Leading Individuals

EU and competition in Lithuania

Cobalt

Cobalt provides advice on high-value merger clearances, cartel investigations, public tender disputes, and private enforcement proceedings, acting for a broad spectrum of international and local clients. Practice head Rasa Zaščiurinskaitė has extensive experience covering Lithuanian and EU competition and state aid law, with clients also praising her ‘in-depth knowledge’ and ‘ deep sense of business’. Supporting her are senior associates Laura Ryzgelytė, who is experienced in antitrust and state aid issues; Justinas Šileika, who is noted for abuse of dominance work and regulations; and Manvydas Borusas, who brings further breadth on whistleblower protection work, litigation, and EU sanctions. In late 2023, the firm saw the addition of managing associate Simona Liuimienė, who has previous experience at the Competition Council of Lithuania as well as the European Commission.

Practice head(s):

Rasa Zaščiurinskaitė


Other key lawyers:

Laura Ryzgelytė; Justinas Šileika; Manvydas Borusas; Simona Liuimienė


Testimonials

‘Professionals in their field, responsibly performing their work, offering concrete solutions. They listen, pay attention, delve into each question.’

‘Qualified competition law experts who understand business, its processes, do tasks on time, are available.’

‘Rasa Zaščiurinskaitė is a very qualified law expert, has much experience, and performs tasks with quality and on time. Manvydas Borusas is the lawyer I would like to recommend as competition law expert as well. Both are always available and qualified, meet business expectations.’

Key clients

Wolt


Karcher


Eugesta


Danone


Daisena


Alter Domus


Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania


Tele2


Tetas


Tece Baltikum


Johnson & Johnson


Woodline


Hollister Lietuva


Kalnapilio-Tauro grupė (RoyalUnibrew Group)


Brink’s Lithuania


Lego Group


Birštono mineraliniai vandenys


Graina


Merko statyba


Atea


Air Baltic Corporation


Moller Auto


G4S


Rituals Cosmetics Enterprise


Estrella Baltics (part of Intersnack Group)


Lietuvos geležinkeliai (Lithuanian Railways)


Riga International Airport


Avitela


KJK Management


ARX (official Skoda importer in Lithuania)


Kesko Senukai Lithuania


Media bitės


Lords LB Asset Management


Medipresa


Huqsvarna


Innovative Pharmaceutical Industry Association (IFPA)


Kauno grūdai


Bayer


Baltcap


Vilniaus energija


Mediterranean Shipping Company


ORLEN Lithuania


Lyra Group


European Investment Bank


Lithuanian Business Support Agency


Apranga


Cgates


Lietuvos paštas (Lithuanian Post)


Biržų ranga


Consolis


Benu, Tamro (Phoenix group)


Tolimojo keleivinio transporto kompanija


Lithuanian basketball league


AkzoNobel Baltics


Concretus Group


Rokiškio pienas


Pieno žvaigždės


Novian Technologies


AS REPHARM


Elektrum (Latvenergo AS subsidiary)


Work highlights


  • Represented the LKL (Lithuanian basketball league) and the basketball club Pasvalio “Pieno žvaigždės” basketball club in an antitrust investigation of the Competition Council in relation to an alleged cartel between basketball clubs and the League regarding the conditions of payment of salaries to basketball players related to the quarantine declared because of Covid-19.
  • Successfully represented UAB Grifs AG in two antitrust investigations by the Lithuanian Competition Council regarding alleged price fixing and market sharing which were terminated successfully.
  • Successfully advised 15min Group on performing assessments of the prospects of obtaining competition clearance for several contemplated acquisitions of significant competitors through all merger clearance procedures.

Ellex

As a market leader, Ellex fields an ‘exceptional’ and large competition practice that has been involved in numerous big-ticket cases surrounding cartel and abuse of dominance investigations by the Competition Council of the Republic of Lithuania (LCC), in addition to merger clearance work and state aid matters at the national and EU levels. Described by clients as ‘the best professional and business partner’ and ‘a seasoned practitioner’, Marius Juonys leads the practice. Having joined the firm in 2023, cartel and litigation expert Lauras Butkevičius and former chairman of the LCC Šarūnas Keserauskas bring further depth to the group's bench. Other key names include Karolis Kačerauskas and Ilona Jančiauskaitė.

Practice head(s):

Marius Juonys


Other key lawyers:

Lauras Butkevičius; Šarūnas Keserauskas; Karolis Kačerauskas; Ilona Jančiauskaitė; Edvinas Einoris


Testimonials

‘The team we work with is exceptional – always helping and finding unique solutions to unique cases.’

