“The current political situation in Estonia is quite confusing,” says Gerli Kilusk, Partner at Ellex in Estonia. “We had the general elections in 2019, which were won by the center-right Reform party. However, to everyone’s surprise, a coalition was formed by the Centre party with the minority Conservative People's party, which is well known for its far-right stances.” A year later, she says, “that coalition is not functioning very well, as even though the prime minister is from the Centre party, the politics seem to be are actually dictated by the conservatives.”

Sorainen has advised Sunly City on the implementation of a new business model for electricity consumers, and on developing and drafting customer contracts for solar energy solutions.

Eversheds Sutherland in Estonia has advised UP Invest on its EUR 65 million acquisition of Forum Cinemas from AMC. Sorainen advised AMC on the deal, which remains contingent on the approval of the Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian competition authorities.

TGS Baltic has successfully represented the interests of Kuu HUBB Oy in a dispute in the Arbitration Court of the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 

PwC Legal has advised GuardTime on its entrance into a partnership with the Estonian Ministry of Interior’s IT and Development Centre.

Cobalt has advised the Rubylight technology investment fund on its participation Tandem's USD 5.7 million Series A round of financing, which also included investors Brighteye Ventures, Trind Ventures, and GPS Ventures.

Cobalt has advised Estonia-based real estate development and management company Capfield OU on a EUR 85 million financing it received from Luminor.

Sorainen has advised Montonio on its generation of EUR 500,000 from both Estonian and international investors.

The Tallinn office of Fort Legal has been joined by a three-person team from CORE Legal led by Partner Merit Lind and by Kristin Kamilla Kirss, the former Chief Legal Counsel and Head of Baltic Legal at Svenska Handelsbanken AB Estonian Branch.

Lawyers from Deloitte Legal's Lithuanian and Estonian offices have advised Lonas UAB, a manufacturer of mattresses and beds, on its acquisition of Estonia's Dreamland Home OU, a retailer and wholesaler of bedroom products, from ITIS Holding OU. Kaevando & Partnerid advised the sellers on the deal.

Former Glikman Alvin Partner Priit Raudsepp has joined Derling Primus.

Ellex Raidla has successfully represented Enefit Green in a dispute over competition clearance the company received for its 2018 merger with Nelja Energia AS.

Sorainen has advised the Bite Group on a EUR 700 million bond issuance and refinancing. Latham & Watkins and Ellex reportedly advised initial bond purchasers and mandated lead arrangers Citigroup Global Markets Limited, Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, ING Bank N.V., London Branch, and UniCredit Bank AG.

TGS Baltic has appointed Estonian Partners Kadri Kallas and Leonid Tolstov, Latvian Managing Partner Ivars Grunte and Partner Andra Rubene, and Lithuanian Executive Partner Marius Matonis to the firm's board and has elected Lithuania Managing Partner Vilius Bernatonis as Chair of the Board.

Cobalt has helped the Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications obtain authorization to provide State aid from the European Commission.

“Overall, Estonia is doing great as a democracy, with a solid rule of law and dedication to the EU and international cooperation,” says Kaupo Lepasepp, Partner at Sorainen in Tallin. “To be fair, we have seen a slight turn towards conservatism, even though not a harsh one. One of the members of the ruling coalition is close to right-wing politics, so he is dictating a right-wing tone to the coalition as a whole.”

Sander Karson has become the Managing Partner of TGS Baltic in Estonia and former Fort Legal Partner Kirsti Pent has joined the firm as Head of Banking & Finance.

Cobalt has advised Berlin-based early-stage investor Project A on its investment in Estonian start-up Pactum, an AI-based platform that enables global companies to automate personalized commercial negotiations on a massive scale.