Firms To Watch: Employment

CEE Attorneys specialises in labour migration issues, acting on a number of highly complex and delicate transfers in 2022; immigration law expert Aleksandr Masaliov is the name to note.
WALLESS continues to expand; the firm supports on the employment aspects of M&A transactions, including labour migration work and trade union negotiations.

Employment in Lithuania

Ellex

Ramunas Petravičius leads the employment law practice at Ellex, acting in unfair dismissal and discrimination cases and advising on regulatory matters and the labour law aspects of large transactions. The practice advises a number of multinational companies, including automobile manufacturer Volvo and confectionary producer Mondelēz. Rimantas Stanevičius works on labour disputes and also offers advice on the management and acquisition of companies. Associate Kamilė Skrupskytė handles preparatory work for labour litigation and advises clients on internal employment matters, and Nerijus Patlabys has notable experience in employee transfers and relocations. Notably, the firm was involved in drafting amendments to the Lithuanian Labour Code via its involvement in the Investors’ Forum.

Practice head(s):

Ramūnas Petravičius

Other key lawyers:

Rimantas Stanevičius; Kamilė Skrupskytė; Nerijus Patlabys; Rolandas Valiunas

Testimonials

‘Practical and pragmatic approach and good availability. They do not make me feel like I am one of many clients.’

‘The team provides clear and very practical advice. When I request support, I am generally given answers rather than options or a legal opinion, which is exactly what I want and expect from external counsel.’

‘Ellex is one of the best established law firms in Lithuania with a long history of exceptional performance and deep knowledge in a wide range of topics and markets. Ellex has proven itself to deliver results of the highest calibre for 30 years.’

Key clients

Mondelēz International

Volvo Lietuva

TutoTOONS

Sanofi

Moody’s

Pandos

Foodspring GmbH

DOVISTA

Oetiker

Investors’ Forum

Work highlights

  • Consulted by Mondelēz International on post-closing HR integration activities in Lithuania following the acquisition of Chipita Global.
  • Assisted Sanofi in its internal reorganisation process in the Baltic States, involving a complete withdrawal from the local markets.
  • Represented DOVISTA in an employment dispute against an employee regarding the need to provide evidence of full vaccination against Covid-19 or to regularly take tests for Covid-19.

ILAW LEXTAL

Employment law specialists Tomas Bagdanskis, Vilius Mačiulaitis and Mantas Mikalopas head the comprehensive practice at ILAW LEXTAL. The team is often involved in precedent-setting litigation, both before the Lithuanian Supreme Court and the European Court of Justice. It regularly advises on a range of high-level matters, including complex dismissals, redundancies, collective action and trade union disputes. The three practice heads are recognised experts in the employment law field in Lithuania, co-authoring commentary on the Labour Code of Lithuania and other practitioner texts. They are supported by a strong bench of lawyers, including Svetlana Naumčik, who works on migration and cross-border employment transfers.

Practice head(s):

Tomas Bagdanskis; Vilius Mačiulaitis; Mantas Mikalopas

Other key lawyers:

Svetlana Naumčik

Testimonials

‘It is a very strong team that builds a personal relationship with the client, is able to look at many issues from the client’s point of view, provides thoughtful and reasoned legal solutions, and makes you feel confident and encouraged. Always responding quickly and in a timely manner.’

‘The view of the team is similar for each individual member of the team. Each is a professional in his or her own field, ensuring the smooth running of the process.’

‘Very efficient, quick reactions and good specialists.’

Key clients

DS-1

Ekoagros

Strong Point

Žilinskis ir Co

LIDL

Baltic Agro

Decathlon Lietuva

Ryanair

Delfi

Emplonet

Work highlights

  • Successfully represented VšĮ Ekoagros in a dismissal case related to internal structural changes before the Supreme Court.
  • Represented Šiaulių regiono atliekų tvarkymo centras in a dispute concerning the dismissal of an employee who was suspected of having committed a criminal act at work.
  • Successfully represented a trade union in a dispute against an employer before the Supreme Court of Lithuania.

Sorainen

Sorainen‘s employment law practice is strongly linked to the firm’s extensive work in M&A and covers employee transfers, HR reorganisations and contractual adjustments. The team, led by Algirdas Pekšys – who also heads the corporate and M&A team in Lithuania – and counsel Agnietė Venckienė, has a strong employment disputes record, having been successful in precedent-setting termination disputes before the Supreme Court. Expert counsel Jurgita Karvelė has a high level of experience in employment disputes, working on matters such as harassment and discrimination in the workplace, as well as trade union relations. She is also a qualified mediator.

