According to data announced by Bloomberg news agency in July 2010, Raidla Lejins & Norcous law firm alliance operating in the three Baltic States is the fifth in terms of the number of advised M&A deals in Eastern Europe. Raidla Lejins & Norcous is the only law firm operating in Lithuania that made it to the top five list along with other leading law firms in Eastern Europe.

Bloomberg used data of M&A deals exceeding USD 5 m each during first quarter of 2010 to evaluate performance of law firms’ activities in Eastern Europe.

“The first half of 2010 was more active compared to the same period last year. Foreign investment was dominating the scene and Lithuanian market saw arrival of larger deals. However, we expect M&A market recovery no later than first half of 2011. Under these circumstances the goal of our firm is to remain active participant of an emerging market”, - says Dr. Irmantas Norkus, Managing Partner of Raidla Lejins & Norcous.

RLN offices in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia acted as a counsel in 4 M&A deals (exceeding USD 5 m) during the first half of this year.

The most recent deals advised by Lithuanian offices included acquisition of UAB Alexela Oil (the operator of Alexela fuel stations in Lithuania) by Neste oil, acquisition of Lithuanian division of Oriola-KD by international provider of pharmaceuticals and medical devices Mediq, acquisition of local meat processor UAB Baltic Food Company by an international food industry group Vestey Food Group Ltd and others.

According to previous data announced by financial markets monitoring agency ISI Deal Watch, Raidla Lejins & Norcous advised in M&A deals worth over LTL 2 billion (USD 784 m), gaining the lead on M&A deals among the law firms in the Baltics in 2009. Last year Raidla Lejins & Norcous acted as a counsel in 13 transactions in the Baltics, with eight transactions being advised by Raidla Lejins & Norcous Vilnius office. According to this index (number of transactions advised) Raidla Lejins & Norcous is leading among Lithuanian law firms.