Anu Kirss

Anu Kirss

Senior Associate
Tallinn, Estonia

Anu Kirss advises clients mainly in the field of employment and corporate law and data protection, but also has long-term experience in advising clients in the energy field. International legal directories such as Chambers Europe and Legal 500 recognise her as a "very calm and precise lawyer" who "continues to impress with her fast response times and her innovative approach".

 Rising Star Martti Anu Kedli Triinu J v2. Elina    chambers europe 44 v2

  • About

    Anu Kirss advises clients mainly in the field of employment and corporate law and data protection, but also has long-term experience in advising clients in the energy field.

    Anu has more than 15 years of experience in advising international and local clients on both individual and collective employment relations. She has considerable experience in drafting and terminating management contracts, protecting business secrets and in issues related to non-competition, as well as in employment law issues regarding mergers, acquisitions and the restructuring of companies. She has also successfully represented clients in employment disputes. Since 2017, Anu is a member of the Employment Law Committee of the Estonian Bar Association.

    Anu has gained considerable experience in the field of privacy law and personal data protection while advising clients in dealing with employees. She has been engaged in advising clients and thorough preparations for meeting the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation, conducted several data protection compliance audits, and given training and seminars on personal data protection.

    Anu has extensive experience in the energy sector for over ten years, having advised and represented clients, both on energy market issues and on issues related to the construction and bearing of the network. She has advised and represented electricity, gas and heat companies in price coordination procedures and in disputes with the Estonian Competition Authority and local municipalities. She has also assisted and represented clients regarding subscription, network and energy sales contracts as well as disputes. Anu has successfully represented clients in disputes concerning the network operator service area and in network bearing disputes with landowners. She has advised several clients on the construction of cogeneration plants and wind farms, including conducting several legal analyses on issues related to the renewable energy support system. During the last years, she has assisted several international gas companies regarding the commencement of activities in Estonia

  • Major Projects
    • 05.01.2021

      TGS Baltic assisted investment company De Maria Project in acquisition of Energate

      TGS Baltic assisted investment company De Maria Project in the acquisition of Energate, a natural gas distribution, sales and network development company in Estonia, from a group of private financial investors led by investment company Capital Mill.

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    • 29.09.2016

      Advising Viru Haigla on the acquisition of Karell Kiirabi

      The firm’s M&A team led by associate partner Sander Kärson advised the strategic investor Viru Haigla on the acquisition of Karell Kiirabi from U.S. Invest.

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    • 23.04.2014

      Advising Pigu, the largest e-commerce company in the Baltics, on acquiring DLB e-shops

      The firm's M&A team advised Pigu, the largest e-commerce company in the Baltics, on the acquisition of DLB e-shop operating in Estonia and Finland.

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    • 11.11.2013

      Advising Spark Asset Management on the sale of Konesko shares to Konecranes Finance

      The firm’s M&A team, led by partner Ants Mailend, represented Spark Asset Management in the process of selling its shares in Konesko, a mechanical engineering company, to Konecranes Finance, a leading company in the global lifting business.

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    • Conducting the internal employment audit for BIURO

      Conducting the internal employment audit for BIURO and the respective follow-up work such as drafting internal work procedure rules and other work-related documentation.

    • Advising on the acquisition of the Luha meat processing factory

      Advising on the acquisition of the Luha meat processing factory, including drafting the deal structure, transfer of sales contracts, and activity licences.

    • Advising AstraZeneca on various employment matters

      Advising AstraZeneca on various employment matters, including concluding a non-competition agreement with an executive employee at the end of garden leave and processing of employees’ personal data.

    • Advising Royal Canin on several employment law matters

      Advising Royal Canin on several employment law matters, including termination of a non-competition agreement with the employee as well as restructuring the Baltic team and reorganisation of work, which included several layoffs.

    • Defending Onninen in a labour dispute

      Defending Onninen against the claim for compensation in a labour dispute with an executive employee over the legality of his dismissal due to breach of trust.

    • Advising Eesti Loots regarding trade unions

      Advising Eesti Loots with its dealings with trade unions and regarding working time regulation.

    • Representing Rimi Eesti Food in a court dispute

      Representing Rimi Eesti Food in a court dispute against an ex-employee concerning compensation for damages by corrupt practices.

    • Conducting legal analysis for Narva Hospital 

      Conducting legal analysis for Narva Hospital on the trade union representatives’ term of office and the employer’s entitlement for access to the documentation regarding the election process.

    • Assisting Verum Plus AG regarding starting the supply and import of natural gas in Estonia

      Assisting Verum Plus AG in relation to starting the supply and import of natural gas in Estonia, including applying for the necessary licenses, setting up relations with the Estonian transmission system operator, etc.

    • Assisting UAB GET Baltic in becoming a regional natural gas trading platform

      Assisting UAB GET Baltic in becoming a regional natural gas trading platform. Our role was to analyse and provide answers to a wide range of questions submitted by the client regarding Estonian national rules on the activity, licensing of and supervision over the natural gas exchange. From 1 July 2017, the market areas established by UAB GET Baltic in Latvia and Estonia began their operations.

    • Assisting Turkish Airlines in starting business activities in Estonia

      Assisting Turkish Airlines in starting business activities in Estonia, including establishing the branch, advising on general employment issues and obtaining residence permits for key personnel.

    • Assisting the world’s leading multinational commodity trading company

      Assisting the world’s leading multinational commodity trading company with starting a natural gas wholesale trading business in Estonia, including applying for the necessary licences for wholesale trading, making necessary arrangements with the transmission system operator Elering and advising on corporate and tax issues.

    • Conducting a legal analysis for the University of Tartu Hospital

      Conducting a legal analysis for the University of Tartu Hospital concerning the lawfulness of the health care specialist’s strike

    • Advising Imatra Elekter on a daily basis on various matters

      Advising Imatra Elekter, a member of the Finnish energy group Imatran Seudun Sähkö Oy, on a daily basis on various matters such as the reconstruction of power lines, disputes with landowners, service area disputes and contractual matters.

    • Representing an executive employee against Alstom Estonia

      Representing an executive employee against Alstom Estonia in a labour dispute over the legality of employment termination and the claim for damages, which went to the Supreme Court twice. The claim of our client was satisfied to a large extent.

  • CV

    Memberships

    2017
    Employment Law Commission of Estonian Bar Association
    2004
    Estonian Bar Association

    Professional career

    Since 2017
    Senior Associate, law firm TGS Baltic (formerly Varul)
    2008–2017
    Senior Associate, law firm Varul
    2004–2008
    Associate, law firm Varul
    2004
    Lawyer, law firm Varul
    2003
    Lawyer, G4S Eesti
    2002
    Intern, District Court of Tartu
    2002
    Legal Assistant, Local Government of Otepää

    Education

    2005
    Central European University, International Business Law, LLM (with distinction)
    2005
    Asser College Europe, International Trade and Business Law, Post-Graduate Course
    2003
    Erasmus University Rotterdam, Faculty of Law (Student Exchange Program)
    2003
    University of Tartu, Faculty of Law, BA
  • Publications