From 1 January 2016, top lawyers in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Belarus will join under the COBALT name to create the largest full-service business law firm operation in the region.

COBALT was formed in May 2015 by Raidla Lejins & Norcous offices in Latvia and Lithuania and LAWIN office in Estonia. Now, COBALT offices will be joined by Borenius teams in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. A full merger is underway.

The joint firm of more than 180 lawyers will operate under the COBALT name, symbolizing a strong focus on Baltic co-operation. Our practice groups and lawyers dominate the top tier of prestigious international legal directories such as Legal500, WTR1000, IFLR1000 and Chambers & Partners. Together, we aim to set a new standard for legal services.

The merger will:

• offer an unmatched pool of legal expertise and a broader range of services
• gather the region's leading lawyers into one firm
• enhance value for our clients
• offer our clients top of class service across Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Belarus

In Estonia, the office will have 60 lawyers and will be led by Sten Luiga, Jaanus Mody and Martin Simovart. The 13 partners: Martin Simovart, Elo Tamm, Liina Linsi, Marina Tolmatshova, Pirkko-Liis Harkmaa currently of COBALT, and the current partners of Borenius Attorneys (Tallinn Office): Sten Luiga, Jaanus Mody, Peeter Kutman, Aivar Taro, Karina Paatsi, Egon Talur, Kristel Raidla-Talur and Margus Mugu.

In Latvia, the team of 50 lawyers will be led by Dace Silava-Tomsone and Lauris Liepa. The 8 partners will be Dace Silava-Tomsone, Girts Lejins, Guntars Zile, Ingrida Karina-Berzina and Toms Sulmanis of COBALT, and Lauris Liepa, Indrikis Liepa and Gatis Flinters from Borenius.

In Lithuania, COBALT's team will grow to 65 lawyers and will continue to be led by founding partner Irmantas Norkus. COBALT Lithuania partners will be Irmantas Norkus, Zilvinas Kvietkus, Elijus Burgis, Rimantas Simaitis, Paulius Markovas from COBALT and Vaidas Mackonis from Borenius. Founding partner of Borenius in Lithuania Dalia Foigt-Norvaišienė joins COBALT as specialist counsel.