About me

As a specialist in banking and finance law since 1997, I advise both local and international clients on the whole spectrum of legal matters in the field. This includes regulatory, fund management and capital markets matters as well as financing transactions.

Professional highlights

Licensing and other regulatory matters. I advise clients in dealings with financial supervisory authorities. I advise on obtaining licenses from the Financial Supervision and Resolution Authority, such as when Holm Bank obtained its credit institution licence and Northern Horizon Capital obtained an alternative investment fund manager (AIFM) licence; on qualifying holding acquisition proceedings, such as when Nordea and DNB combined their banking, leasing and pensions businesses in the Baltics by creating Luminor; on mergers of regulated entities, including advising Nasdaq on merging its central securities depositories in the Baltics; and on establishing and registering funds and other supervisory compliance issues. I am also part of our team advising on the obtaining and renewal of licences from the Financial Intelligence Unit, such as licences for virtual currency service providers and small-fund managers.

Capital market transactions. I have advised clients in connection with public offerings and listing of shares; for example, I was on our team advising the bookrunners in the landmark case of the initial public offering and listing of shares of the Port of Tallinn, the first initial public offering of a state-owned entity in Estonia since 1999. I have also advised on Estonian law aspects of issues of government bonds by the Republic of Estonia, as well as Eurobond issues. I also act as an adviser for the First North alternative market operated by Nasdaq Baltic stock exchanges, assisting clients on all legal aspects related to admission to trading on First North.

Financing transactions. I advise clients on the whole range of financing transactions. I have advised clients on many major financing transactions, including advising a syndicate of banks in connection with a loan to Eesti Energia, the international energy company; syndicate of banks on financing a European Diversified Infrastructure Fund II investment in Utilitas, Estonia’s largest district heating company and a leading renewable power producer; as well as Apollo on financing related to its acquisition of Graanul Invest, the largest wood pellet producer in Europe.

Academic background

  • Estonian Business School, Estonia (MBA in International Business Management)
  • University of Tartu, Estonia (BA in Law / officially equivalent to MA)

I am a member of

  • Estonian Bar Association