Employment: Norway

THE FIRM The large employment department at this firm clearly retains its leading market position. It advises on a broad spectrum of employment issues, including extensive restructurings of major companies, disputes and day-to-day labour law advice. Its impressive client list includes Aker Solutions, Telenor and Hafslund.

Sources say: "A massive competitor in the employment law field." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peers agree that Lars Kokkvold is "excellent," whilst clients "like his style and knowledge - he has extremely strong academic skills and transforms these into commercial and practical solutions." His areas of activity include large reorganisation and downsizing processes.

Widely admired Pal Kvernaas is noted for his expertise in pension and restructuring matters.

Arvid Ødegård is known for his tough approach in court and his work with unions.

Practice head Kjell Torkildsen is "vastly experienced, a great lawyer, and excellent at finding amicable solutions."

Former judge Sten Foyn brings expertise in international labour law to the team.

THE FIRM Maintaining its leading market position, this large employment department is particularly strong on contentious matters including discrimination cases and pension lawsuits. It also handles transfers of undertakings, complex organisational matters and general employment law advice. Its client list includes Dagbladet, Statoil and the University of Oslo. Notable recent mandates include successfully representing SAS in an age discrimination lawsuit by ten pilots in the Supreme Court.

Sources say: "First-class employment lawyers."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources state that Lars Holo is "an extremely famous and brilliant employment lawyer, who has a lot of big cases." 

Peers view well-rounded employment lawyer Tron Dalheim as "the future of the team." Clients enthuse that "he makes me feel as if I am his only client, and he's a brilliant lawyer - one of the best that I have worked with," and note that "he knows the full spectrum of the employment process and goes to court himself on a regular basis." He receives special mention for his work on offshore employment contracts.

Ingeborg Moen Borgerud brings long experience and wide-ranging knowledge to the team.

Peers identify Knut-Marius Sture as a solid player in the field "who is easy to work with and finds good solutions." He is particularly active on transfer of undertaking cases.

THE FIRM This prestigious firm is at the forefront of the Norwegian employment law market. It covers a wide range of domestic and international employment issues, including workforce reduction and reorganisation, and traditional labour law disputes. Major recent mandates include advising Statoil on the separation and IPO on the Oslo stock exchange of its fuel and retail business, and advising Adecco on potential breaches of the working environment legislation in the healthcare sector.

Sources say: "A very talented team with excellent resources and experience."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peers recognise the vastly experienced and knowledgeable Jan Fougner as "unequivocally one of the best employment lawyers in Norway." He is particularly famous for his expertise in investigation cases.

Clients are very impressed by key team member Eli Aasheim. Recently, she has been present on a number of restructuring proceedings, transfers of undertakings, cross-border employment issues and individual disputes. 

THE FIRM This sizeable team is a highly active and well-respected player in the employment market, representing domestic and international companies on the employer side, and acting for individual employees on a wide range of topics including pension schemes, severance pay and age discrimination. It offers traditional day-to-day consultancy advice to businesses and handles large litigation assignments.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Esteemed group head Else Bugge Fougner is "highly recognised and still very active - she pops up everywhere," remark peers. She receives special mention for her work for directors in criminal cases.

"Excellent younger partner" Alex Borch has built up a strong reputation in this field, especially as a litigator.

Peers identify Claude Lenth as "unquestionably a very good employment lawyer - he is one of the younger partners who has taken up the mantle there."

THE FIRM Sources report that this relatively compact but robust employment team has made great strides in the market in recent times. It is particularly well respected for its advice to employers in the private and public sectors, handling matters such as the formulation of employment contracts, severance contracts, individual resignations, pensions and workforce reductions.

Sources say: "Understands our business, provides practical and not merely theoretical advice, communicates solutions in a clear and simple manner, and is very responsive and client-oriented."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peers agree that "very constructive, knowledgeable and pleasant" team head Trond Stang is one of the top employment lawyers in the market, with many years' experience. He has particular expertise in the oil, gas and offshore sectors.

THE FIRM The strong employment practice at this large full-service firm has a particular focus on pension matters, acting on some major disputes in this area. Recently, it also advised on employment terminations, restructurings, collective agreements, incentive schemes, breach of non-solicitation obligations and theft of trade secrets. The team's impressive client list includes Aker, Nokia and Fokus Bank.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department head Tarjei Thorkildsen handles domestic and cross-border employment and pension issues for blue-chip international companies and some of Norway's most prominent trade and employer bodies. Sources agree that he is "a very strong litigator and an outstanding lawyer in the employment field."

THE FIRM The relatively compact employment team at this international firm is well recognised by peers and receives glowing feedback from clients. It works on cross-border reorganisations, high-profile litigation, dismissals, pensions and discrimination issues. Recently, it increased its focus on pension matters. Its clients include Pfizer, MSD Norge and Aon Grieg.

Sources say: "Serious, hard-working, flexible and good value for money." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources applaud group head Per Benonisen for his superb client service and employment law expertise. "He told us the best possible outcome of every scenario and prepared us for every eventuality, so that we were able to make the right decisions early on. He understood our needs, came up with great solutions and was always available," reports one interviewee. Another enthuses that "he is very clear, fair and knows the law inside out."

THE FIRM Peers recognise this compact firm for its high level of specialisation and activity in employment law. It focuses on representing individual employees, often in termination cases, but also advises companies, trade unions and institutions.

Sources say: "An excellent niche employment boutique." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS "Very experienced employment lawyer" Nils Storeng is a widely respected figure in the market.