Practice head(s):

Algirdas Pekšys; Agnietė Venckienė

Other key lawyers:

Jurgita Karvelė

Testimonials

‘Good communication, good knowledge, expert advice.’

‘I am pleased to work with Sorainen Team, especially – Jurgita Karvelė, Algirdas Pekšys and Agnietė Venckienė. Because of extensive practical experience they always have real practice examples. their consultations are very professional, straight and without prejudice.’

‘Professional and knowledgeable.’

Key clients

Oyster

Greencarrier Freight Services International

Shift4 Payments Lithuania

Invalda INVL

Architus

Apalon Apps, LLC

Taurages rajono savivaldybė

McKesson Business Services Lithuania

Block, Inc (ex. Square, Inc.)

Work highlights

  • Successfully represented Tauragės Municipality in the Supreme Court in an employment termination case.
  • Advised Invalda INVL in acquiring Mandatum Life’s Baltic insurance business, including cross-border employment matters.
  • Advised a multinational professional services company specialising in IT services and consulting on establishing its operations in Lithuania and the employment aspects of this.

TGS Baltic

TGS Baltic‘s employment practice displays a high degree of versatility, with the firm acting on behalf of employees engaged in dismissal proceedings as well as acting for employers in internal matters such as relocations, State Labour Inspectorate (VDI) audits and handbook alterations. The firm is also strong in trade union relations and negotiations. The practice is led by Ieva Povilaitienė, who has 20 years of employment law experience and counts major multinational and pan-Baltic manufacturing and pharmaceutical companies among her clients. She is assisted in nearly all of the practice’s key work – including a major case against Ryanair and a subsidiary on behalf of 10 employees – by associate Indrė Mažeikaitė.

Practice head(s):

Ieva Povilaitienė

Other key lawyers:

Indre Mažeikaite; Viktorija Minkevičiūtė

Testimonials

‘A modern, friendly and diversified team.’

‘The team was very professional, quick to respond and understood our requirements.’

‘Fast replies and quick reaction to urgent topics. Active collaboration and timely information provision. Educates clients on the latest labour law changes.’

‘Ieva Povilaitiene always answers quickly, precisely and with a practical approach. Her input is always very much appreciated as it is compact and clearly stated.’

‘I’m happy with the service quality TGS Baltic is providing. Timely responses to my emails; client focused.’

‘We are very satisfied with the quality of the service from Ieva Povilaitiene and Indre Mažeikaite. We are always aware that we will receive answers and consultations on time.’

‘All great – exceptional experience with this labour law practice’.

‘Great competence, timely manner, forward-thinking, result and value oriented.’

Key clients

Maxima LT

Biotechpharma

Hostinger

Boskalis

LRT

Mars

Vilnius Public Transport

Audimas

Mambu

Raydiant

SBA

Biorro

Wix.com

Unilever

DS Smith Packaging

Ukrainian citizens (pro bono)

Ryanair employees

Work highlights

  • Represented a group of 10 employees against Ryanair and its Polish subsidiary (Buzz) over failure to comply with business transfer requirements, potentially illegal transfer to UK, dismissal of the employees and other breaches of employment rights.
  • Oversaw a successful application for interim measures to prevent non-fulfilment of a collective agreement, which would have amounted to a de facto strike by 762 public transport employees.
  • Assisted Unilever in implementing whistleblower regulations, advised on methods to prevent alcohol consumption at work, and carried out structural changes and changes in management.

Cobalt

Jovita Valatkaitė is a managing associate and head of the employment law practice group at Cobalt Lithuania. Valakaitė is frequently consulted by multinational clients on management level and group redundancies, restructuring and employee reduction strategies. She also advises on commencement of business in Lithuania – including the adjustment of client companies’ internal rules and regulations – and cross-border labour migration issues. Associate Eglė Gliaudelytė advises on non-competition matters, protection of confidential information and the transfer of employees, as well as providing assistance to clients on the employment aspects of large-scale projects and international transactions. Žilvinas Kvietkus deals with employment matters as part of his specialist life sciences and pharmaceuticals practice. Former practice head Dalia Foigt-Norvaišienė is now a specialist counsel.

Practice head(s):

Jovita Valatkaite

Other key lawyers:

Eglė Gliaudelytė; Žilvinas Kvietkus; Dalia Foigt-Norvaišienė

Testimonials

‘Very friendly, very flexible, highly responsive, knowledgeable and experienced.’

‘Dalia Foigt-Norvaišienė is excellent to work with.’

