The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance (including shipping finance), Thommessen AS, Advokatfirmaet is a first tier firm,

Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS is praised for its ‘high level of partner involvement’ and ‘industry knowledge’, and is instructed by numerous banks including RBS, Barclays and Storebrand. The ‘commercially oriented’ Hans Haugstad recently advised DNB and Nordea on the NOK4bn refinancing of Renewable Energy Corporation. Siri Wennevik is recommended for ship financing, as are Tore Mydske and Berit Stokke for regulatory matters, and Bergen-based Jan Brudvik for borrower-side representations.

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Within Corporate and M&A, Thommessen AS, Advokatfirmaet is a first tier firm,

Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS’ ‘extremely knowledgeable, experienced and solution-focused’ Anders Arnkværn is ‘one of the best lawyers in Norway for large M&A and capital markets transactions’. Kim Dobrowen, arguably ‘the best lawyer in town’, advised Statoil Fuel & Retail on its NOK15.9bn public takeover by Alimentation Couche-Tard. Rune Solberg has ‘substantial experience in energy-related M&A’. Other clients include Norsk Hydro, Telenor and Orkla.

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Within Dispute resolution, Thommessen AS, Advokatfirmaet is a first tier firm,

Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS‘ broad arbitration and litigation practice has been bolstered by the arrival of Christian Lund from the Office of the Attorney General, as well as Asle Bjelland and Henning Harborg from Advokatfirmaet Mageli ANS. Team head Frode Elgesem recently represented the youth wing of the Labour Party in the high-profile criminal case brought against mass murderer Anders Breivik. Borgar Høgetveit Berg has litigated more than 150 civil cases and is a key member of a team that also includes IP litigator Camilla Vislie, who was recently promoted to partner, and Svein Aage Valen.

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Within EU and competition, Thommessen AS, Advokatfirmaet is a first tier firm,

Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS provides ‘practical and to-the-point advice’ to blue-chip clients. ‘One of the best in the market’, team head Siri Teigum is representing Veidekke in a major leniency case. Telenor is also a client. Eivind Vesterkjær is ‘quick to absorb the business aspects of complex legal issues’, and is known for his work in merger and cartel cases.

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Within Electricity, nuclear and renewable, Thommessen AS, Advokatfirmaet is a first tier firm,

Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS provides ‘both quantity and quality at short notice’ and is particularly acclaimed for its expertise in renewables. The ‘highly practical’ Bendik Christoffersen has ‘a great ability to deliver good solutions’. He and the ‘excellent’ Jacob Bull recently advised Østfold Energi, Vardar and EB Kraftproduksjon on acquiring from DONG Energy Power the majority stake in Midtfjellet Vindkraft. Other clients include Nordkraft, Lyse Energi and Troms Kraft. Jens Naas-Bibow and Gunnar Martinsen are also recommended.

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Within Employment, Thommessen AS, Advokatfirmaet is a second tier firm,

Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS‘ team head Håvard Sandnes advises major corporates including Microsoft Norge and NHST Media Group on employment law.

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Within Insolvency and corporate recovery, Thommessen AS, Advokatfirmaet is a first tier firm,

Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS is routinely instructed in the most significant matters, either on the debtor or creditor side, and is currently advising the banking syndicate of creditors in the restructuring of Eitzen Chemicals. Team head Jo Rodin is involved in the aforementioned matter, and is ‘excellent at both corporate restructurings and more traditional insolvencies’. Reidar Myhre is recommended for property mandates, and Halvor Mansåker has transferred from the M&A group to assist with the increased number of bond mandates.

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Within Intellectual property and TMT, Thommessen AS, Advokatfirmaet is a first tier firm,

Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS‘ seven-partner team has ‘people with in-depth expertise in most areas’, including patents, trade marks and copyright. Arne Ringnes and Camilla Vislie successfully represented the manufacturer and designer of the Tripp Trapp children’s chair in a high-profile copyright dispute before the Supreme Court. Jan Morten Evertsen has an excellent reputation in the film and media sector and recently advised Rubicon TV on the popular US/Norwegian TV series, Lilyhammer. Haakon Opperud is recommended for IT and technology transactions.

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Within Maritime law (including insurance), Thommessen AS, Advokatfirmaet is a first tier firm,

Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS provides ‘excellent’ advice to underwriters and shipowners on wet and dry matters. ‘Very knowledgeable’ team head Stephen Knudtzon is representing Gard and Teekay Shipping in litigation regarding a collision. Other clients include Norwegian Hull Club and Jo Tankers. Olav Vikøren focuses on transactional work for shipbrokers and private equity firms.

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Within Offshore construction and shipbuilding, Thommessen AS, Advokatfirmaet is a first tier firm,

Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS provides corporate, finance, construction and litigation expertise, and has ‘in-depth knowledge’ of the sector. The ‘service-oriented’ Jacob Bull ‘always provides outstanding advice’, and the team also includes Bergen-based Jan Brudvik, who is an expert in oilfield services finance and corporate law.

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Within Oil and gas, Thommessen AS, Advokatfirmaet is a second tier firm,

Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS‘ primary strength lies in advising oil and gas clients on corporate transactions, such as its representation of Centrica Energy during the purchase of several production assets from Statoil and ConocoPhillips. Team head Rune Solberg has ‘much experience in energy-related M&A’.

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Within Real estate and construction, Thommessen AS, Advokatfirmaet is a first tier firm,

Aided by complementary corporate, finance, tax and litigation teams, the ‘excellent’ real estate group at Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS is regularly sought out by clients such as Norsk Hydro, Storebrand Eiendom and Yara International on big-ticket mandates. Team head Christopher Borch’s ‘knowledge about real estate and contracts is very good’, and he was recently involved in ICA’s sale of ICA MAXI’s lease agreements and ICA MAXI stores. Christian Muller and Gerhard Holm are recommended for transactional and tax advice respectively.

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Within Tax, Thommessen AS, Advokatfirmaet is a first tier firm,

Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS provides an ‘excellent service’ to clients such as Accenture, Dell and Telenor across a range of contentious and non-contentious matters. Ola Mæle shows ‘a practical approach and general business understanding’, and has a burgeoning reputation on transfer pricing. Other recommended partners include department head Ståle Kristiansen; the ‘very experienced’ Sverre Koch; Christian Bruusgaard, who is ‘very good at handling tax controversies’; and Finn Backer-Grøndahl.

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