Competition/European Law: Sweden

THE FIRM This versatile team enjoys an excellent reputation in merger filings and abuse of dominance matters. The 24-strong competition and EU team works from the Stockholm, Brussels, Gothenburg and Malmö offices. The practice successfully represented Fortum Värme in the Swedish Competition Authority’s investigation into possible abuse of dominant position through excessive pricing. Vinge has also co-ordinated merger filings for investment fund EQT V in connection with the acquisition of a leisure products supplier. 

Sources say: "This professional team provides an extremely high-quality service." "A proactive group of lawyers who deliver superb, constructive advice."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peers applaud department head Carl Wetter as "a skilled and resourceful expert" whose long years of experience continue to be of benefit to the practice. Johan Karlsson heads the team in the Stockholm office. Karlsson acted for Tele2 on a margin squeeze claim against TeliaSonera before the Stockholm City Court. Currently working from the Stockholm office, Marcus Glader is praised by peers and clients alike: "He is extremely knowledgeable and detail-oriented. He provides a first-class service to the client."

THE FIRM The team of 21 at this large firm has the capacity to provide a full service to its high-profile clientele. The practice has recently handled an increasing amount of dawn raids and cartel cases. An example of this was the team's representation of Posten in a matter relating to alleged abuse of dominant position. A key strength of the practice is its capacity on transactional matters. For instance, it recently represented Assa Abloy in its acquisition of Swedish locksmith giant Swesafe.

Sources say: "This large firm has an excellent competition team that can tackle any issue successfully."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources also praise head of the Brussels office Stefan Perván Lindeborg for having "an exceptional business understanding." Co-head of the Stockholm office Tommy Pettersson impresses clients: "He is a key figure in the competition market. He demonstrates complete control of his cases, knowing all the facts, offering reliable and successful advice." Fellow co-head Johan Carle is likewise highly esteemed. He has a substantial track record and is noted for both competition and public procurement work.

THE FIRM This ten-strong team has an outstanding reputation for its competition and public procurement work. On the competition side, the practice is particularly strong in merger control and abuse of dominance matters. Highlights include representing Bring CityMail in abuse-related proceedings against Posten, and acting for Arla Foods on a high-profile merger with its competitor Milko. The public procurement side of the practice focuses on assisting procurement entities and suppliers in major projects.

Sources say: "The skilled and competent team always provides efficient advice."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources agree that Olle Rislund is an "efficient, leading practitioner." Partner Carl Bokwall is responsible for most of the public procurement work in the firm. Impressed clients describe Bokwall as "an ambitious lawyer who delivers immediately." Peers applaud the work of "promising star" Fredrik Lindblom. Meanwhile, clients are highly satisfied with the public procurement work of associate Lina Håkansson: "Håkansson is capable of a magnificent level of investigation."

THE FIRM This competition team has grown to four partners and five associates over the past year. The team enjoys an excellent reputation for the full service it provides to clients. The practice continues its representation of Lycos Europe in a long-running abusive conduct case against TeliaSonera. A further illustration of the firm’s workload is its representation of Munksjö in its merger filing to the EC regarding the acquisition of a wallpaper business. 

Sources say: "The team is formed by specialists who produce excellent results; definitely excellent value."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Joakim Sundbom is a key figure in the department, and is highly regarded by peers and clients alike. His colleague Claes Langenius also impresses clients: "His experience endows him with the necessary know-how of his profession."

THE FIRM With six offices in Sweden, the capacity of this firm is indisputable. The department has solid expertise in public procurement, and is building an excellent reputation in state aid and competition matters. The strong team has 15 lawyers dedicated to public procurement, and ten to competition issues. Recently, the firm represented Reteri TransAtlantic in two acquisitions. Another highlight was representing the Swedish National Financial Management Authority and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration in public procurement disputes. 

Sources say: "The team is committed and knowledgeable. Its members provide clear and judicious advice."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peers and clients applaud the public procurement expertise of head of department Eva-Maj Mühlenbock. Satisfied clients say: "Mühlenbock carefully assesses a situation and advises accordingly. She gives us confidence that she will always put our interests first." The team is further strengthened by partner Henrik Seeliger in Gothenburg. Clients appreciate the work done by newly-made partner Ulrica Salomon. One interviewee explains: "I have always been pleased by Salomon's fast professionalism and deep knowledge in the field. The services provided by her are prompt, accurate and very high-quality."

