The Legal 500

Castrén & Snellman has long enjoyed a premier reputation for contentious work, steering complex disputes under the direction of high-profile international arbitrator Marko Hentunen. The firm is defending Nordea Bank in a number of high-profile actions stemming from the financial crisis, and representing multinational Metso in separate patent and copyright disputes. Clients appreciate the ‘easy access’ to the lead partner, and ‘the excellent service’.

The extensive caseload at Hannes Snellman Attorneys at Law Ltd includes representing Lemminkäinen Corporation, the main defendant in the landmark private enforcement and multiparty damages action following Finland’s infamous asphalt cartel case. The heavyweight ‘commercial’ and ‘analytical’ team, led by Mika Savola, works effectively with cross-border colleagues on major international disputes as well as domestic headliners.

In a mixed year for Merilampi, leading litigator Ari Kanto left the firm following appointment as Justice of the Finnish Supreme Court; however, the merger with Veikko Palotie & Co brought fresh resources, particularly construction and real estate dispute expertise, while partner promotions included Jussi Ilkonen, who has a ‘pedagogical mindset and real passion for his work’ and Tapio Väätäinen, valuable ‘when the going gets tough’. A long list of high-profile cases included successfully defending Amer Sports in tobacco damages claims.

Roschier has a pool of talent in ‘exceptionally good’ Petri Taivalkoski, who is a ‘calm, measured advocate’, Eva Nordman-Rajaharju and a large team of experienced associates who are ‘extremely professional, approachable and hard-working’. Of these, Gisela Knuts and Johanna Lilja stand out, say clients. The firm continues to act for British American Tobacco Finland in the global product liability action, and is representing Merck in a number of patent litigations concerning drugs.

Bird & Bird Attorneys Ltd continues to impress, advising on cross-border disputes and arbitrations, and major white-collar crime and securities investigations. Head of the group Tom Vapaavuori is ‘very good at organizing the right lawyer for the right case’ while the team as a whole ‘always keep its clients well informed’, is ‘easy to deal with’ and ‘very professional’. Clients also single out Marko Wainio and Pekka Raatikainen.

Head of dispute resolution and insolvency Markus Kokko is in demand at Attorneys at law Borenius & Kemppinen Ltd, taking the lead in a variety of cases for multinationals and major domestic bodies. They include defending an international retail chain in a class action. Kai Kotiranta left in 2010 to establish his own firm, but a large, ‘professional’ team remains that ‘doesn’t need much guidance’.

Dittmar & Indrenius has impressive all-round dispute capability but excels in the field of labour law, where it is ‘without doubt the best firm I’ve worked with in Finland’ say clients. Practice head Petteri Uoti is ‘extremely good in understanding a customer’s business and needs’. Of note is the firm’s precedent-setting work for Fujitsu Technology Solutions in a labour law case before the ECJ.

With one of the largest teams in the market, Krogerus handles a bulging and diverse caseload, such as employment and aircraft leasing disputes on behalf of Air Finland and regular dispute advice to Santander. Jari-Pekka Alho is just one of several partners spread nationally, and was joined by former Supreme Court Justice Gustaf Möller at the tail end of 2009.

Jan Waselius at Waselius & Wist is widely-respected by clients and peers alike for his litigation and arbitration skills, representing the firm’s blue-chip client base in a range of matters. Tanja Jussila has an expanding caseload, leading the advice to Sachtleben Pigments in injunction proceedings against Lanxess concerning the termination of a chemicals supply agreement. Both Waselius and Jussila act as chairperson and arbitrators in proceedings at home and abroad.

Arto Kukkonen at HH Partners, Attorneys-at-Law, Ltd is a high-profile litigator and arbitrator and leads an experienced team that includes Jari Nikupaavola and senior lawyer Eero Kajander. High calibre instructions included securing victory in the Supreme Court on behalf of an international software game developer concerning anti-piracy.

Hammarström Puhakka Partners, Attorneys Ltd excels in the areas of environmental and maritime disputes due to the expertise of Kari Marttinen and Henrik Gahmberg, but credit is also due to the wide-variety of cases handled at the firm, including a complex product liability dispute for a global company, led by Pekka Puhakka.

Harri Lindfors heads the dispute resolution and insolvency group at Attorneys-At-Law Juridia Ltd. Much of the contentious work handled is IP-related, a core area of practice where the firm has a ‘high quality of expertise’. It is representing Ruukki Group in a multi-jurisdictional trade mark and trade name dispute against fellow Finnish listed company Rautaruukki.

LMR Attorneys Ltd is retained on a number of significant matters, such as a €1m contract dispute on behalf of a global energy company. Of note is the firm’s expertise in competition-related disputes, and is currently involved in the multi-party damages claims that have followed last year’s asphalt cartel decisions. Raimo Seppälä is the lead lawyer.

The ‘multitalented’ Lindfors & Co Attorneys at Law is ‘excellent in all the parameters’. The fledgling firm is having little trouble establishing itself due to the following and reputation of ‘by far the best litigator in Finland’ Patrik Lindfors, former partner at Hannes Snellman Attorneys at Law Ltd. Typical work included advising a Finnish financial services company in the largest litigation concerning squeeze-out proceedings in Finland, subsequent to a multibillion-dollar take-over. Antti Summa is ‘also very good’ and handles international arbitrations.

An experienced team at Peltonen, Ruokonen & Itäinen Attorneys At Law Ltd includes name partner Jukka Peltonen as well as the ‘very articulate’ Mika Oksanen. Overall, the dispute practice demonstrates ‘a good level of expertise’ and a ‘very high level of service’. Work includes national and international arbitration.

Procopé & Hornborg has an ‘impressive group of competent lawyers’ providing an ‘excellent level of service’. In particular, group head Petri Nevalainen is singled out for praise. Among a number of high-profile cases and clients, the firm is advising a significant party in damages claims subsequent to Finland’s asphalt cartel case.

Kotiranta & Co Attorney at Law Ltd is another new firm established by a leading litigator, Kai Kotiranta, former head of dispute resolution at Attorneys at law Borenius & Kemppinen Ltd. Kotiranta ‘wins his cases’ and has excellent knowledge of listed companies and board members’ defence, say clients. He is currently acting for a trustee of minority shareholders in a compensation claim following a major squeeze-out arbitration and appeal process.

Law Firm Lindblad Ltd has a lengthy and varied caseload, such as representing a public company in the education sector on a number of employment law and contractual disputes. The firm’s ‘customer service attitude is one of the best’, say clients.

The disputes team at Mäkitalo Rantanen & Co Ltd is ‘extremely flexible’, while Antti Palmujoki is a ‘true business-orientated professional’. The firm was substantially boosted by the hire of TMT specialist and litigator Juha Taipale and litigator Annika Kiviharju from Krogerus.