‘Lauras Butkevičius – exceptional partner in unique cases, our team loves working with him – he is always very sharp and quickly gets the core of the problem. Edvinas Einoris prepares best documents, gives feedback on unique cases, remembers all details and also has a sharp mindset.’

‘Outstanding knowledge and ability to explain the rationale behind advice.’

Key clients

Lithuanian Pharmacies Association


Lithuanian Chamber of Notaries


Lithuanian Association of Real Estate Agencies


Mantinga Group, UAB


Cgates, UAB


MV Group, UAB


Ermitažas, UAB


ACME Group, UAB


Maxima LT, UAB


Kauno liftai, UAB


Baltijos liftai, UAB


AS Dobeles dzirnavnieks


Eurovaistinė, UAB


EVRC, UAB


Siromed pharma, UAB


EVD, UAB


Association of Lithuanian Banks


Kaunas City Municipality


Gren Lietuva, UAB


Snowball.xyz, UAB


Piletilevi AS


The Republic of Lithuania


Lietuvos paštas, AB


Diginet LTU, UAB


Telia Lietuva, AB Klaipedos Nafta, AB


Creditinfo, UAB


Latvijas Tilti, AS


Baltic Ticket Holdings OÜ


TOKSIKA, UAB


Kesko Senukai Lithuania, UAB


Rivona, UAB


Norfos Mažmena, UAB


Veolia Group


The Association of Online Media & All Media Lithuania


Mano Būsto Priežiūra, UAB and Būsto Aplinka, UAB


RIMI Lietuva, UAB


Užstato Sistemos Administratorius, VšĮ


Orlen Lietuva, AB


The Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Lithuania


Association Lietuvos Keliai


The Lithuanian branch of Ergo Insurance SE


Work highlights


  • Advised Lithuanian Pharmacies Association and Eurovaistinė group companies on a cartel investigation initiated by the Lithuanian Competition Council (LCC).
  • Advised Dobeles dzirnavnieks (Dobele), AS, on the merger between the client and Baltic Mill, UAB blocking, initiated by the Competition Council of the Republic of Lithuania (LCC).
  • Advised Snowball.xyz, UAB on the complex merger filing cleared by the Competition Council of the Republic of Lithuania (LCC) subject to commitments.

Sorainen

The competition and regulatory practice at Sorainen is spearheaded by Daivis Švirinas, a competition and regulated industries expert, and Monika Mališauskaitė-Vaupšienė, who specialises in merger control and prohibited agreement matters. Acting for a diverse range of clients, the group has represented clients in numerous cases before the Supreme Administrative Court of Lithuania; it successfully represented Bitė in a high-profile TMT frequency transfer case. The practice also excels in state aid issues, cartel investigations, and cases of alleged abuse of dominance. Associate Auridas Litvinas is a particular name of note.

Practice head(s):

Daivis Švirinas; Monika Mališauskaitė-Vaupšienė


Other key lawyers:

Auridas Litvinas


Testimonials

‘They are strategic thinkers who can devise effective legal strategies to address competition-related issues. They understand the broader business goals of our company and can align legal tactics with these objectives.’

‘High expertise level and professionalism.’

‘Monika Mališauskaitė-Vaupšienė – excellent lawyer with client-oriented attitude and experience in different industries. She is a perfect adviser. She is available when the client needs her and her advice.’

‘Auridas Litvinas – young lawyer who has passion what he is doing. Perfect attitude to the client, perfect written skills. Very competent and responsible.’

‘Daivis Švirinas is an outstanding lawyer. His stand-out quality is that he is very knowledgeable about the specifics of our business sector. We would highly recommend him.’

‘Monika Mališauskaitė-Vaupšienė is always responsive and attentive, her advice is both easy to understand and thorough.’

‘Daivis Švirinas and Auridas Litvinas are outstanding professionals.’

‘Extensive knowledge of competition law, including relevant statutes, regulations, and case law. They are well-versed in the legal principles that govern antitrust and competition matters.’

Key clients

IKI Lietuva


Bitė, Mezon, TV Play, All Media


Invalda INVL, INVL Asset Management


Limedika, Gintarinė Vaistinė, Norfos Vaistinė


TOMRA Systems ASA


Ignitis Renewables


Forum Cinemas


Žalgiris Kaunas


Kauno Tiltai


Sandoz


Laumann Beteiligungs GmbH


Rivona, Norfos mažmena


Topo Grupė


Mantinga


Entafarma


Eastnine


Roland DG Corporation


Robert Bosch


Volfas Engelman


Karcher


Eurovia


Straumann


Biovela Group


Pro Bro Group


Heidelberg Cement


Brink’s


Baltcap


Pigu Group


Lex Ano


Work highlights


  • Representing Gintarinė vaistinė and Limedika in the first-instance court regarding a €24m fine for an alleged price-fixing agreement.
  • Advised INVL Asset Management regarding its acquisition of the leading chain of sanatorium resorts in Lithuania, Eglės sanatorija, together with a competing sanatorium resort Nemunas.
  • Successfully represented Bitė, one of the largest mobile operators in the Baltics, in the final instance court proceedings on matters related to the €30m acquisition of Mezon.

