With a history tracing back to 1872, the Danish law firm
Bech-Bruun has offices in Copenhagen, Aarhus, New York and Shanghai.
Focusses / specialisms
Bech-Bruun is recognised for its strong M&A, projects and restructuring and insolvency teams. It also boasts of a very credible banking and capital markets offering.
The firm’s previously acquisition finance-focused banking practice has broadened in focus and now regularly acts on large asset financings, project financing and regulatory mandates. It often represents the borrowers and lenders on deals involving the aviation, manufacturing and real estate sectors.
In capital markets the firm is particularly strong on the equity side, where it consistently acts on IPOs on Nasdaq Copenhagen, but also has strong capabilities in supporting debt and structured finance transactions.
The M&A team has a strong presence in Aarhus and Copenhagen and regularly completes several of the market’s biggest transactions, particularly in large Danish sectors, such as financial services, pharmaceuticals, IT, energy and shipbuilding.
In project development, the firm is strong in energy, with offshore pipelines and wind farm developers often creating work for the team. It is equally capable in infrastructure where the combination of specialist construction expertise and a deep bench gives the firm the capacity to handle a wide range of major construction and infrastructure projects.
The firm’s restructuring and insolvency team represented debtors and creditors on a mix of formal restructurings, distressed acquisitions and insolvency proceedings.
Key clients
The firm’s key clients include CVC Capital Partners, CPH City and Port Development, Møller-Mærsk, Danfoss, Danske Bank, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Energinet, Nordea Bank, Nykredit Bank, Royal Unibrew, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken and TotalEnergies.
Research period review: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
The firm’s banking division focused on acquisition finance, providing advisory services to prominent clients in the banking and financial services sectors, as well as energy finance and real estate finance.
In debt capital markets, the firm retains a robust position, excelling in bond and notes issuances as well as hybrid securities, with a primary focus on advising issuers. Furthermore, their equity capital markets team repeatedly demonstrated expertise in the IPO arena.
The firm played a significant role in Denmark's M&A landscape, handling notable mandates for both buyers and sellers. In the private equity sector, their team was actively engaged in substantial transactions, serving both private equity firms and their portfolio companies.
The firm was extensively involved in projects work, undertaking numerous large-scale developments in both the energy and infrastructure sectors.
The firm provided expert advice in restructuring and insolvency matters, catering to both creditor and debtor clients, including major Danish banks, prominent government funds, Danish corporates, and Danish subsidiaries of major foreign companies.
During the research cycle Partner Martin Allan Christensen left the capital markets practice while Partners Anders Hørlyck Jensen, Peter Østergaard Nielsen and Jakob Østervang left the firm’s project development practice.
Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
Cityringen $3.5 billion acquisition of Nordhavn and Sydhavn
Energinet $2.45 billion public procurement of Danish power grid/energy infastructure
Client feedback: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
Bank lending
“Very competent lawyers with solid knowledge on local as well as international legal aspects.”
Capital markets
“Service-minded and knowledgeable. Fast replies.”
“Bech Bruun understands our business and provides practical advice on how to deal with complex matters. They are always fast to respond, which is key when dealing with capital markets.”
Insolvency
“They are down to earth, communicate easily and understandably, and are also aware of next steps and make sure that I as a client understand the scenarios and consequences thereof. They are very pragmatic, which is fantastic.”
“They are extremely professional and carry out the assignments quickly and accurately.”
“Legal competence and commercial understanding.”
Investment funds
“Deep insight. Proactive. Clear communication.”
M&A
“Knowledgeable, flexible, accommodating, business-minded.”
“Easygoing, extremely professional and with deep market and legal knowledge.”
“Ownership and project management on the full project, not only the legal part.”
“Bech-Bruun managed to stay focused and provide great legal advice over the course of the entire transaction period and they showed a high level of flexibility and commitment throughout the process. They took control of the various legal work streams and assisted the client with the legal challenges and decisions required to be handled and/or taken. During the transaction process, Bech-Bruun proved to be a leading M&A law firm not only in Denmark but also internationally.”
Project finance
“They are kind, professional, responsive, knowledgeable and solution-orientated.”
Claus Aagaard Nielsen
“Extremely easygoing, a pleasure to work with. Practical focus, team worker, deep knowledge and business understanding - a real deal-maker.”
Mikkel Anker Heegaard
"Mikkel was on top of the matter and showed an excellent ability to manage the M&A process, including the due diligence and transaction workstreams. The combination of his availability, attitude and legal skills makes him a very valuable support and part of the transaction."
Morten Bruun-Larsen
"Deep knowledge easy to work with, hard worker very organised, deep legal knowledge."
Adam Buck-Arentsen
"He carries out all tasks quickly and correctly."
Anders Gløde
“He is very pragmatic with in-depth knowledge about his field. You feel very safe with him on your side.”
Morten Krogsgaard
"Morten is extremely intelligent and knowledgeable. He has great problem-solving skills.”
Simon Milthers
Simon was very devoted to the matter, trustworthy and showed a high level of expertise within the field. He managed to efficiently lead the negotiations with the sell side and reduce complexity whilst keeping focus on the important matters for the client. With a high level of legal skills and a business-orientated approach, Simon emphasised his position as a leading M&A lawyer.”
David Moalem
“David holds very detailed knowledge on securities law and is able to enter into both technical and difficult discussions, still transforming the advice into actionable and practical advice. He has a great personality – he is interested in other people, shows empathy and shares personal views and experience. I am very happy to work with David and I consider him a top adviser.”
“Deep insight. Solid and robust legal advice. Clear recommendation.”
Søren Nørbæk
“Accessible, smart, business understanding, fast.”
Steen Rode
“Accessible always. Quick response or delegation. Good negotiation skills and generally a likeable person creating a good negotiation environment.”
Thomas Thordal Sevelsted
“Thomas is very client-minded and always strives to deliver on tight deadlines with high-quality output. Furthermore, Thomas is a good communicator and understands communicating complex content to non-legal educated people as well.”
“Very knowledgeable about capital markets and bonds.”
“Thomas is highly knowledgeable, approachable and has great commercial insights. He is very involved and responsive.”
Troels Tuxen
“He is an experienced lawyer and is able to quickly understand new issues and give advice.”
Søren Volder
“Highly competent in insolvency law and practices. Trustworthy. Informal. Result-orientated. Commercial approach.”
