U.S. Citizen Services 

LITHUANIAN LEGAL SYSTEM

The Republic of Lithuania, like most European countries, uses the civil law system, rather than the common law system used in the United States.  This means that:

• The main branches of law are codified (Criminal Code of the Republic of Lithuania, Criminal Process Code of the Republic of Lithuania, Civil Code of the Republic of Lithuania, Civil Process Code of the Republic of Lithuania, Administrative Code of the Republic of Lithuania, Labor Law Code of the Republic of Lithuania, etc.).
• Court decisions are based on these legal codes and not on judicial precedent.
• There is no jury system.

Lithuania's court system consists of district courts, five county courts, the Appeals Court and the Supreme Court. There is a separate system of administrative courts.  The Constitutional Court is separate from the court system and was established solely to interpret and uphold the Lithuanian Constitution.

SELECTING A LITHUANIAN LAWYER

Before hiring an attorney, consider contacting several attorneys, briefly describing the nature of the services you desire.  Ask specific questions and expect the attorney to explain legal activities in language you can understand.  Ask for a written schedule of fees generally charged for the services you require and inquire about the expected means of payment (e.g. bank check, cash, credit card), specifying currency and exchange rates where feasible.  Lithuanian lawyers are not allowed to work on a contingency-fee basis.  Do not turn over documents or funds to any attorney until you are certain that he or she fully understands your legal needs and is willing to handle your case.  Note that under Lithuanian law you must give power of attorney to your lawyer so that he or she may act on your behalf in Lithuania.

The U.S. Embassy in Vilnius maintains the following list of attorneys to assist American citizens seeking legal representation in Lithuania.  The listed individuals and firms have informed the Embassy that they are qualified to practice law in Lithuania and that they are sufficiently competent in the English language to provide services to English-speaking clients.  The American Embassy in Vilnius assumes no responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the individuals or firms listed. 

The following firms are listed in alphabetical order and their relative position on this list should not be construed as indicating any kind of preference on the part of the U.S. Embassy:

Bernotas and Dominas GLIMSTEDT

Address:
Jogailos 4
LT-01116, Vilnius
Lithuania

Telephone:      (370-5) 269-0700
Fax:                 (370-5) 269-0701
E-mail:            vilnius@glimstedt.lt
Website:          http://www.glimstedt.lt/

Specializing in corporate law, international trade law, competition law, banking and finance, tax law, securities regulation, transportation law, maritime law, telecommunications law, energy law, labor law, copyright, trademark and patent law, intellectual property, administrative law, insurance law, leasing and franchising, real estate, contract law, consumer rights, civil law, immigration and naturalization, adoption law, private international law, constitutional law and human rights.

Associated with U.S. law firms: Baker & McKenzie; Donovan Hatem LLP; White & Case; Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld; and Burns & Levinson, Counsellors at Law.

D. Foigt and Partners

Address:
Jasinskio g. 16a
Vilnius LT-01112

Telephone:      (370-5) 264-9855
Fax:                 (370-5) 212-4170
E-mail:            regija@regija.lt
Website:          http://www.regija.lt/

Specializing in corporate law, investment law, competition law, banking and finance, real estate and privatization law, construction law, labor law, information technology law, international private law, and family law.

Associated with U.S. law firms: White & Case, LLP; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP; and Baker & McKenzie.

Hough, Gabartas, Saržickas and Partners

Address:
Užupio 30
Vilnius, LT-2007
Lithuania

Telephone:      (370-5) 215-3073
Fax:                 (370-5) 215-3304
E-mail:            litlaw@litlaw.lt
Website:          http://www.hough-sarzickas-attorneys.lt/

Specializing in foreign investment, corporate law, banking law, securities laws, tax law, commercial law, international trade law, public international law, real estate restitution matters, privatization law, transport law, import and export regulations, intellectual property law, labor law, inheritance.

Law firm Zabiela, Zabielaite & Partners

Address:
A. Jakšto 7
LT-2600, Vilnius
Lithuania

Telephone:      (370-5) 261-5400
Fax:                 (370-5) 212-3430
E-mail:            office@zabiela.lt
Website:          http://www.zabiela.lt/

Specializing in commercial law, corporate law, public law, banking and finance, intellectual property, property, insurance, employment law, EU law, privatization.