WALLESS

Assisting a blend of private companies and state municipalities, WALLESS is a key player for state aid competition cases, with recent instructions including acting for Lithuanian Airports and Klaipeda Free Economic Zone Management Company. Under the combined leadership of public procurement and regulatory expert Laura Ziferman and highly experienced competition lawyer Darius Miniotas, the practice has also seen involvement in sizeable merger clearance cases and recently acted in a large LCC cartel case in the pharmaceuticals sector. In September 2023, the team was further strengthened with the addition of Edita Daukšienė, who is noted for her extensive expertise in competition work combined with her previous experience at the Lithuanian Competition Council.

Practice head(s):

Laura Ziferman; Darius Miniotas


Other key lawyers:

Edita Daukšienė; Paulina Ambrasaitė


Testimonials

‘Deep knowledge and collaboration.’

‘Partner Laura Ziferman looks for and suggests the proposals most appropriate for the client.’

‘WALLESS’ team provides quick, efficient and practical advice on numerous matters related to EU competition law and the application of EU sanctions. We value their team for their practical approach, quick responses and constant availability. They are also able to offer innovative services which are otherwise limited in the market. They also handle competition-related work for us, particularly related to merger control and creation of joint ventures and are very good at that.’

‘Darius Miniotas is a top professional in the field of EU and competition law. He is very responsive, quickly grasps complex situations, offers immediate answers and solutions, and achieves the desired results. He is a pleasure to work with, a great lawyer.’

‘Great selection of professionals.’

‘Outstanding level of partner engagement.’

‘Walless’ EU and competition practice team gives fast and valuable advice and consultations. We appreciate the high quality and efficiency of the work.’

‘Darius Miniotas provides extensive advice and reacts to our needs efficiently and professionally.’

Key clients

AB Šiaulių bankas


Lithuanian Airports


Bolt


Modus Group


Idex Baltic


SANITEX


HISK


Elektrum Lietuva


Socialinių mokslų kolegija (University of Applied Sciences)


Lithuanian association of private healthcare companies


Klaipėda Free Economic Zone Management Company


CV Group (carVertical)


Mandatum Life Insurance Company Ltd


Vinted


SPA Vilnius


Media Traffic


Green Genius


Scandagra Group


Energy Cells


Medical SPA Eglės sanatorija


LitCapital


Iron Wolf Capital


Lidl


Lithuanian Radio and Television


Multikino Lithuania


Panevėžio statybos trestas


Capital Realty


REWE-ZENTRALFINANZ eG


Voodoo SAS


Lithuanian Cable Television Association


Antano Rinkevičiaus valymo įrenginiai


Northway Group


Rimi Lietuva (ICA Gruppen)


Tamro


Siemens


Kautra


Omniva


Biotechpharma


ACME Film


Vilnius City Municipality Administration


Kaunas City Municipality Administration


Elecnor


Palink (REWE Group)


Orivas


OP Financial Group


Affidea Group


Topo Centras (Topo Group)


Baltic Horizon Fund


Thermo Fisher Scientific


Orlen Lietuva


Work highlights


  • Assisted Šiaulių bankas with merger clearance procedure in Lithuania for acquiring retail investment fund and pension fund management businesses in Lithuania as well as the life insurance business in Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia of Invalda INVL.
  • Representing a wholesale pharmaceuticals supplier UAB Tamro and its retail pharmacy chain BENU Lietuva – subsidiaries of Phoenix Group – before the court regarding the annulment of a Lithuanian Competition Council decision.
  • Advised Lietuvos oro uostai (Lithuanian airports) on preparing and implementing a financing mechanism for the development and promotion of strategic air routes, including state aid elements.

Motieka & Audzevicius

The ‘very strong and mature’ competition team at Motieka & Audzevicius is divided between the practice’s two heads; co-head and competition litigation expert Henrikas Stelmokaitis focuses on investigations relating to cartels, state aid issues, and other anti-competitive behaviour, while Laurynas Ramonas is particularly prominent on merger control work and has led on several notable cases. In support of the pair is Valentas Mitrauskas, who is highly skilled in public procurement litigation at a national and EU level.

