The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance (including shipping finance), Advokatfirmaet Haavind AS is a second tier firm,

Advokatfirmaet Haavind AS’ three-partner team provides a ‘very high level of service’ across new money financings and restructurings. It advised Nordic Capital on the financing of its acquisition of Handicare. Halfdan Lowzow and Peter Brechan are recommended along with practice head Trond Kildal.

Within Corporate and M&A, Advokatfirmaet Haavind AS is a second tier firm,

Advokatfirmaet Haavind AS is ‘very professional and has a wide range of experience in different industry sectors’. The ‘very pragmatic and responsive’ Preben Brecke is the key contact for private equity mandates and recently advised Nordic Capital on its acquisition of Handicare. ‘Outstanding’ team head Kjetil Hardeng is ‘very good at facilitating M&A transactions’, and deputy head Bjørn Olav Torpp is ‘efficient and highly knowledgeable’.

Within Dispute resolution, Advokatfirmaet Haavind AS is a third tier firm,

Advokatfirmaet Haavind AS has a broad-based practice, for which recent highlights include representing Heerema Fabrication Group in the Court of Appeal regarding construction of the Ringhorne oil platform. 16 of the team’s 24 lawyers may appear before the Supreme Court, meaning it is well placed to represent clients on potentially law-changing mandates. Team head Rasmus Asbjørnsen is in a ‘special class’, and is recommended along with the ‘analytically astute’ Olav Bergsaker, the ‘very experienced’ Arve Martin Bjørnvik and Johnny Johansen, who is ‘strong strategically’.

Within EU and competition, Advokatfirmaet Haavind AS is a second tier firm,

Advokatfirmaet Haavind AS’ EU and competition expertise extends across the oil and gas, automotive and TMT sectors. Ian Anders Tobiassen recently advised Hyundai on revising its standard car dealer agreements to comply with the new EU block exemption regulation regime. Practice head Nina Melandsø provides ‘excellent service’ at the nexus of IP and competition law.

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

Advokatfirmaet Haavind AS provides ‘excellent service’ to a broad-ranging client base including leading power producers, grid companies, the Norwegian TSO and energy brokers. Johan Fredrik Remmen and Bjørn Olav Torpp recently represented Salten Kraftsamband on its acquisition of a minority interest in SKS Produksjon from Norsk Hydro Produksjon. Dag Arne Ruud, an expert in transactions and supply and construction contract work, and Aksel Tannum recently advised Foreningen til Bægnavasdragets regulering on revising conditions for concessions in Åbjøra and Aurdalsfjord.

Within Employment, Advokatfirmaet Haavind AS is a first tier firm,

Advokatfirmaet Haavind AS provides ‘solutions-oriented advice’ to clients including Telenor, Aker Solutions and Tyco International. Newly appointed practice head Pål Kvernaas, Erik Davidsen and Sten Foyn continue to advise Oslo University Hospital on a staffing reorganisation involving over 20,000 employees. Lars Kokkvold is also recommended.

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery, Advokatfirmaet Haavind AS is a third tier firm,

Advokatfirmaet Haavind AS provides ‘a highly cost-effective service’ on restructuring, creditors’ rights, directors liability and bankruptcy issues. Inger Marit Borch heads the team.

Within Intellectual property and TMT, Advokatfirmaet Haavind AS is a second tier firm,

Advokatfirmaet Haavind AS’ ‘very professional team’ has ‘excellent knowledge of the pharmaceuticals industry’, and notably its strength lies in acting for generics manufacturers in patent litigation. It also handles media and IT instructions. The ‘extremely proficient’ Håkon Bleken is representing Krka Novo Mesto in litigation with AstraZeneca regarding esomeprazole. ‘Sensible and measured’ practice head Anne Marie Sejersted is recommended along with the ‘very service-minded’ media expert Helge Olav Bergan and IT outsourcing specialist Jørgen Monn.

Within Legal market overview,

Firms such as Arntzen de Besche, Advokatfirmaet Haavind AS, Simonsen Advokatfirma DA, Kluge Advokatfirma DA and Advokatfirmaet Steenstrup Stordrange DA are smaller, but provide services comparable to the larger firms in certain fields. Additionally, a number of boutique firms have developed leading reputations.

Within Oil and gas, Advokatfirmaet Haavind AS is a third tier firm,

Advokatfirmaet Haavind AS’ Olav Bergsaker has ‘experience and knowledge of the oil and gas industry’.

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

Praised for its ‘great transactional experience and market knowledge’, Advokatfirmaet Haavind AS ‘brings a lot of energy to the table’ and ‘provides solutions-oriented advice’ on commercial real estate and construction matters. Christian Bjørn-Hansen has ‘very strong business knowledge and understanding of market trends’, and recently advised Bulk Eiendom on the NOK1.4bn sale of four logistics sites. The ‘very persistent’ Jarle Holstrøm heads the real estate team, which also includes development and leasing expert Erling Timm, the ‘well connected’ Håvard Skogvoll, and the up-and-coming Jørgen Lindboe. Johnny Johansen has ‘superior litigation experience’ on the construction side.

Within Tax, Advokatfirmaet Haavind AS is a third tier firm,

Headed by Ole Morten Huseby, Advokatfirmaet Haavind AS’ four-partner tax practice comprehensively spans contentious and non-contentious matters. Espen Nordbø has ‘an excellent reputation’ for international tax; he recently advised on the Norwegian tax implications of the cross-border merger between ABN AMRO and Fortis Bank. Arne Haavind has a good record in tax litigation and represents three of the six regional tax authorities.