BBA//Fjeldco
‘s ‘fantastic team’ is highly active in cross-border mandates, regularly acting for prominent international and domestic clients on a range of matters involving Iceland. Managing partner Halldór Karl Halldórsson, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the practice area, co-leads the department alongside Einar Baldvin Árnason
, whose practice covers commercial law, competition work and corporate restructurings, and Bjarki Diego, who is noted for his experience in M&A, capital markets mandates, and finance transactions. Also key are Ásgeir Ragnarsson, who is dual-qualified in Iceland and New York, and Baldvin Björn Haraldsson, a highly experienced M&A specialist, qualified to practice in Iceland and France.
Commercial, corporate and M&A in Iceland
BBA//Fjeldco
Practice head(s):
Halldór Karl Halldórsson; Einar Baldvin Árnason; Bjarki Diego
Other key lawyers:
Ásgeir Ragnarsson; Baldvin Björn Haraldsson
Testimonials
‘Fantastic team involved in most cross-border deals in Iceland. What makes the team really stand out is their strong UK practice and expertise, effectively making them a one-stop shop in large, complex mergers and acquisitions.’
‘Halldór Karl Halldórsson, the managing partner, is a fantastic ally – extremely responsive, engaged and well-prepared.’
‘Highly experienced in corporate law and M&A, has been quite valuable for our company, giving meaningful advice.’
‘The account managers at BBA have been highly resourceful, and act quickly and professionally when it’s needed.’
‘The BBA//Fjeldco team has unparalleled experience in legal advice in Iceland when it comes to M&A, any Capital Markets transactions, cross-boarder deals and really any larger transactions.’
‘I have worked with several of the firm’s employees and they are, low and behold, very professional, knowledgeable and give very straight answers and guidelines. Einar Baldvin Árnason is hands down the number one corporate lawyer in Iceland.’
‘BBA/Fjeldco is an excellent law firm in Iceland. Very commercially oriented and excellent lawyers.’
‘Einar Baldvin Árnason is very hands on, calm and provides good and usable advice.’
Key clients
Alvotech
Arion Banki hf
Arctic Green Energy Group
BNP Paribas Fortis SA/NV
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
Fasteignastyring ehf.
Glymur Eignastýring hf.
Hagar hf.
Íslandsbanki hf.
Kaldalón ehf.
KFW-IPEX BANK GMBH
Kvika Group
Landsbankinn hf.
MasterCard Worldwide
Fly Pay hf.
Opin Kerfi hf.
Rapyd Financial Network ltd
SÍA IV
Taconic Capital Advisors
Nova
Valitor hf.
ODDEG
JP Morgan
Citibank
Work highlights
- Acted as lead Icelandic counsel for the acquirer of Kerecis in Iceland, which included initial advice, due diligence, drafting and providing input on structure and transaction documents and completion.
- Acted for Vátryggingafélag Íslands hf. (VÍS), one of the largest insurance companies in Iceland, when VÍS acquired Fossar Investment Bank (Fossar).
- Advised Equinor Ventures when it led a group of new investors in joining CRI’s shareholder group in a $30m investment round.
Juris
Juris provides comprehensive corporate and commercial services to clients, utilising the firm’s full-service offering to offer support on tax and competition matters, among others. The group is active in a diverse range of sectors, including the hospitality, infrastructure, and property development spaces. Tax specialist Halldór Jónsson co-leads the department alongside Andri Árnason, who has key strength in competition law. Simon Knight, who is dual qualified in England and Iceland, is highly active in cross-border matters, with experience acting for both domestic and international clients.
Practice head(s):
Halldór Jónsson; Andri Árnason
Other key lawyers:
Simon Knight; Ingvar Ásmundsson
Testimonials
‘Professional, experienced, always available, trustworthy group.’
‘You have confidence that they understand the issues you are trying to address, and that they will turn out a practical response, not just a legal one.’
‘Polite, personal and above all professional.’
‘The Juris team has given us a strong backup as specialists in corporate law and have guided us through work with complicated shareholder registries and share capital increase and decrease procedures. The Juris team has not only have deep knowledge in the field of law but also a very good understanding of technology, which has made a difference for us.’
