Finland > Dispute resolution > Law firm and leading lawyer rankings

Castrén & Snellman is considered by one client as ‘the best dispute resolution firm’ in Finland. ‘Impressive litigator’ Anders Forss and Marko Hentunen lead the team, which defended Stora Enso in a €250m follow-on cartel damages claim. The firm also represented Nordea Bank in litigation against Posti Group, its subsidiary Posti Ltd and the Finnish state for VAT charges alleged to have been made in violation of EU law. Clients include BMW and Finnlines.

The ‘fantastic’ team at Hannes Snellman provides ‘value for money’ with ‘strategic, pragmatic and fast advice’. The practice represents Lemminkäinen Corporation in the asphalt cartel damages litigation. Practice head Antti Järvinen, alongside Kimmo Heikkinen, successfully defended Sweco in a €15m gross negligence dispute. Anna-Maria Tamminen, who was recently promoted to the partnership, is ‘one to watch’. Mika Savola left the firm in 2017.

Regarded by a client as ‘the best dispute resolution law firm in Finland’, Lindfors & Co Attorneys at Law offers ‘excellent value for money’. The practice has experience in construction litigation and arbitration proceedings; it is representing a seller in M&A arbitration proceedings against a private equity buyer. ‘Innovative litigator’ Patrik Linfors heads the team, which includes Petra Kiurunen.

Roschier’s ‘high-quality dispute resolution practice’, led by Petri Taivalkoski, is experienced in competition law litigation, international arbitration proceedings involving high-value corporate transactions, and white-collar crime disputes. Gisela Knuts and Aapo Saarikivi are key contacts. Clients include Microsoft, Nokia, Pfizer and Stora Enso.

Borenius ‘adapts its approach to match the client’s needs, wishes and budget’ to provide ‘high-quality advice in a cost-efficient manner’. It successfully defended Outokumpu in IP arbitration and litigation proceedings, totalling €160m in claims. ‘Result-oriented and pragmatic’ Markus Kokko leads the team, which also represents the state of Finland and Rolls-Royce.

Dittmar & Indrenius acted for cities and municipalities in the asphalt cartel claims and defended Örum in spare car parts cartel damages litigation. The firm has ‘excellent arbitration knowledge’ and represented Fonecta in an international arbitration against Eniro. Practice head Jussi Lehtinen, the ‘experienced and skilful’ Jan Ollila and senior attorney Tom Ehrström are key contacts.

HPP Attorneys defended Metsäliitto Osuuskunta in €300m damages claims relating to cartel activity. It also represented Merropoin in a tax dispute and is handling a subsequent damages claim against the state of Finland for alleged negligent decision making. Marko Wainio recently joined from Bird & Bird and heads the team alongside Mikko Leppä.

Krogerus has broad experience and offers ‘good response times and value for money’. Joint practice heads Mikko Elonheimo and Carola Möller led the representation of Metsähallitus in €160m raw wood cartel follow-on damages claims. The team has ‘very good knowledge of the construction industry’, and represents clients such as VRJ Etelä-Suomi, Lehto Group and Skanska Talonrakennus in disputes. Jari-Pekka Alho is highly regarded.

The practice at Bird & Bird is ‘both big enough to have enough resources and small enough to have flexibility and value for money’. It is acting for Nokian Tyres in a significant trade secret infringement case. Construction litigation expert Risto Sipilä joined from Borenius as senior counsel.

Eversheds Asianajotoimisto Oy / Eversheds Attorneys Ltd (a member of Eversheds Sutherland)’s dispute resolution practice is ‘worth every penny’. It defended the bankrupt estate of Talvivaara Sotkamo against environmental crime claims. Practice head Niina Mickelsson led the representation of nine municipalities in the asphalt cartel litigation. Janne Rainvuori is also a key contact.

Kotiranta & Co Attorney at Law Ltd is a boutique dispute resolution firm specialising in securities and business crime litigation. Founding partner Kai Kotiranta, has experience in defending high-net-worth private clients and domestic and multinational corporations in this area. The team also handles broader commercial litigation and arbitrations.

The ‘strong’ team at Mäkitalo Rantanen & Co Ltd offers ‘concrete, practical’ and ‘cost-effective’ advice. The team acted for over 650 forest owners in claims totalling €60m concerning a wood purchasing cartel. Juho Lönnblad successfully represented Keva in a construction dispute. Annika Kiviharju heads the practice.

Merilampi Attorneys Ltd defended Fujitsu Finland against claims brought by the city of Espoo for an alleged breach of contract. The firm was also instructed by Metsä Board in a dispute concerning enforcement of a 100-year-old agreement. Jussi Ikonen heads the practice. Tapio Väätäinen left to establish Mentula & Väätäinen Attorneys Ltd. As of January 2018, the firm’s former Tampere office, which included Lassi Kettula, now operates independently under the name Merkurius Attorneys Ltd.

Avance Attorneys Ltd has expertise in directors’ liabilities, insolvency and construction disputes. ‘Highly skilled litigator’ Ulla Vuokila heads the practice, which includes Salla Suominen, who joined from Castrén & Snellman.

DLA Piper represents Helsinki City Transport Authority in a €450m dispute concerning the termination of agreements relating to a construction project. Practice head Jussi Savonen is providing advice to a former director of Nokian Renkaat in a misuse of business secrets dispute. Danske Bank and Haminan Energia are clients.

Lexia Attorneys Ltd is instructed by the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa in a breach of contract claim brought by a carrier company for emergency medical services. The ‘smart and involved’ Sirpa Leppäluoto and Kenneth Svartström head the practice, which also represents Polartum, MTV and Finance4.

The team at Magnusson has experience in litigation and arbitration relating to board members’ liability, real estate and bankruptcy. Practice head Jukka Blomberg is a key contact for energy sector disputes and represented St1 in an environmental damage matter.

Procopé & Hornborg’s practice has experience in antitrust, IP and energy sector disputes, and handles both complex litigation and arbitration. Key contacts include Asta Siponen and Jusse Rissanen.

Attorneys at law Ratiolex Ltd. has a reputation for its expertise in bankruptcy litigation among other areas. It acted for an Austrian company in a €21m consultancy agreement dispute. Timo Ylikantola is highly regarded.

Jan Waselius is head of the dispute resolution team at Waselius & Wist, which successfully defended Hardware Group Finland in a trade mark dispute regarding the design and shape of a key. Other clients include Bayer, BASF and Nordic Mines.