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Lex Law Offices

BORGARTUN 26, 105 REYKJAVIK, ICELAND
Tel:
Work +354 590 2600
Fax:
Fax +354 590 2606
Web:
www.lex.is
Email:
Reykjavik, Akureyri

Iceland : Banking, finance and capital markets

Within Banking, finance and capital markets, Lex Law Offices is a first tier firm,

Lex Law Offices is primary adviser to Glitnir’s winding-up board, and its work includes the ongoing disposal of the bank’s assets as well as disputed derivative settlements. Department head Ólafur Haraldsson acted on Íslandsbanki’s kr100bn covered bonds issuance, which was the first public issuance by an Icelandic bank since 2008. The firm also advised Arion Bank and Íslandsbanki on the refinancing of retail and services company N1. Gunnar Viðar and Aðalsteinn Jónasson also advised a committee of banks, following the 2010 Supreme Court ruling that foreign currency index-linked loan agreements were illegal.

Iceland : Corporate and M&A

Within Corporate and M&A, Lex Law Offices is a first tier firm,

Noted for its ‘quality, personal service and value for money’, Lex Law Offices has ‘great, skilled lawyers’ and ‘performs at the highest level’. It recently advised on the sale of Icelandic Group’s French and German operations, and also acted for Stefnir on its purchase of a 34% stake in Hagar. Due diligence work included a comprehensive review of insurer Tryggingamid-stodin prior to its sale, and checks pertaining to a kr8bn investment in energy company, HS Orka. The team provides general corporate advice to clients including healthcare company Blue Lagoon, real estate business Reitir fasteignafélag and fund manager Stefnir, as well as the shipping companies Samskip and Jonar. Helgi Jóhannesson, Lilja Jonsdóttir and practice head Örn Gunnarsson are recommended.

Iceland : Dispute resolution

Within Dispute resolution, Lex Law Offices is a first tier firm,

With ‘broad knowledge and expertise in all fields’, Lex Law Offices’ specialist disputes team is ‘one of the best in the market’. Arnar Thor Stefánsson defended over 100 individuals against a kr2.5bn claim by Northerners Savings Bank, regarding the enforceability of loan agreements. The firm also handled two high-value matters following Glitnir’s bankruptcy. Karl Axelsson heads the practice.

Iceland : EEA and competition

Within EEA and competition, Lex Law Offices is a first tier firm,

Lex Law Offices represents clients before the Icelandic Competition Authority and Appeals Committee, and works extensively on merger control. Hulda Árnadóttir and Ásgerður Ragnarsdóttir advised Landsbanki on its proposed merger with Verdis. The firm pursued a complaint brought by four investment funds regarding three state-owned banks’ acquisition of the assets of eight other funds, which triggered a formal investigation. Practice head Heimir Örn Herbertsson is highly regarded, and Heiðrún Lind Marteinsdóttir is ‘responsive’ with ‘great overall competencies’.

Iceland : Maritime and transport

Within Maritime and transport, Lex Law Offices is a first tier firm,

‘A key player in a very narrow market’, Lex Law Offices successfully defended longstanding client Samskip in a Supreme Court action brought by the widow of a crewmember of the Disarfell. The practice covers the full spectrum of shipping and transport work including contracts of carriage, shipbuilding, sale or purchase, salvage, collision, and cargo claims. It is advising Danish company Karstensens Skibsvaerft A/S on a ship arrest. Practice head Lilja Jónasdóttir is recommended.

Iceland : Projects and PFI

Within Projects and PFI, Lex Law Offices is a first tier firm,

Lex Law Offices’ five-partner team, headed by Ólafur Haraldsson, continues to feature in major projects across various sectors. The firm represented a state-owned company in a tender for a kr51bn construction project at the National University Hospital of Iceland. Ginnar Viðar advised Globe Speciality Metals on a greenfield project to build a silicon factory.

Iceland : Restructuring and insolvency

Within Restructuring and insolvency, Lex Law Offices is a first tier firm,

Lex Law Offices has been heavily involved in Glitnir’s winding-up. Helgi Jóhannesson acted on the liquidation of Saxhóll’s estate, involving claims totalling kr14.8bn, and Ólafur Haraldsson advised Deutsche Bank (UK branch) on complex loan repayment issues. Thorunn Guðmundsdóttir is also recommended.

Iceland : TMT and IP

Within TMT and IP, Lex Law Offices is a first tier firm,

Lex Law Offices’ ‘highly competitive’ practice has ‘broad competencies’ across the entire IP and IT space. It represented software company Advania in copyright matters, and advised the Ministry of Finance on structural changes to electronic certificates. Practice head Erla Árnadóttir is ‘a leading name’, Ragnheiður Ólafsdóttir is ‘very thorough and knowledgeable in IP matters’, and Heiðrún Lind Marteinsdóttir is ‘very responsive’.

Further information on Lex Law Offices

Please choose from this list to view details of what we say about Lex Law Offices in other jurisdictions.

Iceland

Offices in Reykjavik and Akureyri

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