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: 33rd 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: 33rd 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: 33rd 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."
