Raivis Leimanis
TAILORED LEGAL, TAX AND FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS FOR ALL YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS
TRUSTED ADVISOR WITH 20+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN LAW AND BUSINESS
As a trusted advisor specializing in legal, tax and financial services for businesses, I focus on building long-lasting relationships with my clients. I am dedicated to providing the highest quality of service, tailored to meet your specific needs.
I serve a diverse range of clients, including affluent individuals, esteemed family businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), large companies, and prominent multinational corporations.
As an attorney I ensure the utmost discretion and protection of my client’s information. The attorney–client privilege is also guaranteed by law.
I offer my customers reasonable and transparent pricing terms based on the value delivered.
Below you will find more about my background and the variety of services I offer.
Please feel free to reach out with any inquiries. I am here to assist you.
About Raivis Leimanis
Summary
Raivis Leimanis is a highly experienced legal expert and team leader with a solid background in banking, finance, and non-governmental organizations. He has led a team of 7 lawyers in the legal department of a leading Scandinavian commercial bank, where he worked on complex cross-border financing transactions and syndicated loans. He has also led a team of 10+ lawyers and attorneys in BDO Latvia as the Head of the Legal service line being responsible for serving remarkable clients and projects in the Baltics and internationally. In his extensive law practice, Raivis has advised and represented international and local clients in various matters, including corporate and commercial law, mergers and acquisitions, corporate insolvency and restructuring cases, construction and real estate projects, and litigation. He also has unique experience in specific areas of law, such as sports law, apartment law, state aid issues, patent litigation, construction-related damage recovery cases, governmental securities issues and handling proceedings in the Constitutional Court.
Currently Raivis acts as the Associate Partner of Law firm BDO Law in Latvia. BDO is the leading business consulting and audit firm which works with SME sector (small and medium enterprises), and is next to BIG4 audit companies. In his role Raivis is primary responsible for firm’s business development and serving clients in the most prominent projects.
Mission, Vision and Values and Business Principles
My mission is to provide exceptional services to my clients, ensuring the best results through diligent work and attention to detail, and guaranteeing unwavering loyalty throughout our collaboration. I strive to protect my clients' interests, ensure top-quality outcomes, and uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethics in every case I handle. Additionally, I am dedicated to giving back to society by providing support and legal assistance to those in need, fostering a fairer and more just community.
My vision is to become the most preferred boutique business consulting firm in the Latvian market, renowned for its exceptional service and tailored solutions.
My values and business principles are:
EXCELLENCE-DRIVEN
I strive for perfection and top quality in every service I provide.
CLIENT-CENTERED
I prioritize my clients' needs and work diligently to protect their interests.
RESULTS-ORIENTED
I focus on achieving the best possible outcomes for clients in a timely and efficient manner.
Main Areas of Specialization
- Banking and Finance
- Financial and Capital Markets, Securities and Financial Instruments
- Startups and Investments, Venture Funds
- Corporate Law, Commercial Law
- Family Offices Management
- Management Liability and Shareholder Relationships
- AML and Sanctions
- Real Estate and Construction, Planning and Zoning
- Local and International Tax Law
- Mergers and Acquisitions, Reorganizations and Liquidations
- Restructuring of Liabilities and Insolvency
- Debt Recovery and Dispute Resolution
- Litigation and Arbitration
- White Collar Crime
Education
2007 - 2011
Riga Business School
Master's degree in Business Management (MBA)
2001 - 2005
BA School of Business and
Finance
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration (BBA)
2004 - 2005
University of Latvia
Faculty of Law
Master's degree in law (mag. iur.) with specialization in civil law and commercial law
1999 - 2004
University of Latvia
Faculty of Law
Professional higher education, qualification – lawyer
Professional Experience
Since September 2023
Law firm ZAB BDO Law
Associate Partner
Raivis responsibilities include business development locally and internationally, customer attraction, development of new products and business models, raising of firm’s brand awareness and publicity, servicing of complex projects.
Raivis responsibilities include business development locally and internationally, customer attraction, development of new products and business models, raising of firm’s brand awareness and publicity, servicing of complex projects.
2022 - 2023
Law firm ZAB BDO Law
Head of Legal
Raivis led the team of 10+ lawyers and attorneys. His work responsibilities included: team management, client project management, quality management, improvement of firm's template forms and policies, strategic management, budget development and control, team efficiency control, financial analysis, development and introduction of new products, customer attraction, ensuring team motivation, growth and development of professional competence, performance assessment, cooperation with other departments in product development, sales and service provision, promotion of firm’s brand awareness and publicity, planning and provision of human resources, etc.
