The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance , LAWIN is a first tier firm,

Lawin’s enviable deal and client list includes acting alongside the UK’s Norton Rose LLP to represent Export Development Canada in the structured financing of three aircraft acquired by EA Jet Leasing, and the subsequent lease to Estonian Air. Banking sector clients include Swedbank, BNP Paribas and Pohjola Bank. Marina Tolmatshova, who has ‘very good negotiation skills’, now heads the practice following the departure of Ermo Kosk to Red Legal, Attorneys at Law, which was a blow to the firm.

Within Corporate and M&A , LAWIN is a first tier firm,

Lawin is a dominant force in the transactional arena with an impressive client list that includes Coca-Cola HBC and Goodyear Dunlop. The firm advised Molycorp on its $89m acquisition of a controlling stake in AS Silmet, the largest direct investment into Estonia in recent years. The team, which has ‘strong business acumen’, is jointly led by managing partner Peeter Lepik and Martin Simovart.

Within Dispute resolution , LAWIN is a first tier firm,

Lawin is ‘very professional with an in-depth knowledge in various areas’. It is representing Riigi Kinnisvara AS, the Estonian state real estate agency, in public procurement and construction disputes, and the Ministry of Education and Research as defendant in a Supreme Court case concerning study loans. Experienced partner Liina Linsi heads the Baltic-wide real estate group.

Within EU and competition , LAWIN is a first tier firm,

Lawin’s popular practice acts for clients including Estonian Post, Electrolux, VKG Group and PKL, and is advising the latter on a complaint to the European Commission regarding alleged state aid by Latvia and refusal to allow the client access to Riga Port. Recommended partner Elo Tamm provides ‘a proactive service’, and senior associate Katri Paas-Mohando is ‘very good’.

Within IP, IT and telecoms, LAWIN is a first tier firm,

Lawin’s new clients include a pharmaceuticals company and a consumer electronics company. Pan-Baltic practice head Toomas Luhaäär and his team know their clients. Viive Näslund is an IP specialist, whose work includes trade mark filing for Statoil, and contractual and IP matters for data integrity service provider Guardtime.

Within Legal market overview,

The latest trend is to drop local names from firm titles in preference for a one-word, pithy brand in an effort to appeal to an international clientele, prime examples being: Lawin; Varul; and Sorainen. In 2011, the former Tamme Otsmann Ruus Vabamets rebranded as Triniti Estonia as part of a formal alliance with firms in Lithuania and Latvia.

Within Real estate and construction, LAWIN is a first tier firm,

Lawin’s ‘client-focused’ practice head Liina Linsi is regarded as a leading figure in the market, and steers the firm’s real estate group throughout the Baltic states. The firm is acting for Süda Maja, a longstanding developer client, on the €256m construction of the retail and logistics park, American Corner. Departed expert Ermo Kosk will be missed, but the team has recruited senior associate Heleri Tammiste from Raidla Lejins & Norcous.

Within Shipping and transport, LAWIN is a first tier firm,

Lawin has a strong following among transport sector companies including airlines, freightforwarders, and other transportation and logistics companies. The firm is advising AS Schenker, the Estonian subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn, on air, sea and land logistics and freightforwarding matters. Associate Hanna Relve was recruited from in-house during 2011 and is already receiving plaudits for her ‘business acumen supported by in-depth specialist legal knowledge’.

Within Tax, LAWIN is a first tier firm,

Senior associate Maret Hallikma at Lawin is an experienced professional and formerly of the ETCB. The team acted for the Estonian Employers Confederation and Ambient Sound Investments on the tax structure of employee incentive schemes, which led to amendments to Estonian income tax laws.