dealerships in Estonia and also assisted Pohjola with a €90m senior term and revolving facility to Komas Group. Risto Vahimets and Andres Siigur ‘provide excellent advice and services’. Practice head Hannes Vallikivi is a member of the Board of the Estonian Bar Association.

Within Corporate and M&A, Tark Grunte Sutkiene is a first tier firm,

Arguably ‘the best in the Baltics’, Tark Grunte Sutkiene’s banking and finance team is ‘quick, honest and very experienced’. It is advising Neste Oil on the sale of its majority holding in AS Reola, Northern Europe’s largest oil refining and marketing company, to Alexela Group. Head of transactions, Risto Vahimets is arguably the ‘best in Tallinn and has a very good track record for making deals happen’. Toomas Taube, head of the commercial and corporate team, is also recommended.

Within Dispute resolution, Tark Grunte Sutkiene is a second tier firm,

Tark Grunte Sutkiene’s team has ‘extensive expertise’. Margo Lemetti recently represented the city of Tartu in various planning, construction and public procurement disputes. Lemetti has ‘experience in resolving disputes and the ability to respond quickly to requests’. Erki Kergandberg is also recommended.

Within EU and competition, Tark Grunte Sutkiene is a first tier firm,

Tark Grunte Sutkiene has ‘an excellent competition law practice’ with ‘talented lawyers who can give valuable advice to customers’. The team advised Transiidikeskuse AS and its former subsidiary Muuga CT on notifying the European Commission of illegal state aid in the transport sector in Estonia, and is representing both companies in subsequent EC proceedings. Department head Rene Frolov is ‘a smart and energetic rising star in Estonian competition law’. Associate Tanel Tark ‘has a good eye and always knows the correct way to proceed’.

Within IP, IT and telecoms, Tark Grunte Sutkiene is a first tier firm,

Tark Grunte Sutkiene’s ‘many experienced lawyers’ have ‘a wide overview and always discuss the matters together in order to get the best outcome’. The team assists clients such as Hewlett-Packard, which the firm is representing in several trade mark infringement and customs interception matters in Estonia. It is also acting for Easy Group in a trade mark dispute. Practice head Toomas Taube is ‘very reasonable, business-oriented and provides good value for money’.

Within Real estate and construction, Tark Grunte Sutkiene is a first tier firm,

Tark Grunte Sutkiene acts on some of the largest real estate transactions in the Baltics. The team is assisting Katoen Natie, a global logistics company, with negotiating and acquiring land in Muuga Harbour for the purpose of building the largest logistics centre in Estonia, as well as on related construction contracts. Other clients include Arco Vara, Capital Mill, E.L.L. Kinnisvara AS, HSH Nordbank, Pro Kapital, and Unicredit Bank. Practice head Risto Vahimets is ‘a hugely capable real estate expert’.

Within Shipping and transport, Tark Grunte Sutkiene is a second tier firm,

Tark Grunte Sutkiene represented DSV Transport AS in a dispute relating to the contract of carriage. Other clients include Bambona AS, a major Estonian distributor of fruit and vegetables; Ecoval Dairy Trade; and major logistics firms such as HAVI Logistics OÜ and Katoen Natie. Toomas Taube is the key contact.

Within Tax, Tark Grunte Sutkiene is a second tier firm,

Tark Grunte Sutkiene advised Nortal, a leading Estonian IT software developer, on devising an international employee stock option plan, including comprehensive advice on domestic and international tax issues. Rolan Jankelevitsh and Aidi Kallavus ‘are particularly good and very experienced in tax law’.