Norway

Oslo based Aabø-Evensen & Co is a Norwegian boutique law firm with a specific focus on M&A and capital markets transactions. The firm was established in 2001.

Focusses / specialisms

It is best known for its experience in M&A where it advises buy and sell side clients on public and private equity transactions. The firm is well versed in cross-border work and is especially active in the Norwegian TMT, renewables, fisheries and aquaculture, industrials, retail and energy industries.

Key clients

Key clients include Francisco Partners, Consignor Group, NEC Corp., Timex Group Luxury Watches, Banqsoft, KMD, Mypower and Summa Equity / Logex Group.

Research period review: 33^rd edition (2023/2024)

During the research period, the firm was active in the M&A and Capital Markets: Equity practice areas. In that field Aabø-Evensen & Co has been attracting clients from the financial services, energy, real estate and technology and telecommunications sectors.  

Deal highlights: 33^rd edition (2023/2024)

IMDEX $224 million acquisition of DEVICO

Client Feedback: 33^rd edition (2023/2024)

M&A

"The firm can deliver the whole package on any cross-border M&A-deal, anything from securities law advice, corporate, competition, tax structuring, labour law, regulatory advice as well as financing. Extremely impressive that such a relatively small but very strong team of lawyers can run the type of large projects they tend to be involved in, everything from mid-market to premium deals. Clearly among the best M&A firms in Norway. The firm’s team is very strong and deserves a Tier 1 position for M&A."

Project development

"Proactivity and availability."

Ole Kristian Aabø-Evensen

"Mr Aabø-Evensen is by far the lawyer who has the widest skills set and knowledge base of all lawyers in the transaction area in the Norwegian market, clearly the market leader for M&A in Norway. He serves major European PEs and industrials – and has an amazing knowledge and ear to the ground of what is going on in the market. In addition, he has good commercial understanding and the ability to extract the most critical drivers in a transaction. Based on his wide credentials he is solution/creative-orientated in transactions. He is always present, well prepared, follows up closely and works around the clock if required, securing all the relevant details in the transaction. Further, he is extremely loyal in representing his client's interests throughout the whole process and innovative in finding compromises that will work for all parties within the legal and commercial framework of the deal."

Geir Nilsen

"Availability, kindness, proactivity."

BAHR is one of the largest law firms in Norway. The firm, established in 1966, has offices based in Oslo and Bergen.

Focuses / specialisms

The firm has a strong reputation across the board in financial and corporate work.

Its banking team is among the leading in Norway, offering advice on large, often cross-border financing, refinancing and regulatory mandates.

In capital markets the firm advises on many of the most important Norwegian transactions in debt and equity. The firm has advised on ground-breaking capital markets work in Norway over the years such as the first ever securitisations under Norwegian law by a Norwegian bank and by a Norwegian bank's foreign branch.

M&A is another key pillar of the firm’s financial and corporate offering. It holds an impressive market share of the most impactful deals and advises targets, sellers and bidders.

In projects the firm has a strong flow of energy sector mandates, including prestigious green energy, renewables and offshore projects. The firm is also increasingly engaged in supporting innovative PPP projects in various sectors.

Key clients

Key clients include Nordea Bank, DNB Group, Sparebank 1 Gruppen, Danske Bank, ABN AMRO, ING, Arctic Securities, Aker, The John Fredriksen Group, Axcel, HitecVision, Blackstone, Equip Capital, ABG Sundal Collier, Pareto Securities, Goldman Sachs, HitecVision, Equinor, Vårgrønn, Shell, Total, ExxonMobil, Oslo Municipality, Fortum Oslo Varme, Bane NOR and Statsbygg.

Research period review: 33^rd edition (2023/2024)

During the research period, the firm was active in banking and finance, debt and equity capital markets, M&A and project development.

In terms of banking and finance work, BAHR has been focusing on deals in the financial services and energy sectors.

On the debt side of capital markets, the firm has worked on note issuances for clients in banking, transport and energy.

In equity capital markets BAHR has advised energy and financial services companies on IPOs and secondary share offerings.

