Sorainen > Riga, Latvia > Firm Profile

Sorainen
KR. VALDEMARA 21
LV-1010 Riga
Latvia

Latvia > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 1

Sorainen‘s banking and insurance practice group has experience handling complex transactions and PPP projects, often undertaking major cross-border mandates. The team often advises on large M&A deals and portfolio transfers, with further expertise covering regulatory issues and disputes. Recently, the firm has seen large transactions in aviation finance, with a further pipeline of work coming from the fintech, insurance and real estate sectors. Practice head Rūdolfs Eņģelis is well respected for his transactional work, and also has experience advising on restructuring and compliance matters. At the associate level, Inese Heinacka, Agneta Rumpa and Mārtiņš Rudzītis are recommended.

Practice head(s):

Rūdolfs Eņģelis

Other key lawyers:

Inese Heinacka; Agneta Rumpa; Mārtiņš Rudzītis

Testimonials

‘I rate the cooperation as professional; I was completely satisfied.’

‘The team is very professional and competent. The desired result was achieved according to our needs.’

‘We worked with Rūdolfs Eņģelis and his team. Cooperation with this team was excellent, all meetings were well planned and organised and with feedback. The team always listened to our wishes and implemented them within the framework of the project.’

‘Sorainen are a very good law firm. I only worked with them on one, but quite a complicated, matter. They provided good advice on Latvian law matters as well as on some specifics of the local market. They maintain well-structured and client-focused communication and are ready to think outside the box.’

‘The Sorainen team is highly responsive and very well-connected in Latvia.’

‘Both Rūdolfs Eņģelis and Inese Heinacka were knowledgeable and very constructive in their approach to collaboration. We established mutual trust and efficient ways of collaboration very quickly.’

‘The team comprises industry professionals with extensive and recognised experience, led by strong leaders who fearlessly embrace new challenges, even within tight schedules, and eagerly expand their knowledge into new fields. It’s worth highlighting that their cooperation extends beyond professionalism to encompass responsibility and a pleasant cooperation relationship.

‘Rūdolfs Eņģelis deserves special recognition as an exceptional leader who seamlessly blends legal expertise with outstanding management skills, setting a new industry benchmark.’

Key clients

KGAL Investment Management GmbH & Co. KG

Nordic Investment bank and Citadele banka

Conexus Baltic Grid

Amber Assets

Riga Energy Efficiency Fund (REEF)

Labylon Network Limited

Work highlights

  • Advising Nordic Investment bank and Citadele banka on providing financing to AS PN Project, a company managed by Lords LB Asset Management, for the construction of an office complex.
  • Advised Conexus Baltic Grid, a unified natural gas transmission and storage operator in Latvia, on a €80m bond programme.
  • Advised KGAL on a leaseback transaction in relation to three new Airbus A220-300 aircraft with Air Baltic Corporation AS.

Latvia > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1

Praised by clients for its ‘exceptional understanding and competence to serve cross-border M&A deals’, Sorainen remains a key regional player in the transactional space. The firm is instructed by an array of private equity investors, leasing companies, energy developers, and global corporations, with work covering the gamut of corporate and commercial mandates. Eva Berlaus and Nauris Grigals jointly lead the team; the former is especially active on private equity transactions and corporate governance issues, while the latter has extensive experience handling complex M&A deals. Associates Renāte Purvinska and Natālija Šestakova are also noted. Jānis Līkops was a new arrival in April 2024.

Practice head(s):

Eva Berlaus; Nauris Grigals

Other key lawyers:

Renāte Purvinska; Natālija Šestakova; Jānis Līkops

Testimonials

‘Long-term relationships, responsiveness, business understanding.’

‘Eva Berlaus – experience and knowledge.’

‘The Sorainen team uniquely is the only fully integrated law firm across the Baltics, hence the only firm that has exceptional understanding and competence to serve cross-border M&A deals. Their cross-border collaboration is the strength that differentiates them from other reputable large law firms across the Baltics.’

‘Their understanding of the business necessities and planned investments allows Nauris Grigals and Natālija Šestakova to tailor transactions in a way that provides for ultimate value. Thus far we have been very pleased with their competitive pricing and sticking to the fixed costs when agreed even under a more intense load than anticipated.’

