At WIDEN, the team has a solid track record in advising on the regulatory compliance aspects of M&A transactions, as well as handling due diligence, share purchase agreements and contractual matters. Kristi Sild and Ants Karu co-head the practice; Karu is well-known for assisting with the tax aspects of M&A deals. The client roster includes prominent Estonian companies in the financial services, insurance, and fintech sectors. Martin Nikolajev is a name to note.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • WIDEN’s Commercial, Corporate and M&A team is one of those rare practices that combines real technical mastery with a down-to-earth, client-first approach. Working with them, you immediately notice how seamlessly deep legal knowledge translates into practical, business-driven solutions. Ants Karu is at the heart of this – his decades of experience mean he sees not just the legal issues but the bigger commercial picture, often spotting opportunities to structure deals in ways that are both straightforward and tax-smart. He has that rare ability to explain complex matters with clarity, making clients feel confident and in control. What also stands out is the dynamic support from Martin Nikolajev. He brings energy, precision, and a remarkable ability to keep large, high-pressure transactions moving smoothly. Together, they create a team that feels both highly capable and approachable – you always know they are available, attentive, and deeply invested in getting the best outcome. Compared to larger firms in Estonia, WIDEN offers something distinctive: genuine personal involvement. Clients don’t get lost in layers of bureaucracy. Instead, they get direct access to senior expertise while still benefiting from the agility and responsiveness of a tight-knit team. That balance of sophistication and accessibility is what makes them unique. There’s also a refreshing modernity about the way the practice works. They’re collaborative across the Baltics, open to flexible arrangements, and genuinely focused on making the client experience enjoyable – which is not something people usually say about corporate transactions. It’s no surprise that clients consistently describe them as forward-thinking and business-minded. In short, WIDEN’s corporate and M&A practice stands out because it delivers top-tier legal advice with an ease and humanity that sets it apart. Working with them feels less like hiring lawyers and more like having trusted partners by your side in some of the most important decisions your business will make.
  • A dynamic and passionate team with a fresh, modern approach.
  • This practice is unique in the way it combines deep legal expertise with a practical, business-focused mindset. Potential clients would value that the team is highly responsive, approachable, and able to translate complex legal and regulatory issues into clear, actionable advice. Compared to other firms, they stand out for being pragmatic rather than overly academic — their advice is not just legally sound but tailored to our commercial reality. They have adopted digital collaboration tools that make document sharing and communication smooth, and they demonstrate a diverse and inclusive team culture that comes across in how they work with clients.
  • WIDEN’s M&A team represents absolute top-tier quality in the Estonian market, and I have had the privilege of working with them for more than 10 years. Whenever a professional matter requires clarification in the context of Estonian law, or when a client needs legal support in Estonia, WIDEN is my first and only choice. I know with full confidence that both the standard of legal expertise and the client experience they deliver will meet and often exceed expectations. What truly sets the team apart is not only their deep and specialized knowledge, but also their approach to clients. They consistently put client needs at the center. The result is a service that is not just legally flawless, but also highly human, responsive, and aligned with the highest international standards.
  • The two true superstars of WIDEN’s M&A team are Partner Ants Karu and newly sworn-in Associate Martin Nikolajev. Both have an outstanding grasp of the market and stand firmly among the very best in Estonia. Referring clients to them has never required a second thought – their track record speaks for itself. Over the years, through consistently excellent work, they have proven time and again that they are a trusted and highly reliable choice for even the most demanding matters.
  • Extensive knowledge and collaborative opportunities with relevant institutions.

Key clients

  • Arco Vara
  • Alfasan Holding B.V.
  • ESRO AS
  • Jacquet Metals
  • TBB Pank AS
  • Delfi Meedia AS
  • Modena Group
  • Rail Baltica
  • Musti Group Nordic Oy

Work highlights

Advised Arco Vara AS on the acquisition of the Luther Quarter in central Tallinn.
Advised Alfasan Holding B.V. on the acquisition of majority shareholdings in Estonian pharmaceutical manufacturing companies, the establishment of a joint venture for veterinary pharmaceuticals, and related corporate, financing, and tax matters.
Advised Musti Group Nordic Oy on its €18 million cross-border acquisition of Pet City operations in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
Practice head

Kristi Sild; Ants Karu

Other key lawyers

Martin Nikolajev