Operating as part of a pan-Baltic team across Riga, Vilnius, and Tallinn, Ellex Klavins is lauded for an ‘ability to work with any nationality of client.’ Team members can be distinguished by their proficiency in private enforcements, cartel investigations, merger control assistance, and appeals in competition courts. The group undertakes landmark transactions with significant ramifications in EU and national merger control rules, appearing in both Latvian courts and a range of European courts. Liga Merwin, who leads the practice, has a strong track record of representing clients before the European Commission and European Court of Justice. Edvijs Zandars is a key lawyer at associate level, and a go-to team member for regulatory advice in the EU law sphere.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘The team consists of professionals who know their work very well. All documents come in time and in perfect Latvian or excellent English. The communication is very professional. The value of the team is the ability to work with any nationality of client (whether Latvians or Germans, for example).’
- ‘Liga Merwin is professional, and has very good experience in EU and competition. She has the ability to think not only one or two steps ahead, but even 10 steps ahead, and can give good advice in legal matters. She is calm, clever and very good at argumentation.’
- ‘Ellex's competition practice is client orientated and a true trusted legal advisor which navigates exceptionally well the client's industry and specifics, gives practical advice and helps to mitigate the risks. Deep, deep experience and knowledge, flawless communication, easy and pleasant to work with. Consistently good cooperation throughout the years.’
- ‘Liga Merwin stands out in terms of availability, competence in competition law, an understanding of the business/client's needs and giving practical and actionable advice. Indeed, she displays extensive experience and passion in the competition matters and is a client's trusted advisor. Also, her team is strong and reliable to ensure the coverage of a full range of angles in each case.'
Key clients
- Swedbank
- Orkla Confectionary & Snacks
- Forum Cinemas
- Volvo
- Munich RE (Ergo)
- Maxima group
- BTA Baltic Insurance Company
- ASNS Ingredient
- Akropolis
- AstraZeneca
- The Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company
- TET
Work highlights
Advising Swedbank on a cooperation agreement with Euronet for the transfer of its entire Baltic ATM network.
Assisted ASNS Ingredient and its founder LATRAPS with a transformative strategic investment from Pfeifer & Langen International B.V., securing EU-dimension merger clearance from the European Commission.
Representing MAXIMA Latvija in an appeal of the Competition Council's merger prohibition.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Liga Merwin
Other key lawyers
Edvijs Zandars; Mārtiņš Gailis