In the M&A sphere the firm has worked on acquisitions for clients in energy, financial services, technology, and consumer goods.

In terms of project development, the firm has worked on notable energy and infrastructure projects.  

Deal highlights: 33^rd edition (2023/2024)

Kredinor $420 million revolving credit financing

NORECO $208 million subordinated convertible bond issue

SalMar $3.6 billion acquisition of NTS

Client Feedback: 33^rd edition (2023/2024)

Banking and finance

"Understands the market extremely well and have a commercial and practical rather than a theoretical approach to problem solving. Creative when it comes to finding compromise solutions."

"BAHR has advised on some of the most challenging and largest financings and restructurings in Norway and has handled them very skilfully, professionally and efficiently. They have gained deep knowledge and vast experience in handling complicated case-structures and party constellations."

"Hands on, knowledgable/high competence, well connected and allways available."

Capital markets

"They provide excellent legal advice related to out debt issuance, with a personal, commercially sound and very service minded approach - and on time."

"Answers questions swiftly, good at explaining legal implications."

"Very good firm with great and knowledgeable people."

"Competent and effective"

M&A

"Highly commercial and proactive."

"Hands on approach, good commercial understanding in addition to good availability and industry experience."

Project development

"Extremely responsive, and high-quality legal advice."

"BAHR have been able to combine their own legal expertise with that of us as a client and those of an external consultant (an ex-Supreme Court judge) with in-depth knowledge of the subject matter into concise and easily readable pleadings submitted to the Supreme Court of Norway."

Audun Nedrelid

"He answers phone calls and emails on time, calls back if he is busy when I call him. Positive attitude, problem solver, accurate."

Markus Nilsen

"Knowledgeable/high competence within his field, serviceminded, well connected."

"He has very good in depth and broad legal knowledge, follows up, has good knowledge about our business. Positive and friendly attitude, listens to input. Delivers on time. He has been responsible for establishing new ways to secure mortgages for the Norwegian banking industry to cope with unwanted effects of regulatory changes. Also, he meets our needs regarding ISDA and repo transcations. All this proves both in depth knowledge and a broad legal knowledge."

Oystein Nyhus

"Oystein is skilled at distilling complex matters and conveying the core legal essence in a concise and easily readable way without losing relevant detail."

Lars Olav Viset

"Excellent technical knowledge and hugely customer friendly."

Elias Settevik

"Elias work in a BAHR team managed by Thomas Krage Svensen. He is available, dedicated and very motivated. When needed he includes other resources in BAHR. We get the quality we need in time. This is an important contribution to our business model."

Magnus Tønseth

"Extremely competent and creative in finding solutions that work for all involved parties. Understands what is needed to get the job done."

Ida Marie Windrup

"Ida is a service-minded and well experienced lawyer that is pleasant to work together with and that delivers high quality expert advice both individually and together with her banking and lending team in BAHR."

Haavind is a full-service law firm based in Oslo. It was established in 1893.

Focuses / specialisms

In banking the firm specialises in financing work including acquisition, real estate, projects and bonds, as well as regulatory matters.

In the capital markets space, it is regularly seen on IPOs, private placements and bond issues, most frequently on the side of issuers.

The firm has a strong M&A practice which is especially visible in the technology, energy, oil and real estate sectors. The practice has an in-depth knowledge of the private equity industry and works on a high volume of cross-border transactions.

The firm is among the best in project development in Norway with a strong position in the country’s energy, oil and gas, infrastructure, mining and telecommunications sectors.

Key clients

Key clients include BlackRock Investment Management, Pareto Securities, ING Bank, Equinor Venture, Norsun, Norsk Hydro, Taaleri Energia, TechnipFMC, Ryde Technology and Telenor.

Research period review: 33^rd edition (2023/2024) 

In terms of banking and corporate finance, Haavind has been focusing on high-yield bond issues. It has also done some notable project finance work.

In the capital markets sphere, the firm has been more active on the equity side.

In M&A it has been focusing on private equity buyers.  

