Aurelija Balčiūnė

AML and Sanctions

Asset & Project Financing

Capital Markets

Compliance

Corporate Governance

EU Law

Financial Services Regulatory

Fintech

Funds

Internal Investigations

Joint Ventures & Commercial Cooperation

Private M&A

Set-up of Legal Entities

Venture Capital

Aurelija Balčiūnė is a leading expert in anti-money laundering (AML) and financial regulatory compliance, with over 15 years of experience advising international and local banks, fintech companies, and financial institutions. As a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS), Associate Partner of COBALT’s Banking & Finance Practice Group, and Head of the AML and Sanctions Task Force, she helps clients navigate complex AML frameworks, implement robust compliance programs, and address challenging regulatory issues in Lithuania.

In addition to her AML focus, Aurelija has extensive experience in structured finance and aviation finance. She has played a key role in landmark transactions, including the creation of Luminor Bank – the largest transaction in the Baltic banking sector – and over a €900 million senior and mezzanine financing for Technopolis Group. Her ability to combine regulatory insight with practical transaction experience ensures clients receive comprehensive legal guidance across multiple sectors.

Chambers Europe 2025 praises her “great knowledge about the market in Lithuania” and being able “to solve things that are very demanding,” ranking her as “Up and Coming” in Banking & Finance. IFLR1000 has also recognised her as a Rising Star in Banking in Lithuania, reflecting her prominence in high-value financial deals and compliance advisory.

Aurelija is committed to delivering tailored solutions that protect clients’ interests while ensuring full regulatory compliance. Her expertise makes her a trusted advisor for institutions seeking to navigate the evolving complexities of the market with confidence.

Latest Aviation Trends and General Overview of Aviation Regulation in Lithuania (2024 - 08 - 21)

Banking and Finance – Rising Star, IFLR1000 2026

Banking and Finance – Up and Coming, Chambers Europe 2026

Banking and Finance – Rising Star, IFLR1000 2025

Banking and Finance – Up and Coming, Chambers Europe 2025

Banking and Finance – Associate to watch, Chambers Europe 2023

Banking and Finance – Associate to watch, Chambers Europe 2022

DHL to acquire Venipak, strengthening its position across the Baltic region

2026 - 07 - 28

PKO Bank Polski Enters Lithuanian Financing Market with First Transaction

2026 - 05 - 21

Lithuanian startup Saltz has raised EUR 20 million in a Series A funding round

2026 - 03 - 10

Lords LB fund buys Technopolis offices in Vilnius

2023 - 12 - 01

COBALT advised Practica Capital on the investment in a biotech startup Droplet Genomics

2021 - 01 - 27

COBALT advised Practica Capital on investing in a Lithuanian startup Biomatter Designs

2021 - 01 - 11

COBALT advised Practica Capital on completing the €28.5M fundraising

2020 - 10 - 15

COBALT advised Iron Wolf Capital in its investment in Integrated Fiber Optics

2020 - 01 - 30

COBALT advised Luminor, Nordea and DNB on closing transaction with Blackstone

2019 - 09 - 30

COBALT advised Luminor on cross-border merger

2019 - 01 - 04

COBALT advised Practica Capital on the launch of new venture capital fund Practica Capital Venture II

2018 - 12 - 18

COBALT advised Luminor on EUR 1 billion majority stake acquisition by Blackstone

2018 - 09 - 13

COBALT advised SEB and Swedbank in extending a EUR 185 million financing to EUROAPOTHECA group

2018 - 08 - 06

COBALT advised Luminor on obtaining ECB approval for cross-border merger in the Baltics

2018 - 07 - 04

COBALT advises Luminor on reorganising its management structure

2018 - 02 - 23

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

2017 - 10 - 20

COBALT advised DNB on the creation of Luminor – largest ever transaction in the Baltic banking market

2017 - 10 - 13

COBALT advised Practica Capital on its investment in Rubedo sistemos

2016 - 11 - 17

COBALT advised Falck on its acquisition of Altas Assistance

2015 - 11 - 27

PhD studies at the Faculty of Law, Vilnius University (2012 – 2018)

2016 visiting researcher scholarship at Max Planck Institute for Comparative and International Private Law, Hamburg

2012 Lifelong Learning Programme, Erasmus Intensive Programmes, NICLAS – New International Constitutional Law & Administrative Studies Summer School on Minorities, Universität Wien (coordinating institution)

2012 Faculty of Law, Vilnius University, Master’s degree in Law