CEELMDirect Profile Pick: A series of interviews with partners and firms with Premium profiles on the CEELMDirect online legal directory. Today’s interview: Krists Berzins, Head of Marketing & Communications at Cobalt Latvia.
CEELMDirect: Why did Cobalt decide to claim and fully populate its profile on the CEELMDirect website?
Berzins: We found it another great opportunity to showcase our firm and leading experts among fellow colleagues and in-house counsels operating in the same legal market. CEELMDirect is well structured to offer quick and easy insight and overview of the key service providers and lawyers of the CEE legal market and, to us, as the pan-Baltic law firm, it felt natural and valuable to be reviewed in it.
CEELMDirect: Was there anything about how Cobalt’s CEELMDirect profile is structured and set up that you see as particularly valuable?
Berzins: The activity ranking is a very helpful tool, providing instant overviews of the market players and their placement. The filter section is also a go-to tool to get to know top firms and experts in the specific jurisdictions and practice areas. Both are good sources to discover the market offering.
CEELMDirect: According to the Activity Rankings feature of CEELMDirect, of all the Baltic law firms, Cobalt has published the most thought leadership articles on the CEE Legal Matters website over the years. How does legal analysis of this kind fit into the firm’s mission?
Berzins: We believe that providing legal updates and alerts for our existing and potential clients is an important element in building a reliable image and sustainable relationships. From our experience, it is something our audience expects, and we – as their current or future counsel – must provide it. In our case, we still hope the quality overcomes the quantity, especially nowadays when competition for attention is so tight, and irrelevant or too general content becomes an annoyance.
CEELMDirect: Similarly, the CEELMDirect Activity Rankings function shows Cobalt to have had either the most or the second-most deals reported on the CEE Legal Matters website in each Baltic country since the firm’s creation. Congratulations! What do you think clients respond to the most about the firm that keeps the mandates coming?
Berzins: It might sound obvious but, first of all, we are grateful to all our clients who entrust their legal issues to us. No matter if it is a ground-breaking case, a large-scale deal, or a short questionnaire, it is important to our clients, and we always strive to deliver the best possible service.
In response to the question, of course, there is no universal answer. However, we are certain that our large and varied team, with their knowledge and experience, is the main asset that, at the end of the day, is the most essential.
CEELMDirect: Has the firm made any big changes or launched any strategic initiatives in recent months or years you can tell us about that will keep it at the top of the market in years to come?
Berzins: We are continuously working to offer an inspiring and safe work environment facilitating talent development. The past few years have been very challenging for all of us. Adapting to a new reality in combination with a high workload has required a lot of intellectual and emotional resources, highlighting the necessity to rethink working habits and organizational culture to help our people to avoid the risk of burnout. In this mission, we found great associates – the signatories of the Mindful Business Charter – and since late 2021 we are proud ambassadors of the charter in the Baltics, implementing and promoting practical solutions into our daily routines to ensure a better work-life balance for our employees.
CEELMDirect: Thanks so much, Krists. We wish you and your colleagues at Cobalt continued success and growth in the future – and a great summer!