Deal highlights: 33^rd edition (2023/2024)   

Statskog $268 million acquisition of Meraker Brug

Transtema Group $43.6 million acquisition of Tessta Connect and Tessta G Trench

Øyfjellet 400 MW wind power plant

Client Feedback: 33^rd edition (2023/2024)

Banking

"The Haavind team is highly efficient and brings high-value inputs without spending too much time on less important issues."

Financial services regulatory

"Diligent, polite, solution oriented."

M&A

"Strong team in renewable energy transactions."

"Experienced, effective and solution oriented."

"Haavind proactively seeks to find solutions that protect our interests in setting up agreements and preparing for negotiations in our recent acquisition. Their Corporate team has the necessary expertise to tackle all issues that arise. They not only have full control over the legal aspects but also contribute with tactical advisory services as well."

"Industry knowledge, company strategy well understood, pragmatic and proactive."

"Responsive and timely."

Project development

"Precise feedback, excellent availability and good knowledge of their area of expertise."

"Haavind has very good knowledge of the process industry way of working and are able to provide solid advice thereafter. For this project in particular we appreciated that they have been able to give good advice on typical pitfalls in purchase of the technology solutions we are working to obtain."

Kasper Asplin

“Highly competent and efficient way of working.”

“Knowledgeable, solution oriented, diligent”

Bjørn Brevik

"Solution oriented, pragmatic, experienced"

"Always very responsive, understand problems fast and timely response."

Silje Dagsland

"Good knowledge of business, flexible and swift response."

"Silje has high competence on the industry and our way of working. She provides constructive and useful legal advice."

Bård Sandstad

"Experienced and hardworking M&A lawyer with deep knowledge of the renewable energy sector."

Bjørn Olav Torpp

"Experienced, responds quickly, effective, solution oriented."

"Always available, delivers on time and has creative solutions to the challenges we give him. He puts together a team balancing resources to fit our challenges and needs."

Founded in 1989 the Norwegian law firm SANDS has offices in Oslo, Trondheim, Bergen, Stavanger, Ålesund, Tromsø and Tønsberg

Focusses / specialisms

The firm is known and active in several financial and corporate areas in Norway.

In the banking and finance space the firm has been regularly involved in a host of financing and financial restructuring transactions.

In the capital markets space, the firm is active in both equity transactions and issuances of bonds for a range of issuers and financial clients.

In the M&A space, the firm acts for both buyer and sellers on a range of transaction types. The firm is especially active in the Norwegian healthcare, energy, fisheries, insurance and technology sectors.

Key clients

Key clients include Artec Holding, Norgesbakeriene, Volvat, Bonnier Group, The Norwegian State, Salvesen&thams, Abax, Pareto Securities, Carnegie, SpareBank 1 Markets, Fearnley Securities, Cardiomech, GNP Energy, Horisont Energi, Artec Holding and Volvat.

Research period review: 33^rd edition (2023/2024)

During the research period, the firm was active in banking and finance, equity capital markets and M&A.

In banking and finance the firm worked mainly on deals in the financial services industry.

In the equity capital markets sphere, the firm has received mandates from clients in the technology, banking and public sectors.  

In M&A field, SANDS worked for clients in healthcare, fisheries, consumer goods and technology and telecommunications. 

Deal highlights: 33^rd edition (2023/2024)

 Horisont Energi $43 million private placement

Client Feedback: 33^rd edition (2023/2024)

Bank lending

"Commercial, dedicated, timely, efficient, highly skilled."

M&A

"Availability, price vs performance and a genuine full-service legal advisory (delivered fully integrated)."

"Solution-orientated and commercial in their approach and an important contributor to carry the transaction safely to signing."

"Commercial, pragmatic and solid problem-solving skills."

"Full-service legal advisory at a sensible price point."

Private equity

"Switched-on partners who are very hands-on."

"Timely, professional, commercial."

"Experience and pragmatism."

Espen Furuholt

"A good thinker and contributor to pragmatic problem-solving."

"Hands-on and very knowledgeable. Problem-solver."

"High degree of delivery of pragmatic solutions/advice."

Terje Gulbrandsen

"Timely, effective and professional."

Erik Lind

"High availability, responsive, cost-efficient, good at simplifying complex matters."

