The Legal 500

Rated highly by its peers, BBA // Legal has been particularly busy on M&A deals. Highlights included advising Foroya Bank on the ISK2.5bn acquisition of insurance company Vörður tryggingar; and acting for Sabre Holdings regarding the acquisition of Calidris, a revenue integrity and business intelligence solution company. Ásgeir Á Ragnarsson is well known as a leading corporate lawyer.

Lex Law Offices is noted as a ‘one-stop shop’ in this area, with clients able ‘to set up meetings and receive answers within a very short period of time’. Eva Margret Aevarsdottir (often working alongside the highly respected Ólafur Haraldsson) has been particularly prolific assisting on major projects for Sjóvá, Össur, Skipti and Avtavis. Other recent work includes representing Yucaipa, a US investment fund, in its acquisition of a third stake in shipping company Eimskip.

LOGOS legal services has been busy providing merger advice to corporate clients and banks. Othar Örn Petersen led a team advising IAV Holding (a subsidiary of Marti Holding) on the parent company’s acquisition of Icelandic Prime Contractors (IPC), one of the largest construction companies in Iceland. Thorolfur Jonsson advised FSÍ (a private equity fund owned by Icelandic pension funds) on its acquisition of Vestia, in a deal worth ISK19.5bn. The firm is praised for its quality of work and ability to meet tight deadlines.

Jonsson & Hall is known for its strong individuals and broad client base. Past work for Hordur Felix Hardarson includes advising on the merger of shipping companies Geest Line and Samskip, which created Europe’s largest intra-European intermodal/shortsea container shipping network. Gunnar Jónsson is the firm’s most prominent corporate partner, with broad expertise in business and finance law.

Juris Law Office’s regular clients include Borgun (a leader in the credit card market); Orkusalan (a large energy retailer); and numerous state-owned utilities companies. Andri Árnason, Lárus L Blöndal, Stefán Andrew Svensson and Sigurbjörn Magnússon are key contacts in this area.

As well as acting for many of the country’s largest pension funds, Landslog Law Offices has also handled the majority of contracts for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Other clients include IPC, SP Kef Savings Bank and Icelandic conglomerate Norvik Group. Jóhannes Karl Sveinsson is particularly well known for his work in construction, public procurement and finance matters.

Although ‘excellent in all fields’, ADVEL Attorneys at Law has been particularly busy in due diligence matters, where recent work includes advising Husasmidjan, Iceland’s largest hardware and home improvement chain; and Jardboranir, a leading international company in the field of high-temperature geothermal drilling. The ‘outstanding’ Kristinn Hallgrimsson is recommended for M&A; and Jon Ogmundsson is praised ‘for his experience on complex company matters’.

Attorneys at Hofdabakki maintains strong connections with a number of high-profile companies in Iceland, such as the Allianz sales agency, leading insurance company TM, publishing company Birtingur, and the Baugur Group.

JP Attorneys is the main corporate adviser to many of Iceland’s largest companies, among them Visir, one of Iceland’s largest fishing companies, and hotel chain Grand Hotel Reykjavk. Recent work includes handling all aspects of an open sales process of security company Securitas.

Past work for Reykjavik Law Firm has included acting for Canadian company Magma Energy Corporation on its acquisition of a substantial share in Icelandic geothermal power company HS Orka. Follow-up work on the project has included advice on Magma’s purchase of new capital and a partnership agreement for selected geothermal projects in Iceland and internationally.