‘Halldór Jónsson has been our main adviser for some time and his deep knowledge of corporate and tax law and the dedication he has shown have been exactly what we have needed. His ability to give professional guidance has helped us understand and integrate important processes.’
‘Simon Knight is solid in finance and cross-border corporate matters. Simon is diligent, meticulous with great attention to detail, and swiftly responds to any inquiries. In addition, Simon speaks splendid Icelandic, which is quite unusual for a non-native.’
‘Andri Árnason has proven to be very knowledgeable about Icelandic corporate law.’
Key clients
Summa Rekstrarfélag hf.
Ísfélag hf.
Lýsi hf.
Kvika banki hf
Mjólkursamsalan ehf.
Novator ehf.
Fastus ehf.
Nýsköpunarsjóður atvinnulífsins
Five Degrees
Audax Private Equity
BlueCat Networks
HS Orka hf.
Sikmas ehf.
Work highlights
- Advised on the merger of Ísfélag Vestmannaeyja hf. and Rammi hf to form Ísfélag hf.
- Advised BlueCat Networks on its acquisition of Men & Mice.
- Advising Mjólkursamsalan on Iceland’s draft new agricultural policy.
Lex Law Offices
Lex Law Offices
takes a leading role on numerous high-profile domestic and international transactions, providing clients with a comprehensive array of services due to the firm’s full-service offering. The group has experience working across a diverse array of sectors, including the real estate, retail, and energy industries, and regularly acts for private equity clients. Leading the department are Guðmundur Ingvi Sigurðsson, whose key specialisms are corporate finance work and debt restructurings, and managing partner Örn Gunnarsson, whose practice additionally covers M&A and share capital transactions. Tax specialist Garðar Víðir Gunnarsson and Stefán Orri Ólafsson are also key names.
Practice head(s):
Guðmundur Ingvi Sigurðsson; Örn Gunnarsson
Other key lawyers:
Garðar Víðir Gunnarsson; Stefán Orri Ólafsson
Testimonials
‘Great team. Highly skilled and experienced.’
‘There is a team of experts within LEX with extraordinary good know how.’
Key clients
Festi hf.
Kaldbakur ehf.
Alfa Framtak hf
Síldarvinnslan hf.
Carbfix hf.
VEX ehf.
Fossar Investment Bank hf.
Sjová hf.
First Water Salmon from Iceland hf.
Reykjastræti ehf
ADG ehf.
Indie Holdings. S. A.
101 Seafood ehf.
Work highlights
- Advising Festi hf., an Icelandic listed holding company focusing on various retail industries, on its acquisition of Lyfja hf., a local pharmacy.
- Advising First Water hf. from the outset on all corporate and commercial issues concerning inter alia the company setup and structure, corporate governance, expansion, financing, etc.
- Acted as lead counsel and adviser to Alfa framtak when AU 22 ehf., a fully owned subsidiary of Umbreyting II slhf., a private equity fund operated by Alfa Framtak ehf., made a voluntary offer to shareholders of Origo hf. in line with the ‘Takeover Act’.
LOGOS
LOGOS fields a team which works within the firm's full-service offering to meet the full range of client needs. The group covers all aspects of commercial and corporate law, and is a popular choice for international clients. Significant cross-border mandates handled by the firm include advising Icelandic biotechnology company Kerecis on the sale of all shares to Danish entity Coloplast for $1.3bn. Benedikt Egill Árnason is a transactional specialist, with experience acting for corporate clients and private equity houses. Árnason co-leads the department alongside Freyr Snæbjörnsson, who is noted for his strength in capital markets, and made partner in January 2023. Also key are Thórólfur Jónsson, who has core strength in M&A and securities regulations, and Guðbjörg Helga Hjartardóttir, who covers financial restructurings, M&A transactions, and corporate finance work.