Lideika, Petrauskas, Valiūnas and Partners

Address:
Jogailos 9/1
LT-01116, Vilnius
Lithuania

Telephone:      (370-5) 268-1888
Fax:                 (370-5) 212-5591
E-mail:            vilnius@lawin.lt
Website:          http://www.lawin.lt/

Specializing in banking and finance law, securities, tax law, international trade law, trade and investment law, competition law, intellectual property law, information technology and telecommunications law, transportation law, leasing, construction and real estate law, zoning and land use, energy law, environmental law, public health, inheritance law, property law, labor law, immigration law, insurance law, debt recovery, alternative dispute resolution and human rights,.

Associated with the U.S. law firms: Baker & McKenzie; Coudert Brothers; Dolkart & Associates; Fragjmen, Del Rey & Bernsen; Steptoe & Johnson; Vial, Hamilton, Koch & Knox; Barnes and Thronburg; White & Case; and Preville & Frey.

Law Firm   NOVALEX

Address:
Bazilijonų g. 14-13
Vilnius
Lithuania

Telephone:      (370-5) 212-2551
Fax:                 (370-5) 212-7126
E-mail:            office@novalex.lt
Website:          http://www.novalex.lt/

Specializing in international and domestic adoption, inheritance law, family law,  immigration law, labor law, debt recovery, alternative dispute resolution and human rights, finance law, securities, tax law, international trade law, trade and investment law, competition law, intellectual property law, information technology and telecommunications law, transportation law, leasing, construction and real estate law, zoning and land use, energy law, environmental law, public health, property law, insurance law.

Office of Attorney R. Girdauskienė

Address:
Asanavičiūtės 46
Vilnius
Lithuania

Telephone:      (370-5) 270-6226
Fax:                 (370-5) 270-6512

Specializing in family law (domestic/international adoptions, marriage and divorce), property law, inheritance law, and criminal law.

Contact with American attorney Maria T. Tomasky.

Professional Law Partnership Jurevičius, Balčiūnas and Bartkus

Address:
Subačiaus 7
Vilnius, LT-01127
Lithuania

Telephone:      (370-5) 274-2400
Fax:                 (370-5) 274-2444
E-mail:            advocate@jbblegal.lt
Website:          http://www.jbblegal.lt/

Specializing in privatization, company and competition law, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, energy and environmental law, securities, banking and finance law, real estate law, telecommunications and information technology law, EU law, transportation law, maritime and shipping, debt collection / debt administration, tax law, and sports law.

Associated with U.S. law firms: Baker & McKenzie; Sullivan & Cromwell; Shearman & Sterling; Domanskis, Fishman & Glantz; and others.

Reda Bagušinskienė Law Firm

Address:
K.Kalinausko 2b
Vilnius, LT-2009
Lithuania

Telephone:      (370-5) 251-4342, 262-9400
Fax:                 (370-5) 261-4690
E-mail:            reda@balaef.lt

Specializing in international adoption, family law, real estate, loans, debts recovery, civil law.

Sorainen Law Offices

Address:
Jogailos 4
Vilnius, LT-01116
Lithuania

Telephone:      (370-5) 268-5040
Fax:                 (370-5) 268-5041
E-mail:            sorainen@sorainen.lt
Website:          http://www.sorainen.com/

Specializing in corporate law, finance and tax law, property law, international trade law, transportation law, energy law, labor law, and intellectual property.

Vilnius Attorney Office SPES

Address:
Zveju g. 14a
Vilnius, LT-09310
Lithuania

Telephone:      (370-5) 275-6592
Fax:                 (370-5) 275-6997
E-mail:            office@spes.lt
Website:          http://www.hough-sarzickas-attorneys.lt/

Specializing in criminal law, corporate law, labor law, real estate law, contract law, transport law, family law, and bankruptcy law.

Vilnius University "Teises Klinika" (Law Clinic)

Address:
Vilniaus 25
Vilnius
Lithuania

Telephone:      (370-5) 231-2800
Fax:                 (370-5) 231-3411

Free legal advice.