Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 1

WALLESS is a relatively new entrant to the market, with its team having joined from Ellex in 2018. Joana Baublyte-Kulviete has a strong track record in financings and capital markets transactions. She jointly leads the practice with Gediminas Reciunas, who is reputed for his work in project and aviation finance. The team is also sought out to advise on licensing, fintech, fund management and insurance issues. Recent highlights included advising a consortium of BNP Paribas, Citi, JP Morgan and Luminor on the €1.5m purchase of bonds from UAB Ignitis Grupe.

Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1

WALLESS hired a number of partners from Ellex in 2019, and in addition, expanded its presence in the Baltic region in 2020 by merging with Latvia’s Primus Derling and Estonia’s Derling Primus. Povilas Zukauskas, who leads the corporate team, is highly experienced in M&A, joint ventures and restructurings. Laura Ziferman heads up the commercial side of the practice, and is also prominent in complementary areas such as regulatory and competition law. Managing partner Dovile Burgiene has been instructed on some of the biggest deals seen in the Baltic region and is most notably active in the TMT, biotech and manufacturing sectors.

Fintech Tier 1

At WALLESS, Joana Baublyte-Kulviete has a strong track record in handling licensing issues, which was showcased by her assisting the capital financing company PayRay with obtaining a full banking license from the Bank of Lithuania and the ECB. Gediminas Rečiūnas has been advising both local and international players on being granted e-money licences.

Real estate and construction Tier 1

WALLESS’ real estate team includes experts in real estate, construction and development, as well as public procurement and public-private partnerships. Evaldas Klimas is a key name for construction and development work, with particular strengths in planning work. Transactional work is primarily handled by Indrė Jonaitytė-Gricė, who acts for companies, investment funds and family offices. The 'very efficient' Akvilė Mackay is another key name for transactional work and leasing agreements. Associate Laura Ziferman  is recommended for procurement and PPP work.

Tax Tier 1

WALLESS is ‘highly regarded’ and has ‘a solid reputation with the tax authorities and in the market generally’. Practice head Aistė Medelienė undertakes both advisory work and dispute resolution, and has expertise in both litigation and arbitration. She is also skilled in customs law and private wealth management. She forms the team with Mindaugas Lukas , who specialises in tax structuring, transaction and private wealth management.

Dispute resolution Tier 2

WALLESS is noted for its strengths in arbitration cases, where it handles matters at both a domestic and international level. Gediminas Dominas is a reputed name in this space, having helped with drafting the 1996 and 2012 Lithuanian arbitration acts. Also notable is that he is a fellow at the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and also a member of the panel of arbitrators of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre. Outside of arbitration work, the team also has a significant litigation practice, particularly in relation to insurance liability (notably directors and officers liability) cases; Simona Drukteinienė , who is the key name for this area of work, and has acted for clients in matters before the Supreme Court and the Supreme Administrative Court.

EU and competition Tier 2

WALLESS' areas of strength include advising clients on merger control, and on the behavioural side, handling competition investigations. Practice head Laura Ziferman is an expert in competition, public procurement and public-private partnerships. Also recommended is Marius Dobilas. The team has been significantly strengthened recently, with Darius Miniotas joining from TGS Baltic. He is an expert in cartel investigations and abuse of dominance issues.

Projects and energy Tier 2

WALLESS has particular strengths in competition and regulatory work, making it well placed to handle projects involving public-private partnerships and procurement bids. Laura Ziferman undertakes a significant amount of work for energy companies and local municipalities in this space. She co-heads the group with Evaldas Klimas, who is active in construction and property-related matters. Vaidotas Puklevicius is a key name for work involving the energy sector and is currently very active in the renewables sector.

Shipping and transport Tier 2

WALLESS is notably strong at handling commercial, procurement and employment issues for transport and logistics companies. Its team also has ‘outstanding knowledge of complex issues regarding maritime law’. Sintija Radionova and Kristīne Gaigule-Šāvēja jointly head up the team, with Radionova working on commercial, employment and tax issues. Gaigule-Šāvēj focuses on procurement contracts concerning the rail industry. A recent highlight involved advising on the purchase of electric trains for Rail Baltica.

TMT Tier 3

WALLESS' team is experienced in the life sciences sector, as well as advising on technology concerning medical and financial services. Laura Ziferman, who leads the team, is an expert in competition and regulatory work. Corporate and commercial partner Dovile Burgiene also has a strong focus the TMT and healthcare sectors.