Kęstutis Švirinas is a partner of the Dispute Resolution & Risk Management team, with over two decades of experience representing clients in high-stakes commercial disputes before Lithuanian and international courts, as well as leading arbitration institutions. He is widely recognised for his expertise in complex litigation, white-collar crime, and cross-border investigations, and is a trusted advisor in matters involving financial fraud, corporate offences, and regulatory risk.

Recognised by Chambers Europe, clients describe Kęstutis as “an excellent dispute resolution lawyer capable of preparing a coherent strategy and perfectly representing clients in disputes and negotiations, as well as thinking several steps ahead. He works like a solid chess player – never takes a good move without assessment of a better option.” The current edition of Legal 500 has recognised him as a “Leading Partner” with its client testimonial describing Kęstutis as “legal knowledge and communication skills are excellent” and “He is close to his clients with a strong focus on their needs”.

Kęstutis' practice spans a wide range of contentious matters, including M&A disputes, corporate civil fraud, shareholder conflicts, competition and contractual claims, product liability, financial instruments, intellectual property, and director liability.

He has represented clients in international investment arbitration proceedings under the rules of the ICC and ICSID, and has appeared before the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights. He is experienced in both institutional and ad hoc arbitration, including proceedings before the Vilnius Court of Commercial Arbitration and the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce. In 2023, he was appointed by the Prime Minister of Lithuania to the national working group for the selection of ECHR judges.

His cross-border litigation work includes advising international clients on asset recovery, financial fraud schemes, and enforcement strategies across jurisdictions. He frequently provides expert opinions on Lithuanian law for foreign proceedings.

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Council of the Lithuanian Bar (member since 2022)
• International Bar Association
• Arbitrator of Vilnius Court of Commercial Arbitration (before the reorganisation – Arbitration Court at the Association ICC – Lithuania)
• Member of Arbitration Committee of Lithuanian Business Confederation | ICC Lithuania
• Arbitrator/Conciliator of International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes
• Recommended arbitrator of Arbitration of the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Moldova
• Lithuanian Bar Association

Education

• Countries, Italy (Course on Investment Analysis and Related Credit Instruments)
• The Institute of Banking, Insurance and Finance of Lithuania, Lithuania (Course on Credits Statements)
• The Institute of European Law of the University of Birmingham, UK (Human rights program)
• Vilnius University, Lithuania (MA in Law)

Work

• Journalist v Public broadcaster

We successfully represented journalist Virginijus Savukynas in a dispute with public broadcaster LRT. This is a unique case in which a court has restricted a person’s right to criticise the government. This is the first time in case law that a court has intervened in LRT’s internal decisions against journalists for ethical violations. Read more >

• One of the largest real estate investment groups in Europe v One of the largest business centres in Lithuania

We successfully represented our client, one of the largest real estate investment groups in Europe, in arbitration proceedings before the Arbitration Institute of Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC) against a former contractor for one of the largest business centres in Lithuania. Read more >

• Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria v Lufthansa

We represented a Nigerian state-owned company, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, in an oral hearing in a case against the aviation company Lufthansa before the Court of Justice of the European Union in Luxembourg. The case is unique in that it is very rare for the Court of Justice of the European Union to examine preliminary questions during the oral procedure. Read more >