Commercial, corporate and M&A in Iceland

The corporate and commercial team at BBA//Fjeldco operates ‘like a fine-tuned engine’ and has a stellar track record advising sellers, buyers and financial institutions in M&A transactions. A recent highlight included acting for Icelandic insurance company TM, Kvika Banki and Lykill in a $700m merger. With a strong focus on transactional work and other corporate matters, the practice is well-placed to collaborate with its London office when advising international investors in Iceland, as well as domestic parties looking to grow their operations abroad. Experienced M&A partners Baldvin Björn Haraldsson and Einar Baldvin Árnason jointly lead the team, while Halldór Karl Halldórsson, Ásgeir Ragnarsson and counsel Bjarki Diego are also key contacts in the practice.

Lex Law Offices frequently leverages the firm’s full-service capability to provide ‘sustainable, hands-on solutions’ to high-end transactions, from M&A projects and international investments in Iceland to corporate structuring, financing and restructuring matters. Key clients include domestic companies and start-ups, particularly in the telecoms and IT sectors, and multinational corporations including Costco Wholesale Corporation. Guðmundur Ingvi Sigurðsson, who specialises in corporate finance and debt restructurings, jointly heads up the practice alongside managing partner Örn Gunnarsson, who focuses on share capital transactions. Garðar Víðir Gunnarsson handles corporate tax mandates and is another key member of the team.

LOGOS is well versed in all aspects of commercial and corporate matters, in addition to high-value M&A transactions, including acting for seafood processing machinery and technology company Marel on its acquisition of Valka. The ‘top-class team’ also handles mandates pertaining to general corporate issues including restructuring and refinancing mandates. ‘Expert’ practitioner Thórólfur Jónsson, who has a track record in handling the restructuring of major financial institutions in Iceland, jointly leads the group alongside Guðbjörg Helga Hjartardóttir, while Guðmundur Oddsson heads up the London-based practice. Leveraging the firm’s full-service capabilities, the team counts listed corporates and international companies among its key roster of clients.

ADVEL Attorneys at Law has notable experience in high-end transactions and recently advised leading Nordic IT company Advania on the sale of a majority stake to Goldman Sachs. Stefán Þór Ingimarsson leads the practice group and is praised for ‘understanding the complexities of international matters’, particularly in relation to the refinancing and reorganisation of Icelandic companies. Bjarni Þór Bjarnason joined the firm from Deloitte Legal ehf. in mid-2021, following the departure of Kristinn Hallgrimsson to an in-house position at Arta in early 2021.

Deloitte Legal ehf. acts for a roster of clients on a broad range of mandates, including M&A transactions, corporate structuring issues, listing processes and joint venture matters. The team is well placed to leverage the firm’s global network, as well as its tax, audit and financial advisory services. Managing partner Haraldur Ingi Birgisson leads the practice group alongside Guðbjörg Þorsteinsdóttir, while Hallmundur Albertsson recently joined from Vik Law Firm, following the departure of Bjarni Þór Bjarnason in mid-2021 to ADVEL Attorneys at Law.

Lagahvoll advises its roster of long-standing clients across the retail, food processing, real estate and financial industry sectors, among others, on M&A transactions, investments, start-ups and venture agreements, as well as bond issuances. Also noted for its expertise in crisis management and risk analysis work, the team is jointly led by founding partner Daði Bjarnason, who focuses on financial and restructuring issues, and senior partner Jóhann Tómas Sigurðsson.

Landslog – Law Offices counts government ministries, municipalities and leading domestic companies among its key list of clients, and the team is particularly active in handling M&A transactions, as well as restructuring matters. Real estate and telecoms specialist Viðar Lúðvíksson heads up the practice and acted as lead adviser to Syn hf. (Vodafone Iceland) on the sale and lease-back of the company’s passive mobile phone infrastructure. Jóhannes Bjarni Björnsson, Grímur Sigurðsson and Áslaug Árnadóttir are key members of the team.

Réttur – Adalsteinsson & Partners advises domestic and international companies on corporate governance issues, management incentive plans, restructurings and regulatory matters, and has notable capabilities in M&A transactions. Led by Sigurður Örn Hilmarsson, the team leverages the expertise of the firm’s litigation practice group when acting for clients in disputes involving corporate law issues. The team counts LS Retail, Icelandic Water Holdings and Flux among its key clients.