The Legal 500

Led by Rune Svoren, BA-HR’s five-partner team handles contractual, regulatory and litigation work for many of the largest players in the energy industry. Statkraft is a major client, which it is advising on a NOK12bn revolving credit facility. Jon Christian Thaulow, who gives ‘responsive and to-the-point advice’, recently successfully represented Nordkraft in litigation with minority shareholders following the acquisition of Fjellkraft. Helge Olav Bugge is recommended for tax-related matters.

Advokatfirmaet Haavind AS provides ‘excellent service’ to a broad-ranging client base including leading power producers, grid companies, the Norwegian TSO and energy brokers. Johan Fredrik Remmen and Bjørn Olav Torpp recently represented Salten Kraftsamband on its acquisition of a minority interest in SKS Produksjon from Norsk Hydro Produksjon. Dag Arne Ruud, an expert in transactions and supply and construction contract work, and Aksel Tannum recently advised Foreningen til Bægnavasdragets regulering on revising conditions for concessions in Åbjøra and Aurdalsfjord.

Boutique firm Advokatfirmaet Lund & Co DA is excellent for energy regulation and concomitant areas of law including environmental, sector mergers, planning and real estate. Caroline Lund, Stein Erik Stinessen and Ulf Larsen are recommended.

Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS is praised for its detailed understanding and knowledge of the energy market, and handles a broad array of transactional, litigation and regulatory work for prominent players including Troms Kraft, Nordkraft, NorGer and Vestavind Offshore. Jens Naas-Bibow is acting for the trade association Energy Norway in a Supreme Court action regarding the valuation of waterfall rights. The team also includes specialists such as Gunnar Martinsen, a well-regarded expert in power production and grid regulation framework conditions. Bendik Christoffersen and Jacob Bull are also recommended.

Wiersholm handles a comprehensive range of instructions for power producers, transmission and distribution companies, wholesalers, traders and other clients. Electricity expert Odd-Harald Wasenden continues to advise Statnett SF on five projects for new subsea interconnecters. Tomas Svensen is an expert in oil and gas and enewables, and Knut Bergo has an ‘excellent reputation’ for derivatives trading.

Selmer’s four-partner team includes well-known practitioners such as Roy Slettvold, who has ‘deep knowledge of the Norwegian power sector’, and Einar Bakko, who is ‘able to combine commercial understanding with a high level of competence within the renewables sector and M&A’. Halvor Grov has ‘expertise in the power industry, in particular with respect to business models for financial analysis’. The firm has been busy in the renewables sector and recently advised Norconsult on hydropower projects in Peru, Nepal and Albania.

Simonsen Advokatfirma DA provides ‘very effective advice’ to owners and investors on developing and implementing new energy projects including wind farms, gas power projects, and hydropower plants including tidal power plants. The ‘helpful, service-minded and highly ethical’ Peter Aall Simonsen advised Industrikraft Møre on its NOK3bn gas power plant on Norway’s west coast.

Wikborg Rein handles a range of significant power transactions and litigation. Practice head Jon Rabben, who provides ‘a rare combination of legal expertise and commercial insight’, recently advised Troms Kraft on its NOK2.2bn acquisition of minority interests in Nordkraft and Salten Kreftsamband. The ‘business-focused and solutions-oriented’ Kelly Malone leads on international renewables projects, and extensively works for SN Power on its renewables investment projects such as in the Philippines, Uganda and Chile.

Arntzen de Besche’s strong team handles transactional, regulatory and litigation matters in the electricity and renewables sectors for clients such as Enova, Gassnova and Statnett. Recent highlights include advising TrønderEnergi on the NOK750m sale of a 35% stake in grid company TrønderEnergi Nett to KLP. Dag Erlend Henriksen heads the team.

Føyen Advokatfirma DA’s Arve Føyen is expert in electricity deregulation. Erlend Balsvik represents Fredrikstad Energi and Energi 1.

Advokatfirmaet Schjødt AS’ Ingvald Falch heads a dedicated ‘green’ practice group with clients such as Citigroup Global Markets, Eurus Energy and ABB.

bjerkenes wahl-larsen’s Per Conradi Andersen is recommended for electricity regulatory advice to mid-sized corporates and municipalities.

Advokatfirmaet Hjort provides a ‘hands-on and efficient service’ to energy clients including Vindkraft Nord, REC Group and Ymber. Litigation is an area of strength, and the team is representing Evenes Kraftforsyning in a dispute with Hålogaland Kraft over grid use tariffs. Recent recruit Kristin Bjella is assisting Statnett on the planning and construction of a new 420kV power line from Sima to Samnanger.

Kluge Advokatfirma DA continues to grow its renewables practice, and Frode Støle receives plaudits for his ‘service-minded approach’. Olav Hasaas provides ‘good practical advice’, and is advising Statoil on selling its wind power projects.