The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Varul is a third tier firm,

Varul has an excellent reputation for large-scale project financings and regularly assists borrowers with obtaining financing and structuring complex transactions. Recent highlights include advising Mebelain on the financing of a factory development in Belarus, which involved a €5m loan from the EBRD.

Within Corporate and M&A, Varul is a third tier firm,

Varul is known for its strong following among Estonian investors and businesses, but has also developed strong links to clients across the Baltic region and more internationally. The team advised US-based Littlefuse on its €25m acquisition of Swedish company Accel and also acted for engineering group Trelleborg on its €23.7 takeover by Ansell. Robert Juodka is the lead partner.

Within Dispute resolution, Varul is a third tier firm,

Varul’s ‘very proactive, quality-oriented and highly professional team’ is representing Petrolinvest in a railroad ownership and investment protection case pertaining to Mockava LNG terminal. Clients praise Paulius Docka’s ‘out-of-the-box solutions, which are a trade mark of the firm’s litigation practice’. Renata Valiūnaitė is also recommended.

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

Varul has ‘strength-in-depth and good industry knowledge’. ‘Verythoughtful lawyer’ Giedrė Dailidėnaitė heads the team, which acts for clients including Trelleborg Engineered Systems, Michelin and US Pharmacia. Robert Juodka is ‘a highly qualified specialist’.

Within Intellectual property, tier 4

Varul’s Gediminas Pranevičius advises on trade mark, design and patent protection issues, and recently represented retail chain MAXIMA in a domain name dispute.

Within Real estate and construction, tier 4

Varul’s ‘level of service is super’, and the team provides ‘full-scale legal support in the real estate field – from due diligence processes and acquisitions to everyday matters’. It is renowned for its expertise in planning and zoning matters. The firm recently advised Mebelain on a Belarusian factory construction project. Robert Juodka and the ‘professional and responsive’ Tomas Venckus are the main contacts.

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

Varul is advising Petrolinvest on railroad ownership and investment protection issues in relation to Mockava LNG terminal. The team also assisted German shipbuilding company Neue Triton Schiffswerft with cross-border transportation issues.

Within TMT, tier 4

Varul advised ITERO on the development and sale of a mobile app targeting the insurance market and advised investment group Razfin on its acquisition of mobile payments provider Mokipay. Marius Devyžis heads the practice.