Table of Contents
Updated on 30.09.2022
Over the years, we have been recommended and nominated amongst the best Estonian law firms. Here is a summary of our achievements through the years.
2022 – Women in Business Law Awards 2022 EMEA named Hedman law firm among the best in the Baltics
Hedman law firm has been shortlisted as one of the top five in the Baltics in the EMEA jurisdiction category of the Women in Business Law Awards 2022.
This year’s Women in Business Law Awards EMEA have nominated law firms from a wide range of practice areas and jurisdictions. The awards recognize leading female individuals and firms that have shown a mix of top-rated policies and initiatives from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa over the past year.
The Jurisdiction category recognizes law firms that are outstanding role models in promoting female entrepreneurship and equality in their region. The finalists of the award have been judged by an independent international panel of judges to have achieved a remarkable track record in supporting women entrepreneurs and workers, both within their own teams and at a wider national and legislative level.
2022 – Chambers ranks Hedman among the best law firms in Estonia in the IP category
Chambers and Partners have released their 2022 Europe rankings and our team is once again recognized as the top advisors in the Intellectual Property (IP) practice area in Estonia.
According to Chambers “Hedman is a popular choice of counsel among media clients and startup companies in the technology and software sectors. The team handles IP transfers and trademark registration and has additional expertise in GDPR and data protection-related matters.”
Partner Toomas Seppel is described as a notable practitioner, who handles a diverse range of work including copyright and trademark disputes, as well as non-contentious mandates. A client of ours has emphasized his very strong commercial awareness and thoroughness.
2021 – Hedman assures its high ranking for the second year in a row in Chambers FinTech Legal
Chambers and Partners have released their 2022 FinTech Guide Rankings and we are proud to be highly ranked on the tables for the second year in a row!
Chambers states that „the Hedman team is known for serving disruptive FinTech startups and helping them navigate Estonia’s regulatory regime, often through obtaining the necessary permits and licenses. Financial compliance, crowdfunding platforms, STOs, and data protection remain key areas of focus for the firm at this point. Hedman is a member of the FinTech working group FinanceEstonia and maintains close ties with local industry and legislators.“
One of the work highlights that has been brought up by the ranking is advising online trading platform Admiral Markets on its acquisition of the full issued share capital of Moneyzen OÜ, an online peer-to-peer lending platform.
Partner Toomas Seppel has been highlighted as a Notable practitioner, as he heads the FinTech department at Hedman. He is experienced in handling regulatory compliance, intellectual property, big data processing, and cryptocurrency licensing issues, among others. He is heavily involved with FinanceEstonia and has recently been advising on upcoming FinTech laws relating to crowdfunding and cryptocurrency.
2021 – The Legal 500 ranks Hedman Partners among the top law firms in Estonia
We are glad to announce that Hedman Partners was once again ranked in IP, IT, and Telecoms as well in Commercial, Corporate, and M&A practice areas in The Legal 500 2021 edition.
According to the guide, Hedman Partners is particularly recommended for start-ups, with specific experience advising Real Estate and Fintech clients. The team’s key areas of work include funding and capital raising, partnership arrangements, and international expansion, and the practice is being led by Merlin Seeman.
Being ranked in Tier 2 in IP, IT, and Telecoms, the guide states that Hedman Partners focuses on assisting start-ups in industries including banking, real estate, and legal services. Practice head Toomas Seppel is key to this area of work. Other strengths for the practice include copyright and audio-visual matters. The team also handles a good deal of data protection and privacy work.
Furthermore, our clients have stated that “Hedman Partners are the lawyers who you can rely on, they 100% have your back and do their best to protect clients’ interests” and „Lawyers are very careful about details, always investigate related indirect risks which may arise. Knowledgeable and experienced team.“
2021 – Hedman Partners recommended by Chambers Europe 2021
Proud to announce that our law firm is recommended again by Chambers Europe 2021 edition in the Intellectual Property practice area.
