Band 2
Provided by Tanel Kalaus
Tanel is widely recognised as Estonia’s leading expert on competition law and state aid. He is the former Chairman and current member of the Competition Law Committee of the Estonian Bar Association.
Lately Tanel has been mostly involved in complex competition-related disputes (actual and potential), concentration control cases as well as extensive state aid analyses, but also more general competition law analyses, e.g. in the pharmaceuticals and food wholesale sector.
During his more than 25 years of experience, Tanel has established himself as a valued litigator dealing with really big and complex cases – in the last few years alone, Tanel has been involved in litigations worth more than 150 million Euros.
Combining his unique skills in dispute resolution and expertise in specific areas of law (competition law, corporate law) and industries (energy, utilities, healthcare), Tanel has represented clients in complex civil, administrative, misdemeanour and criminal proceedings (both in court and out of court, including in the European Commission), earning praise from clients and peers.
The clients also value his business-oriented approach and clear advice. Having worked for years as an inhouse counsel, being involved in many IPOs and other significant transactions and providing day-to-day general legal advice to large corporate groups, Tanel understands well the position and needs of the client and the importance of a pragmatic attitude in negotiations and disputes.
Tanel has been ranked as a Leading Individual in EU and Competition field also by Legal 500 since 2014 (currently Hall of Fame).
2018 – … Partner at TRINITI Estonia
2015 – 2018 Partner at Attorney at Law, Jesse & Kalaus Attorneys
2000 – 2015 Attorney at Law at Law Office Raidla Lejins & Norcous
2003 spring Visiting lawyer at Roschier, Attorneys Ltd.
1997 – 2000 Lawyer at AS Magnum Medical ja AS Magnum Grupp
1997 summer Desk officer at the consular department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Member of the Competition Law Committee of the Estonian Bar Association since 2015
Member of the Estonian Bar Association since 2001
- Representing Tallinna Vesi (the biggest water company in Estonia) in several important disputes (including in the Supreme Court) in connection with claims for damages filed by customers.
- Defending international food retailer Prisma Peremarket and its employee, both out of court and in court in one of the most important competition law proceedings in Estonia so far, the so-called ‘vodka cartel’ criminal proceedings.
- Representing Tallinna Sadam in a 20 million Euro claim for damages or unjust enrichment by Tallink Grupp (the biggest shipping operator of the Baltic Sea) in connection with alleged abuse of a dominant position.
- Advising KredEx on significant state aid measures which were related to the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of preparing state aid notifications and submitting them to the European Commission.
- Representing Krivest and members of its management board in several disputes (including in the Supreme Court) with a minority shareholder which have led to the significant development of corporate law practice in Estonia.
- Representing international timber group Stora Enso in connection with obtaining the approval from the Competition Authority to the merger between Stora Enso and Sylvester, which was the most complex merger in Estonia up to that date.
- Being in a leading role as an external legal advisor in the preparation of initial public offerings (IPOs) regarding the shares of Tallinna Vesi and Tallink Grupp.
Tanel’s clients include Tallinna Vesi-Tallinn Water (the water company of the capital of Estonia), Tallinna Sadam-The Port of Tallinn (the operator of the biggest port in Estonia), Tamro (one of the biggest players in the Estonian markets for pharmaceuticals wholesale belonging to PHOENIX Group), EstateGuru (Estonia's largest crowd financing platform that also operates internationally), Elektrilevi (Estonia's largest distribution network operator) and Orkla (Estonia's leading food company with a specific focus on chocolate confectionery).
Estonian, English, Russian
University of Cambridge
Master of Laws (LL.M.)
2001 - 2002
University of Tartu, Faculty of Law
Bachelors, cum laude
1996 - 2000
Provided by Chambers
Tanel Kalaus regularly assists public sector clients with state aid matters. He has additional experience in behavioural mandates, including abuse of dominance and cartel investigations. He also acts on competition law compliance mandates, particularly those involving distribution strategies.
Provided by Chambers
Tanel Kalaus is a very experienced competition law expert who has deep knowledge and understanding of the national and international practices.
Tanel Kalaus is excellent to work with, keeps his promises and delivers well-prepared views.
He provides clear, option-driven advice with next steps.
He is hands-on, highly responsive and consistently converts complex, cross-border facts into a clear plan.
Tanel Kalaus is a very experienced competition law expert who has deep knowledge and understanding of the national and international practices.
Tanel Kalaus is excellent to work with, keeps his promises and delivers well-prepared views.
He provides clear, option-driven advice with next steps.
He is hands-on, highly responsive and consistently converts complex, cross-border facts into a clear plan.
Provided by TRINITI
Energy and Utilities
Health and Life Sciences
Retail and Consumer
Government and Public Sector
Business and Professional Services