The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Bird & Bird is a third tier firm,

Bird & Bird has been busy in financial restructuring assignments for some major clients and advised a regional bank on various structured finance matters, as well as litigation. ‘Commercially astute’ managing partner Jori Taipale now heads the practice, following Kristiina Lehvilä’s acceptance of an in-house position.

Within Capital markets, Bird & Bird is a third tier firm,

Bird & Bird has a ‘good number of very good professionals’, for which work highlights included acting for Cencorp on a share offering to finance its acquisition of Savcor FACE, and a subsequent rights issue. Clients recommend practice head Matti Ylä-Mononen, whom ‘you can trust 100% to take the case through’. Harri Hynninen is also recommended.

Within Corporate and M&A, Bird & Bird is a third tier firm,

‘The market leader for mid-market M&A’, Bird & Bird’s experienced team includes Matti Ylä-Mononen, Kimmo Reina and Harri Hynninen. The firm acted for Swiss biopharmaceuticals company Synosia Therapeutics on its €93.6m acquisition of a 50% stake in Finland’s Biotie Therapies.

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

Bird & Bird’s diverse practice handles litigation and arbitration relating to the securities markets, trade secrets and construction, as well as white-collar crime. The group’s ‘expertise is superb’ and ‘continues to exceed expectations’. Tom Vapaavuori heads the team, which also includes Pekka Raatikainen and Marko Wainio, who is ‘one of the best litigators in Finland’.

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

Katia Duncker leads Bird & Bird’s practice, which provides a ‘very high level of service’. Showcasing its cross-border resources, the firm acted for St1 Group on the competition aspects of its acquisition of Shell’s operations in Finland and Sweden, including merger filings in Finland, Sweden, Norway and Poland. Duncker and versatile managing partner Jori Taipale are recommended.

Within Intellectual property, Bird & Bird is a second tier firm,

Bird & Bird is ‘intimately aware of clients’ needs’ and is able to support its vast TMT clientele with a comprehensive IP service at a ‘very high standard’. Pekka Raatikainen has ‘an excellent track record in protecting clients’ interests’, and head of IT Kari-Matti Lehti has ‘a wide range of experience of tackling difficult situations’.

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 Real estate and construction, Bird & Bird is a second tier firm,

Bird & Bird has an extensive real estate portfolio that includes construction and development projects. It handled the land acquisition, planning, zoning, financing and construction of a hotel and private homes development for construction company Hangon Rantakiinteistöt. Jaakko Hietala heads the practice, with Pekka Raatikainen leading on construction matters.

Within TMT , Bird & Bird is a first tier firm,

An undisputed heavyweight, Bird & Bird combines a dedicated Helsinki team with its leading global reputation and resources. The firm acts for SAP Finland and Logica, advising both on significant Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system supplier agreements and major outsourcing projects. Kari-Matti Lehti heads the Finnish IT sector group, and clients appreciate his ‘ability to listen and find positive and innovative solutions’. Kimmo Reina and Pekka Takki are also recommended.