"Commercially orientated and focuses on solutions. Easily gains the respect of his clients."

"Availability, resource/cost management, interpersonal skills."

Pia Sporstøl

"Commercial, efficient, highly skilled, understands client's needs."

Simonsen Vogt Wiig is a Norwegian law firm with a history stretching back to 1894. The firm has offices in Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, Stavanger, Kristiansand, Tromsø and Singapore.

Focusses / specialisms

The firm is a strong performer in Norway across the spectrum of financial and corporate work. 

The firm excels within the banking area, where it works for borrowers and lenders on a variety of cross-border issues from complex and bespoke syndicated loans to regulatory matters. The banking team is recognised for its market-leading strength in export, project, aviation and ship finance.

The firm’s equity capital markets practice advises on the full spectrum of transactions across both private and public capital markets.

M&A has been an area of recent growth, with the firm increasingly becoming more capable of acting on the market’s largest mandates. 

In project development the firm covers a wide range of Norwegian sectors and does high volumes of work in electricity and renewable energy, oil and gas and infrastructure.

Key clients

Key recent clients include Prime Capitalm, RWE Wind Norway, Norwegian Export Credit Guarantee Agency, NAEV Solventus, Gassnova, SkagerakNett, HRS, Helse Fonna, Norwegian Telecom Regulator, Zwipe, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Huddly, Play Magnus, Skitude Holding, Inviso, HBK Holding, FSN Capital, Håndverksgruppen, Adelis Equity, Core Equity and Nordlo.

Research period review: 33^rd edition (2023/2024)

During the research period, the firm was active in banking and finance, equity capital markets, M&A and project development.

In terms of banking and finance work, the firm has attracted clients from industries such as energy, financial services, fisheries and aquaculture and aviation.

In equity capital markets the firm advised on IPOs and secondary share offerings for technology and consumer goods companies.

In the realm of M&A, the firm was active in technology, financial services and consumer goods.

In project development the firm’s clients came from the financial services, energy and power sectors.

Deal highlights: 33^rd edition (2023/2024)

AKA $48 million senior secured bond issue

Hima Seafood $ 250 million private placement

Unicare group $18 million credit facilities agreements  

Client Feedback: 33^rd edition (2023/2024)

Capital markets

"Very good specialist competence, giving high priority to clients, and ensure timely reponse"

"Commercially oriented, always available, pleasant to work with, highly valuable speaking partne.r"

M&A

"They have helped us both with big acquisitions and small and knows what level of help we need. They have relevant questions, feedback and suggest relevant advice in next course of action."

"They are experts in oil & gas and deliver good quality work product."

"Overall I’m very satisfied with SVW. They’re skilled professionals who understand the nordic market."

"Proactive, Efficient, available"

"Understand our business.”

Amund Fougner Bugge

"Skilled. Likeable. Hard working."

"Available, Proactive, Problem Solving"

"Splendid on delivering the appropriate solution in a timely manner, avoiding entering into legal discussions irrelevant to the task at hand."

"He understands our business well and what counsel we need. He is very easy to get hold off and is listening on what we want the outcome to be and applies that to his advice."

 "Very knowledgeable regarding our business."

Gunnar Espeland

"I think the best thing about Gunnar is how he makes it easy to work with him. He connects on a personal level and really listens to our needs."

Christian Berg Meland

"Strong legal skills and relevant experience combined with a strong commercial mindset."

Thommessen is a leading Norwegian law firm with offices in Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger and London. The firm’s history stretches back to 1856.

Focusses / specialisms

The firm ranks highly across all areas of financial and corporate law. Banking, renewable energy and technology are sectors where the firm consistently performs strongly. 

In the banking area the firm generally advises on a range of issues including acquisition and project financing as well as on financial restructurings for various lenders and borrowers.

The firm is arguably the market leader in the capital markets space and consistently works across several of Norway’s largest mandates. On the debt side the firm acts for both managers and issuers. On the equity side the firm has represented either the issuers or the underwriters on many significant IPOs for the last ten years.

In M&A the firm works on a mix of acquisitions, mergers, investments and joint ventures for some of the country’s largest companies. 