‘Sorainen’s work product is uniformly excellent. The team is very responsive to our needs and requests.’

‘They provide exact feedback and reliable solutions.’

‘Sound solutions in a timely manner and they understand the business of industrial clients.’

Key clients

Gren Latvija

Mantinga

Nordigen

Renta Group

Luminor Group

BayWa r.e.

Ramudden

Work highlights

  • Advising BaltCap on acquiring a 70% share in Hansab Group.
  • Advised SIA Gren Latvija on the acquisition of the green energy company Bioeninvest, a district heating system operator in the town of Gulbene.
  • Advised Fontes Palgaonsultatsioonid OÜ on the acquisition of a remuneration system development and survey business in the territory of Latvia and Lithuania from SIA Fontes Vadības konsultācijas.

Latvia > Dispute resolution Tier 1

Sorainen fields a large practice with expertise spanning the spectrum of commercial, corporate, and criminal cases, most notably white-collar crime and reputation management. The team is instructed by a diverse set of clients across the finance, real estate and construction, transportation, and employment sectors, and is strengthened by its ability to draw on other regional offices. Valts Nerets and Andris Tauriņš oversee the department; the former has expertise in cross-border arbitrations, as well as international trade and investment law, while the latter regularly handles IP and media disputes. Violeta Zeppa-Priedīte leads the white-collar crime sub-group, in which Agita Sprūde  is also a key contact. Katrīne Pļaviņa-Mika is highlighted for her work on government relations, EU law, and data privacy.

Practice head(s):

Valts Nerets; Andris Tauriņš

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘All of Sorainen’s team have displayed incredible compassion, expertise and true empathy when it came to my legal matters. I’d say strengthwise their key capabilities would be speed, attention to detail, expertise and availability. I consider their team and practices to be of the highest quality one can obtain.’

‘So far, Violeta Zeppa-Priedīte has always been able to provide me with a plan A, B and C, and together we decide what’s the best angle of approach in on our ongoing case. I truly can say that I fully trust her opinion and experience in the industry.’

‘A very good team. Works quickly and qualitatively. I am very pleased to cooperate.’

‘Agita Sprūde is a very competent lawyer. All tasks are completed within the promised time, with high quality and everything is explained very well.’

‘Sorainen is our trusted advisor, and we have worked with them since the very beginning. The litigation strategy that they have developed for us is practical and efficient and has allowed us to resolve multiple disputes per year without much effort.’

‘Agita Sprūde is our go-to person in all matters. She and her team handle things efficiently. What we especially appreciate is how our long-term interests and board liability matters are considered and handled without having the need to mention them.’

‘Sorainen has a professional team that always conducts in-depth research on legal issues and provides the client with quality assignment results. Tasks are completed on time and professional support is always provided without delay. Cooperation is of high value and specialists from the Sorainen team will be engaged for legal support as needed.’

‘They are professionals in their field. Legal documents made by Sorainen are made with high quality.’

Key clients

Van Ansem Participaties BV

Rail Baltica

Bolt Services

BITE Group

Citrus Solutions

CATA

E energija UAB

Latvian journalist Inga Spriņģe

Primekss

Work highlights

  • Representing Van Ansem Participaties in an investment dispute with the Republic of Latvia.
  • Representing Primekss group company Primeteh in a court case against several building companies relating to alleged patent infringement.

Latvia > EU and competition Tier 1

Sorainen‘s competition and regulatory team specialises in antitrust and competition investigations, merger clearance proceedings, and compliance issues. The firm is instructed by a number of major investors, developers and corporates. The team is spearheaded by Ieva Andersone, who focuses on a spread of competition and regulatory matters, as well as infringement and violation of competition neutrality proceedings. Andersone is capably supported by managing partner Eva Berlaus, and finance and insurance practice head Rūdolfs Eņģelis. Senior associate Marika Grunte actively advises on competition risks.

Practice head(s):

Ieva Andersone

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Individual approach to clients, strong competency in competition issues.’

‘The team is really spending time to understand the situation and the issue to be addressed. The process is organised in such a way that there is a preliminary review of the statement and findings, and then next steps are agreed, and the team shows in which directions it is safer to conduct the business idea.’

‘Honesty about the timeline so that we can adjust our plans and further processes.’