Practice head(s):

Henrikas Stelmokaitis; Laurynas Ramonas


Other key lawyers:

Valentas Mitrauskas


Testimonials

‘Motieka’s competition team is very strong and mature. What makes them unique – competition team is divided into litigation and mergers. You can be assured that the team member will be not only knowledgeable but also experienced in what he or she does.’

‘Henrikas Stelmokaitis is very persistent and straightforward. His tactical thinking shows understanding of Competition Council‘s ins and outs. We should point out that Henrikas explains very complex competition law matters in plain language and simple examples.’

Key clients

Žabolis Partners


BaltCap, UAB


Tavo mokykla, UAB


Security firm Argus, UAB


Ambrela, UAB


Classic Jet, UAB


Releven, UAB


Vet Ventures Europe, UAB


OBER-HAUS nekilnojamas turtas, UAB


Work highlights


  • Secured unconditional merger clearance for Vet Ventures Europe to acquire the largest veterinary hospital in the capital Vilnius.
  • Advised Tavo mokykla, UAB on a strategic acquisition in the digital education industry.
  • Acted for security services provider ARGUS saugos tarnyba in two Competition Council investigations, both were terminated.

GLIMSTEDT Bernotas & Partners

GLIMSTEDT Bernotas & Partners‘ competition and EU team has particularly strong experience in advising on public sector work for state municipalities and ministries. The group has also represented several private companies and CEOs in cartel-related disputes before the competition council. Also a member of the energy and infrastructure group, practice head Feliksas Miliutis covers a broad sweep of PPP, public procurement, and competition work. He is supported by senior associate Jurgita Zakarauskienė on merger clearances, and Gediminas Zaranka, who has additional expertise in state aid mandates.

Practice head(s):

Feliksas Miliutis


Other key lawyers:

Jurgita Zakarauskienė; Gediminas Zaranka


Testimonials

‘The work culture is fast and efficient. You will get exact answers to exactly what you asked.’

‘Feliksas Miliutis and team – Communication to client and third parties. Comprehensive realization. Ability to enter complicated problems all at once. Result oriented. High percentage of positive results.’

Key clients

UAB “AL holdingas”


UAB “Klaipėdos paslaugos”


Klaipėda university hospital


Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Lithuania and EIB (ELENA TA)


National Energy Regulatory Council of the Republic of Lithuania


Ministry of Economy and Innovation of the Republic of Lithuania


UAB “Ukmergės autobusų parkas” and Ukmerge district municipality


VšĮ “Investuok Lietuvoje” (Invest Lithuania)


State enterprise Registrų centras


Klaipėda city municipality administration


Municipalities of Kaišiadorys, Šilutė.


Kėdainiai municipality administration


AS PRIKE / Glimstedt EE


Work highlights


  • Representing Klaipėda university hospital in proceedings revolving around addressing financial corrections that were imposed on the client’s projects based on a decision by the European Commission.
  • Provided Invest Lithuania with full-scale consultations regarding the application of regional state aid rules to direct foreign investments.
  • Advised UAB ”Klaipėdos paslaugos.” regarding the organisation of activities in competitive markets and activities based on special public obligations.

Eversheds Saladžius (a member of Eversheds Sutherland)

The EU and competition team at Eversheds Saladžius (a member of Eversheds Sutherland) is led by Rimtis Puišys and Tomas Rymeikis, who provide assistance with the competition aspects of M&A transactions alongside support on investigations across a range of sectors including the pharmaceuticals to entertainment industries. Other key names include senior associate Monika Ražukaitė, who focuses on competition clearance work as well as consumer law issues, and Regina Vasiliauskė, an associate with experience handling antitrust cases relating to transactions.

Practice head(s):

Rimtis Puišys; Tomas Rymeikis


Other key lawyers:

Monika Ražukaitė; Regina Vasiliauskė


Key clients

BRC Eesti


Komfovent


Work highlights


  • Providing legal assistance to BRC for obtaining merger clearance from the Competition Council of Lithuania in relation the acquisition of Intrac Holding AB and, therefore, indirectly acquiring UAB Intrac Lietuva.
  • Representing MM Grupp as a major cinema network operator in an investigation started by Lithuanian Competition Council.
  • Provided assistance to Komfovent, a major manufacturer of ventilation systems, regarding its new factory construction project, applying for the status of ‘large investment project’ and receiving state aid, including advice on related EU State Aid regulations.