Raivis led the team of 10+ lawyers and attorneys. His work responsibilities included: team management, client project management, quality management, improvement of firm's template forms and policies, strategic management, budget development and control, team efficiency control, financial analysis, development and introduction of new products, customer attraction, ensuring team motivation, growth and development of professional competence, performance assessment, cooperation with other departments in product development, sales and service provision, promotion of firm’s brand awareness and publicity, planning and provision of human resources, etc.
2017 - 2022
Law firm Ellex Klavins
Senior Counsel
Raivis worked in the Banking and Finance practice group, and was also strongly involved in dispute resolution. One of his landmark cases was successful representing of large shopping malls in the Constitutional Court disputing Covid-19 restrictions.
Raivis worked in the Banking and Finance practice group, and was also strongly involved in dispute resolution. One of his landmark cases was successful representing of large shopping malls in the Constitutional Court disputing Covid-19 restrictions.
2006 - 2017
Law firm Glimstedt & Partners
Senior Lawyer
Raivis advised and represented international and local clients in various matters, including corporate and commercial law, mergers and acquisitions, corporate insolvency and restructuring cases, construction and real estate projects, administrative, civil, commercial and tax litigation.
Raivis advised and represented international and local clients in various matters, including corporate and commercial law, mergers and acquisitions, corporate insolvency and restructuring cases, construction and real estate projects, administrative, civil, commercial and tax litigation.
2005 - 2006
AS Hansabanka
(now Swedbank AS)
Head of the Corporate Legal Service Department
Raivis led the team of 7 lawyers, handled corporate financing projects, incl. complex cross-border financing transactions and syndicated loans, as well as participated in the development of new financing products.
Raivis led the team of 7 lawyers, handled corporate financing projects, incl. complex cross-border financing transactions and syndicated loans, as well as participated in the development of new financing products.
2004 - 2005
AS Hansabanka
(now Swedbank AS)
Senior Lawyer
Raivis mostly serviced bank's corporate finance service units in branches across Riga, as well as Large Corporate Customers Department. He advised credit managers in various transactions - lending, trade finance, stock-finance, syndicated lending.
Raivis mostly serviced bank's corporate finance service units in branches across Riga, as well as Large Corporate Customers Department. He advised credit managers in various transactions - lending, trade finance, stock-finance, syndicated lending.
2003 - 2004
AS Hansabanka
(now Swedbank AS)
Lawyer
Raivis mostly serviced bank's consumer mortgage lending service units in branches across Riga, advising credit managers on legal aspects of mortgage lending, reviewing contracts, personally handling complex situations.
Raivis mostly serviced bank's consumer mortgage lending service units in branches across Riga, advising credit managers on legal aspects of mortgage lending, reviewing contracts, personally handling complex situations.
Admitted to the Latvian Bar
- Sworn attorney since 2010
- Assistant attorney 2007 - 2010
Conferences, Seminars and Other Activities
- Attended 100+ professional qualification improvement trainings (seminars, courses, conferences, etc.)
- Legal expert and author of 50+ publications on the financial and legal portal www.ifinanses.lv.
- Member of the National Strategy Council of the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (since 2024).
- External advisor of the Baltic Institute of Corporate Governance (2010).
- Lecturer at the annual Commercial Law conference organized by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Latvia (2010)
- Member of working groups for the development of regulatory acts of the Republic of Latvia
Language Skills
- Latvian (native)
- English (fluent)
- Russian (full working proficiency)
- German (basic)
Services
Client-Centered Approach
Attorney at law Raivis Leimanis has established a positive reputation by consistently delivering exceptional services to his clients. He and his team understand the importance of adapting to the changing needs of his clients to ensure their business success. Explore further how we can support you.
Legal Consulting
Full Range of Legal Services
- Full legal support for businesses.
- Contract drafting.
- Full support for Real estate & M&A transactions.
- Dispute resolution and debt collection.
- Litigation in civil, administrative and constitutional courts.
- Defense in criminal proceedings.
Tax Advisory
From Tax Planning to Solving Tax Disputes
- Tax structuring and planning.
- Assessment of tax consequences in business transactions.
- International tax planning.
- Full support in Tax Authority proceedings.
- Tax litigation.
- Defense in tax criminal proceedings.
Financial Advisory
Grow Your Business Potential
- Assisting companies to attract financing from investors.
- Helping investors to find investment targets.
- Providing complete support for investment transactions.
Management Advisory
Supporting Your Business Needs
- Supporting startups and mature companies to find reliable service providers in Latvia or abroad.
- Helping foreign investors to launch business in the Baltic States.
- Helping exporters to set up operations and start business in foreign markets worldwide.