Practice head(s):
Benedikt Egill Árnason; Freyr Snæbjörnsson
Other key lawyers:
Guðbjörg Helga Hjartardóttir; Thórólfur Jónsson; Óttar Pálsson; Fannar Freyr Ívarsson; Helga Melkorka Óttarsdóttir
Testimonials
‘The Logos team is highly efficient in all the legal and commercial fields needed for our company. Their team is diverse enough to cover all aspects of a deal or project. Their unique approach to give access to their expertise in case by case makes them so strong and efficient as a team and individual experts as well.’
‘Their legal diversification has enabled us to tackle every project and case with them, covering commercial issues, tax, transportation, shareholding and employment law.’
‘LOGOS has a unique position in the market due to their broad knowledge and manpower. In a business like ours, the issues that come up every day are very diverse, ranging from simple HR issues to complicated M&A processes. It’s nice to be sure you always have the best possible legal advice during all situations with the same legal partner.’
‘Helga Melkorka Ottarsdóttir – Very reliable and knowledgeable within different legal areas. Furthermore, her personal approach is very calm and trustworthy, making her the ideal legal partner in sensitive interactions. Her reputation is impeccable.’
‘Thórólfur Jónsson is a leading authority for all legal work in the areas of Commercial, Corporate and M&A law. Óttar Pálsson is also firmly a leader in these fields of law, given his vast corporate and banking experience. Many resourceful associates which play an important role in the quality service Logos provides to its clients.’
Key clients
Origo hf.
Eimskip hf.
Marel hf.
Kerecis hf.
Olgerdin Egill Skallagrimsson hf.
Ministry of Industry and Innovation
Arion Bank hf.
Landsvirkjun
Icelandair Group hf.
Barclays
Deutsche Bank
Goldman Sachs International
Kvika Bank
Landsnet
Crowberry Capital
Haugen Gruppen Nordic AS
Brim hf.
Vordur Insurance
Climeworks AG
Frumtak Ventures ehf.
Verne Global
Computershare
Blackrock Inc
Morgan Stanley
Orkla ASA
Storytel Sweden AB
Siminn hf.
Sling Inc.
Archer Norge AS
Sidekick Health AB
Alfa Framtak ehf.
Hintsa Performance Oy
Vex slhf.
1912 ehf.
Qair Energy
Danol ehf.
Laxar eignarhaldsfelag ehf.
Laxar Fiskeldi ehf.
Islandsbanki hf.
Landsbankinn hf.
Foobar Technologies II ApS
Novator Partners LLP
Hampidjan hf.
Icelandic State Financial Investments
Work highlights
- Advised Kerecis hf. and its shareholders on the sale of all shares in Kerecis hf. to Coloplast A/S (a Danish entity listed on the Danish stock exchange) for up to $1.3bn.
- Advised Siminn hf. on the sale of Mila ehf., Iceland’s largest infrastructure, for an enterprise value of ISK78bn to Ardian.
- Advised Arion Bank hf. on the provision of additional funding to a large hotel operator.
ADVEL Attorneys at Law
ADVEL Attorneys at Law advises numerous listed companies and funds on a broad range of corporate matters both within Iceland and overseas, with notable strength advising on matters involving the UK market. Stefan Þór Ingimarsson, who leads the team, is a highly experienced practitioner with a practice which covers company law, corporate governance work, and M&A, with an emphasis on insurance law. Ragnar Guðmundsson and Bjarni Þór Bjarnason share key strength in tax law, M&A and corporate financings. Andri Fannar Bergþórsson joined the department in 2022 as a counsel, after previously working as a member of the Financial Supervision Committee at the Central Bank of Iceland.
Practice head(s):
Stefan Þor Ingimarsson
Other key lawyers:
Dora Sif Tynes; Bjarni Þór Bjarnason; Ragnar Guðmundsson; Andri Fannar Bergþórsson
Testimonials
‘Stefan Þor Ingimarsson is a very talented corporate lawyer and is very sharp in M&A.’
‘They act as one sole person. Excellent distribution of work.’
‘All of them are individually efficient, respond quickly and thoroughly, they seem professional and updated at all times.’
Key clients
Arion banki
Hampidjan
Advania Group
VÍS
Klappir Green Solutions
Oryggismidstodin
Brim hf.
