In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. With 2024 behind us, we asked: Looking at transactional volumes for this year, would you say that 2024 was better or worse than what you originally expected it to be, and why?

The private healthcare sector across CEE has been expanding at a remarkable pace, reshaping the way people access and experience medical care.

Ellex has advised Estonian-based Blackwall on its EUR 45 million series B funding round led by Dawn Capital with participation from existing investors.

Pohla & Hallmagi has advised Estonia-based Foodexpert on the acquisition of a cold storage warehouse and logistic property in Tallinn from Capital Mill.

From changes in government and potential alterations in tax reform to budget cuts in the court system and EU fines, the past few months have brought significant changes to Estonia’s legal and political landscape, according to Rask Partner Annika Vait.

Cobalt has advised Stargate Hydrogen on its EUR 11 million series A funding round that saw the participation of Giga and UG Investments as well as SmartCap Green Fund. Ellex advised SmartCap.

Walless, working with Gernandt & Danielsson, has advised ICA Gruppen on the sale of Rimi Baltic Group to Salling Group for EUR 1.3 billion. Sorainen reportedly advised Salling Group on the deal.

TGS Baltic has promoted Triinu Jarviste to Partner and Erki Fels to Associate Partner at the firm's Estonia office.

On August 1, 2024, the Artificial Intelligence Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689, AI Act) came into effect, establishing several regulations concerning artificial intelligence systems within the European Union. Although the regulation is already in force, its requirements will gradually come into effect: the first deadlines are set for February and August 2025, while most of the requirements will apply starting August 2, 2026.

Ellex, working with Allen Overy Shearman Sterling, has advised Adven on the renewal of its financing platform by raising EUR 675 million.

Ellex has advised Enefit Green on a partnership with Sumitomo Corporation to develop the Liivi Bay offshore wind farm in the Gulf of Riga.

Walless has advised Enterstore, part of Hartenberg Holding, on its acquisition of Miss Mary of Sweden from Swedish Bra Holding AB. Vinge reportedly advised Swedish Bra Holding.

TGS Baltic has advised Ready Player Me on the launch of two NFT collections – Collection ZERO and STEPN × PlayerZero.

TGS Baltic has advised the management team of Verge Eesti on acquiring the company’s Estonian business from its Norwegian parent. Schjodt reportedly advised the sellers.

Cobalt has advised Apollo Group's Estonian subsidiary Treeland on increasing its ownership in the Latvian restaurant chain Lido AS to 96% via share acquisition from KE Projekti.

Ellex has appointed Counsel Merlin Liis-Toomela as its new Head of Data Protection & IT law in Estonia.

Cobalt has advised SmartCap on launching a EUR 100 million Defense Fund.

TGS Baltic has advised the City of Tallinn on the merger of multiple city hospitals, including East Tallinn Central Hospital, West Tallinn Central Hospital, Tallinn Children's Hospital, and Tallinn Ambulance Service, into a unified Tallinn Hospital.