Corporate/M&A: Denmark

THE FIRM This leading full-service firm is a heavyweight in the corporate/M&A field and has no shortage of loyal corporate and investment banking clients, including JPMorgan, CVC Capital Partners, Nestlé and Novo Nordisk. The group receives a significant number of international mandates, such as acting for the East Asiatic Company on its DKK1.2 billion sale of EAC Industrial Ingredients to Brenntag Holding.

Sources say: "Provides an outstanding service in all areas and is definitely good value for money." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources commend Niels Heering as "very intelligent, an impressive all-round corporate and commercial lawyer." Clients praise Klaus Søgaard as a "superb lawyer, always attentive to our needs and giving succinct advice." Tomas Haagen is "practical and technically excellent, someone to call on for a complicated deal," peers say. Clients admire "talented" Finn Møller for his "in-depth knowledge of the M&A market and practical approach to deal making." Morten Skjonnemand enters the rankings this year after extensive praise from clients and peers for his "exceptional hard work, discipline, commercial understanding and ability to deliver results." Senior statesman Henrik Lind is revered as a "first-class lawyer - a safe bet."

THE FIRM This full-service firm has excellent resources and retains a leading position in the rankings, acting on some major transactions for clients including DONG Energy, Nordic Capital and EQT. A major highlight of 2011 was advising Danisco on the offer by DuPont for all its shares in a transaction worth USD6.3 billion, the largest deal in Denmark for over ten years. The firm is especially well known for its expertise in IT and technology law, giving it an edge in those areas of M&A.

Sources say: "A superb team - skilled, flexible, quick and surprisingly reasonable in its rates."

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "extremely skilled, congenial and easy to work with" Henrik Møgelmose remains at the top of the rankings, along with the widely respected Marianne Philip, who sources say is "an absolutely superb lawyer, very knowledgeable and deal-focused with a pragmatic attitude." She has expertise in capital markets as well as M&A. The latter two lawyers lead a strong team. Sources admire Peter Ketelsen as a "highly capable, technically skilled, solid lawyer." Clients commend Anders Lavesen for his "excellent, clear advice" and identify Jørgen Kjergaard Madsen as "a high-quality lawyer." Christian Lundgren is an "extremely bright and academically minded lawyer, but also someone who understands business," enthuse interviewees. Peers and clients see Caroline Pontoppidan as a "strong lawyer with lots of passion" and acknowledge Jens Steen Jensen as being "very talented and intelligent."

THE FIRM The corporate/M&A team at this large full-service firm has been expanding and continues to see an increase in activity, including working on the largest transaction in Denmark since the 1990s; advising US company DuPont on its offer for the shares of Danisco in a transaction worth USD6.3 billion. The practice has significant cross-border expertise and its high-profile clients include several leading private equity and venture capital companies as well as PWC, SPX and the Danish Ministry of Transport.

Sources say: "Fantastic lawyers: extremely committed, focused and experienced in M&A. They are user-friendly and willing to work whenever we need them, despite the time difference, or over a holiday period."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jacob Bier is rated highly for his M&A expertise. Peers comment on his "impressive intellect and drive" and describe him as "an excellent strategist." Sources observe that Christian Kjølbye is "very commercial, can cut through jargon and gets the deal done." Clients recommend Henrik Rossing Lønberg as an "extremely good all-round lawyer, an expert at managing processes, pragmatic and easy to work with." Poul Flemming Hansen is admired for his ability to "find answers to highly complex questions." Sources describe Thomas Holst Laursen as "tremendously practical with great commitment, strong negotiation skills and a detailed approach to the complexities of the deal." Clients appreciate highly respected Finn Lernø's ability to "set a good tone with high-level comments."  Jacob Christensen is another greatly valued member of the team. Sources continue to recommend Plesner's two up-and-coming lawyers: the "extremely capable" Esben Kjær and also Casper Münter, who is "a calm, level-headed, diplomatic guy." 

THE FIRM This large M&A team is led by eight partners and has grown quickly over the past two years, with significant recruitment from Rønne & Lundgren and elsewhere. The group has seen a continuous level of activity and frequently secures mandates for high-profile transactions, including advising jewellery company Pandora on one of the largest IPOs in Europe of recent years. An impressive client list includes both blue-chip and mid-sized companies, including Saxo Bank, Danica Pensions, A.P. Moller - Maersk and PFA Pensions.

Sources say: "We are very impressed with this team; the lawyers are personable and work extremely efficiently."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Thomas Weincke moves up in the rankings this year, following strong recommendations from clients and peers, who describe him as "exceptionally commercial and solution-oriented, and a pleasure to work with." Morten Jensen remains a talented and active member of the team and Kåre Stolt wins praise for being "extremely business-minded." Sources admire Jacob Vinther for his proficiency in "focusing, taking a view and making a judgement call." Clients are impressed by the "wonderfully constructive and very commercial" Henrik Juul Hansen. Other valued members of the team are Jesper Schultz Larsen and Michael Vinther. The latter recently advised on a large divestment by Odin Equity Partners.