‘Sorainen has a large team of strong professionals and can provide legal services in almost all legal areas. Very good communication, prompt action, appropriate services.’

‘Most often I communicate with Ieva Andersone and Marika Grunte. Exceptionally prompt communication, solution-oriented actions and very kind, friendly, but at the same time professional attitude. There is a feeling that you can always rely on them.’

Key clients

Bite Latvija

Gren Latvija

Vēja enerģijas asociācija (Wind Energy Association)

BaltCap

Stena Line Scandinavia AB

Work highlights

  • Advised BITE Latvija on obtaining the rights to use frequencies enabling 5G services.
  • Advised Gren Latvija on the acquisition of green energy company Bioeninvest.
  • Assisting the Latvian Wind Energy Association with a lobbying process which is related to the possible adverse effect on competition which could occur if a new regulation applicable to the wind energy production sector is adopted.

Latvia > IP, IT and telecoms Tier 1

Under the leadership of Ieva Andersone, Sorainen regularly advises media, technology, manufacturing, and entertainment companies on a wide spectrum of IP, IT and telecoms matters. In addition to patent, trade mark and copyright work, the team is experienced in handling regulatory, compliance and data retention issues. The firm is instructed by a mixture of established global corporations and start-ups; the latter receive tailored assistance from the firm's dedicated start-up sector group, which is led by Jūlija Terjuhana. Andris Tauriņš and Linda Sarāne-Reneslāce are noted for their expertise in IP disputes.

Practice head(s):

Ieva Andersone

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Fast, diverse expertise.’

‘Personal attitude, deep-dive in all matters, high understanding of client needs.’

‘They are knowledgeable and know the sector intimately, which leaves them ideally placed to give the right advice which forms our decisions and actions.’

‘Superb advice and actions on our behalf where it matters.’

‘Team consists of various subject matter experts who can provide not only missing pieces in the contract negotiation process itself, but also give you an additional viewpoint on points that shouldn’t be forgotten in the long run. Always self-driven experts are there to help you with your problematic situations in relation to B2B relationships.’

‘From my experience and work together with Linda Sarāne-Reneslāce, I can only reflect a positive experience. She was always with me along the road of the contract renegotiation process.’

‘Great team!’

‘Jūlija Terjuhana is great!’

Key clients

Primekss SIA

BITE Latvija SIA

Dassault Systemes SE (including group companies)

PayPugs IT SIA

Francorp Baltic SIA

Sandoz AG

Merck

Universal Music Group

All Media Latvia SIA

Soundreef Media Service Srl

EHRLE GmbH

Helve SIA

TV Play Baltics

VERY SIA

AstraZeneca Latvija SIA

Work highlights

  • Advised BITE Latvija on obtaining the rights to use frequencies enabling 5G services.
  • Providing ongoing advice to Dassault Systemes, a major CAD software engineering developer, on IP protection issues, particularly illegal use of software.
  • Advising Primekss on issues relating to the protection of patented composite concrete flooring.

Latvia > Real estate and construction Tier 1

Sorainen fields a large and skilled real estate and construction practice, with highlights ranging from the development of company HQs, to large-scale purchase and lease transactions. The team has also been highly active in energy and renewables projects. The practice is headed up by Lelde Laviņa, a transactional specialist, and Jorens Jaunozols, who has extensive dispute resolution expertise. Viktorija Smirnova-Čerkasams is another key contact. Jānis Līkops was a new arrival in April 2024.

Practice head(s):

Lelde Laviņa; Jorens Jaunozols

Other key lawyers:

Viktorija Smirnova-Čerkasa; Jānis Līkops

Testimonials

‘The uniqueness of Sorainen’s team lies in its pan-Baltic span.’

‘I have experienced good legal advice from Jorens Jaunozols and Lelde Laviņa in Latvia.’

‘In-depth legal knowledge which is highly relevant for our real estate business. Easily accessible sparring partners and legal counsel for our real estate business.’

‘With Jorens Jaunozols and Lelde Laviņa, we now have a long-standing working relationship on quite complex real estate acquisition and development projects. The in-depth legal knowledge combined with a good understanding of our business are key to successful execution of our business endeavors.’