Peers highlight Kari Bergeius Andersen as "young, skilled and talented."

Sources admire Arve Due Lund's tenacity, describing him as "a fighter."

THE FIRM The dedicated seven-lawyer employment practice at this full-service firm covers the entire range of employment law issues, on domestic and international cases. Over half of its workload is in classic individual and collective employment law matters, and it has strong experience in transactions. It advises the Norwegian subsidiary of Microsoft on day-to-day matters, and recently represented Oras Group and Onninen in major restructurings.

Sources say: "Very thorough, friendly and businesslike." "Service-minded and able to provide advice across the full range of legal areas."

KEY INDIVIDUALS "Brilliant" practice head Håvard Sandnes leads the team's main assignments and wins glowing reviews from clients, who say that he "understands the complexity and depth of an issue quickly and is resourceful in making different recommendations. He is extremely bright, approachable and available." Much of his work involves assisting foreign companies with their establishment in Norway.

THE FIRM Employment law is one of the core practices at this compact, high-quality boutique. It advises employers and employees in the private and public sector.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Vastly experienced employment practitioner and academic Jan Dege "knows the employment area inside out - he's an impressive man."

THE FIRM This well-respected employment team assists clients from a diverse range of industry sectors with major assignments and day-to-day issues. Recent highlights include representing Adecco in a number of cases relating to violation of employment rights, and advising Terra Aktiv Eiendomsmegling on the filing of a complaint against a governmental injunction regarding working hours.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Team leader Lars Skotvedt has wide-ranging employment law experience, including litigation, restructuring processes, transactional employment matters and collective labour law issues.

Peers predict that talented younger partner Preben Mo Fredriksen has a bright future ahead. He advises on individual and collective employment law, conducts investigations and leads cases in court.

THE FIRM This ten-lawyer team is spread across the firm's Stavanger, Oslo and Bergen offices. It advises on individual and collective employment issues, disputes, cross-border mandates and pensions. Its impressive client list includes several large public sector employers including Statoil, Subsea7 and Eni. Recent mandates include advising Tesco on the winding down of its activities in Norway.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Experienced and respected employment lawyer Marianne Higson is "clear, calm and fills me with confidence," says a client. 

Well-known Marco Lilli recently advised Disney on a reorganisation, and assisted Avinor with various employment issues including downsizing.

THE FIRM This employment team has been busy recently on restructuring and downsizing projects, overtime issues and pensions. It also handles day-to-day employment advice and transactional employment matters. Notable recent mandates include advising China National Bluestar on the employment law issues relating to its acquisition of Elkem, and acting for Rolls-Royce Marine in its joint venture with Daimler and planned acquisition of Tognum.

Sources say: "It has integrated all its fields into a full-service firm, making it very cost-effective, and it focuses on understanding the client's background and industry." "Very responsive and provides a tailored service." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS "Really impressive" practice head André Istad Johansen is "excellent in employment law - very up to date, strategic, analytical, pragmatic and commercial. He is a problem solver who can find a solution to even the most complex of matters, and he always cuts to the chase and tells you clearly and concisely how to move forward," enthuses one interviewee. He receives praise for his pensions expertise.

Jeppe Normann has a broad practice and brings a wealth of experience to the team.

THE FIRM This employment team is able to draw on the firm's international resources, and advises many major clients including Nike, Bloomberg and Siemens. It is prominent in the semi-public and healthcare sectors, and is particularly active in cases involving the termination of senior employees' contracts. Recent mandates include representing CHC Norway in a case relating to the mandatory retirement age for pilots.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Practice head Jan Backer has long experience in employment law, including contractual issues, terminations, pensions, reorganisations and downsizings.

Well-known litigator Dag Steinfeld is "clever, skilled and keeps a high profile," say peers. He is the main employment law contact in the firm's Bergen office.

THE FIRM Clients are highly satisfied with this team and report that it provides good value for money. It advises on individual and collective issues, covering a wide range of matters including downsizing, pensions, employment of leading personnel, incentive schemes and major disputes. Its clients include Sparebanken Narvik, ISS Facility Services and Clear Channel.

Sources say: "I am very impressed with its high level of service and advice."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Relatively young department head Jens Kristian Johansen receives strong feedback on his in-depth knowledge of employment legislation and ability to explain its practical application. Clients remark that "he has an excellent ability to adapt his style according to the situation. He is very flexible and judges situations well. He is also very passionate about employment law." He recently advised Sparebanken Narvik, Bravida and Hewlett-Packard, amongst others.

Johan Hveding is "very responsive, provides clear and concise advice, is results-focused, and has excellent knowledge of Norwegian employment law," enthuse clients. He covers a range of employment matters, and recently assisted names such as Idemitsu Petroleum, Yahama Motor and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

THE FIRM This employment team receives extremely positive client feedback. It advises on a range of contentious and non-contentious matters, including restructuring, transfers of undertakings and terminations of individual employment contracts. The group's clients include Repsol Exploration, Warren Capital and Banqsoft. Amongst recent mandates, it assisted Norfolier Norge with a major group restructuring and the subsequent redundancies.

Sources say: "No-nonsense, solid, with a firm grip of the issues. I can rely on its advice unequivocally." "Excellent work ethic and good value for money - I'm very pleased with this team."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients declare themselves very impressed with "extremely professional" employment specialist Per Arne Damm, who leads the team. 

Lill Christin Egeland is commended for her "approachable, very dynamic and efficient approach." Clients appreciate that she "focuses on our objectives, thinks about the risks and tells you the potential downsides of any scenario."