Norway

“They were very constructive and clean in their feedback on our questions. They were very easy to reach and quick to reply. They have a very hands-on approach and are very involved and easy to reach which makes them stand out from other firms.” - M&A 

“As a former investment banker of Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan and Astrup, Storbråten and Partners, I’ve had the pleasure of working with and against a number of the World’s preeminent law firms such as Cravath, Freshfields and their like. I’ve also worked with all top Norwegian as well as Nordic M&A law firms, and Aabø-Evensen belong in Band 1 among these firms even if they are significantly smaller in number of lawyers.” - M&A 

In banking and finance, the team advised DNB Bank and other arrangers on the amendment and extension of VISMA’s multicurrency term and revolving credit facilities. This was the first loan in the Norwegian market to have a term loan B structure. It is also the largest unrated syndicated sponsor backed LBO in the European market. 

In another notable transaction, the M&A team advised Adevinta on the takeover offer led by Permira and Blackstone, as well as General Atlantic and TCV for all shares in Adevinta. This takeover is the largest public takeover in Norway ever with an equity value of EURO 14 billion, and the most significant take-private deal in Europe during 2023/2024.  

“Clearly on top of all aspects of the deal and very detail oriented; the team are also incredibly responsive and I highly rate Ida-Marie Windrup who is an absolute pleasure to deal with and ensures that her team are always providing exceptional client service and driving the deal forward to a successful close.” - Asset finance 

“BAHR's lawyers are extremely knowledgeable, but also bring with them a commercial mindset and a willingness to find solutions on behalf of their clients.” - Bank lending  

“BAHR handled the assignment efficiently and with great professionalism. They were responsive and guided us seamlessly through the entire process—from the term sheet stage to the final signed agreement” - Banking and finance  

“They offer the complete package of services from corporate law through M&A and regulatory advice” - Financial restructuring  

“The quality of their team, their skill, experience and pragmatic approach to any transaction” - M&A 

In banking and finance, the firm advised BlackRock on the sale of two Norwegian wind farms, Tellenes and Guleslesttene, to Envy in a EUR 537.5 million deal. The firm provided strategic legal advice and legal assessments on the sale and sale.  

In another notable highlight, the firm advised Nordly Holding in connection with its sale of 75% of the shares in STIM AS to Summa Equity. The financing established a strategic partnership between Nordly Holding and STIM AS in furthering sustainable growth in the fish health business.  

“Responsiveness and industry expertise” - Banking and finance 

“Haavind's bank/finance team led by partner Hans Christian Donjem is pragmatic, business oriented and flexible. They have a solid understanding of the regulatory landscape, and invests time in understanding their clients and their business environment.” - Banking and finance 

“Great competency and partner availability.” - Capital market equity  

“Very good understanding of the issues, quick response and good service overall.” - Financial Services Regulatory  

“Knowledgeable, solution orientated” - Financial service regulatory  

“Available and hands on. Very good people skills, and easy to corporate with.” - Financial service regulatory  

“Haavind stands out for its extensive experience with M&A processes, particularly in the tech and SaaS sectors. Their deep understanding of cross-border transactions, combined with a pragmatic, solution-oriented approach, ensured efficiency and clarity throughout our sale to a foreign buyer. Their ability to anticipate issues and manage complex legal frameworks clearly reflects their strength in handling similar high-stakes deals.” - M&A 

A significant highlight of the firms activity during the research period includes advising Public Property ASA (PPI) on a major transaction to acquire a portfolio of industrial infrastructure assets from TRG Real Estate for NOK 2.325 billion. The firm provided advice to PPI in connection with the acquisition and the subsequent joint venture involving Resource Group TRG.  

Another notable highlight includes the firm providing legal and strategic advice to Holmaneset H2 AS in connection with the development of hydrogen facility. Partner, June Snemyr is involved in advising on the projects decarbonization effort and its construction.  

