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.
- “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
- 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 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
“A leading presence in the corporate and M&A field, managing partner Irmantas Norkusis appreciated for his proactive approach: "He likes working hands-on, he is a face on big deals."He was a lead partner advising Gjensidige Forsikring on its acquisition of PZU Lietuva for EUR54 million. He is also a market-leading competition expert.“