Key clients

AT&T

JCDecaux

Guidehouse

Oracle

Remote Europe

BMI Group

KONE

Ryanair

Bloomberg

Alter Domus

CITCO

Yazaki

Ministry of Health of the Republic of Lithuania

Arxan Technologies, Inc

Softeq

Onninen

LIDL Stiftung

Global Blue

Evolution Gaming

ALD automotive

TNT

AT&T

MAAS Aviation

Fortum

Work highlights

  • Providing advice to AT&T regarding complex employment law issues, such as transfer of business and employees, confidentiality and non–compete undertakings,
  • Assisted JCDecaux in the implementation of its conversion into a European Company (Societas Europaea, SE) in Lithuania, including in the preparation of relevant documents.
  • Assisted in the spin-off and sale of Western Union Business Solutions to Convera, with the matter value reaching $910m.

Deloitte Legal, Professional Partnership of Advocates

Deloitte Legal, Professional Partnership of Advocates specialises in matters involving labour migration and employee relocations and transfers. The firm is regularly engaged by household name multinational companies for such work, which increased in bulk and complexity in the wake of the war in Ukraine as many businesses rapidly withdrew their employees from Russia and Belarus. Gintarė Stonienė leads the practice; she has experience advising on the employment law implications of global intra-corporate transfers, cross-border mergers and spin-offs. Ieva Bindokaite, who was promoted to senior associate in late 2021, advises on dismissals of CEOs and the performance structuring of top-level management, as well as assisting in migration matters.

Practice head(s):

Gintare Stoniene

Other key lawyers:

Ieva Bindokaite

Key clients

Apple

Wargaming

Palantir

Google

Peek&Cloppenburg

Roche Lietuva UAB

Continental Automotive

Moller Auto

Global Wind Service

Feka Insaat Construction

CHARLOT LT

Happymagenta

BASF

IDOM SA

TECE

Lithuanian Agriculture Advisory Services

Work highlights

  • Advising an international construction company on employment and immigration matters involved in implementing a large-scale NATO construction project in Lithuania.
  • Advising a large multinational technology company regarding the relocation of its employees and their family members from Russia.
  • Advised FedEx on a number of significant projects carried out in Lithuanian entities, including advice on remote and hybrid working arrangements, introduction of summary working time regime, etc.

ECOVIS ProventusLaw

Fintech and telecoms specialist ECOVIS ProventusLaw provides employment document drafting services and offers expert advice on trade secrets and data protection matters. The practice also handles transfers and relocations, group redundancies and the employment implications of market entrances and withdrawals. The employment practice is headed by associate partner Brigida Bacienė, an IT specialist who serves as data protection officer for six fintech companies. Leading partner of the firm Loreta Andziulytė supports the employment practice alongside her TMT, M&A, tax and corporate governance work.

Practice head(s):

Loreta Andziulytė; Brigida Bacienė

Testimonials

‘High ethical and professional standards.’

‘ECOVIS ProventusLaw specialists are very flexible and have solutions to every problem we have. It is always a pleasure to communicate with them.’

‘Brigida Baciene is a very competent and easy going specialist. We can always trust that if we have a problem it will be solved as soon as possible.’

Key clients

MAAS Aviation, UAB

Lithuanian Association of Insurance Brokers

Transekspedicija, UAB

DeVere E-Money, UAB

International Payment Union, UAB

BTC CORPORATION HOLDINGS PTY LTD

Mokesčių srautas, UAB (Countline)

FK TransINVEST

Majestic Financial, UAB

Okeo Payments, UAB

Estnaila UAB

XPay UAB

Paywho UAB

Phoenix payments, UAB

Astrolight UAB

Xentral ERP Software GmbH

UAB CGI Lithuania

Regatta Lithuania

Auto pay (Blue Media)

CGI Lithuania

Go Global

UAB Laneda

Work highlights

  • Advised MAAS Aviation on employment law issues and the posting of employees within the group around Europe.
  • Helped LT Internet Ventures (Banxa Holdings) to complete a group redundancy, after the overarching group decided to partially withdraw from the Lithuanian market, closing its operations department and part of its compliance department.
  • Provided tech start-up Astrolight UAB with drafting services concerning employment law, intellectual property, protection of confidential information and trade secrets.

Eversheds Saladžius (a member of Eversheds Sutherland)

Eversheds Saladžius (a member of Eversheds Sutherland) advises on HR issues and the employment aspects of entrance into the Lithuanian market, as well as employee transfers and dismissal cases. The firm represents an array of multinational clients, including Maersk and Nestlé, on their operations in Lithuania. The practice is jointly led by Justinas Usonis, who is notable for his trade union expertise and longstanding representation of the LINAVA road carriers’ association, and experienced senior associate Neringa Bubnaityte.

