The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, tier 5

Hans Svensson’s team at Bird & Bird Advokat KB focused on insolvency and security-related issues, increasing its activity on the lender side. Major clients include Citibank. Anders Nilsson and Gustaf Anselmsson advised Vasallen on its SEK1.2bn refinancing with three separate banks.

Within Capital markets, tier 4

Bird & Bird Advokat KB offers strong sector expertise and Nordic and international connections. Hans Svensson, Jörgen Ekström and Anders Nilsson advised Petrosibir on its reversed public takeover of Temporär Förvaltning i Stockholm and IPO on NGM equity. Svensson and Caroline Carlshamre advised Yorkville on its NOK150m SEDA agreement with IGE Resources. Staffan Seger joined from Moll Wendén Advokatbyrå AB.

Within Corporate and commercial, Bird & Bird is a third tier firm,

At ‘top-level firm’ Bird & Bird Advokat KB, Dick Poppelman leads the corporate group, while Jim Runsten heads the commercial practice. Clients reflect the firm’s sector expertise and include Lexmark, Tata Communications, BrainHeart Capital, pharmaceutical manufacturer APL and new client Northland Resources. Staffan Seger joined from Moll Wendén Advokatbyrå AB. Clients recommend Andreas Börjesson, Christian Luthman and Michael Frie.

Within Dispute resolution, Bird & Bird is a third tier firm,

Ulf Mellqvist’s team at Bird & Bird Advokat KB is representing 3G Infrastructure Services in multiple cases concerning connection fees. Ragnar Lundgren is a top patent litigator. Mellqvist and Michael Frie represented the Prosolvia bankruptcy estate in the long-running €140m damages case against Öhrlings PricewaterhouseCoopers. Henrik Bielenstein joined EU and competition boutique Kastell Advokatbyrå AB.

Within EU and competition, Bird & Bird is a third tier firm,

Ragnar Lundgren’s team at Bird & Bird Advokat KB advised 3GIS on competition law issues and multiple disputes concerning connection fees, and Empower Oy on merger control elements of its purchase of Scancon Industrimontage. Litigator Michael Frie is handling a private enforcement damages case.

Within Employment, Bird & Bird is a third tier firm,

Bird & Bird Advokat KB’s ‘skilled’ team, led by managing partner Katarina Nordblom Åhlberg offers ‘excellent value for money’ advising on matters ranging from collective labour law to senior management contracts. A dedicated employee incentives and benefits group focuses on corporate migration. Clients include OMX Group, TradeDoubler and Swedish Orphan Biovitrum. Magnus Berterud is recommended.

Within Energy, Bird & Bird is a third tier firm,

Bird & Bird Advokat KB’s ‘quick, responsive’ Christian Luthman heads the newly established energy and utilities group. Hans Svensson advised Skandinaviska Kraftprodukter on its sale to Litorina Kapital and Coromatic Group. Andreas Börjesson assisted Meerwind with its public bid for Rörvik Timber.

Within IT and telecoms, Bird & Bird is a first tier firm,

Bird & Bird Advokat KB provides a ‘fast, excellent service’. Johan Tydén’s telecoms group is advising 3G Infrastructure Services on procurement, outsourcing and some 2,000 disputes over connection fees. The ‘quick thinking’ Andreas Börjesson assisted Swefour GSM in negotiations with HI3G, Tele2, TeliaSonera and Telenor regarding their joint application to the Swedish telecoms regulatory authority, PTS, for the reallocation of telecoms licenses. Börjesson acted for Flexenclosure on corporate issues. Helene Hillerström Miksche is a ‘well connected problem solver’. Jim Runsten’s IT and e-commerce group is assisting a client with a products and service supply contract, and advised International Copyright Enterprise (ICE) in a first ever outsourcing deal for managed services within copyright services. Michael Frie and Ulf Mellqvist successfully represented Prosolvia in bankruptcy in the long-running litigation.

Within Intellectual property and media, Bird & Bird is a first tier firm,

At Bird & Bird Advokat KB, new group head Sara Sparring advised Swedish Orphan in its acquisition by Biovitrum. Richard Lewinson and Sara Ulfsdotter represent Teva in trade mark matters and disputes. Staffan Boström and associate Jerker Edström specialise in IP, media, music and live entertainment, including advising Touring Exhibitions on ABBA World. Other clients include Live Nation, Maratone and X5Group. Film and TV specialist Helene Hillerström Miksche assisted social media site StarDoll.com. Contentious work included representing Swedish Horse Racing Totalisator Board (ATG) in a database right dispute with Unibet. Ragnar Lundgren left the firm.

Within Mergers and acquisitions, tier 4

Dick Poppelman’s practice at Bird & Bird Advokat KB offers ‘international standards at reasonable rates’ and is supported by the firm’s ‘efficient network’. Hans Svensson and Caroline Carlshamre advised media group Talentum Oyj in the €7.5m acquisition of Bisnode companies Sverige Bygger and Norge Bygger, and handled acquisitions for Finnish telecom company Elisa. Staffan Seger joined from Moll Wendén Advokatbyrå AB. Andreas Börjesson is recommended

Within Real estate, tier 4

Bird & Bird Advokat KB’s practice head Christian Luthman, commended for his ‘initiative and a great business network’, assisted HEBA Fastighets with three acquistions from Citycon. Jim Runsten advised mining group LKAB on the relocation of two cities in northern Sweden, and Johanna Olsson advised Vasallen regarding developments on former military land.

Within Tax, Bird & Bird is a second tier firm,

The ‘experienced, flexible’ Christian Luthman’s ‘customer-focused, service-oriented’ team at Bird & Bird Advokat KB advises on tax structuring, litigation and transactional support. ‘Extremely clever’ litigator Mahmut Baran advised HEBA on a real estate acquisition. The team recruited VAT expert Ulrika Hansson from the Finance Minstry and Jakob Lamm from tax advisors Svalner Skatt & Transaktion.