Denmark > Legal market overview
The Big Four firms – Kromann Reumert, Bech-Bruun, Plesner, and Gorrissen Federspiel – dominate the Danish legal market and are all based in Copenhagen, although Kromann Reumert is significantly larger than its competitors. Bech-Bruun expanded again with a merger with mid-size, full-service Philip Law Firm, thus moving the firm on from an earlier reduction in numbers and the loss of several partners (most notably to Hannes Snellman Attorneys at Law Ltd). All the Big Four except Plesner have offices in Aarhus in Jutland, Denmark’s industrial heartland. Leading Aarhus firms, such as Delacour Dania Law Firm, also maintain offices in Copenhagen. Lett Law Firm has offices in Copenhagen, Aarhus and Kolding. DAHL Advokatfirma has offices in Copenhagen, Esbjerg, Herning, Randers and Viborg. Focus Advokater (LLP) is based in Odense, with branches in Copenhagen and Hamburg.
All of the above said, in 2011, the European economic crisis hit investor confidence and a dearth of big-ticket deals forced larger firms to become more flexible around mandates and pricing, and the devastating effect on mid-market firms was exacerbated by new breakaway boutiques providing specialist advice at competitive rates. Key developments include Philip Law Firm merging with Bech-Bruun; Lind Cadovius preparing to close its doors; and the Copenhagen office of Scandinavian firm NORDIA Advokatfirma losing all its previous partners, but then taking on a4 Advokatfirma’s partners as well as some high-profile lateral hires. Hannes Snellman Attorneys at Law Ltd’s recently established Copenhagen office, which focuses on transactional work, attracted several high-profile lateral hires.