“Thommessen's lawyers are extremely competent and highly specialized. They bring in-depth knowledge of regulatory nuances and market practices that help anticipate and mitigate risks early.” - Bank lending  

“Thommessen delivers high quality services and can put together knowledgeable and skilled teams.” - Bank lending  

“They deliver a broad range of services which covers most of our needs for legal assistance. The teams consist of leading lawyers in the Norwegian market” - Banking and finance 

“Good commercial insights, always available and pragmatic. Not spending long time on smaller "irrelevant" matters as other lawyers just to bill more hours” - Capital markets equity  

“Highly knowledgeable, meets deadlines, offers great expertise within small scale hydro power” - M&A 

“Very professional - also the brilliant understanding of the business (additional to the pure legal view of things)” - Project development 

Key clients

Fortescue Future Industries International, Klimapark Nees Hede/Cloudberry, Heidelberg Materials, Northern Lights, Akershus Energi, Altor Equity Partners, Triton Partners, Ferd, HitecVision, Norvestor, DOF Group, XXL, Goldman Sachs, ABG Sundal Collier, Arctic Securities, DNB Bank ASA, Nordea Bank, Danske Bank, Svenska Handelsbanken, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB 

A notable deal highlight includes the firms role advising Mowi on its acquisition of a controlling stake in Nova Sea AS from Vinger Olaisen AS for EURO 625 million, raising Owi's total ownership to 95%. The transaction is one of the largest transactions ever in the Norwegian seafood sector.  

The firm is also particularly strong in the projects space. For instance, the firm is advising Green H AS hydrogen in the development of green hydrogen facility located at Langstranda in Bodø, Norway. The project will be the first in Northern Europe to supply green hydrogen directly from the site to a maritime vessel. 

“Always available, Friendly tone. Provides valuable advice throughout the process. Likeable and competent people.” - Bank lending  

“Advokatfirmaet Wiersholm AS' banking and finance team is one of the best in sector with solid commercial understanding.” - Bank lending  

“Impressive market insight. Solution oriented with an approach that let the client shine.” - Banking and finance 

“Streamlined and reasonably priced. They know what to do so minimum instructions needed,” - Capital markets debt  

“Commercial/ business sense, creativity, support in negotiation tactics.” - Capital markets equity  

“They are excellent. Always available. Provide clear advice and great guidance.” - Financial Service regulatory  

“Availability, commercial approach, value for money” - ;leveraged finance 

“Strong legal knowledge and commercial acumen, ability to understand client perspectives” - M&A 

“Commercial/ business sense, creativity, support in negotiation tactics.” - M&A 

“Wiersholm have best in class expertise across all relevant business areas and delivers high quality advice that have solved our question at and above expectations in all our interactions. Wiersholm also stands out in having a complete range of expertise and are good at bringing in the correct expertise. We would like to point out that we are very satisfied with Kjetil Stensvik (our main contact at Wiersholm) ability to both bring in the correct expertise and at the same time do this in an effect manner that limits the hour spent on the project. This is a combination that not all masters in the legal industry.” - Project Development  

Key clients

DNB Bank, SpareBank 1 Sør-Norge, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken, Danske Bank, Norwegian branch, Nordea Bank, Pareto Securities, DNB Markets, SFL Corporation, Kistefos, Arctic Securities, Schibsted, Visma, Orkla, NTE AS/ NTE Energi, Statkraft, Aneo, Skanska, Green H 

A notable highlight of the firms work during the research period includes its role representing the consortium of private equity firms Permira, Blackstone, General Atlantic and TCV in their public takeover offer for the online classifeds group Adevntina ASA. The acqusition was valued at USD 13.1 billion, making it one of Northen Europe’s largest transaction.  

The firm also served as legal counsel for the managers involved in the initial public offering (IPO) and listing of Public Property Invest (PPI) ASA on the Euronext Oslo Børs. The firm assisted in raising NOK 1.75 billion and was the first listing on Euronext Oslo Børs.   

Testimonials 2025

Arntzen de Besche has legal teams spread across its Oslo, Stavanger and Trondheim offices. The firm was established in 2001. 

Focusses/specialisms 

The banking practice regularly advises leading banks, financial institutions and corporates on financing deals. It has strong expertise on exploration and production, real estate, shipping and aviation loan work. 

The firm’s capital markets practice, active in both equity and debt, acts for an impressive list of clients based in Norway and overseas. The firm offers clients a variety sectoral expertise. 

The M&A team advises both buyers and sellers. Sectoral strengths for the team include energy, technology and fisheries and aquaculture. 

In project development the firm is particularly strong in PPP work, where it has supported the two major roads projects launched in Norway during the past two years. 

Key clients 

Key clients include DNB, SEB, Swedbank, BNP Paribas, Bank of America Europe, Citibank, Edison International, Bonnier Books Holding, Sweco, A.P. Moller – Maersk, Brightstar Capital Partners, Nutreco, Pareto Securities, Nordea Bank, Kreos Capital VI (UK), Danske Bank, NTS, Shearwater Geoservices Holding, SAS, Torghatten, TrønderEnergi and the Oslo Stock Exchange. 

