The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, VARUL is a second tier firm,

Varul was the preferred choice of the Ministry of Economy to prepare various feasibility studies for PPP infrastructure projects throughout the country, involving advice on complex financing structures. Liutauras Baikštys heads the practice which, one client opines, ‘brilliantly assisted us with several difficult leveraged financing projects’.

Within Corporate and M&A, VARUL is a second tier firm,

Varul lost several associates to Lawin, but gained experienced personnel in Marius Devyžis and his team from Devyžis & Partners. The firm is assisting the Lithuanian government with the improvement of corporate governance and management of state-owned enterprises. Robert Juodka ‘understands the essential business reasoning of our actions and ideas’, say clients.

Within Dispute resolution, VARUL is a third tier firm,

Varul is regrouping after losing Andrius Smaliukas and his team to Lawin. Paulius Docka now heads the disputes practice, and Marius Devyžis is representing Lithuanian Film Studios in a significant Supreme Court case. Other clients include a major bank and Šakiai District Municipality.

Within EU and competition, VARUL is a third tier firm,

Varul is acting for Michelin in various complex competition actions against the Competition Council and is advising the Lithuanian Prime Minister’s Office on the feasibility and impact on Lithuania of the creation of a European Public Prosecutor’s Office, a matter involving significant EU legal issues. Robert Juodka and Tomas Venckus ‘react quickly and to the point, and are very helpful’.

Within Intellectual property, VARUL is a third tier firm,

Varul is representing textile manufacturer Utenos Trikotažas in a copyright dispute with a model regarding image rights. Robert Juodka heads the practice.

Within Legal market overview,

Bucking the trend in recessionary fallout, the highly competitive Lithuanian legal market is relatively stable. It was headline news, therefore, when leading litigator Andrius Smaliukas left Varul for top firm Lawin, taking a dozen lawyers with him. Varul also lost personnel to other firms, but strong leadership from managing partner Robert Juodka, a merger with experienced corporate boutique Devyžis & Partners and the firm’s successful pan-Baltic alliance should engender swift recovery.

Within Real estate and construction, VARUL is a third tier firm,

‘Very good and thorough lawyer’ Tomas Venckus heads the team at Varul, and is noted for his ‘legal drafting and English skills that are at a very high international level’. The firm is advising the government on the feasibility of numerous PPP projects, including major road reconstruction and social infrastructure.

Within Shipping and transport, VARUL is a second tier firm,

Varul acts for Mediterranean Shipping Company on various matters, and advises the Ministry of Transport on the feasibility of intelligent transport systems.

Within TMT, VARUL is a third tier firm,

Varul’s Giedre Dailidenaite provides service that is timely and ‘simply excellent’. The team is advising UAB Teledema on various issues relating to the launch and branding of a new B2C IT/telecom product.