Practice head(s):

Neringa Bubnaitytė; Justinas Usonis

Key clients

Moffatt & Nichol

Turkish Airlines

Sofa Brands

Metso Outotec Lithuania

Gren Lietuva

Maersk

Nestle

FedEx

Work highlights

  • Advising US-based infrastructure company Moffat & Nicholl in preparing employment agreements for its subsidiary providing engineering services in Lithuania.
  • Provided advice to Nestlé on a broad scope of HR issues, helping in developing various contracts and assisting with the implementation of whistleblower laws.
  • Advised Fedex’s subsidiary in Lithuania on occupational health and safety requirements and finalised work on a large-scale cross-border HR IT system project.

PRIMUS Law Firm

PRIMUS Law Firm advises on international secondments, employee transfers, outsourcing and regulatory compliance, among other areas, for multinational clients in a range of industries, including IT, hospitality, logistics and shipping. The team is overseen by Giedrė Dailidėnaitė, who works on immigration and dismissal matters alongside her corporate and commercial practice, and managing partner Robert Juodka. Senior associate Greta Bagdanavičiūtė is also noted, having supported on many of the firm’s key employment matters in 2022. The firm has strong relationships with clients from Germany, Poland and Estonia with operations in the Lithuanian market.

Practice head(s):

Giedrė Dailidėnaitė; Robert Juodka

Other key lawyers:

Greta Bagdanavičiūtė

Testimonials

‘A leading Baltic firm.’

‘Robert Juodka is a very experienced and well connected lawyer with a strong focus on client’s needs and a clear eye for commercially sound solutions.’

Greta Bagdanaviciute – very responsive, clear and on the spot advice.

Key clients

Dell Technologies, Inc.

Michelin

Dgtch

DB Schenker

Ferchau GmbH

Ibis Hotels

Abeking & Rasmussen Ship- and Yacht Yard SE

Voglers Eesti OÜ

Ziya Nehir Lojistik Tic. A. S.

Enefit UAB

Eesti Energia AS

UAB Axonim-Baltic

AKSONIM OOO

TILTS

Work highlights

  • Advising Michelin on its daily cross-border employment, GDPR and employment regulatory matters in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
  • Advising DELL on the cross-border and cross-continent transfer of employees to its Lithuanian branch operating in Vilnius.
  • Advising IBIS Hotel on various employment regulatory and outsourcing matters.

Averus

Averus specialises in the education sector, acting on behalf of academics, unions and schools. Its work includes negotiations and disputes over pensions and pay, allegations of misconduct and non-contentious internal union matters. The practice also serves transport companies and has been gaining clients in the energy sector. The team is now led by Ignas Kerbelis, who primarily works in transport and shipping, and new employment specialist and associate Diana Gečienė, who joined the practice from the State Labour Inspectorate (VDI) in August 2022. Former practice head Jurgita Venckute left the firm for an in-house role.

Practice head(s):

Ignas Kerbelis; Diana Gečienė

Other key lawyers:

Greta Motiejuniene

Key clients

J&C Aero, UAB

Lindstrom, UAB

Insurance SE Lietuvos filialas

Scania Lietuva, UAB

Ernst&Young Baltic, UAB

Littler Mendelson P.C.

Antalis, UAB

NAOS Baltic, UAB

Professional union of Heads of Lithuanian educational institutions

Manvesta, UAB

Gargzdu Bustas, UAB

Gelranga, UAB

Baltic Energy Service, UAB

Marketingo ekspertai, UAB

Vilniaus savivaldybes Grigiskiu “Sviesos” gimnazija

Klaipedos Simono Dacho progimnazija

Klaipedos “Verdenes” progimnazija

Vytauto Didziojo universiteto Ugnes Karvelis gimnazija

Alytaus “Sakalelio” pradinė mokykla

Work highlights

  • Representing ISM University of Management and Economics in a dispute over regulation of state pensions provided to academic employees, concerning differences in private and state university pensions.
  • Representing the Professional Union of Heads of Lithuanian Educational Institutions in negotiations on national and sectoral collective bargaining agreements with state institutions.

