` Rauno Ligi | COBALT

Rauno Ligi

Partner / Estonia

About

Rauno Ligi is a Partner at COBALT Estonia and Co-Head of the White-Collar Crime and Competition Disputes practice groups. Rauno stands out for his extensive experience in all types of proceedings. He is also a member of the Estonian Bar Association’s Procedural Law Committee.

Rauno has successfully defended clients in various misdemeanor and criminal proceedings involving, for example, alleged money laundering, bribery, fraud, embezzlement, prohibited cartel agreements, the application of sanctions, and other economic crimes. For instance, he successfully defended Swedbank in a criminal money laundering case based on unfounded suspicions.

Rauno has extensive experience advising clients on conducting internal investigations, initiating criminal proceedings, and filing claims against wrongdoers. For example, he has represented clients in filing various civil claims and initiating criminal cases where the opposing party used complex schemes and frontmen, with claims reaching up to 9 million euros. He also provides training for clients on how to prevent abuses and how to act in different types of proceedings.

Rauno has successfully represented clients in a wide range of competition law disputes. He has acted for clients in various proceedings before the Competition Authority, in civil courts when filing claims, and in administrative courts when lodging appeals. He has been involved in several precedent-setting court cases concerning the abuse of a dominant market position. Additionally, he has defended clients in state supervision proceedings and misdemeanour cases related to prohibited agreements, both during pre-trial investigations and in court.

Rauno has practiced at the General Court of the European Union and has diverse experience advising clients on various EU law matters. For example, he has represented a client in a claim for damages against the state for breaches of EU law, in which the damages amounted to 11 million euros.

In addition, Rauno has extensive experience in handling complex commercial disputes, advising financial institutions in various proceedings, and representing companies in disputes concerning energy and environmental law.

Practice

Recognition
  • The Legal 500, EU and Competition, Rising Star – 2023 / 2024
  • The Legal 500, EU and Competition, Next Generation Lawyer – 2019
CV

Languages

  • Estonian, English, French

Membership & education

  • Procedural Law Committee of the Estonian Bar Association (2024)
  • Estonian Bar Association (2010)
  • Master of Arts, University of Tartu, Faculty of Law, Estonia (2009)
  • Université de Savoie, France (2007-2008)
Experience

AS LHV Pank successfully defended its position in proceedings with the Financial Intelligence Unit

Supreme Court declares the claim of Agency of Medicines unconstitutional

AS Terminal defends its rights in the liquid fuel market regarding violations committed by Olerex

COBALT successfully defends Swedbank in an alleged money laundering criminal case

Estonian citizen charged for fraud in cryptocurrency mining case released from custody

COBALT represents a private person in the bankruptcy proceedings of CoinLoan OÜ

COBALT successfully represented VKG in a civil competition damages claim

COBALT advised Ekspress Group in the Estonian Competition Authority proceedings

COBALT successfully represented Tallinna Sadam in Tallinn Circuit Court

COBALT successfully represented AS Tallinna Sadam in a civil dispute

COBALT successfully represents AS RAGN-SELLS in a dispute with City of Tallinn

COBALT represented Port of Tallinn in a dispute with Vesta Terminal

COBALT successfully represented AS RAGN-SELLS against City of Tallinn

COBALT advised Port of Tallinn on its IPO and listing on Nasdaq Tallinn Stock Exchange

COBALT successfully defended a company in an environmental misdemeanor proceeding

COBALT defended a retail company in the so-called “vodka cartel” criminal case

COBALT successfully represented a network company in various competition disputes

COBALT successfully defended a pharmaceutical company and its employee in a bribery-related criminal proceeding

COBALT successfully defended an entrepreneur suspected of entering into a prohibited agreement

COBALT successfully defended a company and its management board member in a subsidy fraud criminal proceeding

We are driven by your recognition

"Rauno Ligi's excellent interpersonal skills makes it really easy to discuss even the most difficult topics and alternatives in a way that you feel supported."
Legal 500 2024, Dispute Resolution