Corporate/M&A: Norway

This substantial team remains an undisputed top-tier player. “We trust the group to handle our most complex corporate and M&A mandates,” clients agree. They appreciate its “speedy and efficient service and experience of handling large transactions.” Highlights from the past year include assisting Microsoft with its EUR718 million acquisition of FAST, and assisting Wintershall Holding with its NOK5 billion acquisition of Revus. Kim Dobrowen is a top choice for many clients. “He’s bright, practical and analytical in his approach and has experience of a tremendous variety of deals,” say sources. Anders Arnkværn is “absolutely first-class for corporate matters,” according to interviewees. Hans Cappelen Arnesen is praised for his “practical, professional and responsive approach.” Ervin Auren continues to provide a high-quality service. Baard Bale has impressed clients with his “personable style and high service levels.” Kai Thøgersen is appreciated for his “practicality and understanding of the client’s needs.”

This market leader retains its position at the top of the table. Clients confirm that the team is “able to handle a massive range of work in this area.” Recent successes include acting for JPMorgan and the Chinese purchasers of Awilco Offshore in a USD2.5 billion transaction. The team also acted for CGGVeritas in relation to its NOK2.1 billion purchase of Wavefield. Bjørn Gabriel Reed is recommended as an excellent and highly experienced transaction lawyer. Rolf Johan Ringdal is very proficient in company law, and is particularly active within the maritime sector. Gudmund Knudsen is also recognised for his skill in company law. Svein Gerhard Simonnæs is praised for his solution-oriented approach and financial understanding. Robin Bakken continues to develop his positive reputation.

“High standards and an individual touch to service” characterise this firm, according to clients. Commentators are impressed by the string of prestigious mandates it has secured in the past year, describing the practice as “highly refined.” The lawyers have been engaged on a mixture of corporate/M&A transactions, public takeovers and private equity transactions. Highlights include acting for Klépierre and ABP on their acquisition of 100% of the shares in Steen & Strøm, and representing Norske Skogindustrier in its sale of Norske Skog Korea to Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia and Shinhan Private Equity. Star player Erik Thyness remains a prominent transaction lawyer noted for his commercial understanding. Ståle Gjengset is praised for his “responsiveness, availability and excellent advice.” Andreas Mellbye remains prominent and comes recommended for public-to-private transactions in particular. Rising star Sverre Sandvik is seen to be rapidly gaining knowledge and experience. Jarle Kvam is frequently engaged on M&A acquisitions with corporate and private equity buyers. He maintains a significant domestic client base and is appreciated for his “commercial approach.” Nils Thommessen is lauded for his “business understanding and strong negotiation skills.”

This prestigious team provides “creative, commercial and practical advice,” according to clients. Sources agree it continues to make excellent progress, expanding and developing its impressive client list. It represents a variety of domestic and international entities from a range of sectors. Key mandates of late include advising Renewable Energy Corporation on combined debt refinancing and an equity rights issue. The firm also acted as international counsel to Canica on its EUR2.7 billion sale of Steen & Strøm to Klépierre and ABP. Erling Christiansen remains a key player in this area. Clients describe him as “extremely proactive and business-oriented.” Thomas Aanmoen is a top choice for public transactions. Clients appreciate his “relaxed style.” Viggo Bang-Hansen is gaining visibility and is praised for his commercial acumen. Jakob Villum is focused on transactions within the private sector. Sources confirm he maintains a strong reputation within this area. Einar Caspersen and Egil Willumsen are especially highly recommended for their work within the real estate sector.

Sources agree that this firm has demonstrated an impressive growth strategy of late and continues to raise its profile in this area. The team is particularly experienced in securities and has enjoyed a number of high-profile instructions from the government over the past year. These include assisting the Norwegian Ministry of Oil & Energy with the purchase of shares in StatoilHydro, increasing its holding to 67%. The group handles both domestic and cross-border transactions, and “compares well to international firms,” interviewees report. Sverre Tysland has led the team on a number of instructions by the Norwegian government. Commentators agree that his reputation remains unquestioned. Thomas Michelet is particularly focused on both industry and private equity transactions in the private M&A market and continues to impress with his high degree of skill in this area. Dag Erik Rasmussen concentrates on securities and exchange matters. “He is creative and pragmatic and we benefit from his knowledge and experience,” say clients. Lars Knem Christie continues to gain experience and prominence. He is recommended for securities in particular. Are Herrem heads the firm's private equity practice and is highly reputed for his commercial approach.