THE FIRM Sweden’s only EU law boutique, Advokatfirman Öberg & Associés has quickly gained a strong reputation. The team has recently expanded to cover a wider range of areas, handling various competition, EU, state aid and public procurement matters. Highlights include representing 30 members of the Swedish Pilot Union Pilotförbundet in a discrimination case brought against SAS. In a state aid issue, the team acted for Konsum Nord before the General Court of the EU.

Sources say: "The team finds efficient and effective ways to solve matters."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Founding partner Ulf Öberg impresses peers and clients. "Öberg is immensely competent, resourceful, diligent and committed to his work and the concerns of his clients." Clients express complete satisfaction with the work of partner Ida Otken Eriksson: "Her capability in the field is outstanding. Her high-quality advice is always prompt."

THE FIRM This ten-strong team is renowned for its public procurement and state aid expertise. The practice also benefits from the strength of the firm’s other departments. Highlights include representing Däckia in proceedings relating to an alleged cartel in the tyre industry, and assisting Johnson & Johnson with public procurement matters.

Sources say: "The team possesses solid commercial understanding."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Head of department Anna Ulfsdotter Forssell enjoys an excellent reputation in Scandinavia for her public procurement expertise. One client comments: "She offers clear and pragmatic advice." Kristian Pedersen is seen as an outstanding performer in public procurement, and is highly regarded for his skills and responsiveness. The team is strengthened by the "solid" state aid and competition expertise of senior associate Elisabeth Eklund.

THE FIRM This competition practice benefits from the firm’s handling of a broad range of commercial matters for its domestic and international clients. This compact team is highly regarded for its work in merger control matters, as well as its general competition advice.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peers respect the competition and merger control knowledge of counsel Rolf Larsson, with interviewees saying: "He is very skilled, reliable and hard-working." Ola Wiklund enjoys an excellent reputation as a merger control and EU lawyer.

Since publication, Ola Wiklund has joined Hansen Advokatbyrå

THE FIRM Established in 2010, this competition and EU law boutique has already achieved a strong position in the market. The team focuses on cartel and dominant position matters. Despite not having a transactional team, the practice has had a significant number of instructions from stock exchange companies and investment banks. Clients include TeliaSonera and Ernst & Young.

Sources say: "A team of exceptional lawyers who are experts in the field."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Founding partners Kent Karlsson and Erik Söderlind lead the boutique and are highly esteemed by clients and peers. Source comment: "Both are excellent calibre lawyers."

THE FIRM This competition practice has offices in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö and over the past year has seen a significant increase in work. The team offers advice across all areas of competition and EU law, including merger control, public procurement and state aid matters. Clients include Stockholm County Council, SAS and Golden State Vintners. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department head Ulf Djurberg impresses interviewees with his experience and expertise. Clients say: "He is very prompt and conscientious." Senior associate Erik Hellners further bolsters the team with his competition expertise.

THE FIRM This compact team boosted its capabilities through its merger with Nilsson & Co in October 2010. The practice is particularly respected for its public procurement expertise. Highlights include representing Logica in court proceedings against Kammarkollegiet, and assisting TDC in a multi-jurisdictional matter.

Sources say: "The skills of this team have exceeded my high expectations."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department head Fredrik Linder impresses clients and peers with his public tendering expertise. "He’s an excellent analyst - focused, creative, clear.”

THE FIRM This team is noted for its strength in public procurement and merger control. The practice has recently seen a significant increase in the amount of competition disputes it has handled. Highlights include acting for Sulzer on its acquisition of Cardo’s Flow Solutions business for SEK5.9 billion, and handling TeliaSonera’s public procurement matters. 

Sources say: "A modern law firm with focus on practical solutions."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Head of public procurement Joakim Lavér is praised by peers and clients: "He has a crisp analytical capability, and an ability to present his case in a clear manner." Peter Forsberg heads the competition practice. Sources say he provides "high-quality work and successful outcomes."

THE FIRM The Stockholm office’s competition and EU practice benefits from the firm’s international network. Recent work includes advising Assa Abloy on the sale of Cardo Flow Solutions to Sulzer for SEK5.9 billion, and assisting Lundbeckfond Invest and KIRKBI Invest with the acquisition of Falck.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jonas Koponen heads the practice from the Brussels office, and peers are quick to praise his expertise. Senior associate Christina Mailund heads Swedish operations. Impressed sources say: "Mailund is extremely knowledgeable."

THE FIRM The team is divided between Stockholm and Gothenburg. The practice focuses on abuse of dominance in the telecoms and media industries. A significant recent highlight was acting for Preem and other leading national and international oil companies on a series of abuse of dominance cases.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Tobias Bengtsson is the main contact for clients.