COBALT has once again achieved outstanding recognition in The Legal 500 EMEA 2026 guide with 30 firm rankings and 62 individual rankings, reinforcing its position among the leading law firms in the Baltics. Across Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, COBALT holds Tier 1 positions in 21 key practice areas and received recommendations in a further nine practice areas.
This year’s results highlight strong performance in COBALT Estonia and Lithuania, with holding Tier 1 rankings across 12 core practice areas in total. At the same time, COBALT Latvia continues to demonstrate remarkable consistency, securing Tier 1 rankings in all nine assessed practice areas for the ninth consecutive year.
These results are supported by strong client feedback, highlighting COBALT’s service quality and regional expertise:
- “COBALT is a uniquely Baltic state focused full-service law firm with considerable expertise as well as deep relationships in the various countries that they operate. They are consistently excellent at what they do and a pleasure to work with. Their service standards are comparable to the best London firms.”
- “What makes COBALT outstanding is covering a broad variety of fields, meaning the client can rest assured in having one partner for all legal needs. Having leaders in the team with loads of previous experience adds further comfort in knowing the quality of advice is always filled with practical experience rather than just theory.”
- “Speed of interaction is exceptional, and the quality of the feedback is always extremely thorough with the opportunity to talk through case management to explore the best solutions. Solutions are always followed by cited legislation.”
- “COBALT’s in-depth knowledge of European and national competition and regulatory law and their strategic guidance helped us navigate complex regulatory issues with confidence. COBALT’s team is incredibly adept in analysing market dynamics and their strategic advice is unmatchable. They constantly provide us with expert guidance on compliance with EU regulations in a very professional, timely and business oriented manner.”
62 individual rankings highlight legal excellence
COBALT’s success is further reflected in 62 individual lawyer rankings, collectively highlighting both long-standing excellence and continued growth of its emerging advisors. The firm’s practitioners have been recognised across all seniority levels, including 13 Hall of Fame lawyers, 16 Leading Partners, 10 Next Generation Partners, and 18 Leading Associates. Notably, this year’s results also bring three new Next Generation Partner recognitions for Rauno Ligi (EU And Competition), Rasa Mikutienė (Tax) and Jovita Valatkaitė (Employment), further reinforcing COBALT’s commitment to developing top-tier legal talent.
ESTONIA INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS
- 7 Hall of Fame: Jaanus Mody (Dispute Resolution), Martin Simovart (Commercial, Corporate and M&A), Peeter Kutman (Commercial, Corporate and M&A), Kristel Raidla-Talur (Fintech), Elo Tamm (EU and Competition), Aivar Taro (Real Estate and Construction), Liina Linsi (Real Estate and Construction).
- 4 Leading Partners: Kristel Raidla-Talur (Banking, Finance and Capital Markets), Marina Kotkas (Banking, Finance and Capital Markets), Egon Talur (Tax; IP, IT and Telecoms), Karina Paatsi (Employment).
- 3 Next Generation Partners: Monika Koolmeister(Banking, Finance and Capital Markets; Fintech), Jesse Kivisaari (Commercial, Corporate and M&A), Rauno Ligi (EU And Competition).
- 6 Leading Associates: Kaarel Eller (Banking, Finance and Capital Markets; Fintech), Mart Blöndal (EU and Competition), Kadri Michelson (Dispute Resolution), Karli Kütt (Tax), Tõnu Kolts (Tax), Heili Haabu (Employment).
LATVIA INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS
- 4 Hall of Fame: Lauris Liepa (Dispute Resolution), Dace Silava-Tomsone (Commercial, Corporate and M&A), Guntars Zīle (Commercial, Corporate and M&A), Andrejs Lielkalns (Banking, Finance and Capital Markets)
- 5 Leading Partners: Indriķis Liepa (IP, IT and Telecoms), Gatis Flinters (Commercial, Corporate and M&A; Shipping and Transport), Dace Silava-Tomsone (Real Estate and Construction; EU and Competition), Uģis Zeltiņš (EU and Competition), Sandija Novicka (Tax).
- 3 Next Generation Partners: Edgars Lodziņš (Banking, Finance and Capital Markets), Toms Šulmanis (Employment), Gatis Flinters (Real Estate and Construction).
- 6 Leading Associates: Diāna Zepa (Commercial, Corporate and M&A), Kristīne Patmalniece (Employment), Līga Fjodorova (IP, IT and Telecoms), Elīna Ločmele (Tax), Ivo Maskalāns (Employment), Artūrs Valderšteins (Real Estate and Construction).
LITHUANIA INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS
- 2 Hall of Fame: Dr Irmantas Norkus (Commercial, Corporate and M&A), Žilvinas Kvietkus (TMT).
- 8 Leading Partners: Akvilė Bosaitė (Banking, Finance and Capital Markets; Fintech), Elijus Burgis (Commercial, Corporate and M&A), Dr Juozas Rimas (Commercial, Corporate and M&A), Rokas Daugėla (Tax), Eva Suduiko (Banking, Finance and Capital Markets), Professor Dr Rimantas Simaitis (Dispute Resolution), Lauras Butkevičius (EU and Competition), Žilvinas Kvietkus (Intellectual Property).
- 4 Next Generation Partners: Marius Inta (Dispute Resolution), Rasa Zaščiurinskaitė (EU and Competition), Rasa Mikutienė (Tax) and Jovita Valatkaitė (Employment).
- 3 Leading Associates: Dr Milda Markevičiūtė(Dispute Resolution), Simona Liuimienė (EU And Competition), Julija Beldeninovienė (Intellectual Property; TMT), Edvinas Einoris (EU And Competition).
About The Legal 500
Since 1991, The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) guide has provided an independent and comprehensive assessment of leading law firms and lawyers. Covering over 80 countries and more than 2,700 ranked law firms, the guide is widely regarded as a trusted benchmark for legal excellence. Learn more at: www.legal500.com
