Meet our Talent - Rihards Jānis Geldners

1. How did your journey at Eversheds Sutherland Bitāns commence? 

My journey at Eversheds Sutherland Bitāns started in October 2022 when I applied for the Eversheds Sutherland Bitāns Masterclass program. Can this be considered a spontaneous decision? Definitely not - it was made on purpose! 

I believe that to develop and reach new heights in every life situation, you must learn and work with the best in the field. This principle has helped and developed me in the past, for example, when I became the Latvian U18 junior hockey champion with a specially selected team consisting of the best Latvian young hockey players of that age and playing against players one or two years older. I also joined the Faculty of Law Student Council at the University of Latvia (Latvijas Universitāte) , where I had the opportunity to meet and collaborate with some of the brightest law students of my age.  

Following this principle, I also ended up at Eversheds Sutherland Bitāns. In my third year of studies, when I decided to start my professional career, it seemed only logical to aspire to work alongside exceptional professionals. So, I applied for the 2022/2023 Masterclass, and after successfully passing it, I started working with Eversheds Sutherland Bitāns.

2. How would you characterize your experience of working in the dynamic milieu of Eversheds Sutherland Bitāns? 

In three words - trust, professionalism, and development. These three words could describe the work in Eversheds Sutherland Bitāns. Since I joined in October 2022, every day has been a new beginning, a new challenge, and a new professional milestone to reach. If one day, I can review a client's advertising terms and conditions as part of standard commercial activity, the next day, I am preparing arguments in one of the most high-profile criminal cases in Latvia.  

That is why I am delighted to say that each day working with my colleagues at Eversheds Sutherland Bitāns is full of inspiration and new challenges. I sincerely appreciate the unwavering support, encouragement, and trust bestowed upon me by my senior colleagues and my mentor Beatrise Lukšēvica . Much like my fellow junior colleagues, Eversheds Sutherland Bitāns is also like a "second university" for me, allowing me to acquire new and valuable knowledge and put it immediately into practice. 

In my day-to-day work, I am involved in several practice groups, mainly in the corporate crime and corporate and commercial practice groups. The opportunities I receive allow me to broaden my horizons and competence and find solutions in various situations. 

3. What lies ahead in your ambitious plans for the future?

The closest goal I want to achieve is to complete my master's studies and qualify as a lawyer. This milestone represents my closest personal achievement and unlocks the door to my future career goals. 

With a focus on corporate crime and commercial law, I'm eager to dive deeper into these specialized areas and make a meaningful impact. I aim to continually expand my horizons, providing comprehensive support to clients and contributing positively to the legal landscape.