` Marija Berdova | COBALT

Marija Berdova

Senior Associate / Latvia

About

Marija specialises in corporate and commercial law, as well as LDD issues for over 10 years. She provides legal assistance with the formation of legal entities and branches, joint ventures, and handling all forms of company reorganisations and corporate governance across various sectors such as energy, food, retail, life sciences, and start-ups. She regularly advises in complex cross-border M&A transactions, including group mergers. She has written numerous publications on corporate law and corporate governance.

In parallel, Marija specialises with the Dispute Resolution practice group, representing clients in civil and commercial disputes and litigation. She has a vast expertise in representing clients in cases involving shareholder disputes, liability of Management Board members, and the recovery of damages. She also advises clients seeking political asylum in Latvia and representing clients interests in courts and competent authorities, in cases related to expulsion and extradition issues.

Practice

Recognition
  • M&A – Notable practitioner, IFLR1000 (2021-2024)
CV

Languages

  • Latvian, English, Russian, Italian

Membership & education

  • Latvian Bar Association (since 2014)
  • Professional Master’s degree in Law with lawyer’s qualification, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia (2011)
  • Bachelor degree in Law, Police Academy of Latvia, Riga, Latvia (2009)
  • Asylum and Human Rights Course Certificate, Council of Europe Programme on Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals (HELP) (2021)
    Experience

    1242 Apps acquires shares in technology start-up Chili Labs

    Salv obtains a closed shared KYC utility service provider licence from the Data State Inspectorate of Latvia

    Poultry producer Putnu fabrika Ķekava completes its reorganisation and rebrands as Ķekava Foods

    Supreme Court annuls the decision of the Prosecutor General’s Office on extradition of a private person to the Russian Federation

    E.R.B. Rail JV signs contract for the construction of Rail Baltica mainline in Latvia

    Hepsor sells multifunctional business complex StokOfiss U30

    One of the world’s leading betting and gaming companies sells its Latvian business

    The court rules to release arrested funds of COBALT clients and revoke police decision on confiscation of their property

    COBALT advised Danone group on intra-group restructuring in Latvia

    COBALT advised FN-SERVISS on cross-border reorganisation

    COBALT advises Baltic Green Fund in the expansion of its sustainable forest portfolio

    COBALT advised Syneos Health on acquisition of a leading contract research company

    COBALT successfully represents defendants in creditor’s claim against the former Board members of the debtor

    COBALT advised Viru Keemia Grupp on buying Stockmann department stores

    German retailer Lidl opens 15 stores in Latvia

    COBALT advised 4finance on intra-group restructuring

    The Supreme Court of Latvia explains the rights of apartment owners to make decisions through a survey

    COBALT successfully represents an asylum seeker in pro bono case with regards to obtaining a refugee status in Latvia

    COBALT advised Biogen on launching its operations in Latvia and Estonia

    COBALT advised Tilde in sale of Jumis Pro to Visma

    COBALT successfully represents clients in a dispute with OCMA regarding the issue of permanent residence permits

    COBALT advises AbbVie in acquisition of Allergan

    COBALT advises Lauma Fabrics on delivery of COVID-19 personal protective equipment to Estonia and Latvia

    COBALT advised Viessmann on intra-group restructuring of its Latvian refrigeration systems business

    COBALT advised Workday, Inc. on the acquisition of Scout RFP

    COBALT advised the sale of A-Katsastus Group’s business operations

    COBALT advises on the sale of Runway BPO to Webhelp

    COBALT advises on the sale of a private eye clinic in Latvia

    COBALT advised Also Latvia on corporate and commercial issues

    COBALT advised HUGO BOSS on expanding its business operations in Latvia and Estonia

    COBALT advises managers of the Baltic entities of pharmaceutical wholesale company Oriola in management buy-out

    Successful representation of several individuals, applying for political asylum

    COBALT provides general legal assistance to Snap Inc.

    COBALT advised Anttila on different corporate governance matters and management structure

    COBALT advised Geneba in sale of Baltic real estate portfolio to Laurus

    COBALT advised MSC Latvia on changes of its management structure

    COBALT advised Forum cinemas regarding various day-to-day corporate matters

    Legal advice daily to TNT Latvia

    COBALT advises Abbott Laboratories on sale to Mylan of non-U.S. developed markets specialty and branded generics business

    COBALT provided corporate advice to SIA Yeoman Latvia

    COBALT advises U.S. contact management company FullContact Inc. in acquisition of IT start-up Cobook

    COBALT advises Norwegian company B2 Holding in acquisition of loan portfolio from Latvijas Krājbanka