LEADELL Balciunas ir Grajauskas

LEADELL Balciunas ir Grajauskas is particularly strong on contentious competition matters surrounding state aid work and cases of alleged abuse of dominant position. Experienced litigator Gintaras Balčiūnas and competition expert Vaidas Radvila jointly lead the team, advising large Lithuanian companies across a broad set of sectors, notably in the energy and LNG, manufacturing, postal and rail industries. The firm also has experience advising on public service obligations and cases involving the European Commission.

Practice head(s):

Gintaras Balčiūnas; Vaidas Radvila


Key clients

AB “Achema”


“Roche Lietuva“, UAB


UAB koncernas “ACHEMOS GRUPĖ”


UAB “Achema Gas Trade”


“Unifiedpost”, UAB


“Transachema”, UAB


“LIT-INVEST”, UAB


“Renerga”, UAB


“Smeltės Vėjų Jėgainės”, UAB


Samus, UAB


Work highlights


  • Representing AB “Achema” in a series of cases and investigations concerning state aid in the electricity and liquidated natural gas sectors.
  • Advising “Roche Lietuva”, UAB on matters related to distribution.
  • Representing ”Unifiedpost” UAB and Samus, UAB in a battle against abuse of dominant position.

Magnusson

With offices in both Vilnius and Kaunus, Magnusson‘s ‘skilled’ EU and competition practice handles a broad set of unfair competition work ranging from merger clearances to contentious and non-contentious public procurement issues. Managing partner Ligita Ramanauskaitė oversees a broad set of corporate and competition mandates, acting for a plethora of domestic and international clients. With extensive experience in the field, Marius Endzinas is praised by clients for his ‘deep insights’ regarding public procurement and tendering issues; he leads the firm's public procurement practice.

Practice head(s):

Ligita Ramanauskaitė; Marius Endzinas


Testimonials

‘A professional team always chooses the most suitable ways to represent their client. And that’s exactly what this law firm is.’

‘Human attitude to the client and always professional solutions.’

‘We have been been a client of Magnusson for many years, and the EU and Competition team handles several our matters each year. The most important thing which we get from Magnusson is that when they are evaluating our situations, they are very focused on creating value for us, not only coming up with formal legal solutions or proposals, but also thinking about how our company’s decisions based on those proposals will affect our business, financial costs, the image of the company, etc.’

‘Partner Marius Endzinas is Magnusson’s expert for public procurement issues. He is very client-oriented, which, together with his creativity and deep experience in the field, allows him to provide us with sharp evaluations and effective solutions for each situation we are in.’

‘Marius Endzinas has deep knowledge in the field of public procurement and has been working with us for many years, so he is able to pick the solutions that we need and find the most effective way to achieve them. His insights give us good understanding of the situation.’

‘The EU and competition team of Magnusson Lithuania has been serving us in the fields of competition and public procurement. The team has skilled experts in both of these fields, as well as a very strong focus on how their advice fits our goals and expectations. They know our business, and this allows them to provide us with a very tailored service.’

‘Partner Marius Endzinas is our key contact for the matters concerning EU and competition. His team is very skilled and professional. Marius always gives his deep insights as to the pros and cons of any legal option being considered, which allows us to assess the risks and make decisions. We know him as someone rather reserved about promising, but delivering results instead.’

Work highlights


  • Successfully represented Plungės lagūna, a construction company, in a public procurement dispute regarding the results of a public tender administered by the Lithuanian Road Administration for maintenance of a regional road segment.
  • Representing Kautra in a dispute over the results of a public procurement tender for passenger services in the Municipalities of Klaipėda City and Klaipėda Region.
  • Advising Dobeles dzirnavnieks, a Latvian manufacturer of grain mill products, during a merger clearance procedure in Lithuania.

Noewe

Noewe advises on transactions, regulatory issues and the competition aspects of EU sanctions, and assists with public procurement mandates. Giedrė Dailidėnaitė leads the department and has experience advising Lithuanian and multinational clients throughout the Baltics. Tomas Venckus is another key member; he specialises in public procurement work and infrastructure projects, in addition to niche expertise in food supplement regulations.

Practice head(s):

Giedrė Dailidėnaitė


Other key lawyers:

Tomas Venckus; Greta Bagdanavičiūtė


Key clients

PP6, UAB


Dobeles Dzirnavnieks AS


Akmenės cementas (Schwenk group)


Work highlights


  • Advised real estate development and management company “PP6” on a refusal to grant the application for reimbursement of the interest paid during the deferral period of the credit contributions.
  • Advised Estonian company “Dobeles Dzirnavnieks” on its acquisition of full control over the AB “BALTIC MILL” Group (Lithuania).
  • Advised “Akmenes cementas” (SCHWENK Building Materials group, Latvia) on issues related to alleged unfair competition in the construction materials (cement) market as well as in relation to alleged misleading claims.