The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Hannes Snellman Attorneys at Law Ltd is a first tier firm,

Hannes Snellman Attorneys at Law Ltd’s pan-Nordic resources and numerous experts attract sophisticated international mandates as well as Finland’s largest deals, including advising OP Mortgage Bank on its issue of €1.25bn Finnish covered bonds. Clients rate the firm’s project management and ‘innovative legal solutions’, led by ‘very experienced debt lawyer’ Henrik Mattson. The departure of Kari Lautjärvi was eased by the ‘very analytical approach’ of Matti Engelberg and Markus Bremer.

Within Capital markets, Hannes Snellman Attorneys at Law Ltd is a first tier firm,

Hannes Snellman Attorneys at Law Ltd produced an impressive deal list amid a difficult market, acting as Finnish counsel to Ruukki Group Oyj on its listing on the London Stock Exchange, the only Finnish company present on LSE’s main list; and the first completed equity transaction of 2010, the €60m issue by Lemminkäinen to institutional investors. ‘Enthusiastic’ Klaus Ilmonen ‘clearly loves his work’ and Riikka Rannikko, who is ‘very clear headed’ both co-head the team.

Within Corporate and M&A, Hannes Snellman Attorneys at Law Ltd is a first tier firm,

Among several leading individuals at Hannes Snellman Attorneys at Law Ltd is senior partner Johan Aalto and Mikko Heinonen, head of public M&A; together they steer an ‘excellent’, ‘knowledgable’ and ‘client-orientated’ practice that advised Renesas Electronics on its $200m acquisition of Nokia’s wireless modem business. Sten Olsson and Mathias Lindqvist are equally worthy of mention.

Within Dispute resolution , Hannes Snellman Attorneys at Law Ltd is a first tier firm,

The extensive caseload at Hannes Snellman Attorneys at Law Ltd includes representing Lemminkäinen Corporation, the main defendant in the landmark private enforcement and multiparty damages action following Finland’s infamous asphalt cartel case. The heavyweight ‘commercial’ and ‘analytical’ team, led by Mika Savola, works effectively with cross-border colleagues on major international disputes as well as domestic headliners.

Within EU and competition, Hannes Snellman Attorneys at Law Ltd is a first tier firm,

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.

Within Intellectual property, Hannes Snellman Attorneys at Law Ltd is a first tier firm,

Key to the success of Hannes Snellman Attorneys at Law Ltd in this field is Kaisa Fahllund, a client favourite and leading figure in the technology and IP spheres, who is ‘delightful’ and a ‘highly professional leader of the team’. Senior associates Panu Siitonen and Pia Ek defy their status, taking the lead role in heavyweight matters, including advice to a multinational pharmaceutical in a pending patent arbitration.

Within Legal market overview,

This stable and conservative legal market witnessed uncharacteristic change during 2010. The first significant merger in years took place when top-ten firm Merilampi united with the former Veikko Palotie & Co creating a 40-lawyer general practice; and a trend that commenced two years before took hold, seeing A-list individuals, particularly litigators, flee the potential client conflicts and managerial burdens of their large firms in order to pursue their own enterprises. Kari Lautjärvi followed Patrik Lindfors in leaving Hannes Snellman Attorneys at Law Ltd to establish his own boutique; likewise, former head of dispute resolution at Attorneys at law Borenius & Kemppinen Ltd, Kai Kotiranta, set up alone, as did former Roschier senior partner Tomas Lindholm the year before. Roschier colleague and former managing partner Lennart Simonsen became CEO at Finnish private equity house CapMan plc; and Merilampi’s leading light, Ari Kantor, was appointed Justice of the Finnish Supreme Court.

Within Real estate and construction, Hannes Snellman Attorneys at Law Ltd is a first tier firm,

Hannes Snellman Attorneys at Law Ltd brings both broad experience and impressive resources to the table, with no less than six high-profile partners that include practice head Nicolas Berner who is ‘great at everything’ and Juha Lindström, who is ‘excellent at providing added value’. Clients are largely foreign investors, such as Veritas Pension Insurance Company, recently advising it on the sale of multiple residential buildings. Alexander Bargum left the firm.

Within TMT , Hannes Snellman Attorneys at Law Ltd is a first tier firm,

Hannes Snellman Attorneys at Law Ltd handles the IT work for numerous banks and insurance companies, such as OP-Pohjola, and is Finnish counsel to several global technology giants. It recently acted for a well-known service and equipment provider on a major network extension delivery and maintenance project, led by the much-praised Kaisa Fahllund supported by ‘dedicated’ senior associate Panu Siitonen. Of note is the firm’s work in Russia, where ‘the combination of TMT services and deep knowledge of the Russian environment cannot be found elsewhere’.

Within Tax, Hannes Snellman Attorneys at Law Ltd is a first tier firm,

Head of tax Ossi Haapaniemi at Hannes Snellman Attorneys at Law Ltd cements the firm’s leading reputation, his lengthy and varied career including in-house positions at tax authorities, banks and an international consultancy. Work is of the highest calibre, for example, recently protecting client Raisio plc from a contested €80m tax bill against the Finnish tax authorities; and providing tax advice to Triton on its €850m purchase of Ambea from 3i.