Project development is another source of strength for the firm, where it often advises on some of the most complex undertakings not just in renewable energy, but also in infrastructure and real estate.

Key clients

Key clients include Norsk Hydro, EQT, Goldman Sachs, Summa Equity, ABG Sundal Collier, Pareto Securities, DNB Bank, Carnegie, Danske Bank, Nordea Bank, Svenska Handelsbanken, GIEK (Norwegian Export Credit Guarantee Agency), Storebrand, Gabler Investments, Seadrill, Equinor, Lyse, Zephyr/GulesletteneVindkraft AS/Haram Kraft, Lutelandet Vindpark and Green Investment Group.

Research period review: 33^rd edition (2023/2024)

During the research period, the firm was active in banking and finance, debt and equity capital, M&A and project development.

In terms of banking and finance work the firm’s clients have been from seafood industry, the financial services industry and the transport industry.

In the debt capital markets sphere, the firm has worked on bond and note issuances for companies in the banking and financial services sectors.

On the equity side the firm has attracted clients from the banking, financial services, consumer goods and healthcare sectors.

In M&A the firm worked on  mandates from companies in the technology, financial services and fisheries sectors.

In project development the firm worked for some notable clients in the energy, public, utilities and manufacturing industries.

Deal highlights: 33^rd edition (2023/2024)

FREYR battery cell production plant

Komplett $484m acquisition of NetOnNet

M Vest Energy $60 million senior secured bond issue

Shelf Drilling $130 million private placements

Velfra $84 million refinancing

Client Feedback: 33^rd edition (2023/2024)

Bank lending

"Thommessen has the largest banking and finance team in Norway with well and broad experienced lawyers. The team handles without problem everything from the most complicated syndicated financing structure case to a plain vanilla bilateral bank financing transaction. The composition of the team is also well balanced, i.e. the partner layer, the senior lawyer layer and the junior associate layer works and fits together efficiently. Thommessen is also very commercial and pragmatic and does not try to expand the work in an unecessary way that we might see from other firms."

"Very knowledgeable individuals, who knows the business." 

Capital markets

"They offer the best legal expertise and case/ project management in their field."

"They are sharp in their analysis and clear in synthesizing complex problems."

"Thommessen is always very constructive, have deep knowledge and a very commercial mindset."

M&A

"They are pro-active and respond quickly on new drafts etc."

"Legal and practical solutions."

"Good resources and able to carry big workload."

"Apply all required resources immediately, work creatively, and understand the client's needs. In addition, absolute reliability on legal aspects."

"Excellent competence, industry knowledge, service and commercial savvy"

"Quality and accessibility of senior lawyers. Sector experience. Efficiency in providing services.
Understanding the client's requirements and objectives."

"Easy and flexible to work with. Good knowledge and experience in this area."

"Availability, skillset, positive attitude, efficiency.”

Project development
"Thommessen's assistance is characterized by their extensive experience with this type of legal support related to both wind turbines and civil contracts. In addition to legal expertise, Thommessen also contributes with technical insight into this type of power developments."

"Knowledge and being effective in the way they work."

"Business focused / wholistic view."

"One stop shop. Competent and experienced with a strong personal sense & commitment."

"Good teams, great quality in their deliveries and always timely."

"They are top-tier, pragmatic and carries the right values. Deep industry insight."

"Very competent. Engaged. Quick to respond."

Thomas Abrahamsen

"He is very pro-active, pleasant to work with, knowledgeable, and responds quickly to requests."

Anders Arnkværn

"Accessible, knowledgeable and solution-oriented."

"Excellent knowledge, service and commercial & practical approach."

"Highly receptive and attentive to the customer's requests and objectives. Very efficient. Highly accessible. Intelligent balance of legal and commercial approach."

Jacob Bull

"He is knowledgeable about the energy industry and wind power development in particular, as well
 legally competent. Always quick to respond and almost available 24/7."

"Good business understanding - utilizes a wholistic view."

"Always available - super service level and industry insights."

Bendik Christoffersen

"Extremely competent. Intelligent. Broad insight in the sector. Vast experience."

