BERG

Annija Karklina, attorney-at-law and partner at BERG, explains that the team’s 25 years of experience in advising a wide range of businesses demonstrates that, in today’s dynamic business environment, a modern law firm must provide advice that is not only legally precise but also commercially sound and strategically balanced. A law firm specializing in business law must recognize that each client operates within a unique set of economic and operational circumstances. Accordingly, effective legal support requires more than technical expertise - it calls for a genuine understanding of the client’s business model, objectives, and risk tolerance. By combining legal proficiency with strong commercial awareness, BERG supports its clients in making well-informed decisions that contribute to their long-term success.   What do you see as the main points that differentiate BERG from your competitors? For more than 25 years, our law firm has been recognized in Latvia for its ability to resolve complex legal matters through in-depth analysis and refined expertise. We take particular pride in the academic strength of our team. BERG has one of the highest concentrations of doctoral-level legal professionals, including seven members of the academic staff from the Faculty of Law at the University of Latvia, each specializing in different fields. This combination of practical experience and academic insight enables us to examine legal matters comprehensively and provide carefully considered, strategically grounded advice. Our core practice areas are commercial and civil law. We provide full-scope legal support - from consultations and legal opinions to representing clients before all levels of national courts, the Constitutional Court, as well as in local and international arbitration proceedings. In recent years, we have placed increasing emphasis on international commercial arbitration, representing clients under the rules of leading arbitral institutions such as the SCC Arbitration Institute (SCC), the German Arbitration Institute (DIS), and the Swiss Arbitration Centre (SAC). In recent years, our team has seen significant growth in workload related to banking law and AML compliance matters. The BERG team provides legal assistance to both public and private sector clients. Our private sector clients operate across diverse industries, including trade, manufacturing, construction, energy, and transport. This diversity allows us to deliver tailored legal solutions aligned with each business's strategic goals and development. Within the Latvian legal market, we are particularly valued for our thorough, well-substantiated analysis of complex legal issues. We are also frequently engaged by fellow legal professionals - including other law firms - to provide independent opinions and second-opinion assessments in challenging cases.   Which practices do you see growing in the next 12 months? What are the drivers behind that?  Over the next twelve months, we anticipate sustained growth in Latvia's legal services market across core practice areas, with particular focus on international commercial arbitration, banking and finance law, and regulatory compliance, including AML/CFT frameworks. Escalating complexity of cross-border transactions and disputes, driven by regional geopolitical volatility and evolving trade relations, is generating robust demand for sophisticated litigation and arbitration expertise. Concurrently, intensified oversight within the financial sector continues to drive steady growth in advisory mandates, especially on banking statutes and anti-money laundering regulations. We also observe growing demand for high-level legal analysis in complex, high-stakes matters, where clients need not only representation but also strategic foresight and independent legal second opinions. This trend underscores a broader transition toward risk-aware decision-making within the local business environment.   What's the main change you've made in the firm that will benefit clients?  A defining characteristic of our firm is our enduring commitment to continuous growth and professional development. We consistently invest in expanding our intellectual capital and actively share our expertise, benefiting not only our clients but also the wider community. With many team members serving as university lecturers, we place particular emphasis on deepening legal scholarship. Jurisprudence is, by its nature, a constantly evolving and increasingly complex field. The role of an academic is to make intricate matters accessible; likewise, our clients value our ability to articulate legal positions and recommendations with clarity. We ensure that potential courses of action and associated risks remain transparent and discernible, even to those without formal legal training. BERG attorneys further consolidate their expertise by participating in international conferences, authoring scholarly publications, contributing to legislative initiatives, and providing formal legal opinions to governmental bodies and public institutions across a comprehensive range of legal matters.   Is technology changing the way you interact with your clients, and the services you can provide them?  Technology has significantly enhanced how we communicate and collaborate with clients. We actively use modern communication platforms, enabling efficient, real-time interaction regardless of location. Meanwhile, our modernized internal case management and document workflow system enables more efficient, secure, and transparent handling of matters. These tools streamline processes, reduce turnaround times, and improve overall service delivery. As a result, we deliver more responsive, flexible, client-focused legal support.   Can you give us a practical example of how you have helped a client to add value to their business?  Over 25 years of providing legal assistance in a wide range of business and commercial law matters - both nationally and internationally - our firm’s lawyers have gained substantial practical experience. This accumulated expertise enables our team to deliver prompt, efficient, highly qualified legal support. Many clients particularly value our speed, a critical factor in business, where even a single day can impact cash flow and prevent potential losses, for instance, international shipping, manufacturing, and construction, where risks are especially high. In addition, with financial law experts and tax advisors on our team, BERG understands the practical challenges businesses face. This allows us to offer comprehensive, solution-oriented advice that addresses legal issues while supporting clients’ broader commercial objectives and growth. Over the years, we have successfully assisted a wide range of clients, from small and medium-sized enterprises to large corporate entities.   Are clients looking for stability and strategic direction from their law firms - where do you see the firm in three years’ time? Our firm is distinguished by a balanced approach that integrates rigorous legal analysis with deep understanding of the broader business environment. We prioritize strategies that deliver long-term value, often identifying out-of-court resolutions as a more effective way to preserve vital commercial relationships than traditional litigation. By keeping our clients' commercial objectives at the centre of our strategy, we avoid escalating disputes unless they offer a clear, meaningful advantage. While external factors and opposing stances can influence the outcome, our commitment focuses on delivering efficient, pragmatic results. Looking ahead to the next three years, we are committed to solidifying our reputation as a premier law firm in Latvia while also expanding our international presence. Our goal is to set a benchmark for legal excellence. Ultimately, our success is measured by client satisfaction and the tangible impact our counsel has on their continued success.