Key clients

RB Rail

Tietoevry Banking Latvia SIA

Linstow

Regus Management Latvia SIA (IWG Company)

Entrepreneurs for Peace

SIA Rigaburger (Hesburger fast food restaurant chain group company)

Union Capital

Sunly Infra SIA (Sunly renewable energy group company)

YIT

SIA Riga Retail Park (VPH real estate development group company)

IWG Group company SIA “RIGA CENTRE COMPANY NO 1”

IWG Group company SIA “Riga Centre Company No. 3”

Utilitas

Simmons & Simmons

Work highlights

  • Advising RB Rail AS on the establishment of the European-width fast double-track Rail Baltica railway project.
  • Assisted Tietoevry Banking Latvia SIA, the developer of the Verde office centre, with a lease transaction.
  • Assisting Linstow with the development of SEB’s Latvian HQ.

Latvia > Shipping and transport Tier 1

Sorainen is regularly engaged for advice on some of the region’s leading transportation matters. The firm has experience acting for both private and public entities. The team has a strong presence across Latvia’s aviation, shipping, and logistics sectors, where it has handled financings, transactions, regulatory matters, and disputes. Valts Nerets heads up the firm’s transport and logistics team. Elvis Grinbergs is another key contact.

Practice head(s):

Valts Nerets

Other key lawyers:

Elvis Grinbergs

Testimonials

‘Sorainen are true experts with an in-depth understanding of the industry’s regulations, compliance, and litigation nuances. My needs were always prioritised, and legal strategies were tailored to my needs.’

‘Sorainen delivers results. The team is dedicated to the clients and highly knowledgeable. I was impressed by their clear and open communication.’

‘Valts Nerets is the clear thought-leader on the market. Very skilled with strategic thinking.’

‘Elvis Grinbergs – determined and result oriented, a pleasure to work with.’

Key clients

RB Rail

Cata AB

Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Latvia

KGAL Investment Management

Pilna Servisa Līzings

Stena Line

GD&L Services

A.C.B., Binders, and TIIC (Portugal)

Bolt Services

Renta Group

Patria Latvia

Thermo Fischer Scientific

Aviation Working Group

Work highlights

  • Advising RB Rail AS on the establishment of the European-width fast double-track Rail Baltica railway project.
  • Advised the Kekava ABT consortium on signing the DBFM contract with the Latvian state for the Kekava bypass on the Via Baltica route.
  • Advised Stena Line on the aquisition of the operations of the ferry and RoRo terminals at the Port of Ventspils.

Latvia > Tax Tier 1

Sorainen handles a range of tax-related mandates, ranging from VAT deductions, compliance issues, and share option structurings, all the way through to complex litigations. Practice head Jānis Taukačs is a widely recognised name within the tax and customs fields, with experience spanning across all industries. Counsel Aija Lasmane brings expertise in international tax, risk management and M&A deals to the group. Dace Everte and Kristīne Erele are also key names; the former has in-house experience with the Latvian tax authorities, while the latter has particular expertise in indirect taxes and customs. Nauris Grigals rounds out the roster of recommended practitioners.

Practice head(s):

Jānis Taukačs

Other key lawyers:

Aija Lasmane; Dace Everte; Kristīne Erele; Nauris Grigals

Key clients

Aswell

Indexo IPAS

Merks

B.S.L. Infra Pilnsabiedrība

SIA Byko-Lat

Work highlights

  • Assisting IPAS INDEXO with the development and implementation of a share option plan for the management and employees of the company.
  • Advised Merks on the VAT treatment of a specific marketing campaign.
  • Advised Byko-Lat on the group’s financing model.

Latvia > Employment Tier 2

Sorainen‘s employment practice is instructed by a diverse range of multinational companies to handle employee disputes, terminations, restructurings, and compliance issues. The team has considerable experience representing clients before the State Labour Inspectorate and Latvian Employment Agency, and has seen considerable recent activity in the data protection, whistleblower, and immigration spheres. Andis Burkevics focuses on employment and data protection issues, while Nauris Grigals advises on issues with a nexus to corporate and M&A law. Māris Simulis is noted for his focus on ESG-related matters.

