The Legal 500

Attorneys at law Borenius & Kemppinen Ltd has a dedicated team of specialists led by ‘highly skilled’ Ilkka Aalto-Setälä with support from the experienced Asko Lindqvist. Work is typically top draw, such as state aid cases before the European Commission, while clients include Finnair and Nordea Bank, advising the latter on the FCA’s investigation into an alleged abuse of dominant position.

Clients of Castrén & Snellman emphasise the firm’s depth of resources, practical approach and industry knowledge. Hannu Pokela, Anna Kuusniemi-Laine and Sari Hiltunen lead ‘definitely one of the best teams in Helsinki’. The firm advises a diverse range of sectors on work of the highest calibre, from major Finnish industrialists to global pharmaceuticals.

The prolific and diverse practice of Mikael Wahlbeck and ‘responsive’ team at Hannes Snellman Attorneys at Law Ltd advised on the only merger control case of 2009, obtaining clearance for Alma Media’s €56m tender offer for Talentum Corporation. On the pure competition side, Tapani Manninen acts for Nikon and is heading the defence of another major multinational in a private enforcement action. Clients appreciate their commercial and technical awareness.

Heavily endorsed by clients is Krogerus, the result of ‘talented’ and ‘very strong’ Katri Joenpolvi. Her large team of experienced associates includes Petteri Metsä-Tokila who ‘understands business problems’, while Leena Lindberg joined the firm in 2010 from the FCA to co-head and significantly strengthen the group. Regular clients include Neste Oil, Sampo Bank and major Nordic media group Sanoma plc, successfully obtaining merger approval in a transacton with telecom DNA despite much opposition.

LMR Attorneys Ltd excels in the field of competition law, earning a role in the majority of key mandates in Finland, including acting for NCC Roads in the subsequent damages claims initiated by the Helsinki District Court following the conclusion to the asphalt cartel case. Jukka Luostarinen is a leading practitioner and ‘the sort of person boards turn to for wise counsel’. Co-head Ilkka Leppihalme is ‘highly skilled’ with ‘very good relationships with the relevant authorities’.

Merilampi is also highly focused in this area and a regular in landmark cases and big-ticket merger filings. Arttu Mentula heads the practice with Erkko Ruohoniemi in support, recently acting for Fortum in a landmark case before the Supreme Administrative Court concerning its merger with E.ON, the first time a conditional merger decision was overturned by the Courts in Finland. The firm is acting for Skanska in the follow-on asphalt cartel damages cases.

Expertise and flexibility combine to make Roschier a leader in this field, receiving multiple plaudits, even from competitors’ clients. Advice is largely to major corporations from a host of sectors, such as Oy Kaha Ab in Finland’s automotive spare parts cartel case, the first Finnish case to award leniency as well as potential follow-on damages. The ‘industry-savvy’ Christian Wik heads the team that includes senior associates Ami Paanajärvi, ‘an excellent talent’ and Niko Hukkinen who is ‘an absolute professional’.

Bird & Bird Attorneys Ltd has a ‘very effective’ Helsinki team led by Katia Duncker that includes Jori Taipale and some experienced associates. Work includes significant merger filings and representing clients in domestic and EU investigations; it is handling an abuse of dominant position case on behalf of a Finnish energy company, and acting for Ovako group of companies in a European Commission inquiry.

Dittmar & Indrenius is advising in the high-profile motor vehicle spare parts cartel case before the Supreme Administrative Court, acting for wholesaler Örum. The versatile practice group is ‘top class’ and led by senior attorney Hanna Laurila, with support from partners such as Antti Kuusimaki and Johan Åkermarck. GlaxoSmithKline and the FCA instruct the firm.

Tuomas Saraste heads an impressive practice at Hammarström Puhakka Partners, Attorneys Ltd, leading a strong team that includes Vesa Silaskivi and Juoni Alanen. The firm is advising Teliasonera Finland on a broadband pricing matter and Verkkokauppa.com in a parallel-trade case against Nikon, both before the FCA and Market Court.

Procopé & Hornborg continues to impress, acting for a Finnish ski resort operator in a state-aid complaint before the European Commission. Lotta Uusitalo and Anne Petäjäniemi-Björklund co-head the well-resourced group which has ‘excellent industry knowledge’.

Clients at Waselius & Wist benefit from a comprehensive practice with notable expertise in contentious matters, while high-level merger control work also features significantly. The firm is advising a major international corporation in a FCA investigation into alleged illegal information exchange between competitors. Mikko Eerola and Lotta Pohjanpalo make a capable and experienced duo.

White & Case advises a raft of multinationals on all aspects of competition and EU regulatory matters, including headline merger control and cartel investigations. Team leader Suzanne Innes-Stubb is ‘highly valued’ by clients, who also report that the firm’s network of international offices ‘is a significant asset’. The firm conducted a global merger analysis and multiple national merger filings concerning a share exchange offer by Metso.

Alf-Ole Wanamo at HH Partners, Attorneys-at-Law, Ltd advises on competition matters, with support from the firm’s reputable corporate and dispute resolution lawyers where needed.

Attorneys-At-Law Juridia Ltd advises on competition matters as part of its business contracts and liabilities, and corporate advisory, practice groups led by Markku Varhela and Tero Routamo respectively.

Onni Hietalahti heads the practice at Law Firm Lindblad Ltd, with support from other partners including Jukka-Pekka Niemelä. The firm provides competition advice to mid-sized domestic and international companies.

Peltonen, Ruokonen & Itäinen Attorneys At Law Ltd might not have a specialist competition team but its strong litigation practice regularly handles matters before the market court.

Reims & Co features in a number of significant competition law matters, receiving recommendation within the marketplace. Thomas Huber at the firm specialises in this field.