Historically known for its strength in the maritime sector, this firm has established itself as a transactional heavyweight and receives a steady stream of premium mandates. Its client base includes a number of international entities. High-profile instructions from the past year include assisting Aker with the sale of shares to Aker Solutions. Lawyers also assisted BW Gas with several high-value transactions. “The substantial team provides a very high level of service,” say clients. Ketil Bøe is consistently recommended as “an absolutely solid transactional practitioner with outstanding knowledge of his field.” Susanne Munch Thore is regarded as a standout individual by many. “She’s great to work with – she  doesn't waste time being ‘smart’ and always gets on with the transaction in a very efficient way,” one client said. Arne Didrik Kjørnæs enjoys a broad practice covering both the private and public M&A sector. Clients recommend him for company law in particular. Marius Gisvold has a distinct reputation in the market for his skill in M&A mandates relating to restructuring. “He has a phenomenal capacity to work around the clock and take command of very messy matters,” according to clients. Sigurd Opedal also continues to make a strong impression among commentators.

“In just a few years this team has become a genuine player in the Norwegian market,” commentators agree. The ten-strong group is focused on industry transactions within the IT, offshore and energy sectors in particular. It has recently received significant instructions from clients including listed entities such as Tata Motors, Parker Hannifin, EGL, Telenor and EDB Business Partner. Kjetil Hardeng is recommended as “an extremely good project manager in relation to transactions.” Amund Fougner Bugge is recommended for his proficiency in handling technical challenges.

Due to market conditions, this team has recently been engaged on a number of capital markets transactions within the private equity sector, as well as renegotiations and debt finance. Clients have been “completely satisfied with the service.” Key mandates include acting for CGGVeritas on its bid for shares in Wavefield Inseis, and for Tandberg Data in connection with its bid for shares in Tandberg Storage. Robert Sveen has an excellent reputation for his skill in securities matters. Odd Erik Johansen is highly recommended for corporate governance and securities questions. Ingar Solheim maintains a broad practice. Clients confirm they are very satisfied with his output.

This well-established outfit serves a range of premium clients on both domestic and international mandates. It is recommended for cross-border transactions and is noted for its foothold in the oil and gas sector. Members of the team recently acted for Norwegian Energy on its proposed merger with Det norske Oljeselskap, and assisted Gjensidige Forsikring with its discussions with Storebrand regarding a possible merger. Trond Vernegg is recommended for his ability to communicate with clients. Per Dagslet is noted for his skill on listed deals and securities. Jan Jansen is highly regarded for corporate tax matters. Geir Evenshaug has made a good impression with his focus on M&A.

This internationally focused team has seen a growth in reorganisation work of late. It is particularly proficient in the pharmaceutical, media, telecoms, food and IT sectors, and assists with a wide range of transactions. “The lawyers were very good in negotiations, structuring the deal and finding commercially viable solutions,” a client reported. Others described the group as “consistently quick to respond and offering good value for money.” Notable instructions include acting for the sellers on the sale of a world-leading pharmaceuticals company, and advising a significant private equity player on a proposed merger of major Nordic IT companies. The team’s client list includes Aller Group, Carnegie, DnB NOR Markets, Ratos and Pharmaq. Marius Lysell Andresen concentrates on M&A with a special emphasis on cross-border transactions, venture capital and private equity. Clients have been very satisfied with his work. Harald Hellebust is recommended for his “blend of technical and commercial skill.” Commentators note his increasing prominence within this field. Fredrik Lykke is frequently engaged on a broad range of transactions and is “an extremely skilled corporate lawyer," sources confirm.

This highly regarded domestic outfit is particularly well established in the Stavanger region. It maintains a broad practice, serving local and international clients, but is particularly well recognised for its foothold within the oil service industry. “The group assisted us with complex, international arrangements and demonstrated excellent capabilities within this area and a swift response time,” enthused a client. The firm’s client list includes Akva Group, Wintershall Norge, Marathon Petroleum and Marine Harvest. Snorre Haukali is praised for his broad experience on international transactions and his wide range of skills.

This compact yet highly competent commercial boutique enters the rankings this year, having demonstrated its prowess in corporate/M&A and private equity. Clients report excellent experiences working with the firm: "The service is terrific. The lawyers help us out 24/7 and offer fantastic value for money." Key clients include Storebrand, Sparebank 1 Gruppen, Aberdeen Property Investors, Nordic Health and Aker Biomarine. Edvard Cock is the contact for the practice.

This outfit has boosted its reputation in the past year by assisting the Ministry of Trade & Industry with its high-profile investment in Aker Holding. The team also advised Sparebank 1 Skadeforsikring on its public offer to acquire all outstanding shares in Unison Forsikring. Claus Flinder is rated by many as a very strong all-round practitioner.