The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Krogerus is a second tier firm,

Krogerus’ ‘good, professional team’ continues to grow in stature, having hired leading finance lawyer Kimmo Mettälä and fellow partner Raimo Seppälä from Peltonen LMR Attorneys Ltd in 2011. They joined a team which already included recommended partner Päivi Toivari. Recent instructions include advising the lead arrangers on Nokian Tyres’ €100m credit facility refinancing.

Within Capital markets, Krogerus is a second tier firm,

Krogerus has invested heavily in this area, recruiting new partners Kimmo Mettälä from Peltonen LMR Attorneys Ltd; Mårten Knuts from Waselius & Wist; and senior associate Rami Salonen from White & Case. The lawyers ‘all do a quality job’, and acted as Finnish counsel on DONG Energy’s €700m hybrid bond issue.

Within Corporate and M&A, Krogerus is a second tier firm,

‘A rising star in the Finnish market’, Krogerus shows ‘true entrepreneurial spirit’ and fields industry-focused practice groups. Recent deals for this sizeable team include advising the government on its €650m acquisition of a majority stake in the country’s main electricity transmission operator, Fingrid Oyj. Mika Ståhlberg, Marcus Möller and senior associate Jan Johanson are recommended for their ‘business-minded’, ‘no-nonsense approach’.

Within Dispute resolution, Krogerus is a second tier firm,

Krogerus is in demand for disputes work throughout the country and the firm is representing several municipalities in Finland’s ongoing asphalt cartel cases in claims totalling €10m. Other clients include Santander. Jari-Pekka Alho and Mikko Elonheimo head this large team, which is ‘extremely efficient with a very pragmatic approach’. Raimo Seppälä joined from Peltonen LMR Attorneys Ltd.

Within EU and competition, Krogerus is a first tier firm,

Krogerus’ highly praised competition practice acted in one of the largest investigations into abuse of dominant position in Finland to date, advising Abloy Ltd before the FCA and European Commission. Co-head Katri Joenpolvi and head of public procurement Terhi Kauti are ‘outstanding’ and demonstrate ‘in-depth legal knowledge combined with profound understanding of the needs of their clients’.

Within Intellectual property, Krogerus is a second tier firm,

Krogerus recruited new head of IP Tuukka Airaksinen from a small boutique. He joins IP specialist Arto Hakkarainen, whose advice is of ‘a very high standard’. Recent work includes handling a trade mark infringement dispute for one of Finland’s largest companies.

Within Legal market overview,

The former LMR Attorneys lost rainmaker Kimmo Mettällä and litigator Raimo Seppälä to Krogerus and subsequently merged with mid-tier firm Peltonen, Ruokonen & Itäinen to form Peltonen LMR Attorneys Ltd. Krogerus remains in ambitious expansion mode. Nordic regional player Magnusson opened in Helsinki in an attempt to exploit the relative lack of international firms in the market (only Bird & Bird and White & Case are present). The new office is staffed by talented lawyers recruited from Castrén & Snellman; Dittmar & Indrenius; and the former Peltonen, Ruokonen & Itäinen.

Within Maritime and transport, Krogerus is a second tier firm,

Krogerus advises a broad range of transport clients, or major public bodies with transport-related issues, such as Air Finland and Posten Logistik. Lauri Railas is the key figure for this type of work, but litigator Jari-Pekka Alho is ‘without doubt unrivalled’ for aircraft leasing disputes.

Within Real estate and construction, Krogerus is a second tier firm,

Krogerus has ‘much deeper knowledge of the real estate business than some other law firms’, and represents numerous real estate investment funds, such as Exillon Real Estate I Ky, which it advised on the €85m purchase of a high-rise office building in the Ruoholahti district of Helsinki. Samuli Palin and Juha Wessman are ‘excellent’.

Within TMT , Krogerus is a first tier firm,

Technology is a key industry focus at Krogerus, which attracts premium clients including the State Treasury, Nordic Investment Bank, Pohjola Bank, and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Mika Puittinen heads the technology and IP team, and is leading advice to the ECHA on a large-scale ICT outsourcing. Managing partner Juha Pekka Katainen also advises in this field, and Sami Laine is singled out for his ‘very high knowledge of IT contract law’.

Within Tax, Krogerus is a second tier firm,

Tax specialist Antti Lehtimaja is building an ‘efficient’ and ‘value for money’ practice at Krogerus, which advises on tax planning, transactional taxation and tax litigation. Clients include a major Nordic bank and the CapMan Oyj group of companies.