Practice head(s):

Andis Burkevics; Nauris Grigals

Other key lawyers:

Māris Simulis

Testimonials

‘Sorainen Latvia lawyers have a great understanding of local laws, and their advice is adjusted to the client’s business model. They are very responsive and precise in their guidance, making them the perfect local partner.’

‘Andis Burkevics is one of the best external lawyers we have across all EMEA countries. He’s very professional, friendly, and always keeps promised time expectations. We are happy with this cooperation.’

‘The client always comes first. The work is done quickly, in high quality, and with true commitment to any task.’

‘Professionalism and interest in any issue.’

‘I was very happy with their services.’

‘Andis Burkevics is very brilliant, fast, precise.’

Key clients

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Leinonen

Apranga group

Globalization Partners International Ireland Ltd

Rīgas investīciju un tūrisma aģentūra (Investment and Tourism agency of Riga)

adidas Baltics

Ogres rajona slimnīca (Ogre regional hospital)

Webhelp Latvia

Hallgruppen Baltics

Sandoz d.d. branch in Latvia

Work highlights

  • Successfully represented Hallgruppen Baltics before the State Labour Inspectorate.
  • Advising Globalization Partners International Ireland Ltd on requirements to obtain a licence to provide employer of record services in Latvia.
  • Advising Patria on updating its group-wide whistleblowing guidelines and enhancing compliance with the EU Whistleblower Directive.

Lithuania > Fintech Tier 1

Sorainen‘s finance and insurance department is led by the duo of Tomas Kontautas, who focuses on regulatory matters, and Augustas Klezys, who covers a range of transactions and fintech licensing issues across the EU. Further work in the fintech space for the practice include handling the establishment of new companies and acquisitions in addition to electronic money and crypto matters, areas for which senior associate Liutauras Vasiliauskas is noted. The firm also advises on anti-money-laundering matters, with Akvilė Jurkaitytė and Goda Drasute being key names in this space. The practice also recently recruited anti-money laundering expert Eimantas Vytuvis.

Practice head(s):

Tomas Kontautas; Augustas Klezys

Testimonials

‘Partner Augustas Klezys has deep knowledge and understanding of the financial market and, as such, can navigate the client through complex matters utilising his out-of-box thinking abilities.’

‘Senior associate Liutauras Vasiliauskas is constantly deepening his fintech knowledge and provides strong argumentation in complex fintech regulatory matters.’

‘Tomas Kontautas – great commercial sense, very approachable. Akvilė Jurkaitytė – effective and approachable.’

‘They are approachable, we can treat them as an extension of our in-house team.’

‘We enjoy working with Liutauras Vasiliauskas – he is thorough, knowledgeable and a strong sense of intellectual curiosity.’

‘Concrete, accurate, practical.’

Key clients

BENKER UAB

Lendwill AS

Corporate Services UAB

Finolita Unio

Work highlights

  • Advised Benker on licence passporting matters and regulatory issues, advised on the establishment of related companies and transfer of businesses, and represented the client with the Bank of Lithuania.
  • Advised Lendwill on expanding its business into Lithuania and obtaining a peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platform operator licence in Lithuania.
  • Representing Finolita at the inspection of the Bank of Lithuania.

Lithuania > TMT Tier 1

Sorainen has an excellent reputation for advising on a broad range of TMT matters. Key drivers of work for the group include data protection, regulatory and compliance issues, TMT transactions, related M&A deals and market entry issues. The client base includes prominent global companies Microsoft and Google, alongside media, telecoms, tech and IT entities. The practice is led by the triumvirate of Laimonas SkibarkaJonas Kiauleikis and Stasys Drazdauskas, who specialises in information technology, IP, and data protection law. Matas Mačiulaitis and Mindaugas Dominykas Baniulis have expertise in handling large venture capital investments. Sidas Sokolovas and Irma Kirklyte are key names to note.

Practice head(s):

Laimonas Skibarka; Stasys Drazdauskas; Jonas Kiauleikis

Testimonials

‘The team provides practical advice in a timely manner. The advice is both useful from a business perspective as well as from a legal perspective. We work with Sidas Sokolovas who is always great. He is practical, timely, business-oriented and legally correct!’

‘Very professional and engaging team. What is important is that the Sorainen team can explain complex subjects to everyone at every level.’

‘The individuals I worked with are their subject matter experts. We don’t get one person who handles all of our cases but we get individuals who are experts in their field.’