Lars Eirik Gåseide Røsås

"Is always available and solves problems."

Einar Grette

"Excellent legal services combined with in depth market knowledge."

"Very positive, always accesable and very commerical oriented."

Kristoffer Hegdal

"Strong project management, very strong team."

Ellen Teresa Heyerdahl

"She is one of the best in the business, service minded and very knowledgeable."

"Ellen is a hard-working, well experienced, service minded and top qualified lawyer. She delivers expert advice both individually and together with her team that stands out beacause of their ability to take into consideration both the law and the commercial side of a case as well as risks and strategic considerations."

Tore Mydske

"Extreme in-depth knowledge of financial regulatory issues."

Rune Steinsland

"Very constructive - not making up issues."

Audun Stornes

"He communicates very good. positive with good business understanding."

Lars Martin Sveen

"Good in explaining the juridical language to me as a client. Good in communicating process and content."

Henrik Torgrimsby

"Excellent at seeing the big picture and where he and his colleagues could help. The best "value for money" lawyer I ever worked with. Very competent in the renewable business and a super nice guy!"

The leading Norwegian law firm Wiersholm was established in 1875. The firm serves clients out of its Oslo office.

Focusses / specialisms

The firm has vast experience across several financial and corporate areas. 

It has one of the market’s strongest banking and capital markets teams, owing to its relationships with Norwegian banks, and has conducted several large project financings and bond offerings in recent years.

The firm acts for issuers and underwriters on IPOs and acquirers and sellers in M&A deals, remaining among Norway’s most active firms across both areas.  

The firm’s projects team takes on some of the market’s largest construction and renewable energy mandates and regularly acts for developers on energy and infrastructure projects.

Key clients

Key clients include Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken, SpareBank 1 SR-Bank, DNB Bank, Nordea Bank, Danske Bank, ABG, Carnegie, Arctic Securities, Kongsberg Automotive, Volue, Pareto Securities, MPC Energy Solutions, Schibsted, SFL Corporation, Hurtigruten, Kistefos, Kverva, Orkla, Visma, Equinor, Total and Lundin Energy Norway.

Research period review: 33^rd edition (2023/2024)

During the research period, the firm advised on deals in banking and finance, debt and equity capital markets, M&A and project development.

In banking and finance the firm received mandates mainly from the banking sector.

In terms of debt capital work, the firm worked on bond issuances in the banking, shipping and energy sectors.

On the equity side of capital markets, the firm worked for clients in the financial services, consumer goods and technology sectors.

In the M&A field the firm attracted clients from sectors such as energy, financial services and technology.

In project development the firm worked mainly for developers in energy, real estate and construction.

Deal highlights: 33^rd edition (2023/2024)

Apax Partners $446.5 million acquisition of EcoOnline

Cubera $81 million bond issue

RAK Petroleum $ 800 million secondary share offering

Yara International $250 million revolving credit facility

Client Feedback: 33^rd edition (2023/2024)

Asset finance

"Quick handling. Clear guidance."

Bank lending

"A very hands-on and service minded team, with very knowledgeable individuals.”

Capital markets

"Very clear and concise advice. Highly efficient and very responsive."

"Providing advise on insider rules, terms of derivatives contract and investor communication"

"Good project lead, responsive and fast returns on requests etc."

"They probably have the best team in Norway regarding equities."

"Extremely qualified, service-minded, efficient, strong team and timely delivery. In addition, they are generally pragmatic and knowledgeable with respect to the issuer’s industry and challenges unique to the sector."

"Top of the Line capital markets team. Extremely experienced and knowledgeable."

"High quality and time efficient legal advice."

Financial services regulatory

"Good and practical advice. In-depth knowledge of the industry and its regulations an excellent sparring partner with deep knowledge of our business."

"Deep legal and industry knowledge - complete overview of what works and not. Able to risk assess, not only «safe side». Pleasant people. Seems to not exploit its juniors."

"Extremely knowledgeable and have a very high standing with the Financial Supervisory Authority."

M&A

"Very skilled partners and senior lawyer. Extremely service oriented and maintain a huge working capacity."

