Risto is a Partner in our Tallinn office.
Risto has over 15 years of legal experience specializing in competition law and antitrust issues. He has vast knowledge in all aspects of competition law both in contentious and non-contentious matters.
In Eversheds Sutherland Ots&Co Risto has been involved in all competition cases the firm has handled since 2012 when he joined the firm, i.e. he has drafted more than 70 notices of concentration (and handled about 25% of all 2nd phase mergers in Estonia), has successfully defended a total of 9 clients in three criminal cartel investigations, has represented clients in more than 20 competition authority administrative investigations (with a 90% success rate) and has handled 5 court proceedings in administrative and civil courts. This makes Risto one of the most active competition law specialists among lawyers in Estonia.
He has actively participated in the capacity of a competition law advisor in the processes of opening the telecommunication, postal, railway, waste management and medicine sales markets to free competition.
Risto is also a visiting lecturer of competition law at the Tallinn University of Technology.
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Risto's comprehensive competence in competition law has been recognized by independent international publications:
- Chambers Europe 2025 in Competition/Antitrust and Chambers Fintech 2025
- Legal 500 EMEA 2025 Hall of Fame in EU and Competition
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CEE Legal Matters, 2019 Deal of the Year - Estonia
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Euromoney Expertguides
- Best Lawyers
- Corporate INTL
- Lawyer Monthly
- World Finance
Client feedback
Chambers 2025 and Legal 500 2025
Risto Rüütel is particularly active on merger clearance filings. He also offers further expertise in state aid mandates, as well as investigations into possible abuses of dominance and sector inquiries. He has additional experience in distribution issues.
Client enthuse "Risto Rüütel is a well-versed specialist in the field of competition law. He is very thorough and in-depth, and is a very good negotiator."
- Estonian Bar Association
- 2015 Estonian Bar Association Competition Law Commission
- 1999 University of Tartu, Faculty of Law