THE FIRM This sizeable and well-known firm focuses on large cross-border M&A deals and private equity clients investing in Sweden. It was strengthened by its merger with Philip in January 2012, and recently opened a new Chinese desk, adding to its international reach. The practice attracts some prestigious international and domestic clients including Clipper, A.P. Moller - Maersk and Nova Instruments. It recently lost Mikkel Baaring Lerche to Hannes Snellman and Niels Erik Nielsen to Lett Law Firm.

Sources say: "A well-regarded team that provides an excellent, high-quality service."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients praise Jacob Hjortshøj for his negotiation skills and "excellent understanding of business and our motivations." Peers confirm that Søren Meisling "really stands out" for his M&A skills and experience. Sources recommend Eivind Einersen for his "detail-oriented approach and excellent problem-solving skills."

THE FIRM This firm is highly regarded and obtains impressive mandates. Recently the team acted on some ground-breaking deals involving renewable energy, in particular advising the consortium Pensions Danmark on several wind farm acquisitions. Clients include prestigious domestic and international companies such as Danske Bank and Goldman Sachs.

Sources say: "The team performed extremely well. It was accurate, precise and most importantly, delivered within a very tight timetable."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department head Mogens Ebeling climbs the rankings following glowing feedback from clients and peers on his skills and experience. "He really stands out, and is extremely competent and business-oriented." Christian Schow Madsen continues to be highly recommended for his corporate/M&A experience, along with Henning Aasmul-Olsen, who enters the rankings after a period working in an investment bank. Clients praise him as "very sharp, with excellent legal skills, pragmatism and a keen understanding of the sector." Rising a tier, Mogens Thorninger is described as "excellent at finding solutions and making the right decisions." Karsten Kristoffersen remains a strong and valued member of the team. Sources praise up-and-coming lawyer Andreas Nielson for being "extremely focused and well organised." Søren Jørgensen recently moved to the team from Lind Cadovius. He provides an efficient service to clients, who describe him as "extremely business-oriented, expertly finding solutions and compromises."

THE FIRM This firm maintains its strong reputation for matters relating to public law. The corporate/M&A team also has significant expertise within the energy, environment, patents, food and pharmaceuticals sectors. It advises numerous municipalities and utilities companies, and recently assisted Nyborg Forsyning with the sale of its utility network. The practice continues to see an increasing number of private sector clients, including Benteler, Danone and Pernod Ricard. 

Sources say: "It has impressively broad expertise and gives quick responses."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients and peers praise Lise Lotte Hjerrild for being "determined to find a solution. She is very commercially minded and pragmatic as well as having excellent technical legal skills."

THE FIRM This capable firm continues to see an increase in instructions from financial institutions and industrial players, advising top names such as Danish telecommunications giant TDC, state pension fund ATP and long-standing client Shell. The team has recently expanded with the recruitment of partner Niels Erik Nielsen from Bech-Bruun and some associates from Eversheds. 

Sources say: "These lawyers appreciate the complexities of the law and are also willing and able to make business judgements."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources consider that the move of "excellent deal maker" Niels Erik Nielsen to Lett from Bech-Bruun will strengthen the team. The up-and-coming Sebastian Ingversen is "very knowledgeable and exceptionally good at finding solutions," sources say.

THE FIRM The Danish office of this Finnish firm officially opened for business in January 2011 and, with other offices in Sweden and Russia, boasts a strong Nordic and international network. The team has recruited extensively, particularly from Bech-Bruun, and continues to expand. It has already won a number of high-profile mandates, with clients including Saxo Bank and CVC Capital Partners.

Sources say: "An impressive one-stop shop for legal advice all over the Nordic region."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources describe Mikkel Baaring Lerche as "extremely capable and skilled." Amanda Tonsgaard is one of the co-founders of the firm's Copenhagen office, and wins praise from clients for her "excellent business knowledge."

THE FIRM This small specialist team focuses on mid-market M&A deals, including advising on Saxo Bank’s takeover of Brørup Sparekasse and acting for Intrum Justitia on the purchase of Citibank’s Danish credit card portfolio. The team is expanding through recruitment from other firms and accounting companies, and receives a number of referrals from law firms abroad.

Sources say: "The team's responsiveness is superb." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Interviewees highly recommend Dan Moalem as "a pragmatic, energetic, strategically smart guy who is good at getting deals done." Clients appreciate Claus Molbech Bendtsen's international approach and his "high-quality, professional and trustworthy advice."

THE FIRM This compact firm punches above its weight in terms of attracting leading small and mid-sized corporate M&A clients. It has recently increased in size with the recruitment of seven lawyers from Lind Cadovius, taking the total number of lawyers in the firm to 30.

Sources say: "A technically excellent team - I would call it on a complicated deal."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Highly regarded M&A lawyer Morten Eldrup-Jørgensen is well known for his international work.

THE FIRM This M&A team has recently downsized but is still a respected player on the market, with extensive experience and a range of corporate clients.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Partners Nicolai Jung and Claus Spangenberg are primary points of contact for corporate/M&A matters.