In the recently published Legal500 EMEA 2023 edition, NOVE and its attorneys continued to be highly rated in the following practice areas: Dispute Resolution; Real Estate and Construction; Commercial, Corporate and M&A; EU and Competition and IP, IT and Telecoms.
The following attorneys were individually recognized:
- Veikko Puolakainen as a „Leading Individual“ in Dispute Resolution
- Veiko Vaske as a „Next Generation Partner“ in Dispute Resolution
- Laura Raadik as a „Rising Star“ in Commercial, Corporate And M&A
- Mari Past as a „Next Generation Partner“ in EU and Competition
- Arsi Pavelts as a „Leading Individual“ in IP, IT and Telecoms
Based on interviews with clients and colleagues from other law firms, Legal 500 highlights the following as strengths of the NOVE’s practice areas and attorneys:
- Dispute Resolution
NOVE is a boutique firm specialising in complex business-related litigation. civil and administrative litigation and insurance litigation. Partner Veikko Puolakainen has more than twenty years of experience in litigation and has represented a number of top clients in the government sector. Kristjan Tamm benefits from his experience within engineering to provide a specialist approach to construction litigation, while Mari Past is noted for her experience in competition law and public procurement.
‘NOVE dispute resolution team consists of highly respected professionals. They are available when in need and possess great knowledge of our industry which makes it very easy to engage them as the counsels and achieve great results in complicated disputes.’
‘Veikko Puolakainen has a solid experience and great reputation in dispute resolution. He is our go-to person in case we have high value and time critical legal problems to solve. Veiko Vaske is well respected professional in state tenders and real estate and planning legal areas having assisted us with several such cases.’
‘They are well informed, solution-oriented and respond quickly.’
- Real Estate And Construction
NOVE is known for advising different types of real estate companies including developers, construction companies, designers and public sector/infrastructure companies. The firm has been instructed with drafting contracts, litigation and pre litigation matters, alongside procurement issues. Kristjan Tamm has a background in construction, having worked as a civil engineer and head of engineering at a construction company, making his experience and expertise tailored to technical questions, enabling him to give quality legal advice. Veiko Vaske stands out for his work advising and representing clients in aspects of the construction process, including planning disputes and permits.
- Commercial, Corporate And M&A
NOVE’s corporate and M&A team is active throughout the Baltic region. The firm has also played a role in drafting legislation and commentaries in corporate law, with its lawyers helping to shape the Estonian Commercial Code. Laura Raadik advises clients on day-to-day corporate and contract law matters alongside large-scale investments and sales transactions.
‘Very good, hands on approach. Their legal skills are excellent, the company has helped us through difficult disputes.’
‘Absolute top experts in their field, highly respected and with excellent success rate and track record.’
- EU and Competition
NOVE offers a comprehensive service to Estonian companies and governmental institutions seeking specialised advice in competition and procurement matters. The frim engages in non-compete obligations in shareholder agreements, share purchase agreements, abuse of dominant positions and non-compete obligations. Mari Past advises clients in merger control, supply, sales, cooperation agreements and restrictions of dominant undertakings. Veikko Puolakainen is an expereinced litigator who focuses on civil and administrative litigation.
‘The advice received has been very business-focused – we have received advice which has been easy to put into practice and the team has not overburdened us with legal theory, highlighting all potential theoretical risks etc. We have been very satisfied with all deadlines having been met and our questions have received great attention.’
‘Partner Mari Past has been excellent in delivering thorough and business orientated legal advice. She has been exceptionally accessible, up-to-date with the latest practices and very business minded.’
- IP, IT and Telecoms
NOVE advises on data protection matters, in additon to trade mark disputes. The firm also participates in legislative drafting in IP and has represented numerous authorities in amendment proposals to the Amendment of the Copyright Act. Mari Past is focused on data protection, competition compliance, medical regulatory and negotiations of complex business deals, while Arsi Pavelts specialises in representing clients in IP, IT and data protection. Key sectors include the film industry, manufacturing, finance and healthcare.
‘The team members have knowledge and experience in both the fields of law and IT. What makes the team unique is that they are one of a kind as far as I know in Estonia – no other firm has truly committed to IT law bringing in so many strong experts and committing to bringing transparency to how IT is governed in Estonia.’
‘What makes NOVE unique is that it is hands-on practical experience that Mr Tikerpe in particular possess. This makes him uniquely qualified to truly understand the big picture with its particularities and challenges that perhaps a team of individual specialists would not.’
‘The team that I have worked with is attentive, understand the nuances necessary for business to thrive, are always looking for ways on how things could be possible (in terms of enabling government sector innovation), while at the same time minimizing the risks such undertaking could have. They are professionals in the best sense.’
The Legal 500 review provides an in-depth analysis of the legal markets in more than 150 jurisdictions, independently identifying the leading law firms and attorneys. The research is based on feedback from customers and colleagues, and the practice area teams providing the most cutting edge and innovative advice to corporate counsel are highlighted.
More information can be found here.