The Legal 500

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

Banking clients at VARUL include Nordea Bank Finland and SEB, advising the latter on debt structuring issues among other matters. The well-resourced team is advising the state and municipal governments on the PPP for a new national stadium via public and leveraged financing. Managing partner Robert Juodka heads the practice and is ‘constructive and effective (together with his team)’.

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

A capable and ‘very professional team’ at VARUL attracts major projects, such as acting for the Ministry of Energy on the restructuring of the Lithuanian electricity market, including the liquidation of state company LEO. Private sector clients include worldwide Swedish-based manufacturer Trelleborg. Robert Juodka and Andrius Smaliukas are key individuals.

Within Dispute resolution, VARUL is a second tier firm,

VARUL name partner Andrius Smaliukas is an experienced litigator and arbitrator and leads a team rated ‘nine or ten out of ten’. Inga Martinkute is worthy of mention, leading much of the firm’s significant caseload. Highlights included representing Lietuvos, the state-owned rail company, in the country’s largest-ever national arbitration, and acting for claimants in Lithuania’s first class action in a dispute over maternity allowance.

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

Yvonne Goldammer has a steady competition practice at VARUL, attracting significant international and domestic clients. They include the state railway, advising on issues of abuse of dominant position, and representing Baltic coach network Eurolines on unfair competition and cartel allegations.

Within Intellectual property, VARUL is a second tier firm,

Gediminas Pranevicius at VARUL is a full-time patent, trade mark and design attorney, attracting several leading brands to the firm for registration, litigation and other IP matters, including Wrigley’s, Puma and JCDecaux Lithuania. Clients note the ‘very high service level’ and ‘real practical knowledge’.

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

Many of VARUL work highlights include significant real estate and construction elements, including acting for the state government in both the €100m PPP for a new national stadium, and in the liquidation of national electricity company LEO, which involved the transfer of major real estate objects. Andrius Smaliukas is also leading advice to Vilnius International Airport.

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

The state-owned railway company Lietuvos is a key client of VARUL, advising it on a number of transportation issues, including railway reform. The firm also acts for cargo and shipping companies JSC Arijus and UAB Cargo and Go, on daily matters including litigation. Inga Martinkute leads the practice with input from across the firm.

Within TMT TMT

Within Tax, VARUL is a second tier firm,

VARUL hired assistant attorney Dainius Zapereckas, former head of the audit division of the State Tax Inspectorate and senior tax advisor at KPMG Baltics. Working alongside the firm’s partners, he acted for construction company Statybos stilius on the tax risks of various transactions.