The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance (including shipping finance), Kluge Advokatfirma DA is a third tier firm,

Kluge Advokatfirma DA’s finance team worked with White & Case’s Hong Kong office, on behalf of Bank of China, on the $1.5bn facility agreement for COSL Norwegian’s acquisition of Awilco Offshore in late 2008. Recommended partners include Sverre Holm, Viggo Lange and Snorre Haukali, ‘a skilled generalist who has the ability to drill down into the detail when required’.

Within Corporate and M&A, Kluge Advokatfirma DA is a second tier firm,

Kluge Advokatfirma DA attracts good-quality cross-border and domestic transactional work. In 2008 the firm assisted with the post merger reorganisation of Marine Harvest. Stavanger’s Egil Willumsen and his team of ‘good people with very good industry knowledge’attract high-value oil and gas sector instructions. The team recently assisted the sellers of Hitec Products Drilling to a private equity fund. Thomas Abrahamsen ‘gives excellent support’.

Within Dispute resolution, Kluge Advokatfirma DA is a first tier firm,

Several of Kluge Advokatfirma DA’s senior litigators previously worked in the Attorney General’s office and the firm is regularly instructed by state and regional authorities. Stig Tufte-Johnsen is recommended. Eirik Jensen has represented Norske ConocoPhillips and Enterprise Oil Norge in tax litigation. Harald Kobbe frequently acts for construction leader Veidekke. Christian Galtung is recommended for commercial and insurance disputes. Preben Falck ‘impressed us with the clarity with which our case was presented to the court of arbitration in a drilling contract dispute’.

Within Electricity, nuclear and renewables, Kluge Advokatfirma DA is a third tier firm,

Kluge Advokatfirma DA advises Statnett, several of Norway’s district heating companies and electricity supplier Lyse.

Within Employment, Kluge Advokatfirma DA is a second tier firm,

Kluge Advokatfirma DA’s Oslo-based team leader Marco Lilli ‘responds quickly, has deep knowledge of the law and provides to-the-point practical solutions’. The ‘good quality’ group advises such companies as Teekay Shipping and Marine Harvest. Johan Krabbe-Knudsen is recommended and Marianne Higson ‘bases her clear thinking on long experience in employment law’.

Within Intellectual property, tier 4

Kluge Advokatfirma DA’s combined IP and TMT department is headed by Torstein Arendt, recommended for IT matters. Ingvild Mestad has wide experience in trade mark and copyright law.

Within Offshore construction and shipbuilding, Kluge Advokatfirma DA is a third tier firm,

Kluge Advokatfirma DA’s Bergen-based Harald Kobbe is ‘a major figure in engineering and construction law’ and the firm’s Stavanger-based lawyers are also active in the offshore construction sector.

Within Oil and gas, Kluge Advokatfirma DA is a first tier firm,

Kluge Advokatfirma DA’s oil and gas group combines experienced hands, such as Per Arvid Schøyen, with promising younger lawyers. Stavanger-based Preben Falck is ‘very intelligent, skilled in petroleum law and his invoices always reflect the work performed’. The group continues to recruit selectively. Jane Wesenberg, who joined from Wiersholm, and who is dual-qualified as a solicitor in the UK, adds weight in Oslo. Clients include Marathon, Gaz de France and service companies such as TTS Handling Systems.

Within Real estate and construction, Kluge Advokatfirma DA is a first tier firm,

Kluge Advokatfirma DA ‘presents one of the strongest professional teams in Norwegian contractual and building law’. Espen Nyland and Sondre Dyrland are ‘very satisfactory, proactive and understand both the legal and business angles’. Egil Willumsen offers ‘prompt service and competence in real estate transactions’. On the construction side, Gro Amdal is ‘enthusiastic and knowledgeable’ in public procurement. Clients include property companies such as Linstow and consulting companies including Norconsult.

Within TMT, Kluge Advokatfirma DA is a third tier firm,

Kluge Advokatfirma DA’s Torstein Arendt leads the TMT team which, inter alia, advises Norges Bank.

Within Tax, Kluge Advokatfirma DA is a second tier firm,

Kluge Advokatfirma DA is strong in tax litigation. Two senior advocates frequently represent the Norwegian state. On non-contentious matters, Eirik Jensen is recommended for international and oil taxation and Geir Even Asplin as a good corporate tax generalist.