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Recognition
Legal 500 (2010 edition) on TARK GRUNTE SUTKIENE:
- ‘Financial services advice delivered from people tuned in to your wavelength’. The team provides a ‘solid, appropriate, and highly competent service’ with experience in handling distressed assets, enforcing securities, and extensive debt restructuring. A track record in acting for senior banking clients, Deutsche Bank and Nordea Bank, and a significant public sector bond issue for Tallinn City Council, earn plaudits for Mihkel Kolk and Hannes Vallikivi.
- Grunte & Cers (predecessor in Latvia) is ‘responsive to international clients, understanding their needs and expectations’. Ivars Grunte and Gundars Cers are particularly recommended for complex corporate restructuring of financial institutions. The firm’s associates Andra Rubene and Inese Hazenfusa are also praised for ‘professionalism and accuracy’.
- The firm’s ’strengths are professionalism of service, engagement, availability, and creativity’. Team was boosted by the arrival of Vilija Nausedaite, former chair of the Lithuanian Securities Commission, and two other experienced associates. Investment finance work for the EIB, debt workouts on distressed assets for SEB Bank, alongside restructuring advice for JPMorgan, were among the highlights in 2009.”
Chambers Europe (2010 edition) on TARK GRUNTE SUTKIENE:
- The sizeable banking and finance team at Tark & Co (predecessor in Estonia) enjoys a stellar reputation in Estonia. High-end capital markets and financing transactions for both domestic and international clients are the team's bread and butter, but it also offers significant expertise on the regulatory and compliance aspects of banking and finance. Hannes Vallikivi continues to consolidate his reputation as one of the country's foremost banking and finance experts. "I would recommend him to anyone; he is very knowledgeable and always delivers on time," commented a client. He is a member of the Tallinn Stock Exchange Listing & Surveillance Committee and publishes extensively in his field of expertise.
- "The lawyers here are “strong negotiators with great analytical insight," say clients about Sutkiene, Pilkauskas & Partners (predecessor in Lithuania); "it is a pleasure to work with them.” Vidmantas Drizga is known for his securities work, while Jonas Pilkauskas' M&A finance expertise lends weight to the team. Group head Vilius Bernatonis is “always available, dedicated and highly skilled," and also offers experience in arbitration. The team has advised the European Investment Bank on the JESSICA Holding Fund. Other clients include DEPFA Bank and the Ministries of Economy and Finance.
IFLR 1000 on TARK GRUNTE SUTKIENE:
- “Hannes Vallikivi is the senior finance partner and worked on one of the few Estonia-originated transactions in 2009. The firm represented the city of Tallinn in the €31.4 million bond issue arranged by Nordea Bank. Representing the city again in November 2008, the firm advised on a €32 million project finance facility from the European Investment Bank. In the same month the firm completed a €22.4 million financing for the shipping company Infortar Group. On the M&A side Vahimets has been busy too, advising the buyer Ascar Tallinn in the 100% acquisition of Korea Auto.” (2010 edition).
- "This firm is a rare example of a Lithuanian firm that is highly active in capital markets work. Clients praise the firm for the quality of its work: "We were very happy with their service and approach," says one." (2009 edition).