The guide states that the team is known for – a “Popular choice of counsel among media clients and startup companies in the technology and software sectors. Handles IP transfers and trademark registration, and has additional expertise in GDPR and data protection-related matters.”
“Strengths – An impressed client lists the team’s strengths as “their strong expertise in corporate and IP law, their transparent and swift communication, their ability to work well with our team members across jurisdictions and, on the soft skills side, their ability to make you feel cared for.””
Also, a market source singles out our practice as a “go-to firm for startups.”
One of our work highlights that have been brought out is advising the Estonian Film Institute on the licensing model for the distribution of its audiovisual content.
Our head of the IP department, partner Toomas Seppel, is highlighted as a notable practitioner. The edition states that he garners praise from sources for his “good advice on copyright matters,” in addition to his “excellent grasp of GDPR-related matters and trademark-related questions.”
Toomas handles a diverse range of work including registration, enforcement, and contractual matters.
2021 – Merlin Seeman, Toomas Seppel, and Dmitri Tšimpoaka have been recommended by Chambers and Partners, the Legal 500 and IFLR1000 through the years
IFLR1000 highly recommends Hedman Partners’ professionals Merlin Seeman and Dmitri Tšimpoaka. Merlin Seeman has been repeatedly recommended as a Highly Regarded in M&A, Corporate, and New Business Models.
Dmitri Tšimpoaka handles matters in Corporate, M&A, and Crypto practice areas.
Partner Toomas Seppel, who is also highly ranked year-by-year by different legal guides, is focusing on Intellectual Property, Information Technology, Data Protection, and also New Business Models matters.
2020 – Hedman Partners ranks top of Chambers FinTech Legal in Estonia
According to Chambers rankings, Hedman Partners is one of the few top law firms in Estonia in FinTech Legal. Spotlight list of ranked individuals highlighted our partner Toomas Seppel.
Our assistance to FinTech start-ups continues throughout their lifecycle, from VC funding and mergers with other companies, through to public offerings—but always maintains a focus on meeting the regulatory requirements at each stage.
To ensure that our clients always receive the most up-to-date regulatory advice, we maintain close ties with Estonia’s legislature that passes new laws and are even involved in initiatives to assist the government in developing such new laws; for example, we are members of a FinTech working group in FinanceEstonia, a public-private enterprise that was set up in part to enable Estonia to maintain its position as a global hub for FinTech companies and start-ups.
Notable Chambers feedback on Hedman Partners
- Hedman Partners specializes in serving disruptive FinTech startups and helping them navigate Estonia’s regulatory regime, often through obtaining the necessary permits and licenses. Financial compliance, crowdfunding platforms, STOs, and data protection remain key areas of focus for the firm at this point;
- The team has spent the last twelve months assisting a range of clients, including cryptocurrency exchange platforms, crowdfunding platforms, lending companies, and online brokers.
What our clients say
- Hedman is very strong with startups. The team there made an early and big entrance into the sector and I think they’re doing good work with those disruptive clients;
- They’ve been efficient, responsible and I’d definitely recommend the team to others;
- Toomas Seppel is the main man for FinTech at Hedman. He’s known for this field and especially in crypto.
About Chambers
Chambers FinTech is a comprehensive guide to the leading Fintech professionals across the world. FinTech 2021 features the top professional advisers with their fingers on the pulse.
Often referred to as ‘the gold-standard’, Chambers delivers insight and analysis on the global legal profession that is unrivaled in its reach and depth.
2020 – IFLR 1000 recognizes Hedman Partners in its latest rankings
IFLR1000, a guide to leading financial and corporate law firms and lawyers, has freshly released its annual Europe rankings.
We are pleased to announce that we are once again highly ranked in the Financial and corporate category.
In addition to the firm rankings, the guide also recognizes the work of our outstanding individuals. Dmitri Tšimpoaka and Kati Pino were entitled as Rising Stars and our managing partner Merlin Seeman was once again named as Highly Regarded.
