ILN-terviews: Toomas Taube, Tark & Co.

Welcome to ILN-terviews, a series of profiles of ILN member firm attorneys, designed to give a unique insight into the lawyers who make up our Network.

For our latest interview, we chose ILN member, Toomas Taube of Tark & Co. in Estonia.

In one sentence, how would you describe your practice?
As the head of the corporate & commercial practice group at Tark & Co, my work involves a broad range of corporate and commercial matters. I am also active in litigation.

Who would be your typical client?
Most of my clients are companies and a large part of them are multinational corporations that plan to have, or already have, a subsidiary or investments in Estonia. I have assisted many foreign clients from the very beginning of their business in Estonia, and in many cases, the relationships have developed into a long-term, full range cooperation.

What would you like clients and potential clients to know about you?
That I really value my clients, and I want to be of value to them. If a client is happy, I am happy.

What has been your most challenging case? Why?
There have been many challenging cases during my practice. One of them was a major and complex litigation matter that has lasted for six years, and the case has been heard and reviewed in different court instances a total of nine times. I expect that this "court marathon" is close to its end soon, and the result is so far, and expected to remain, positive for my client.

What has been your proudest moment as a lawyer?
Positive results make me feel good and proud of myself.

What do you do when you're not practicing law?
Live my private life, which includes some sports, some shorter and longer trips, some friends, some books, one girlfriend, many thoughts, lots of feelings...

What would surprise people most about you?
Other people should be the ones to say that.

What has been your most memorable ILN experience?
All of the ILN events that I have participated in have been memorable for me - well-organized, nice places, and friendly people. Maybe one of the more memorable ILN experiences was my first ILN meeting (in Stockholm in 2001). I was a young lawyer and did not know any of the other participants, but I was impressed at the close friendships most participants had with each other. Such friendships are one of the real values of the ILN network.

What career would you have chosen if you weren't a lawyer?
I have never considered an alternative career. Probably a good sign concerning my almost 15-year career as a lawyer.

If a movie were made out of your life, who would you want to play you?
I think my life is yet too short to make a movie of it. Let's wait at least some 25 years, then it would be easier to pick the right characters and actors to play me. Meanwhile, I will try to live so that it would be a really interesting and exciting role for that actor!

How would you like to be remembered?
As a very good friend to all my close ones, and as a good person to all who know me.