The Legal 500

An undisputed heavyweight, Bird & Bird combines a dedicated Helsinki team with its leading global reputation and resources. The firm acts for SAP Finland and Logica, advising both on significant Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system supplier agreements and major outsourcing projects. Kari-Matti Lehti heads the Finnish IT sector group, and clients appreciate his ‘ability to listen and find positive and innovative solutions’. Kimmo Reina and Pekka Takki are also recommended.

Attorneys at law Borenius Ltd’s TMT group advised the Finnish Broadcasting Company, Yleisradio, on the consultation and assessment of its HD channel pursuant to EU state aid rules. Head of IP rights and technology Pekka Tarkela is ‘particularly good’, and Samuli Simojoki and Ben Rapinoja are also recommended. Clients appreciate ‘how easily everything flows in this firm’.

Castrén & Snellman’s ‘exceptional’ group acted for Fiskars on the procurement of a business-critical ERP system and support in 20 countries, a project led by practice head Arto Linnervuo. Nokia Corporation and Nokia Siemens Networks are also clients. Clients are ‘very pleased with the combination of business acumen and ability to keep our best interests in mind’.

Hannes Snellman Attorneys at Law Ltd’s clients include Microsoft, Apple and Google, and many IT users such as major banks and insurance companies. Head of technology Kaisa Fahllund, who is popular for her ‘professionalism’ and ‘can-do’ approach, leads on many matters and recently advised a foreign ICT service provider on the dissolution of a large service agreement with a Finnish multinational.

Technology is a key industry focus at Krogerus, which attracts premium clients including the State Treasury, Nordic Investment Bank, Pohjola Bank, and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Mika Puittinen heads the technology and IP team, and is leading advice to the ECHA on a large-scale ICT outsourcing. Managing partner Juha Pekka Katainen also advises in this field, and Sami Laine is singled out for his ‘very high knowledge of IT contract law’.

Roschier is another recognised leading TMT practice. Nokia Corporation instructs the firm on all IP, regulatory and corporate issues, and the team is advising domestic telecoms company Elisa in a landmark telecoms patent litigation. Global internet sales company GroupOn is also a client. Mikko Manner and Rainer Hilli are ‘just fabulous; real supermen’.

HH Partners, Attorneys-at-Law, Ltd has a range of significant clients for IT matters. Recommended partners Martin von Willebrand and Miika Erkkilä advise the association of Finnish cities and municipalities’ public IT working group, and private sector clients include Yahoo! and other global players in the telecoms and technology fields.

Hammarström Puhakka Partners, Attorneys Ltd’s strong group acted for Canadian film production software producer, Eyeon Software, in arbitration concerning post-production software delivery for film and TV. Also of note is Klaus Nyblin’s specialist pharmaceuticals practice, which represents clients such as AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKine; Nyblin has ‘deep knowledge of the area’ and an ‘ability to link the often very specific issues to the existing legislation’.

‘Definitely a top-quality law firm’, Merilampi has a broad-based practice encompassing media, telecoms regulations, and IT transactions and disputes. Telecoms company Elisa is a key client, which the team is advising on several ongoing regulatory issues such as interconnection fees. The team also advises clients such as international banks and insurance companies on their IT needs. Sakari Aalto heads the practice.

Procopé & Hornborg’s new managing partner Tiina Ashorn has ‘good industry knowledge’ and is key to the firm’s technology practice. ‘The lawyers take real ownership of issues’ and advise on a comprehensive range of matters, including providing regulatory advice to software supplier ReSys Systems. Other clients include a major domestic telecoms company and a government body.

Dittmar & Indrenius shows ‘great expertise’. In particular, Sakari Halonen ‘brings a collaborative atmosphere to negotiations’ and advises TMT sector clients such as Hewlett-Packard and Lexmark Finland on corporate and regulatory matters.

Juridia Ltd Attorneys-At-Law handles IT contracts and other assignments for many of its clients, such as a Finnish software company, which the firm advised on its high-value licensing agreements with a multinational. Ilkka Sainio is the main contact.

Magnusson’s new practice advises large companies on IT and licensing matters. Clients include Suunto and Viasat Finland. Jan Lindberg and Tomi Merenheimo demonstrate ‘a level of expertise that has always been really high’.

Technology specialist Juha Taipale’s departure from Mäkitalo Rantanen & Co Ltd after just one year at the firm was a blow to the practice, but the group is now led by Jani Rantanen. Recent work includes advising Lahti Energia on the licensing and development of an operational software system for the new Lahti power plant.

Timo Sipi leads Peltonen LMR Attorneys Ltd’s blossoming practice with support from Markus Oksanen. Recent instructions include advising BookIT Oy on licensing and software provision transactions, and acting for a production company on music video production and distribution agreements with a major charity and record label.