The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, RAIDLA LEJINS & NORCOUS is a first tier firm,

A good year for Raidla Lejins & Norcous saw it clinch appointment to the inaugural legal panels of SEB and Swedbank, two of the region’s largest banks. It also advised the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and other lenders on a €53m loan to finance a wood-processing complex in Belarus. Practice head Elijus Burgis and senior associate Akvile Bosaite are ‘excellent: proactive and thoroughly analyse issues’.

Within Corporate and M&A, RAIDLA LEJINS & NORCOUS is a first tier firm,

‘One of the best in Lithuania’, Raidla Lejins & Norcous earns top-end instructions, including public M&A. Managing partner Irmantas Norkus advised AB Sanitas on the €314m cash sale of its 87% shareholding, owned by various funds, to Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, including the assumption of €50m debt. It also handled several high-value transactions for private equity firm Baltcap. The service is ‘friendly, excellent quality and timely’.

Within Dispute resolution, RAIDLA LEJINS & NORCOUS is a second tier firm,

Raidla Lejins & Norcous is handling numerous high-value disputes such as representing construction company Merko in a LTL17m arbitration, and If P&C Insurance in a long-running case concerning the collapse of a building in Vilnius Old Town. Practice head Rimantas Simaitis is an ‘an excellent specialist in litigation and mediation processes’.

Within EU and competition, RAIDLA LEJINS & NORCOUS is a first tier firm,

Raidla Lejins & Norcous is providing VAASAN Group with a competition law analysis of merger scenarios across all Baltic countries and Finland. Contentious mandates include representing 14 media and advertising agencies in a cartel case in the Supreme Administrative Court. Clients praise the communication skills of Irmantas Norkus, who jointly leads the practice with Elijus Burgis.

Within Intellectual property, RAIDLA LEJINS & NORCOUS is a second tier firm,

Raidla Lejins & Norcous has expertise in the full range of IP work, and has a strong following among global pharmaceuticals companies. It advised Merck & Co regarding a customs seizure and suspected patent infringement and is handling a trade mark dispute for Bayer Schering Pharma. Žilvinas Kvietkus is ‘able to defend our company’s interests well in written and verbal discussions’.

Within Legal market overview,

Lawin’s recent strategy of A-list hires, plus specialisation by legal discipline, is proving a hit with international clients. However, the firm’s closest rivals – Raidla Lejins & Norcous, Sorainen and Tark Grunte Sutkiene – continue to prove their worth with high-calibre mandates and clients. These firms’ allied offices also lead the rankings in Estonia and Latvia, proving the success of the pan-Baltic merger. Another change in the legal landscape is that Sarka, Sabaliauskas, Jankauskas has allied with firms in Estonia and Latvia and is now simply known as Triniti.

Within Real estate and construction, RAIDLA LEJINS & NORCOUS is a second tier firm,

Raidla Lejins & Norcous’ clients appreciate the level of partner attention and collegial sharing of knowledge. The group advised construction contractor Vetruna on the €70m Kaunas and Klaipeda indoor arenas built to host the EuroBasket 2011 tournament. Practice head Aušra Mudenaite is ‘multi-talented, creative and sets the standard for her whole team’.

Within TMT, RAIDLA LEJINS & NORCOUS is a first tier firm,

Raidla Lejins & Norcous is the preferred choice for many international players such as telecoms company Bite, as well as pharmaceuticals giants Bayer Schering Pharma and Merck Sharp & Dohme. Practice head Žilvinas Kvietkus has ‘deep knowledge of the pharmaceuticals industry’, an area in which the firm ‘stands heads above all others in Lithuania’. IT clients include UAB ERP, which the firm represents in day-to-day regulatory issues, public procurement and other matters.

Within Tax, RAIDLA LEJINS & NORCOUS is a second tier firm,

Raidla Lejins & Norcous advises a number of its top clients on tax issues, including global pharmaceuticals and technology companies. Žilvinas Kvietkus heads the practice locally, but the firm is also able to call on its allied network across the Baltic and Nordic countries for cross-border matters.