The Legal 500

Attorneys at law Borenius Ltd is a regular in major antitrust and state aid cases, mainly due to the ‘in-depth knowledge’ of practice head Ilkka Aalto-Setälä and a strong supporting cast in Asko Lindqvist and telecoms expert Henriikka Piekkala. Piekkala also defended Nordea Bank Finland against an allegation of abuse of dominant position brought by seven other banks, and is representing all national television companies in the Supreme Administrative Court regarding digital television pricing.

Castrén & Snellman has a wealth of experience across a swathe of industries and fields arguably ‘the best competition team in Finland’, which ‘provides practical solutions for business needs’. Anna Kuusniemi-Laine and Sari Hiltunen are recommended.

Hannes Snellman Attorneys at Law Ltd is ‘one of the best we have used worldwide’, according to one multinational client. The group acted for Nikon in a parallel imports case against the Finnish Competition Authority (FCA); Shell on merger control issues; and Componenta plc in the first state aid litigation before the European courts involving Finnish parties. Head of competition Mikael Wahlbeck is ‘a true expert in his area’, as is Mika Pohjonen.

Krogerus’ highly praised competition practice acted in one of the largest investigations into abuse of dominant position in Finland to date, advising Abloy Ltd before the FCA and European Commission. Co-head Katri Joenpolvi and head of public procurement Terhi Kauti are ‘outstanding’ and demonstrate ‘in-depth legal knowledge combined with profound understanding of the needs of their clients’.

EU and competition law is a core area of practice at Merilampi. A bulging caseload includes the country’s most high-profile cartel cases, such as the car spare parts cartel, and the asphalt cartel, where it advised Skanska in the follow-on damages claims. Other clients include Canon, Elisa, and Itella (formerly Finnish Post). Practice head Arttu Mentula and Erkko Ruohoniemi are ‘excellent’.

Peltonen LMR Attorneys Ltd is a leading practice in competition law, due to the popularity and expertise of ‘star’ Ilkka Leppihalme and ‘highly respected business adviser’ Jukka Luostarinen, who co-head the practice. The team represented interveners Viasat Broadcasting and Modern Times Group in the protracted merger control proceedings following TV4’s acquisition of C More Group.

Roschier’s comprehensive competition practice acted for C More Entertainment and TV4 in the complex merger control and sublicensing case; and obtained merger clearance for Finnair’s joint control of Finnish Commuter Airlines alongside Flybe. The ‘approachable’ Christian Wik has ‘years of experience and one can really rely on his advice’. Senior associate Ami Paanajärvi has ‘excellent knowledge of cartels and merger notifications’.

Katia Duncker leads Bird & Bird’s practice, which provides a ‘very high level of service’. Showcasing its cross-border resources, the firm acted for St1 Group on the competition aspects of its acquisition of Shell’s operations in Finland and Sweden, including merger filings in Finland, Sweden, Norway and Poland. Duncker and versatile managing partner Jori Taipale are recommended.

Dittmar & Indrenius’ full-service competition practice, led by Hanna Laurila, acted for the cities of Espoo and Forssa in precedent-setting damages claims following Finland’s national asphalt cartel convictions. It advised Ratos AB on cross-border merger filings following its acquisition of cinema operator Finnkino.

Hammarström Puhakka Partners, Attorneys Ltd continues to grow in stature: it acted for airport management authority Finavia regarding an FCA dawn raid and investigation into alleged tax free sales. Other clients include Finncomm and Itella. Tuomas Saraste is recognised for his business acumen and industry knowledge, and ‘has the skills to simplify complex matters’.

Procopé & Hornborg provides ‘a high level of service’ and has a lengthy track record of prominent mandates. This includes continued representation of worldwide recording industry association, IFPI, in a landmark case before the European Court of First Instance concerning collective licensing of online music rights. Anne Petäjäniemi-Björklund is ‘excellent’, and Lotta Uusitalo has a growing reputation.

Waselius & Wist successfully defended JCDecaux in an abuse of dominant position allegation, and advised Finncomm on the competition aspects of Flybe Finland’s acquisition of Finnish Commuter Airlines. Mikko Eerola and Lotta Pohjanpalo have ‘an in-depth knowledge of competition law and vast knowledge of the Finnish market conditions’.

White & Case has notable competition expertise to support its transactional practice. Suzanne Innes-Stubb, who divides her time between Brussels and Helsinki, advises clients on a broad range of matters from merger controls to cartel investigations. The team provided global merger analysis for Metso Corporation.

Bützow has been acting in the asphalt cartel saga, and represented Finland’s AP Metsäpalvelu in a suspected abuse of dominant position case against the Finnish Regional Forestry Network.

HH Partners, Attorneys-at-Law, Ltd advises international clients on competition and EU matters. Taina Tuohino is advising Nortel Networks on competition aspects of its ongoing administration.

Juridia Ltd Attorneys-At-Law handles some contentious and non-contentious competition matters, particularly regarding EU intellectual property issues.

Reims & Co advises on a broad range of competition issues. Thomas Huber heads the practice.