‘Prompt and practical advice.’

‘Sidas Sokolovas – valued for pragmatic, fast and commercially-minded response.’

‘The team is highly responsive and motivated group of people with great expertise. Our cooperation is dealing with a client who is a major tech company. The teams help us with any new product/service analysis and supports our efforts to keep the client complaint.’

‘They have client-centric approach. Sorainen is committed to providing its clients with the highest level of service. Its lawyers are responsive, proactive, and always willing to go the extra mile.’

What sets Irma Kirklyte apart is her unparalleled expertise in privacy matters in law, also her broad understanding of business. What I’ve particularly valued is her ability to break down complex legal issues into straightforward, actionable advice.

Key clients

Bitė Lietuva

Mezon

Microsoft

Google

TV3 Group

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Jonas Software (part of Constellation Software)

Pigu

CGTrader

Melsoft

Nordcurrent

Wargaming group

PVcase

Vilnius International Film Festival Kino pavasaris

Elephant VC

Klett Lernen und Information GmbH (part of the Klett Group)

Nuvei

Open Circle Capital

Nosto

Baltnetos komunikacijos

Cast AI Baltics

Oxylabs

Orange Business Services

Booking.com

Accenture

Mosaic

DappRadar

EPAM

Shif4 Payments

Shopify

Rocket Sofware

Oxipit

Litilit

Work highlights

  • Successfully represented Mezon before the Supreme Administrative Court of Lithuania concerning a dispute over the transfer of frequencies.
  • Advised PVcase on a USD 100 million investment.
  • Assisted Oxlylabs with its acquisition of Webshare Software Company, based in Silicon Valley.

One team working for your goals

We are an international business law firm working as one integrated team for a single goal – helping clients succeed in business.

With 44 partners and more than 250 lawyers and tax specialists, we have the resources to support our clients on all business law and tax issues across the Baltics. Founded in 1995, the firm has worked on many significant mandates for international and local clients.