2020 – Hedman Partners once again earned high rankings from The Legal 500 in Corporate and IP
Hedman Partners law firm has once again been recommended by The Legal 500 in Commercial, Corporate & M&A as well as in IP, IT and Telecoms practice areas.
The edition states that “Hedman Partners is active in the start-up market, advising a range of car sharing, real estate, and fintech companies on financing, restructuring, and corporate partnerships. The team, which is led by Merlin Salvik and Valter Võhma, is well known for advising on innovative techniques of raising capital including crowdfunding, coin offerings, and traditional bond issues.
In recent work, the group advised Autolevi on raising €225,000 in investment via crowdfunding platform Funderbeam. Other clients include StayCool and Endover Development.”
In addition, Hedman Partners was recognized in IP, IT, and Telecoms category. It is stated that “Hedman Partners ‘understands start-ups better than anyone else in Estonia’ and has a core focus acting for Estonian start-ups in numerous industries, including legal services, transport, banking, and real estate.”
“The practice also handles data protection and IT services matters, and also receives a steady stream of instructions relating to the music industry. On the litigation side, Hedman Partners is representing the Estonian government in a copyright dispute against Estonian authors and performers societies. The ‘hands-on’ Toomas Seppel, who was promoted to partner in 2019, heads the team.
2019 – Hedman Partners and Merlin Salvik highly regarded by the IFLR1000
Hedman Partners is glad to continue to be recommended by the international guide to the world’s leading financial and corporate law firms and lawyers in the Financial and Corporate practice area.
We are recognized for our financial and corporate advice to entrepreneurs and investors within the technology sector and for specializing in working with start-ups and small venture capital firms, advising on formation, expansion, and fund raising.
The guide also states: „The firm has recently been particularly active on cryptocurrency matters, representing issuers on ICOs and on securing licenses. The firm is also working on deals for international clients, representing them on angel investments and bond issues.“
Additionally, managing partner Merlin Salvik continues to be recommended as a Highly Regarded lawyer, meaning that the lawyer is highly acclaimed by their peers and possesses a strong transactional record and positive client feedback and partner Dmitri Tšimpoaka also continues to be recommended as a Rising Star.
2019 – Chambers Europe 2019 recommends Toomas Seppel and Hedman Partners
Toomas Seppel from Hedman Partners Attorneys-at-Law joins the rankings due to substantial market feedback. Toomas is experienced in working within the tech, music, and film industries.
Specialist areas include intellectual property, privacy law, and IT-law. Toomas works with novel business models, growth, tech and online gaming companies, e-commerce, e-sport, and SaaS. He also covers matters related to companies with crypto-based business models and ICOs.
One client lauds him for “his knowledge in software development and a good understanding of what we do.”
Chambers Europe has listed Hedman Partners among the best law firms in Estonia in the area of Intellectual Property.
2018 – Hedman Partners once again recommended by the latest IFLR1000
Hedman Partners is once again recommended among the country’s leading law firms in Financial and Corporate by the latest IFLR1000.
The newest directory states that Hedman Partners is recognized for its banking and M&A advice. Through its Hedman Lift platform, the firm has specialized in working with start-ups, advising on entity formations, expansion plans, and fundraisings.
In finance, the firm notably worked for Taxify to finalize an extensive investment and strategic partnership deal with DiDi Chuxing, a Chinese transportation platform. In highlight work for start-ups, the firm represented SprayPrinter as it prepared to raise venture capital investments in Silicon Valley and Guaana on its investment round.
The clients highly appreciate the team commenting: „I am very satisfied with Hedman Partners’ work. It is competent, available, reasonably priced, and goes the extra mile when needed.”, as well as „It is very responsive and has a personal touch. Professional and efficient are the two keywords that best describe the firm.”
Furthermore, Partner Valter Võhma is highlighted as “Competent, available, and goes the extra mile when needed.” and Partner Dmitri Tšimpoaka as „Very efficient and resourceful. Always delivers quality work in time.”
