Dispute Resolution: Denmark

THE FIRM This leading dispute resolution team takes on a large share of major litigation and arbitration work. With its broad expertise the firm acts for a wide range of clients, from the Bolivian National Bank to several Danish telecommunications companies. It has handled numerous high-profile cases, including successfully defending TryghedsGruppen against a DKK19 billion claim.

Sources say: "It is in the top league. The firm is a classic and highly regarded, and the dispute resolution team is always very thorough in court cases."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources describe partner Oluf Engell as "an outstanding lawyer, rightfully held in high regard." He is well known for his extensive experience in the field, and acts as the chairman of the Supreme Court Bar Association in Denmark. Equally well recognised is Per Magid, "an excellent name" who has long-term litigation experience and is also active as an arbitrator. Karsten Havkrog Pedersen is a valuable member of the team, who acted on the high-profile EBH Trust bankruptcy proceedings. Jeppe Skadhauge is "extremely thorough in his preparations for court, and a real expert." Karsten Kristoffersen works on finance-based litigation and is "very bright," say peers.

THE FIRM This full-service international firm has recently been increasing the number of dedicated litigators in its dispute resolution practice, which includes a group of barristers and several lawyers boasting significant Supreme Court experience. The team is seeing a growing number of cases in the financial sector, such as the DKK75 million High Court litigation for Deloitte, as well as plenty of professional negligence cases on top of general litigation work.

Sources say: "The lawyers are always professional, thorough and good at keeping us well informed on all our cases. They have a unique commercial understanding."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Christian Alsøe stands out as a "bright lawyer and a seasoned expert in the Supreme Court." Sources say Henrik Lind is "gifted with vast knowledge and significant experience." Henriette Gernaa is visible on high-profile cases, including the Deloitte High Court litigation, and clients describe her as "a strong analyst with a good understanding of technical issues."

THE FIRM This top full-service firm has a strong litigation department with Supreme Court expertise. The team is recognised for its broad range of dispute resolution experience, taking on high-profile general litigation and arbitration cases as well as more specialist matters such as tax litigation. Recent highlights include acting for telecommunications giant TDC in the Supreme Court and representing Sydbank in ongoing cases.

Sources say: "These lawyers are excellent; I would always recommend them for successful litigation. They form a well-respected and highly effective team which always delivers to a high level, often higher than expected."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Frank Bøggild is well known for his broad-based litigation expertise, and attracts particular praise for his marketing law work. Commentators describe Henrik Thal Jantzen as a "straightforward litigator, tough in the right way." His expertise in maritime and transport law is highlighted. "Very elegant litigator" Jens Rostock-Jensen has a wide breadth of knowledge and is well reputed for his arbitration work. Sources admire IP and litigation expert Erling Borcher for his "traditional style" and his international arbitration work.

THE FIRM As a leading full-service firm with an active litigation practice, this team receives impressive mandates from a range of clients including Carnegie Bank and BAT, as well as from a consortium of civil works contractors involved in one of the largest construction disputes in Denmark. The practice is well known for its general dispute resolution advice, as well as for its particular expertise in construction arbitration and some landmark tax litigation cases.

Sources say: "Provides highly skilled, spot-on, swift advice and has an excellent reputation for dispute resolution."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources describe Torben Bondrop as "talented and hard-working, and a gifted litigator." He is well recognised for his insurance law expertise. Peter Fogh wins praise for his construction arbitration experience, including on the first PPP project in Denmark. Peers recommend Peter Bang for reconstruction and insolvency litigation, and praise IP specialist Peter-Ulrik Plesner for his skills as a patents litigator. Rising in the rankings, Peter Wengler-Jørgensen is highly recommended by peers and clients, who say that he "conducts cases expertly, co-operating very well with us as the client, and has a good legal touch." Senior statesman Jørgen Grønborg now concentrates mostly on arbitration but also has extensive experience of litigation.