Client feedback: 32ndedition (2021/2022) 

Capital markets: equity 

“Highly knowledgeable team with a service-minded and commercial approach.” 

M&A 

“Rapid delivery of specialist knowledge in a field not many know well.” 

Founded in 2007, CLP is a boutique law firm based in Oslo. 

Focusses/specialisms 

In banking the firm mostly focuses on acquisition financing work. 

It has a growing equity capital markets practice, which advises issuers, shareholders, investors and investment banks on equity offerings. 

The firm’s offering in M&A and corporate work is broad, extending to most transaction types. The firm has extensive knowledge of the private equity sector, where it advises private equity firms, funds and investors at all stages of transactions. 

The project development team is predominantly active in the energy sector, where its expertise has industry-wide recognition. 

Key clients 

Key clients include Techstep, Atlantic Sapphire, Mercell Holding, poLight, Element, Ferd, SpareBank 1 Gruppen, Fortum, Kredinor, Viking Venture, Standout Capital, Agder Energi, Statkraft Ventures, Ånstadblåheia Vindpark, Nygårdsfjellet Vindpark, Euro Real Estate, CapMan Nordic Real Estate and House of Control. 

Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023) 

M&A 

“Great combination of business acumen with drive and efficiency in M&A processes.” 

“Pragmatic, high speed of delivery, highly experienced and nice people.” 

Oslo-based Grette is a full-service law firm. 

Focusses/specialisms 

The firm’s banking practice is especially strong in the real estate sector, both with respect to bond and bank financing, and often receives mandates from Norway’s top investment banks. The firm also excels in advising government entities on the financing of PPP projects and maintains a strong position within payment services in the country. 

The capital markets team regularly advises on IPOs and stock exchange listings and is very active in the segment for high-yield bonds for SMEs in Norway. 

In M&A the firm’s focus is on larger and mid-market transactions, where the team assists clients on private and public acquisitions, divestments and mergers. 

In the project development space, the firm supports large, and often complex, developments in both the energy and infrastructure and construction sectors. 

Key clients 

Key recent clients include Hywer, Småkraft Utbygging, Celsa Armeringsstål, MIP Miljøkraft, Green Norway, Momek Group, SpareBank 1 Markets, ABG Sundal Collier, Avinor, Moelven Industrier, HSBC Bank, Danske Bank, Goldman Sachs International, Consignor Group/Thomsen Holding, ReCore, BKW Group and DNB Markets. 

Schjødt is a Scandinavian law firm with offices in Norway, Sweden and London. The firm’s Norwegian offices are in Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger and Ålesund. 

Focusses/specialisms 

The firm maintains a top position in all financial and corporate areas in Norway. 

Besides a market-leading regulatory expertise, in banking the firm consistently secures top financing mandates in such areas as shipping, acquisition finance, oil and gas, energy, real estate, aquaculture and infrastructure. 

The firm is highly active in both debt and equity capital markets. In the debt space it is a key player in the Norwegian high-yield bond market, particularly on international offerings, and is dominant in energy and real estate bonds. The equity capital markets team advises on some of the most visible transactions in the market, including a large number of listings on the Oslo markets. 

The M&A team is among the largest in Norway in both headcount and turnover. Unsurprisingly, the firm’s coverage is highly diverse in terms of sectors and niches, private and public deals and client types. The firm commands a high share of the most complex deals in Norway and has a highly impressive clientele comprised of large private equity funds and corporations. 

Key clients 

Key clients include Vår Energi, Klaveness Combination Carriers, Meltwater, Veidekke, Fjordkraft, Norvestor Private Equity, Longship Private Equity, Panoro Energy, Herkules Capital, Keystone Academic Solutions, Lundin Energy, Seadrill, Nordea Bank, Neptune Energy, DNB Bank, Lowell, Nordic Trustee, Arctic Securities, Pareto Securities, Pexip Holding, Sparebank 1, Aker BioMarine and Vaccibody. 

Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023) 

M&A 

“Market-leading practice, containing real experts. Proven track record, well positioned to advise on complex projects. Provides very timely and excellent advice. Willing to go the extra mile.” 

“Very fast turnaround, fantastic availability, business savvy. Very experienced and can provide strategic and business-oriented advice.”