Project development

"Knowledge, experience, ability to listen and develop strategy, customer mindset."

Atle Gabrielsen

"Quick feedback. Clear guidance."

"He is one of the best in the industry, service minded and very knowledgeable."

Anne Lise Gryte

"Excellent lawyer. Provides accurate, timely advice. Highly professional and works very well with other law firms / transaction counterparties."

"Hard-working, competent, discussion partner with focus on finding optimal solutions to the challenges on hand. Also very pleasant to work with and supremely responsive."

"High quality and time efficient legal advice."

Karsten Kreiling

"Extremely skilled and have the complete overview of the transaction at any point in time, with very high working capacity."

Hans Augun Parmann

"Knowledge, experience, calm and constructive attitude, ability to listen and formulate strategy, expresses himself very well in negotiations."

Sverre Sandvik

"Always high quality, commercially minded and responsive"

"Very knowledgeable, always has an answer to requests or questions, both on calls and on email. You can trust that Sverre has good advice on difficult problems."

"Always available. Extremely good to discuss problems with. Indebt knowledge of his field, probably the best one in Norway."

"Sverre is extremely knowledgeable and experienced, and you can always be sure you are getting top notch advice."

"Excellent knowledge of his field probably the best in Norway. always available. Good commercial understanding and practical advice."

Kjersti Trøbråten

"Very competent on regulatory issues, and she has a high standing with the Financial Supervisory Authority."

Wikborg Rein is a law firm with an international presence. It has offices in Bergen, London, Singapore and Shanghai, in addition to its headquarters in Oslo. The firm was established in 1923.

Focusses/specialisms

The firm excels across a wide spectrum of corporate and commercial work in Norway.

Within the banking area the firm has one of the market’s strongest financing teams and, as a result, is well acquainted with prominent Norwegian and international lenders.

The firm has a strong presence within the Norwegian bond market and has strength in cross-border financings, secured bonds and multi-layer capital structures, often combining bank and bond financings. The firm’s equity capital markets practice is similarly capable, and frequently acts on listings on Euronext Growth and OsloBørs.

The firm’s M&A practice is known for its international orientation in strength in private equity.

In the projects space the firm has a focus on power (wind, hydroand grid), oil and gas, social infrastructure and transportation.

Key clients

Key clients include Telenor, Storebrand, DNB Bank, Nordea Bank, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken, Danske Bank, Pareto Securities, GIEK, Nordic Trustee, BNP Paribas, Entra, Yara International, Intertrust, ABGSundal, Hydro ASA, Norwegian Ministry of Defence, Stadtwerke München, BKK, Norges Gruppen and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Research period review: 33^rd edition (2023/2024)

The firm has been active in several fields including banking and finance, capital markets, M&A and project development.

In terms of banking and finance work, the firm worked on mandates from companies in shipping, financial services and manufacturing.

On the debt side of capital markets, the firm has acted for companies in financial services, manufacturing and fisheries and aquaculture.

In the M&A field, the firm was active in industries such as technology and telecommunications, shipping and investment management.

In terms of project development, the firm has been active in shipping, oil and gas, as well as the energy sector.

Deal highlights: 33^rd edition (2023/2024)

Extenda-group $100 million senior secured bonds issue

Quantafuel $40 million private placement

NRS Farming $640 million acquisition of SalmoNor

Client feedback: 33^rd edition (2023/2024)

Banking and finance

"Strong competence and knowledge of the market and legal aspects."

"High level of expertise within financing and capital markets. High service level and responsiveness."

"Agile and experienced team that can respond quickly on any matters where assistance is required."

Capital markets

"Exceptional transaction management and valuable advice. Top-tier assistance."

"Very solutions-orientated, excellent response time and can handle complexities arising from cross-border transactions."

"Expeditious and professional legal advice."

"Comprehensive and broad advisory work in a new and relatively complex situation for the company. Proactive advisory work."

"Solid legal competence, practical and proactive attitude."

Financial services regulatory

"Street-smart approach with ability to think pragmatically and commercially."

M&A

"They are available for our needs (long sessions of negotiation) with a great attitude and with high capability to solve legal issues."

