The Legal 500

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

Krogerus is building a reputable practice under ‘talented’ Päivi Toivari, working alongside UK Magic Circle firms on significant projects, such as advice to Nordea Bank on the €850m financing of 3i’s divestment of Nordic healthcare group Ambea to Triton, as well as major debt restructurings during 2010.

Within Capital markets, Krogerus is a third tier firm,

Krogerus has a very credible practice providing ‘competent advice that I can trust’, earning the firm two impressive panel appointments in 2010. Key client Elcoteq provided much work in a depressed year, such as a €105m private placement of hybrid securities concerning redemption of debenture notes. Kati Mattila and Marjukka Sippola co-head the practice.

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

According to clients, Krogerus ‘is growing all the time and will be a top office in the future’. Corporate work is a key strength, with prolific advisers Mika Ståhlberg and Samuli Palin leading in M&A and private equity respectively. Top deals included acting for DNA on its €200m acquisition of Welho from Sanoma Corporation, one of the largest deals of 2010, and representing Neste Oil on the divestment of its Portuguese subsidiary to Spanish oil company Repsol.

Within Dispute resolution , Krogerus is a second tier firm,

With one of the largest teams in the market, Krogerus handles a bulging and diverse caseload, such as employment and aircraft leasing disputes on behalf of Air Finland and regular dispute advice to Santander. Jari-Pekka Alho is just one of several partners spread nationally, and was joined by former Supreme Court Justice Gustaf Möller at the tail end of 2009.

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

Heavily endorsed by clients is Krogerus, the result of ‘talented’ and ‘very strong’ Katri Joenpolvi. Her large team of experienced associates includes Petteri Metsä-Tokila who ‘understands business problems’, while Leena Lindberg joined the firm in 2010 from the FCA to co-head and significantly strengthen the group. Regular clients include Neste Oil, Sampo Bank and major Nordic media group Sanoma plc, successfully obtaining merger approval in a transacton with telecom DNA despite much opposition.

Within Intellectual property, Krogerus is a second tier firm,

The strong presence of Krogerus in the technology sector attracts a multitude of IP-rich clients to the firm, including the University of Helsinki and telecom DNA. Counsel Arto Hakkarainen and the firm’s managing partner Juha Pekka Katainen lead the ‘knowledgeable’ and ‘service-minded’ practice advising on all areas of IP.

Within Legal market overview,

Hannes Snellman Attorneys at Law Ltd and Roschier continue to spearhead the market, now emerging as regional firms as they focus on pan-Nordic capability. Indeed, Hannes Snellman Attorneys at Law Ltd opened in Copenhagen in 2010, its fruitful Scandinavian empire rapidly expanding. Castrén & Snellman is the nearest challenger, and together with Attorneys at law Borenius & Kemppinen Ltd and Krogerus, all five firms are almost twice the size of their nearest rivals.

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

Krogerus ranks a number of transport bodies and companies among its lengthy client list, such as Stella Logistics and Havator Transport, while the firm’s litigators act for Air Finland. Practice head Lauri Railas is ‘valued highly’ and brings many years’ varied experience to the market.

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

A strong team at Krogerus, namely Samuli Palin, Juha Wessman, Ville Hailikari and a large team of associates, attracts an impressive array of international investors, developers and domestic property companies. They include Skanska Commercial Development Finland, which the firm advised on the sale of Lintulahti office building to Commerz Real Investment for €38.4m.

Within TMT , Krogerus is a first tier firm,

Size and focus ensures Krogerus a leading position in the market, with nine specialists at the firm including managing partner Juha Pekka Katainen, Sami Laine and former in-house counsel Mika Puittinen, who now heads the corporate advisory aspects of the department. The firm is ‘highly recommended for complex, large-scale projects’ and is exclusive supplier of legal services to the State Treasury, responsible for all IT procurements in the country. Active clients include Fujitsu Services, Elcoteq and DNA.

Within Tax, Krogerus is a second tier firm,

Krogerus has a steady practice predominantly corporate support in nature, led by counsel Pekka Talari. Recent work includes the tax aspects of the MBO of Orthex, advising the shareholders on the sale of their shares to Intera. Clients include an international electronics company and multinational pharmaceutical.