In addition to ranking law firms, IFLR1000 highly recommends Hedman Partners’ professionals Merlin Salvik and Dmitri Tšimpoaka.
2018 – Hedman Partners awarded Leading Firm 2018 title by Legal 500
We are pleased to announce that Hedman Partners Law Firm has been newly ranked and recommended for the 2018 Legal 500 EMEA edition in the following two practice areas: Commercial; Corporate and M&A, and IP; IT and Telecoms.
Merlin Salvik has been highlighted as ‘very proactive’ and as someone who ‘really takes the time to understand her clients’ business’. Dmitri Tšimpoaka is considered to be ‘very resourceful and knowledgeable’ based on client feedback. Toomas Seppel is featured in the IP, IT, and Telecoms practice area as ‘extremely knowledgeable and quick’.
The Legal500 edition stated that “Hedman Partners excels at corporate work for medium-sized companies and was recently active in a number of local and cross-border corporate transactions. Hedman Partners’ overall levels of service are ‘excellent and beyond expectations’. The group’s core strengths lie in the music and tech sectors and it has a broad range of start-up clients.“
2018 – Hedman Partners named as the Best Partner of EstBAN 5 years
Estonian Business Angels Network celebrated its Five Year Anniversary last week at the White Hall of Museum of Tartu University. EstBAN gave out Appreciation Awards to its partners and Hedman Partners was named as the Best Partner of EstBAN 5 Years. We are very honored to receive this recognition. Thank you! Looking forward to the future cooperation!
2017 – Hedman Partners is now on the Chambers Europe recommended list
We are proud to announce that this year Chambers Europe has listed Hedman Partners among the best law firms in Estonia in the areas of Corporate/Commercial Law and Intellectual Property.
Chambers has been ranking the best lawyers since 1990, and now cover 185 jurisdictions. No other organization has the strength-in-depth as Chambers editorial and research team when it comes to assessing the world’s business lawyers.
2017 – Hedman Partners has been recommended also by IFLR1000
We are pleased to announce that besides Chambers Europe, Hedman Partners has been recommended by the IFLR1000 in the fields of Financial and Corporate.
IFLR review of our firm: Hedman Partners is primarily known for its work in corporate and commercial matters. It has a small team of experienced partners in this field and a record of assisting start-ups, notably within the tech industry.
The recent example of the firm’s work saw Merlin Salvik lead a team advising Monese, a London-based tech start-up, on raising $1.8 million from Acceleration Fund Seedcamp, Estonian venture capital fund smartCap, and a selected group of notable individuals. Salvik was also in charge, alongside Dmitri Tšimpoaka, in assisting the Rain Lõhmus in connection with investing €100,000 into the development of a mobile parking tech start-up.
2014 – Hedman Partners has been recognized by the IFLR1000
We are pleased to announce that Hedman Partners Attorneys-at-Law has been recommended by the IFLR1000 and ranked as “Recognised Firm” in 2014.
Our partners Merlin Salvik and Kalle Pedak are being mentioned as leading a very qualified team and being very professional in their work.
The Estonian office of Finnish firm Hedman Partners is able to offer a pan-Baltic service through its network with Skrastins & Dzenis in Latvia and Motieka & Audzevicius in Lithuania. The firm, led by partner Merlin Salvik, is described by one client as having “very fine quality in the team”.
One international partner was impressed with the work of partner Kalle Pedak, describing him as “extremely timely, very quick” and “to the point”. They say: “I’ve cherished the co-operation I was able to get from them. I really think they’ve delivered quality work and all under the leadership of Kalle.”
2013 – Hedman Partners has been recommended by The Legal 500
We are pleased to announce that Hedman Partners Attorneys-at-Law has been recommended by The Legal 500: Europe, Middle East & Africa 2013’s editorial in the following two practice areas: Corporate and M&A and dispute resolution. Also, our attorneys Kalle Pedak, Merlin Salvik and Urmas Kiik are recommended experts.
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