Norway > TMT > Law firm and leading lawyer rankings

Advokatfirmaet Føyen Torkildsen AS sits as ‘one of the best names in the country for IT clients’; it acts for a client roster including Google, which it advises on IT and telecom-related issues; and Strex, which it assisted with the establishment of a mobile payment solution. Telenor, Accenture and Visma Unique are also clients. The ‘highly experienced’ Eva Jarbekk leads the group, Arve Føyen is ‘the patriarch of the TMT field’, Jostein Ramse is ‘a precise and skilled negotiator’, and Knut Glad is ‘widely respected’. Knut Fiane joined from an in-house position.

According to some, Advokatfirmaet Haavind AS is ‘the clear leader in the Nordics for TMT work’ with ‘top-notch execution skills, cutting-edge experience and a strong commercial sense, which combines to create the perfect practice’. Department head Leif Eirik Thrane ‘stands out for his second-to-none skills in the technology sector’; he is advising Sporveien on its procurement of a new train signalling system. Other key practitioners include ‘outsourcing expert’ Espen Werring, who is ‘service minded and solution oriented’; and Arne Steen Slåttå, who has ‘profound experience in IT and licensing agreements’. Andreas Bernt made partner in 2017.

At Advokatfirmaet Simonsen Vogt Wiig, transactional specialist Tor Stokke leads the group, which counts ‘market-leader’ Espen Tøndel as a key practitioner. Tøndel recently advised Telia Norge on its involvement in the 700MHz and 900MHz frequency auctions, and assisted NextGenTel with its attempts to access Telenor’s fibre-based infrastructure. Sap, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, RiksTV and Zwipe are also clients. Thomas Olsen is ‘a pleasure to work with’, Karin Fløistad focuses on procurement issues, and Nicolai Halbo handles IT matters.

Hans Erik Johnsen leads Wiersholm’s department, which is ‘definitely tier one for all elements of the TMT fields’. In a recent highlight, the ‘genuinely brilliant’ Rune Opdahl advised Aller Media on a variety of e-privacy issues including General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) advice. Opdahl is highly regarded for his media and technology expertise, Kai Thøgersen is recommended for technology transactions and senior associate Theresa Schumacher Walberg handles IT contracts. Clients also include Telenor, Schibsted, IBM and Canal Digital.

Advokatfirmaet Hjort’s ‘exceptionally brilliant litigation experience’ places it as ‘a key firm in the market for contentious issues in the media and telecoms sectors’. Clients include Kabel Norge and Telenor; the group acted for the latter in a case against Telia Norge relating to whether Telia was obligated to pay the agreed prices for access to Telenor’s mobile network. Practice head Monica Syrdal acts for broadcasters and distributors, Kristin Veierød handles telecoms issues, and Claude Lenth focuses on data protection mandates.

Kvale Advokatfirma DA’s full-service department is jointly led by telecoms expert Per-Kaare Svendsen and ‘top IT and media practitioner’ Lars Trygve Jenssen. Recent highlights include advising Telia on its NOK2.3bn acquisition of Phonero, representing Broadnet in litigation against Telenor relating to access to sub-loop unbundling, and acting for Rockville Technologies in a dispute against Tidal relating to an unlawful termination of a licensing agreement. Thomas Farhang is recommended for telecoms work.

Highlights for Advokatfirmaet Schjødt AS’ ‘dedicated’ practice included advising AMC Entertainment on its acquisition of Nordic Cinema Group’s cinema businesses in Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Baltics; acting for HgCapital on its purchase of shares in Visma, and assisting SpaceX with the launch of its satellite system. Kaare Risung leads the digital innovation and TMT team, while Halvor Manshaus is head of the IP and media group.

With ‘a responsive, pragmatic and organised’ practice, Selmer is highly regarded for its IT and telecoms expertise; highlights included advising Wilhelmsen IT Services on the restructuring of its parent company Wilhelmsen Group, and assisting Fotball Media with the licensing of the media rights to the Norwegian football leagues and related social media issues. ‘Excellent adviser’ Ståle Hagen heads the practice.

Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS ‘consistently proves its worth in the technology sector’ for a client roster, which includes Microsoft and Telenor. Managing associate Christopher Sparre-Enger Clausen leads the department and focuses on IT and data protection matters. Clients also single out associate partner Haakon Opperud, who is ‘an acknowledged source of expertise for IT contracts’, and Eirik Raanes, who handles IT litigation.

Wikborg Rein’s department head Pål Wien Espen focuses on the telecoms and technology sectors, Rolf Riisnæs is ‘an authority in the region for ICT contracts’ and Torleif Dahl handles telecoms work. Highlights included advising Schibsted on contractual issues; assisting Sykehuspartner with the outsourcing of telecoms, networks and data centres; and reviewing privacy practices for Opera Software in preparation for the implementation of the GDPR.

At Arntzen de Besche, Espen Sandvik leads the technology and innovation group, which is experienced in the oil, offshore and fishing sectors. Tommy Dahlen is recommended for transactional advice. Andreas Nordby joined from Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS.

Advokatfirmaet BAHR AS is a key name in the market for advertising and marketing work, TMT transactions and licensing issues; recent highlights include advising Rema 1000 on its licensing arrangements, and assisting Bonnier and Bridgepoint with the sale of their interests in Nordic Cinema Group to AMC Entertainment. Lars Kristian Sande is the name to note for technology clients.

The team at Bing Hodneland advokatselskap DA handles media and IT matters. Noteworthy practitioners include IT expert Magnus Ødegaard, media specialist Jon Wessel-Aas and Stine Helén Pettersen, who focuses on the media, film and music industries.

Media and entertainment work is the cornerstone of Bull & Co Advokatfirma AS’ department; the team recently advised a production company on artist contract negotiations. The practice is also recognised for its technology and telecoms expertise; Snapchat, Sap Norway and Broadnet are clients. Kristin Haram Førde leads the department, which includes Kristian Foss and Christopher Husebye.

Brækhus Advokatfirma DA is ‘excellent for IT contract issues’ and advises a client roster, which includes Capgemini Norge, Flytoget, HealthTech and TeliaSonera Norge. Team head Christian Bendiksen ‘has a great ability to find a solution for any problem’ and is ‘inspiring to work with’.

Stephan Brodschöll leads the group at Advokatfirmaet CLP DA, which acts for software and internet companies on licensing mandates, contractual issues and litigation. Its recent work includes advising Signicat on an agreement to introduce a digital identification platform in the Netherlands, and assisting Vivaldi Technologies with the launch of a web browser.

DLA Piper’s practice was recently bolstered by the recruitment of ‘outstanding lawyer’ Jan Sandtrø from an in-house position at Evry. Sandtrø specialises in the technology sector and counts Epic Systems and Nordic Semiconductor as clients. Fredny Bade leads the team and Petter Bjerke focuses on the media, broadcast and advertisement sectors.

Advokatfirma Ræder DA is ‘incredibly pragmatic and provides great advice in a calm and proactive manner’. Recently promoted partner Vebjørn Søndersrød is ‘always available and is extremely knowledgeable across a variety of fields’ including advertising law, data protection and privacy issues, and litigation.