THE FIRM This dispute resolution team is made up of excellent lawyers with a broad range of expertise, covering general disputes as well as construction, insurance and employment law. The team focuses on high-value disputes for domestic and international clients, including Zurich, AXA and Danish insurer Tryg Forsikring.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peers say that Carsten Pedersen is a "good all-round litigator and very savvy." His areas of expertise include professional liability and banking. Jes Anker Mikkelsen is well recognised for his international work and his specialism in transportation and maritime law.

THE FIRM This firm is well recognised for its work for the Danish state. Its litigators are widely experienced in all aspects of public law and are constantly busy with numerous instructions from the government and ministries.

Sources say: "Excellent litigators, showing great talent." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "exceptionally skilled" Karsten Hagel-Sørensen is well respected for taking on some of the most important cases for the Danish state. Sune Fugleholm is recognised as another "truly excellent" litigator.

THE FIRM The recent recruitment of 20 lawyers (including some litigators) to Lett's insolvency group has strengthened the firm and enhanced its dispute resolution practice. It has been seeing an increase in professional liability cases, advising auditors such as PwC and Ernst & Young, as well as insurance and TMT cases such as winning a bid to advise Danish telecommunications company DSB.

Sources say: "An extremely skilled team of litigators."  

KEY INDIVIDUALS Recently appointed to the ICC International Court of Arbitration, Georg Lett is a high-profile practitioner with particular prominence in the field of insurance litigation. Peers describe him as a "fine lawyer and a worthy opponent." Søren Jenstrup continues to be a valued part of the team, along with Rene Offersen who is active on white-collar crime cases and whom sources describe as "an excellent all-round litigator." Senior statesman Jesper Lett is a long-experienced member of the group, particularly well known for his knowledge of corporate matters and for acting as an arbitrator.

THE FIRM This relatively small Århus-based firm has a strong reputation. Its dispute resolution team specialises in certain areas, primarily construction, insurance, banking and public procurement cases.

Sources say: "Well respected and very capable - it gets my vote any time." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peers hail Jørgen Holst as "one of the best litigators in Århus and also in Copenhagen," and admire his exceptionally accurate advice.

THE FIRM This large firm is expanding its dispute resolution practice and in July 2011 established a separate commercial disputes and arbitration group, bringing together into one team those lawyers with litigation and arbitration experience in various sectors. Its lawyers are active in real estate, construction, employment, IP, technology and public law, and many of them have significant Supreme Court experience. Recent international mandates include advising ship-owning company Norddeutsche on a dispute, and acting for the Lithuanian state on a case at the ICC Court of International Arbitration.

Sources say: "Provided an excellent, responsive service at a good price." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Experienced litigator and arbitrator Finn Schwarz handles employment, insurance and general commercial cases. He impresses clients and peers, who say: "He is excellent - we have only very positive things to say."

THE FIRM This litigation-focused firm recruited seven lawyers from Lind Cadovius in early 2011, strengthening the practice. A few dedicated litigators lead the team, whilst the other lawyers in the group are involved in at least one other area of law, bringing a range of expertise. The team has acted on some leading cases, including a recent landmark matter in the Supreme Court regarding the ban on water scooters in Denmark.

Sources say: "The team is available, helpful and always keeps to deadlines." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients praise Eigil Lego Andersen's high level of knowledge across several areas of law, stating that "he is one of the most intelligent people I have ever met, as well as creative, smart, honest and fair." Peers regard him as "a dangerous opponent." Michael Wiisbye is commended as "extremely reliable and well respected," especially in the field of insurance litigation.

THE FIRM This boutique firm specialises in construction law disputes and is very highly regarded in the area, obtaining impressive mandates and advising numerous top-league clients in the construction sector.

Sources say: "Stands out as an extremely skilled team of construction litigators." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peers regard Michael Gjedde-Nielsen as "extremely dedicated." He acts on high-profile cases.