I founded Sorainen in 1995 and am the senior partner of the firm. Born and educated in Finland, I became excited about the Baltic States as soon as they regained independence in August 1991. I then decided to write my master’s thesis at the University of Lapland about the business laws of these three countries and the thesis attracted considerable attention in Finland. It was not long before large corporations began to call for my advice and thus I decided to move to Estonia in 1993 to practice law.

Professional highlights

Building one team in four countries. I consider my main achievement the opportunity to build a fully integrated law firm from scratch in the three Baltic States and Belarus. This firm has grown organically to 42 partners and in total over 240 lawyers with integrated legal practice and sector groups, firm-wide leadership, quality management processes and business support services.

Balancing roles. While I spend much of my time today leading the firm’s strategic development, I continue to deepen my skills by advising corporations, mainly in the fields of mergers & acquisitions (M&A) and real estate transactions. I’m proud about being ranked as “eminent practitioner” in Chambers Global.

Active in society. I was a member of the Supervisory Board of Tartu University from 2010 to 2015 and co-chairman of the Law Firm Management Committee at the International Bar Association in 2015 and 2016. I actively support the social enterprise Noored Kooli (TeachFirst) and have been honorary consul of Malta in Estonia since 2003.

Knight’s Cross of Finland. I was honoured to receive the Knight’s Cross, First Class, of the Order of the Lion of Finland from Finnish President Sauli Niinistö in 2015 for two decades of work in developing relations between Estonia and Finland and for supporting Finnish businesses in the Baltic-Belarusian region.

Personal passions. I have a special interest in history and law firm management, the latter of which I consider to be not only work, but a lifestyle. Running a family farm in my free time feeds my natural interest to support our clients in the food, agriculture and forestry sectors.