WALLESS > Tallinn, Estonia > Firm Profile

WALLESS > The Legal 500 Rankings

Estonia > Real estate and construction Tier 1

Following it's merger with FORT in early 2024, WALLESS has recently been involved in a number of high-value real estate deals, and is also providing general assistance to Lidl, a new client to both the firm and the Estonian market. Minni-Triin Park, who heads the team, is able to work across the full spectrum of real estate and construction matters and is supported by environmental law specialist Margus Kõiva and Kuldar Jaan-Torokoff, who is a key contact in the team for contentious real estate matters. The practice also benefits from the expertise of Piret Kergandberg, Angela Kase and Margo Lemetti.

Estonia > Tax Tier 1

Notable work for WALLESS has included advising clients on tax structuring, as well as a range of other tax matters such as compliance. The ‘very experienced team' is highlighted for its 'knowledge of tax regulations and practices’ and is also well known for its regulatory work. 'Extremely experienced' practice head Rolan Jankelevitsh 'possesses a deep knowledge of Estonian tax regulations and practices', and Priit Raudsepp stands out for his international tax planning work.

Estonia > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 2

WALLESS counts leading global banks and law firms among its clients and regularly appears in cross-border transactions. Hannes Vallikivi, ‘a very experienced partner with great knowledge is this field’, leads the team and is well supported by the ‘experienced, extremely creative and solution-oriented’ Andres Siigur. The group has a strong regulatory practice, as well as ‘the capacity to handle any kind of finance and capital market transaction’. Kaisa Saarmann is a name to note for project finance deals. In early 2024, the practice gained the expertise of Merit Lind and her team following the firm’s merger with FORT.

Estonia > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2

At WALLESS, sector strengths include energy, infrastructure, real estate and telecoms. In addition, the group has particular experience in the financial services sector and has the ‘capabilities and capacity to handle any kind of finance and capital market transaction’. The team is overseen by Rolan Jankelevitsh, one of the many ‘creative lawyers and good negotiators’ in the practice. Toomas Taube is a standout team member for corporate advice; Margo Lemetti is an expert in reorganisation proceedings; and senior associate Kaisa Üksik works on many of the group’s large transactions. In early 2024, the practice gained the expertise of Minni-Triin Park, Kuldar-Jaan Torokoff and their team following the firm’s merger with FORT.

Estonia > Dispute resolution Tier 2

WALLESS has experience representing clients in a range of venues, including criminal and administrative courts and the Supreme Court, among others. Erki Kergandberg, Elmer Muna and Piret Kergandberg head the ‘professional, client-orientated‘ group. Beyond the partners, senior associate Evelin Lisett Ratnik‘s work centres around company and contract law; she is therefore a key contact for disputes in this regard, often acting in litigation related to corporate relations. In early 2024, the practice gained the expertise of Andreas Veeret and his team following the firm’s merger with FORT.

Estonia > Employment Tier 2

WALLESS, whose international expertise is valued by clients, advises both public and private clients, ranging from the Government of the Republic of Estonia to clients in the pharmaceutical and IT industries. Practice head Toomas Taube is a highly regarded practitioner. On the contentious side, the group has a history of appearing in pre-court proceedings at the Labour Dispute Commission. Liis Venelaine has a strong track record working on the immigration elements of employment law matters.

Estonia > EU and competition Tier 2

Following the firm's merger with FORT in early 2024, WALLESS has an impressive client base in Estonia, acting for the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Talinn Airport, among others. Practice head Rene Frolov ‘delves deeply into every topic that needs to be resolved‘ and ‘has broad-based knowledge’, covering antitrust investigations, complex mergers and, increasingly, state aid, which is a growing area of focus for the broader group. Elsewhere, experienced associate Liina Käis is active in highly regulated industries, predominantly energy and transport.

Estonia > IP, IT and telecoms Tier 2

WALLESS, whose ‘team is very competent and easy to work with‘, stands out for regularly acting in disputes regarding trade names and unfair competition. Toomas Taube ‘is an experienced and well-established IP lawyer’ who is heavily active on the transactional side of the group’s IP work, often advising on trademark and copyright licensing transactions. Other key team members include Hannes Vallikivi, who has deep knowledge of technology law and its impact on a range of industries. In early 2024, the practice gained the expertise of Merit Lind and her team following the firm’s merger with FORT.

Estonia > Shipping and transport Tier 3