Eversheds Sutherland Bitans‘ employment practice offering notably includes compliance advice in the context of workforce management and collective bargaining. Other channels of work are the navigation of termination processes, employment documentation, conducting complex negotiations with trade unions, and handling terminations of high-level executives. Characterised by unlawful dismissal and internal governance cases, litigation also forms a key pillar of the practice, driven by its collaboration with the firm’s disputes practice, especially key litigator and managing partner Agris Bitāns. Elina Mucina heads up the group alongside Jānis Siliņš, who ’combines deep sector-specific knowledge with outstanding analytical and communication skills’; these sectors include energy, transport, logistics and security, which are also strong suits for the group at large.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Eversheds Sutherland Bitāns stands out in the Latvian legal market through its rare combination of international reach and deep local insight. The firm consistently delivers advice that is both strategically sound and commercially realistic, seamlessly integrating global best practices with a nuanced understanding of the local regulatory and business environment. The team’s greatest strength lies in its ability to work as a genuinely integrated unit across practice areas — corporate, regulatory, dispute resolution, employment, and real estate — ensuring clients receive coordinated, forward-looking advice rather than fragmented legal opinions. Their lawyers are exceptionally responsive, pragmatic, and able to communicate complex legal concepts clearly to me. In terms of innovation, the practice has embraced technology-driven solutions in document management, due diligence, and client collaboration tools, significantly improving efficiency and accuracy. The firm also demonstrates leadership in promoting diversity and professional development, with a visible commitment to mentorship, inclusion, and sustainable legal practice.
- The individuals at Eversheds Sutherland Bitāns combine exceptional legal precision with a rare understanding of business strategy and human dynamics. What sets them apart from competitors is their ability to anticipate client needs and offer practical, forward-thinking solutions rather than purely theoretical advice. They approach every assignment with a balance of professionalism, empathy, and commercial awareness that creates real value beyond legal compliance. Stand-out partners include Māris Vainovskis, whose strategic vision, negotiation skills, and deep knowledge of financial and regulatory matters make him one of the most trusted legal minds in Latvia. A special mention should be made of Jānis Siliņš, who combines deep sector-specific knowledge with outstanding analytical and communication skills. He has an exceptional ability to quickly grasp the essence of complex situations and translate them into clear, actionable strategies. His approach is both pragmatic and creative — he consistently identifies solutions that balance legal risk with business opportunity. Clients value his calm professionalism, responsiveness, and the sense of trust he builds through consistent, high-quality work.
Key clients
- Vitol Terminal Latvia SIA
- Mikhail Chekhov Riga Russian Theatre
Work highlights
Advised Vitol Terminal Latvia SIA on a broad range of complex employment law matters, including collective bargaining and workforce compliance.
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Elīna Muciņa; Jānis Siliņš
Other key lawyers
Agris Bitāns