Dr Irmantas Norkus is the Managing Partner of COBALT Lithuania, with over 20 years of extensive experience in private and public M&A, competition, banking and finance. During his career Dr Norkus has led numerous landmark cross-border and domestic transactions and projects and has handled some of the most complex antitrust matters of recent times. He has represented a broad range of high-profile corporate clients, investment funds, issuers, financial institutions and institutional investors. Dr Norkus’ exceptional and impeccable service has earned him a reputation as a leading lawyer in his areas of practice.
- "Irmantas Norkus is a well-established figure in the market and is adept at handling a broad range of domestic and international transactions. "Irmantas Norkus is hard-working and ambitious." (Chambers Global 2020, Coporate / Commercial)
- "Managing partner Irmantas Norkus is a highly respected figure in the market. He represents domestic and international clients from a variety of sectors including banking, telecommunications and entertainment. Sources praise his longevity and note that he has "earned his name and ranking." (Chambers Europe 2019, Corporate/Commercial)
- "Managing partner Irmantas Norkus assists with the firm's key mandates, regularly advising on merger clearance, dominant position cases and anti-competitive agreements. He co-led the team representing Air Baltic in a claim for damages pertaining to an alleged infringement of national and EU competition law." (Chambers Europe 2019, Competition/Antitrust)
- "Managing partner Irmantas Norkus led the advice to DNB on combining its operations with Nordea in the Baltics states, which included all aspects of the planning of the transaction and regulatory and merger control matters. It continues to advise the newly combined bank Luminor." (Legal 500, 2019)
- “Managing partner Irmantas Norkus is valued by clients for his strategic advice on significant cases, including merger-related competition issues. He also stands out for his knowledge of cartels and restrictive agreements.“ (Chambers Europe 2016, Competition/Antitrust)
- "Versatile Irmantas Norkus has strong previous experience in the practice area and is highly involved in the firm's strategic cases." (Chambers Europe 2015, Competition/Antitrust)
- "Dr Irmantas Norkus at COBALT "combines a wealth of experience and relevant contacts in Lithuania with a sound knowledge of EU law"." (Legal 500 2015, EU and competition)
- "Dr Irmantas Norkus takes a hands-on approach on the firm's highlight mandates. Sources describe him as a "top lawyer who is still very much involved at every stage of the transaction"." (Chambers Global 2015, Corporate/Commercial)
- “One of the leaders in the field, Irmantas Norkus impresses clients with his negotiation skills and technical prowess. [...] “He always sees the bigger picture, tells you what you need and provides quality solutions”.” (Chambers Europe 2012, Corporate)
- Languages
- Lithuanian, English, Russian
- Education & membership
- 2001 Doctor Juris, Vilnius University
- 1996 Master's degree in Law, Vilnius University
- 1997 Study visit to Business School, Leeds University, UK
- 1993 Study visit to John Marshall Law School, Chicago, USA
- Since 2004 Member of the International Bar Association
- Since 1999 Member of the Lithuanian Bar Association
- Publications
- The Buzz in Lithuania - Interview with Irmantas Norkus of Cobalt (September 2019)
- The Buzz in Lithuania: Interview with Irmantas Norkus of Cobalt (April 2018)
- New Code of Ethics And Increased Visibility of The Big Four (August 2016)
- Baltic M&A Monitor 2015
- Lithuanian Competition Law News (April, 2014)
- Lithuanian Competition Law News (January, 2014)
- Baltic M&A Monitor 2014
- Lithuanian Competition Law News (October, 2013)
- Lithuanian Competition Law News (July, 2013)
- Baltic & Belarus M&A Monitor 2013
- Lithuanian Competition Law News (May, 2013)
- Baltics M&A Monitor 2012
- COBALT advised the shareholder of Engagecraft on the sale of its shares to Fan19
- COBALT advised INVL Baltic Forests Fund I on the sale of forests
- COBALT advised funds advised by Apax Partners on acquiring the Baltic Classifieds Group
- COBALT advised KJK Sports in its acquisition of Baltik Vairas
- COBALT represents Reitan Convenience AS in acquiring Caffeine
- COBALT advised Luminor on cross-border merger
- COBALT advised Luminor on obtaining ECB approval for cross-border merger in the Baltics
- COBALT advised shareholders of UAB Ilsanta on the sale of 100% of the company’s shares to UAB ILS holding, managed by Gediminas Žiemelis
- COBALT advised AB Rokiškio sūris on the acquisition of its 10% shareholding by strategic investor Fonterra
- COBALT advised on sale of MTG Baltic subsidiaries
- COBALT advised DNB on the creation of Luminor – largest ever transaction in the Baltic banking market
- COBALT advises Santa Monica Networks on sale of its Finnish-Baltic subsidiaries
- COBALT advises DNB upon combining its operations with Nordea in the Baltics
- COBALT advised AMIC Energy on the acquisition of UAB LUKOIL BALTIJA business in Lithuania
- COBALT client Gjensidige completes PZU Lietuva acquisition
- Advising Deutsche Bank as one of the providers of financing for the unprecedent acquisition of a loan portfolio from bankrupt AB bank Snoras
- COBALT advised Cgates on acquisition of 5 telecommunication companies
- COBALT advised Invalda INVL on the sale of bank Finasta AB and Finasta brokerage company
- COBALT represented BaltCap on the acquisition of the remaining shareholding in Ecoservice
- COBALT advised shareholders of Cgates in the sale of their shareholding to East Capital
- COBALT advised Gjensidige on the acquisition of PZU Lietuva
- COBALT advised AB Invalda LT on the acquisition of Finasta Group
- COBALT continues delivering excellence in the venture capital market
- Competition Council terminates its investigation into Linava association
- COBALT achieves a EUR 600,000 reduction of fines for its clients
- COBALT advised BaltCap on the acquisition of shares in UAB Ecoservice
- COBALT advised UAB Eldes on attracting financing from LitCapital
- COBALT advised UAB Martesa on the acquisition of 100% shares in UAB PONTEM
- COBALT advised a shareholder of UAB Lodvila and UAB Grafija on the transfer of its shares in the companies
- COBALT advised UAB Fragrances International on the transfer of SIA Douglas Baltic shares
- COBALT advised UAB Fegda on the acquisition of controlling interest in UAB Tilsta
- COBALT advises AB Linas Agro Group on the acquisition of four Latvian companies
- COBALT led an unprecedented transfer of good bank assets to a major Lithuanian bank
- COBALT participated in the first settlement agreement in respect of construction at the Lithuanian seaside
- COBALT provided a proposal for services to the National Agency of Investment and Privatisation of the Republic of Belarus
- COBALT represented UAB Conmaster in arbitration case
- COBALT advised a Norwegian company Hoegh LNG in the liquefied natural gas terminal project of national importance
- COBALT successfully assisted in the dairy cartel case
"Irmantas Norkus is a well-established figure in the market and is adept at handling a broad range of domestic and international transactions. Irmantas Norkus is hard-working and ambitious."