Department Name Email Telephone
Corporate and M&A Aku Sorainen aku.sorainen@sorainen.com +372 6 400 910
Corporate and M&A Eva Berlaus eva.berlaus@sorainen.com +371 67 365 014
Tax Saulė Dagilytė saule.dagilyte@sorainen.com +370 52 685 040
Intellectual property Ieva Andersone ieva.andersone@soranen.com +371 67 365 000
Competition & Regulatory Kaupo Lepasepp kaupo.lepasepp@sorainen.com +372 6 400 939
Photo Name Position Profile
Diāna Adamoviča photo Diāna Adamoviča Associate
Zane Akermane photo Ms Zane Akermane Senior Associate
Līva Aleksejeva photo Ms Līva Aleksejeva Senior Associate
Ieva Andersone photo Ms Ieva Andersone Country Managing Partner, head of the firm’s Competition and Regulatory practice in…
Elīna Beloraga photo Elīna Beloraga Associate
Kate Berlaua photo Kate Berlaua Associate
Eva Berlaus photo Mrs Eva Berlaus Managing partner of the firm and  and head of our Corporate and…
Katrīna  Bičevska photo Katrīna Bičevska Associate
Andis Burkevics  photo Mr Andis Burkevics  As a counsel specialising in employment law and personal data protection, I have been…
Krišjānis  Cercens photo Krišjānis Cercens Associate
Edvīns Draba photo Mr Edvīns Draba Senior Associate
Kristīne Erele photo Ms Kristīne Erele Senior Associate
Natālija Ešenberga photo Ms Natālija Ešenberga Senior Associate
Dace Everte photo Ms Dace Everte Senior Associate
Rūdolfs Eņģelis photo Mr Rūdolfs Eņģelis Partner and head of the firm’s Finance & Insurance practice group.
Zanda Frišfelde photo Mrs Zanda Frišfelde Senior Associate
Ērika Gribonika photo Ērika Gribonika Associate
Nauris Grigals photo Mr Nauris Grigals Partner and co-head of the Corporate and M&A practice group in Latvia
Elvis Grinbergs photo Mr Elvis Grinbergs Associate
Marika Grunte photo Ms Marika Grunte Senior Associate
Natālija Grāvele photo Mrs Natālija Grāvele Senior Associate
Elza Gusāre photo Ms Elza Gusāre Associate
Inese Heinacka photo Ms Inese Heinacka Senior Associate
Edgars Hercenbergs photo Edgars Hercenbergs Senior Associate
Alise Igale photo Alise Igale Associate
Jorens Jaunozols photo Mr Jorens Jaunozols Partner
Artūrs Kazāks photo Artūrs Kazāks Associate
Benita  Kusiņa photo Mrs Benita Kusiņa Senior Associate
Aija Lasmane photo Mrs Aija Lasmane Partner
Lelde Laviņa photo Ms Lelde Laviņa Partner and co- head of the Real Estate & Construction practice group…
Valts Nerets photo Mr Valts Nerets Partner and co-head of Dispute Resolution & Risk Management practice in Latvia
Krista Niklase photo Krista Niklase Associate
Zane Paeglīte photo Miss Zane Paeglīte Senior Associate
Renāte Purvinska photo Ms Renāte Purvinska Counsel
Katrīne Pļaviņa-Mika photo Mrs Katrīne Pļaviņa-Mika Senior Associate
Santa Rubīna photo Miss Santa Rubīna Counsel
Mārtiņš Rudzītis photo Mr Mārtiņš Rudzītis Of Counsel
Agneta Rumpa photo Ms Agneta Rumpa Senior Associate
Linda Sarāne-Reneslāce photo Mrs Linda Sarāne-Reneslāce Counsel
Māris Simulis photo Mr Māris Simulis Senior Associate
Agita Sprūde photo Miss Agita Sprūde Senior Associate
Oļegs Spundiņš photo Oļegs Spundiņš Associate
Annija Straupe photo Annija Straupe Associate
Lūcija Strauta photo Lūcija Strauta Associate
Jānis Taukačs photo Mr Jānis Taukačs Partner
Andris Tauriņš photo Mr Andris Tauriņš Partner, head of Technology, Media and Telecommunications sector group and co-head of…
Andris Vilisons photo Mr Andris Vilisons Senior Associate
Ieva  Zariņa photo Ieva Zariņa Associate
Violeta Zeppa-Priedīte photo Dr Violeta Zeppa-Priedīte Counsel and head the firm’s Corporate Crime Investigation and Compliance practices in…
Liene Ābola photo Mrs Liene Ābola Senior Associate
Partners : 44
Lawyers & tax advisers : 250+
Business services professionals : 100+
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Eva Berlaus, Managing Partner

Eva Berlaus, Managing Partner of the pan-Baltic law firm Sorainen which works with many international clients, predicts healthy growth in several economic sectors, including Defence, Energy and Private Clients. Emphasising the attractiveness of the Baltic countries as a place for investment, Eva Berlaus notes: “The efficiency of our business ecosystem has not gone unnoticed by our international clients.”

 

1) What do you see as the main points that differentiate Sorainen from your competitors?

Sorainen was the first and only top law firm in the Baltics that was created as a truly one-team firm, as opposed to alliances of local service providers. This unique structure gives us two key advantages.

First, seamless service: clients can access our services across the three Baltic states—Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius—without any barriers. Second, a deeper bench: our extensive international and local networks allow us to pool resources efficiently, especially for large projects.

Sorainen is also very much a value-based organisation. We take our mission of growing prosperity in the region seriously. Our commitment to long-term sustainability, pro bono cases, and initiatives to enhance the legislative and business environment sets us apart. Importantly, we selectively onboard projects and clients who align with our values.

 

2) Which practices do you see growing in the next 12 months? What are the drivers behind that?

In the coming year, several practices are poised for growth.

The energy and defence sectors are on the rise, as the region is developing production and service capabilities and seeking increased self-sufficiency. Notably, our M&A market is witnessing significant activity in the energy sector.

Given our alignment with the European legislative framework and value system, we anticipate an increasing demand for ESG services. The Life Sciences are abuzz with innovation and research. As the current healthcare system reinvests itself, and as the Baltic countries mature, the sector becomes even more appealing from a business standpoint.

