The article was published on 2 December 2025 on the website of the Estonian Bar Association. In December, the Estonian Bar Association, in cooperation with the Good Deed Foundation, is presenting a series of articles introducing law firms that contribute their legal expertise to society pro bono.
Cobalt is one of the leading law firms in the Baltic region, bringing together more than 280 specialists in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. As a company with a strong sense of social responsibility, it has a broad portfolio of support activities spanning culture and sport to various social initiatives. In addition to the Good Deed Foundation, Cobalt has consistently supported the Tallinn City Theatre, the Art Museum of Estonia, the Estonian Centre for Contemporary Art, the Arvo Pärt Centre, and has contributed to the development of equestrian sports and padel. Alongside financial support, Cobalt has provided long-term and substantial pro bono legal assistance to the Good Deed Foundation, for which the firm has received recognition from the President of the Republic for promoting volunteerism within the organisation.
According to Peeter Kutman, a partner at Cobalt, pro bono work also creates value for the firm itself: “It offers professional variety and helps us notice new nuances that are extremely useful in our daily work with business clients.”
How did Cobalt’s cooperation with Good Deed begin?
The cooperation started when we realised that although our existing pro bono activities were diverse, they were also somewhat fragmented. It wasn’t easy to assess whether our contribution was truly creating impact.
A somewhat accidental meeting with the then leadership of Good Deed showed us how professionally and systematically it is possible to operate in the field of social impact. This inspired us to make a decision.
The first major joint projects were our cooperation with the SPIN programme—which we have been able to follow and support from the sidelines since 2015—and the social impact bonds project that followed shortly after.
From there, various initiatives found their way to us, some of which we supported financially, and along the way, legal questions arose where we could get involved directly—this is how pro bono work naturally became part of our collaboration. This is how the Arvo Pärt Centre, the Estonian Centre for Contemporary Art, and, of course, the Good Deed Foundation ended up in our portfolio.
Many Cobalt team members have contributed to these projects. How much do you discuss pro bono work within the firm, and how do you engage your team in these projects?
In the early years, contributing to pro bono work was essentially an individual initiative. Over time, people began to ask why we speak so little about these projects and why they are not more visible within the team.
This led to the decision to make pro bono activity more visible and systematic. We introduce the projects we are involved in internally, and all lawyers can contribute if they wish. From a professional standpoint, we treat pro bono projects like any other client work—we involve specialists in the relevant field and ensure the same quality. The only difference is that the client does not have to pay for the job.
The projects must resonate with us in terms of value and fit with Cobalt’s DNA. Many collaborations have grown into long-term partnerships—for example, our cooperation with the Arvo Pärt Centre dates back to 2010.
You have advised Good Deed for nearly ten years. The cooperation became particularly close starting in 2018, when we launched the Good Deed Impact Fund—your team has worked on the fund’s foundational agreements, support agreements for initiatives, and numerous investment agreements. Is there a particular project or moment that stands out for you?
There isn’t one specific story or project we would single out—each has been special in its own way: some because they required a rapid response, others because of the complexity and multi-layered nature of the situation. But working with the people at the Good Deed Foundation has always been a pleasure: they are very professional and mission-driven, with a clear understanding of the problem at hand and possible solutions. Our job is to work together to determine whether there are additional options, identify the best way to achieve the desired outcome, and then make it happen.
What have been your most important insights or lessons from pro bono work? Have there been any unexpected gains for Cobalt’s people?
Professionally, it offers variety—the issues and nuances of pro bono work differ from those of business clients. It develops the skill of viewing problems from different angles and enriches our practice.
On a personal level, it provides the opportunity to be part of innovative initiatives that address societal challenges or support more vulnerable groups. This is inspiring and motivating and adds significant value to our work.
What would you say to those who have not yet started with professional volunteering? Why should they start?
Just start. The rest will follow in time. Not every beginning will lead to a long-term partnership. Still, it will open new doors and help you discover activities that align with your personal values and your organisation’s profile. When things go well, it can evolve into a long-term partnership that enriches both sides.
It’s also essential to approach pro bono work thoughtfully and professionally. Agree internally on who is responsible for quality and smooth project execution. Make sure to communicate your involvement in these initiatives widely within your team, including even those who are not directly advising the project. This sense of involvement has contributed to our strong cooperation with the Good Deed Foundation and is what distinguishes professional volunteering from simple financial support.
