Waselius & Wist is an independent Finnish
commercial law firm and a member of the Finnish Bar Association. The firm was established in 1997 and is based in Helsinki, the capital of Finland.
Focusses / specialisms
The law firm focuses on the financial, regulatory and insurance sectors. The firm regularly sees a lot of cross border work and is known for advising big corporate and bank clients on Finnish law. The team is also experienced in restructuring and refinancing.
In terms of capital markets work, Waselius & Wist focuses on
convertible instruments, hybrid bonds and other types of securities.
The team is also skilled in several types of M&A work including, but not limited to joint ventures, mergers, and takeovers.
Key clients
Credit Suisse International, eToro (Europe) Ltd, MetLife Group, Bank of America Corporation, HSBC, Nomura Financial Products Europe GmbH, Citibank / Citigroup, Barclays Bank / Barclays Bank Ireland, The Royal Bank of Canada, BNP Paribas, Société Générale Group, Goldman Sachs International, Natixis, Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, Deutsche Bank, Enersize, AMC Networks Ventures, Otso Gold, LocalTapiola Finance, Winance
Research period review: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
During this research period the firm’s banking and finance division has been advising on deals in the financial services sector, investment management sector and technology and telecommunications sector. It has worked with borrowers, lenders, originators and financiers.
In terms of capital markets work this research period has seen the team at Waselius & Wist focus on bond issues in the banking and financial services industries.
Regarding the firm’s work on the M&A side, the firm focused on private acquisitions, financial investments and joint ventures. They have attracted clients from the energy, utilities, telecommunications, and consumer goods sectors.
Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
BNP Paribas €90 billion bond issue
Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank (CACIB) €50 billion bond issue
LocalTapiola Finance €623 million public securitisation
Client feedback: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
Asset finance
"They provide clear, detailed and prompt advise. Overall I had a great experience with them."
Capital markets
"Legal knowledge, pragmatism, speed of response"
Financial services regulatory
"Very responsive and knowledgeable on insurance regulatory framework. They can provide services in wide scope and from small to large assignments."
M&A
“Very advanced legal knowledge and expertise in the matter. Clearly provided and business-guided legal advice.”
“Deep knowledge of Finish law, especially on transactional / M&A matters and insolvency. Very available and pragmatic.”
“Highly professional and skilled team, able to help in very specific area of procurement.”
“Accessible, provides hands-on and pragmatic advice.”
“Professional, knowledgeable, fast, adaptable.”
“Waselius & Wist has an outstanding reputation for complex (cross-border) M&A transactions relating to Finland due to their “hands-on” approach and commercial judgement as well as the ability to provide “full legal services”, e.g. not only to corporate law matters but also for example to employment or IP matters.”
Project development
"Fast response time, competent consultation."
Jaakko Huhtala
"Very professional, easy to work with, provides hands-on advice."
Maria Lehtimaki
"Excellent legal knowledge and responsiveness."
"Very friendly, reliable, fast, thoroughly."
Niko Markkanen
"Very responsive. Normally first point of contact who either takes the assignment or delegates work within W&W to appropriate resources."
"Good communication. Legal knowledge expertise."
Lotta Pohjanpalo
"Very capable of understanding clients issues and concerns, also delivering objective responses and actions to our questions."
Christoffer Waselius
"Legal knowledge and expertise. Very good communication."
"Very available. Very technical. Strong negotiation skills."
"Christoffer Waselius – who was always tremendously helpful due to his M&A experience, market understanding and practical and solution-oriented advice."