Another growing sector is Private Clients. With wealth accumulation, many first-generation entrepreneurs face the challenge of passing on their business empires. This, as we know, must be handled properly. Additionally, successful start-up founders often reinvest after selling their initial ventures – in the Baltics, this phenomenon is called the “Skype effect”, as a single global success story empowered the region’s startup community with skills, courage, and funds to launch new initiatives, thereby creating a positive chain of transformations.

 

3) What’s the main change you’ve made in the firm that will benefit clients?

Over the years, we’ve proactively shifted our focus toward clients in multiple ways. Here are some key changes we’ve implemented.

Sector approach: rather than confining ourselves to legal areas, we’ve encouraged our lawyers to specialize in specific business sectors. This expertise allows them to communicate in the language of business with clients, rather than relying solely on legalese. We strive to be actively present in business associations of all largest sectors, which, apart from a valuable network and a better understanding of the respective business sector, also gives us an opportunity to give early input in legislative initiatives.

Client-centric solutions: our approach is centred around listening carefully to our clients’ needs. Instead of offering generic, one-size-fits-all solutions, we strive to provide personalised advice.

Adaptability: we stay attuned to changing market demands and proactively create and expand new services. Our agility ensures that we can address emerging legal issues.

Innovation and technology: the firm is actively investing in technology and is experimenting with new tools on a daily basis to ensure that also, efficiency-wise, our clients receive a top-class service. We are more and more diving into territories where technology will allow us to provide new services to our clients.

Webinars and client events: we organize over 100 client events annually, mostly webinars, all of which are free of charge to our clients. These events serve as valuable knowledge-sharing platforms. Clients appreciate the effort we put into keeping them informed and updated. Our webinars consistently attract large audiences — an attendance of 700-800 participants is common – demonstrating their relevance and impact. Often, clients attend these events with entire departments.

 

4) Is technology changing the way you interact with your clients, and the services you can provide them?

As the firm becomes more efficient, it’s a positive sign for both internal processes and client services. Streamlining operations can lead to better outcomes for everyone involved. The adoption of AI tools holds immense potential. Clients stand to benefit from faster and more accurate legal services.

Another game changer is automating document creation. It saves time, reduces errors, and ensures consistency. Having paying clients already using this service demonstrates its value.

Sorainen also has its own technology spin-off, Crespect, which is developing an intelligent cloud-based legal practice management system.

 

5) Can you give us a practical example of how you have helped a client to add value to their business?

Recently, Sorainen played a pivotal role in the reconstruction of the New Riga Theatre in Latvia. As legal advisors to the owner of the building complex, the Latvian state-owned company holding and managing real estate owned by the state, we faced a monumental dispute related to changing contractors during the project.

The original contractor unexpectedly requested additional time and money after completing only 3% of the works. This situation posed significant challenges and foreseeable new claims. Our team worked around the clock and under much public scrutiny, providing not only legal advice but also helping the client to build a much wider strategy around the matter, including offering innovative solutions. In the end, a client-friendly settlement was reached, and the client publicly acknowledged that this culturally significant project would not have been possible without our support.

Sorainen has also advised on more than half of the unicorn-making deals in the Baltics, and there is a solid number of our start-up clients whom we have been advising on numerous financing rounds, helping those clients grow globally – Bolt is an excellent example of such cooperation.

We have also been assisting in the birth of new banks, such as the pan-Baltic Luminor or Latvian Citadele, which emerged from the remains of the collapsing Parex banka. Our strategic advice helped save the assets, avoid deepening the financial crisis, and now Citadele is planning an IPO.

Sorainen has been a part of growth stories of many local companies in other traditional business sectors who have now grown into Baltic champions and are increasingly looking into growth strategies outside the Baltics. Eco Baltia, currently the largest player in the Baltics in the field of environmental management and waste recycling is just one of such examples.

 

 

6) Are clients looking for stability and strategic direction from their law firms – where do you see the firm in three years’ time?

Absolutely! Clients increasingly seek both stability and strategic direction from their legal partners. As major disruptors like COVID-19, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, and economic challenges introduce greater volatility to the market, established law firms play a crucial role as strategic advisors – particularly for foreign investors.

Sorainen has ambitious goals for the upcoming years. We are committed to maintaining the Baltic region as a safe and business-friendly environment. The efficiency of our business ecosystem has not gone unnoticed by our international clients, reinforcing our dedication to bringing prosperity and well-being to the region.