GLIMSTEDT Bernotas & Partners

GLIMSTEDT Bernotas & Partners provides employment law support for clients in a range of industries, with notable specialisms in the automotive and forestry sectors. Practice head Aušra Maliauskaitė-Embrektė has notable expertise in the employment aspects of major transactions and also heads the firm’s corporate and commercial practice. Senior associate Artūras Tukleris, highlighted for his ‘outstanding knowledge’ of Lithuanian labour law, is experienced in collective agreements and trade union-related matters as well as immigration. Laura Tunkevičiūtė specialises in real estate and commercial law but also assists in employment matters.

Practice head(s):

Aušra Maliauskaitė-Embrektė

Other key lawyers:

Artūras Tukleris; Laura Tunkevičiūtė

Testimonials

‘The team is very client-orientated and seeks the best result for the client. The team has great legal skills and communication is perfect.’

‘Arturas Tukleris is great at what he does, has an outstanding knowledge of every different aspect of Lithuanian labour law, he cares about every client and is with the client every step of the way.’

‘Stands out for competence and collaboration.’

Key clients

Continental Automotive Lithuania

State Forest Service under the Ministry of Environment

Elinta charge

Grigeo group

Agroup

Sitra group

Norrona Sport

Yukon Advanced Optics Worldwide

Addendum Solutions

Fakto autocentras

Paroc / Owens Corning

Schneider Electric Group

Fakto Autocentas

Work highlights

  • Advising Continental Automotive Lithuania on day-to-day employment issues, including formation, amendments and termination of employment contracts, confidentiality, non-disclosure and other related matters.
  • Supporting the State Forest Service under the Ministry of Environment in the drafting of employment agreements, establishing variable remuneration systems, and other matters.
  • Represented Grigeo Group (a paper and wood industry company) after Lithuanian authorities brought proceedings against the client and three of its employees concerning alleged large-scale pollution.

LEADELL Balciunas ir Grajauskas

LEADELL Balciunas ir Grajauskas has a strong employment disputes practice, covering dismissals, restrictive covenant infringements, cases concerning the interpretation of the Lithuanian Labour Code and other areas. Gintaras Balčiūnas is a former Lithuanian Minister of Justice and has a high level of experience in the employment field as well as in corporate law and commercial arbitration. Marius Grajauskas also previously worked for the government and is a chartered surveyor as well as a lawyer; he advises on tax, real estate and construction in addition to employment law. Konradas Pabijanskas is also noted.

Practice head(s):

Gintaras Balčiūnas; Marius Grajauskas

Other key lawyers:

Konradas Pabijanskas

Testimonials

‘Konradas Pabijanskas сlearly and objectively assesses prospects, understands business logic and human factors.’

Key clients

AB Klaipėdos jūrų krovinių kompanija

Roche Lietuva UAB

Transachema Ltd

KOGUS UAB

Work highlights

  • Representing Klaipėdos jūrų krovinių kompanija AB in an employee dismissal process in the context of a fall in production and turnover.
  • Represented UAB Roche Lietuva in a court case concerning unfair competition brought about by hiring an employee from a competitor, which resulted in a three-way settlement.
  • Acting for Transachema in a case which concerned the interpretation of the new Labour Law regulations as to when a dismissal takes effect.

Triniti Jurex Law Firm

Triniti Jurex Law Firm provides employment contractual advice, assistance in complex employee relocations and a further range of non-contentious services. The practice is notable for its niche specialism in the gaming industry, while also supporting clients in the banking, education and energy sectors. Practice head Jurgita Judickienė is an experienced employment litigator with a track record in dismissal and non-competition cases. Giedrė Čiuladienė and Karolina Laurynaite are further names to note.

Practice head(s):

Jurgita Judickienė

Other key lawyers:

Karolina Laurynaitė; Giedrė Čiuladienė

Key clients

WARGAMING

European Humanities University

Specific-Group Honding

Lietuvos bankas

Vilniaus baldai

Light Conversion

Littelfuse LT

Penki kontinentai

Sk Impeks Medicinos diagnostikos centras

ENERGENAS

Vilniaus Valstybinis Mažasis teatras

Beesender (Beesender, UAB)

Versli Lietuva

IMA Schelling Group (IMA Schelling Lietuva, UAB)

TeraSky (TeraSky Baltic, UAB)

Straal (Straal Financial Services, UAB)

Charlie Oscar Lima Tango Interactive Entertainment, UA

Lazy Bear Games Europe, UAB

TransferGo (UAB Go Systems)

TV Žaidimai

Work highlights

  • Assisted in the relocation of around 600 employees of WARGAMING from Belarus to Lithuania, including the drafting of multilingual employment agreements.
  • Providing day-to-day employment advice for Light Conversion, UAB.
  • Provided The Bank of Lithuania with auditing services and advised on trade union relations.