Valitor hf.
N1 hf.
Work highlights
- Advising Festi hf. on its forest carbon offset project to reduce the carbon footprint for the entire company group.
- Acted as Arion Bank’s local counsel on arranging the bank’s EMNT programme.
Deloitte Legal ehf.
Deloitte Legal ehf. works within the global network of the firm, and advises clients on a broad range of corporate transactions, including M&A, investments, and IPOs; the group benefits from the firm's expertise in tax issues. Þórdís Bjarnadóttir has experience working across a number of sectors, including the fisheries, real estate, and retail industries, and regularly advises clients on M&A and financing projects. Bjarnadóttir co-leads the department alongside Hallmundur Albertsson, who has a significant background in EEA and competition law.
Practice head(s):
Þórdís Bjarnadóttir; Hallmundur Albertsson
Other key lawyers:
Þorvarður Arnar Ágústsson
Testimonials
‘Very broad knowledge of commercial and tax laws and regulations and related government practices. Good “street smart” advice when dealing with complex regulatory issues.’
‘The individuals are knowledgeable, on top of things and always available.’
‘Excellent team.’
Key clients
Gleðipinnar
HS Orka hf.
Solid Clouds hf.
Askja hf.
Hopp ehf.
Ísey Export ehf.
Mannvit hf.
IS HAF fjárfestingar slhf.
Landsbréf hf.
Work highlights
- Advising the selling shareholders on the sale of Gleðipinnar hf., a large-scale player in entertainment and restaurant market in Iceland, and acting as legal adviser on the restructuring of the sellers’ co-ownerships with the relevant investors.
- Provided legal and tax due diligence, and various legal advice to IS HAF fjárfestingar, a fund managed by Íslandssjóðir hf., a new $70m investment fund focusing on ocean related opportunities.
- Advising HS Orka hf., one of Iceland’s largest energy companies, on its investment in a hydropower plant entity.
KPMG Law ehf
Mandates regularly covered by KPMG Law ehf include M&A, investments and divestments, and financing rounds. The group has a strong domestic client base, supplemented by notable overseas connections. Jointly leading the team are Jónas Rafn Tómasson, Höskuldur Eiríksson and Ásgeir Skorri Thoroddsen.
Practice head(s):
Jónas Rafn Tómasson; Höskuldur Eiríksson; Ásgeir Skorri Thoroddsen
Other key lawyers:
Ævar Hrafn Ingólfsson
Key clients
Heimstaden ehf.
HS Orka hf.
Controlant hf.
Frumtak Ventures ehf.
Activity Stream
Ardian Infrastructure Fund
Kaupfélag Skagfirðinga
Fiskeldi Austfjarða
Genís hf.
Klettás ehf.
Smitten ehf.
Work highlights
- Advised Kaupfélag Sagfirðinga svf. on an investment deal in the fast-food market, where the client is acquiring a company group with around 8% market share in the Icelandic market.
- Advised Activity Stream AS on all legal aspects concerning the client’s series A financing round. This includes drafting the term sheet and the definitive legal documentation.
Lagahvoll
Boutique firm Lagahvoll's team is highly experienced working within the Icelandic finance industry, with noted expertise in corporate development matters, such as investments and venture agreements. Founding partner and private equity specialist Daði Bjarnason co-leads the department alongside senior partner Jóhann Sigurðsson, whose practice covers joint ventures, disposals, and M&A, among other matters.
Practice head(s):
Daði Bjarnason; Jóhann Sigurðsson
Testimonials
‘I have had experience with both Jóhann Sigurðsson and Daði Bjarnason. They are both very experienced in their field and good to work with. Being a small boutique firm they both go all in when needed and give their clients personal services they appreciate.’
‘Excellent team.’
‘Daði Bjarnason is our legal partner. He has excellent knowledge of corporate finance and banking and finance.’
‘Very experienced, very broad legal knowledge and skills.’
‘Jóhann Sigurðsson is excellent in all his work.’
Key clients
Dohop ehf.
Data Lab Ísland ehf.
Félagsbústaðir hf.
