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: 33rd 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: 33rd 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: 33rd 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."