"Very experienced, good holistic assessment, high availability."

"Good firm with excellent attorneys and experience."

"Wikborg is very professional, hands-on and pragmatic."

"Responsive and intelligent lawyers, great team."

"Wikborg Rein has a solid overview of the legal area and provides pragmatic and commercially sound advice in a timely manner. The lawyers are friendly and service-minded while still providing good advice."

Private equity

"Quick turnaround, effective, precise."

Project development

"Positive attributes concern legal advice and presenting alternative solutions and regulations that the three involved parties could agree to. Always responded quickly to the parties' need for responses and clarification."

"Very practical, pragmatic, timely service. Thinking outside the box to help create a new realm with new expectations from parties. Able to effectively judge and rank importance of emerging issues during negotiations."

Ketil Bøe

"He is pragmatic and street-smart. Knows his field of expertise very well."

"Ketil is very available, a good discussion partner, never afraid to flag a viewpoint and suggest solutions, hard-working and nice to be around."

Andreas Fjærvoll-Larsen

"Experienced and specialised in his field. Hands-on and works closely with team of associates. Responsive and possesses detailed industry knowledge."

Knut Hausken Magnussen

"Excellent service. Thinking outside the box, creating new solutions to a first-of-a-kind project, pragmatic, strong judgement of ranking priorities in negotiations."

Tormod Ludvik Nilsen

"High level of knowledge."

"Tormod is very responsive, intelligent and knowledgeable. He is very experienced in the renewable energies sector. It is always a pleasure to work with him."

"Great lawyer, very responsive, intelligent with a deep knowledge of the renewable energies sector."

Sigurd Opedal

"Deep and broad competence, always provides clear advice, good discussion partner, always available and responsive."

Lars Erik Østerbø

"Service-minded, good understanding of clients and business, clear communication, effective."

Alexander W Owesen

 "Very good knowledge of bank and bond documentation. Trustworthy and hands-on."

Johan Rasmussen

"Excellent in all aspects."

Per Anders Sæhle

"Competent and expeditious."

Caroline Skaar Landsværk

"Positive attributes concerning legal advice and presenting alternative solutions and regulations that the three involved parties could agree to. Always responding quickly to the parties' need for responses and clarification." 

Stuart Stock

"Good sense of the law, provides sound legal advice, is commercially aware, pragmatic, friendly."

Karoline Stock Evje

"Very dedicated, very knowledgeable and hard-working. Quick turnaround."

Stian Tande Mortensen

"Likeable, knowledgeable, truthful."

"Excellent communication and renown. Highly preferred and well-liked among all stakeholders in the market. Very skilled and knowledgeable on high yield bonds. He is exceptional at transaction management and getting the deals through."

DLA Piper is an international law firm with offices throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. The firm has a strong pan-Nordic presence including an office in Oslo.

Focuses / specialisms

The firm’s banking practice covers an array of loan transactions, including complex asset financing deals and project and construction financings where the firm has standout expertise. The firm also boasts a strong financial regulatory practice which advises large international and domestic banks on an ongoing basis and excels in the Norwegian fintech sector.

M&A is another focal point of the firm’s financial and corporate offering. Its Norwegian team cooperates with the firm’s offices in Finland, Sweden and Denmark and supports cross- border deals.

Key clients

Key clients include Telenor, Cube Infrastructure, OpenGate Capital, Cloudberry Clean Energy, Alder Fund II, Katalysator, Herkules Private Equity, Cennox Holdings, Betonmast, Pharmaq, OneCo, Storskogen 3 Invest, Danske Bank, BNP Paribas, UniCredit, Credit Suisse, Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen Girozentrale, Telenor, SEB and Nordea.

The legal arm of the multinational “Big Four” professional services firm EY is one of the largest law firms in Norway. It has offices in 16 cities across the country from North to South.

Focuses / specialisms

Corporate M&A, especially for cross-border transactions in the SME segment, is a core business for the firm.

Key clients

Key recent clients include Inflexion, Sweco Group, Olav Thon Eiendomsselskap and Artelia Group.