Carbon Iceland ehf.
Traveo ehf.
Vistbyggð ehf
Félag eldri borgara í Reykjavík og nágrenni
Pikkoló ehf.
Ísorka ehf.
Reon ehf.
Fagkaup ehf.
Landslog – Law Offices
Landslog – Law Offices acts for a client base of both public and private groups, and supplements its corporate and commercial offering with coverage of real estate, competition, and IP matters. Team lead Viðar Lúðvíksson, who has over 25 years’ experience in the practice area, is an M&A specialist with a track record in acting for prestige international and domestic clients. Lúðvíksson is supported by Supreme Court Advocate Grímur Sigurðsson, competition law specialist Jóna Björk Helgadóttir, and Jón Gunnar Ásbjörnsson.
Practice head(s):
Viðar Lúðvíksson
Other key lawyers:
Hlynur Halldorsson; Grímur Sigurðsson; Jóna Björk Helgadóttir; Jón Gunnar Ásbjörnsson.
Testimonials
‘Good overall competence in the various fields of law with short turn-around time. Good representation in regulatory interactions with the authorities and litigation.’
‘Grímur Sigurðsson is best lawyer in Iceland. He is very fast with response. And quality of his work is the best. Jóna Björk Helgadóttir is foremost lawyer in competition law in Iceland.’
Key clients
Hagar hf.
Syn hf./ Vodafone Iceland
Isavia
DeCode Genetics
Icelandic Regional Development
The National University Hospital
Advania
Alvogen pharmaceuticals
Syndis
Curio
Hekla
University of Iceland Lottery
Frumtok
Umbudamidlun
Icelandic Fish Market
Islandsbanki
Icelandic Prime Contractors – IAV
Samkaup
The Icelandic National Opera
The Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration (IRCA)
Work highlights
- Advised Syn hf. (Vodafone Iceland) on all aspects of the first sale and lease-back of passive mobile phone telecom infrastructure in Iceland, a ISK6bn deal.
- Advised Hagar hf. on the acquisition of all shares in Eldum Rett.
- Acted as head legal counsel for the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration in connection with major traffic structures which are planned to be built on the basis of the newly approved law on Public-Private Partnerships.
Réttur – Adalsteinsson & Partners
Réttur – Adalsteinsson & Partners' strength in corporate mandates is supplemented by the firm's dispute resolution expertise, with multiple team members leveraging significant experience in contentious matters. Supreme Court Attorney Sigurður Örn Hilmarsson leads the department, and is noted for his record in commercial litigation and insolvency proceedings. Senior associate Stefán Örn Stefánsson covers M&A, tax issues, and corporate and commercial law.
Practice head(s):
Sigurður Örn Hilmarsson
Other key lawyers:
Sigrún Ingibjörg Gísladóttir; Stefán Örn Stefánsson
Testimonials
‘The lawyers at Réttur seems to have a strong practice of responding quickly to any client when an issue or question arises.’
‘Réttur has provided close, personal attention to three areas which are essential for us: immigration and citizenship, European intellectual property law, and business negotiations. The personal contact across those three areas, with different lawyers in some cases, makes them unique to us.’
‘They give you all their attention and make you feel like being taken care of. Sigurður Örn Hilmarsson and Stefán Örn Stefánsson have helped our company with different projects and they have really done a great job for us so far.’
‘The team is first and foremost trustworthy and ready to go the extra mile if needed.’
Key clients
Flux ehf.
Monerium ehf.
Icelandic Water Holdings ehf.
Bitfury Iceland ehf.
SÍBS, Reykjalundur endurhæfing ehf.
North Ventures ehf.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Kirton McConkie
Httpool AB
Work highlights
- Assisted Icelandic Water Holdings hf. with various corporate law matters, including share capital increases, stock option planning, and selling shares in the company to international investors.
- Represented SÍBS in two court cases before the District Court regarding property rights of SÍBS.
- Acted in proceedings before the District Court for shareholders in Flux ehf. and Vesturgarður ehf., where court-appointed assessors evaluated a long-disputed matter and rendered a report.