The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance (including shipping finance), Wikborg Rein is a first tier firm,

Wikborg Rein ‘outperforms all other Norwegian law firms on international acquisition and project finance’, and is the market leader in offshore and shipping finance. Bernhard Haukali who ‘consistently delivers to a high standard’, worked with lawyers in the firm’s Asian offices to advise Nordea Bank Finland’s Singapore branch on the financing of six car carrier newbuildings under construction in China. Christian Friis is recommended shipping finance work. Johan Rasmussen has a wide finance practice and is highly rated.

Within Corporate and M&A, Wikborg Rein is a first tier firm,

Wikborg Rein offers ‘high levels of availability and delivery within a business-oriented and pragmatic approach’. Ketil Bøe is ‘strong on service, industry knowledge and commercial understanding’. Per Anders Sæhle is ‘an excellent lawyer in all respects’; Sahle, with Lars Kaspar Andersen, led the corporate department work for Brazilian mining giant Vale on the sale of its aluminium business to Norsk Hydro. Sigurd Opedal is ‘young and dynamic, but already very self confident and accurate in his legal advice’ Leif Petter Madsen leads the expert group, which houses Susanne Munch Thore, Marius Gisvold and Cecilie Kvalheim. Wikborg Rein’s clients include Yara International and Pareto Group.

Within Dispute resolution, Wikborg Rein is a second tier firm,

Wikborg Rein’s litigation group is particularly strong in maritime claims, whether litigated or arbitrated, but is also recommended for competition, real estate and IP matters. Per Ristvedt is ‘excellent in court – he punches home the points that win the cases’. Dag Steinfeld became the first lawyer to argue a class action case under the new procedural legislation in Norway, representing two hundred shareholders in listed DNO International against the Norwegian State. Morten Goller and Sven Eriksrud are recommended. Clients include Orkla, Gjensidige and Transocean.

Within EU and competition, Wikborg Rein is a first tier firm,

Wikborg Rein ‘stands out as one of the very best firms ‘and has one of the larger and broader EU and competition practices, which handles numerous Norwegian Competition Authority and the EFTA Surveillance Authority cases. Mads Magnussen, who heads the group, is ‘a very bright lawyer and an outstanding negotiator’. Morten Goller and Bergen-based Jonn Ola Sørensen are also recommended. Linda Dragvoll, who previously headed DLA Piper’s competition group, joined the team in the autumn of 2009. The team’s clients include A-pressen, Norske Skog and TeliaSonera.

Within Electricity, nuclear and renewable, Wikborg Rein is a second tier firm,

Wikborg Rein’s ‘high level of legal and commercial competence in combination with reasonable pricing results in value for money’. Jon Rabben ‘never stops impressing – we almost want to keep him secret’. Jarl Erik Sandvik provides ongoing legal advice to Vattenfall. Kelly Malone leads on international projects and Dag Mjaaland heads the Russian desk. Clients include Troms Kraft and SN Power.

Within Employment, Wikborg Rein is a second tier firm,

Wikborg Rein’s labour law group comprises some 12 fee-earners, led by Jan Backer, who advised a major company through the termination of its CEO, an assignment which included negotiation of the severance package. Bergen-based Dag Steinfeld, the head of litigation is an expert in employment law and member of the group. Strong in maritime and offshore employment regulations and law, the team also offers an expert niche pensions advice. The firm’s clients include CHC Norway and NSB.

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery, Wikborg Rein is a first tier firm,

Wikborg Rein’s group attracts a significant proportion of the complex, high-value offshore and shipping sector instructions, both bankruptcy appointments from the courts, and restructuring assignments. Leif Petter Madsen is trustee for Songa Floating Production, and Marius M Gisvold is representing Nordea in the Oceanlink restructuring. In other business sectors, the team saved Nedre Haugen Borettslag, a housing co-operative, from liquidation after a high-profile dispute between the interested parties.

Within Intellectual property and TMT, Wikborg Rein is a second tier firm,

Wikborg Rein’s practice leader Torleif Dahl ‘provides a no-bull-straight-to-the-case-advice no matter the hour or time of day’. Rolf Riisnæs is recommended for major computer systems procurement projects. Gunnar Meyer ‘is first choice for pharma work, and a good litigator, particularly in the big cases’. Clients include TeliaSonera and Transocean Offshore Deepwater Drilling.

Within Legal market overview,

BA-HR, Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS, Wiersholm, and Wikborg Rein are generally consider to be the elite firms, although the quartet occasionally appear to be complacent about competition, not only from effective and ambitious Advokatfirmaet Schjødt DA and Selmer but also from the stronger mid-tier firms, which are frequently noted as providing better value for money.

Within Maritime law (including insurance), Wikborg Rein is a first tier firm,

Wikborg Rein is ‘a cost-effective and competent law firm’ with offices in Oslo, Bergen, Singapore, Kobe and London, and ‘vast experience and knowledge of marine insurance conditions, salvage and general casualty assistance’. In a large and expert group, clients particularly acclaim Finn Bjørnstad Trond Eilertsen, and Morten Lund Mathisen in Oslo, and Øyvind Axe in Bergen. Clients include BW Offshore, STX Florø and Vaagland Båtbyggeri.

Within Offshore construction and shipbuilding, Wikborg Rein is a first tier firm,

Wikborg Rein is instructed in numerous major offshore and shipbuilding projects, disputes and reorganisation, and has deep international penetration in the sector. Finn Bjørnstad assisted with the restructuring of Floatel International, an assignment which required renegotiation of construction contracts, and complex refinancing. Partners also expert in the sector include Trond Eilertsen, Øyvind Axe and Geir Ove Røberg. Clients include Odfjell Drilling, BW Offshore and Blue Ocean.

Within Oil and gas, Wikborg Rein is a second tier firm,

Wikborg Rein fields a ‘very well organized, excellent oil and gas team’. Practice head Jarle Erik Sandvik has ‘excellent knowledge of the gas industry and its legal framework’, and Dag Mjaaland is ‘very well organized in energy disputes’. Aadne Haga, who handles the group’s Russian instructions, is ‘knowledgeable and very hard working’. Clients include Dana Petroleum and Fortis Petroleum.

Within Real estate and construction, Wikborg Rein is a second tier firm,

Wikborg Rein assisted Niam in connection with the acquisition of Sektor Eiendomsutvikling, a deal valued at NOK5.5bn. Line Ravlo-Losvik heads the practice group, which has ‘stood up very well to the loss of a leading partner in 2009’. Erlund Holstrøm is recommended for construction disputes, and boasts considerable international experience from his time as head of the firm’s Far East offices. Clients include Oslo Areal and Skanska.

Within Tax, Wikborg Rein is a second tier firm,

Wikborg Rein ‘has acted as our worldwide tax law firm for three years to our greatest satisfaction’. The tax department was strengthened by the recruitment of Ernst Ravnaas, who was previously a corporate tax partner at Advokatfirmaet Steenstrup Stordrange DA. Anders Myklebust, who heads the team, is recommended for complex corporate instructions and is also expert in the hydro, petroleum and shipping sectors. Are Zachariassen is expert in international tax. Clients include Pareto Group and Eidsiva Rederi.