BAHR‘s team garners praise for its ‘legal and strategic understanding, coupled with commercial acumen‘. The practice has an excellent track record in handling equity capital markets mandates; the team recently advised DNB Bank on all the Norwegian legal aspects of its public takeover of Sbanken ASA. Large-scale restructurings, refinancings and EMTN programme matters have also been key drivers of work for the group. Lars Knem Christie advises on IPOs and public M&A; he shares leadership of the practice with DCM expert Richard Sjøqvist
. Other key practitioners are Audun Nedrelid, who acts for issuer-side clients; financial regulatory expert Markus Nilssen; Arne Tjaum, who is well versed in securities law; and managing associate Camilla Iversen.
Capital markets in Norway
BAHR
Practice head(s):
Lars Knem Christie; Richard Sjøqvist
Other key lawyers:
Arne Tjaum; Audun Nedrelid; Markus Nilssen; Camilla Iversen
Testimonials
‘Legal and strategic understanding, coupled with commercial acumen.’
Key clients
ABG Sundal Collier
Aker Group
Pareto Securities
Norwegian Trustee
DNB Bank and DNB Markets
Norwegian Air Shuttle
Adevinta
HitecVision
Morgan Stanley
JP Morgan
Sparebank 1 SMN
Edda Wind
Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS
The ‘strong‘ capital markets practice at Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS is led by Christian Grüner Sagstad, who is highly regarded for his established expertise in handling equity capital markets work; high-value private placements and listings have been prominent in Sagstad’s recent workload. The ‘hands-on and solution-oriented‘ team continues to act for a solid roster of large investment banks and corporates. Einar Grette heads up the debt capital markets group. Anders Arnkværn
is a key contact for M&A matters, debt capital expert Halvor Mansåker acts as counsel to issuers and managers on restructurings, and Solveig Fagerheim Bugge is well versed in advising on securities law. Managing associate Hedda Leikvang is also a name to note.
Practice head(s):
Christian Grüner Sagstad; Einar Grette
Other key lawyers:
Anders Arnkværn; Solveig Fagerheim Bugge; Halvor Mansåker; Hedda Leikvang
Testimonials
‘Strong team of experienced individuals.’
‘The senior partners we approach are extremely knowledgeable, and recognised in the market as such.’
‘Very experienced and hands on.’
‘Thommessen handles complex and challenging scenarios in a simple manner.’
Key clients
DNB Bank ASA
DNB Markets
Nordea Bank
Danske Bank
Svenska Handelsbanken
Pareto Securities
Pareto Alternative Investments AS
ABG Sundal Collier
Sparebank 1 Markets
Sparebank 1 Gruppen AS
Goldman Sachs International
Swedbank AB
Tidewater Inc.
Infront AS
Carnegie AS
Rederiaktiebolaget Eckerö
Arctic Securities AS
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB
Morgan Stanley
UBS Investment Bank
Fearnley Securities
Seadrill Ltd
Salmones Camanchaca S.A.
DOF ASA
Webstep ASA
Elkem ASA
Odfjell Drilling Ltd.
B2Holding ASA
Oslo Børs VPS Holding ASA
Kongsberg Gruppen ASA
Shelf Drilling, Ltd.
BW Group Limited
BW Offshore Limited
BW LPG Limited
BW Energy Limited
Hafnia Limited
Nordic Trustee AS
Navamedic ASA
RAK Petroleum plc
Stolt-Nielsen Ltd.
Kahoot!
XXL
MPC Container Ships ASA
Höegh Autoliners ASA
Magseis Fairfield ASA
Pioneer Property Group ASA
Mercell Holding
Icelandic Salmon AS
Everfuel A/S
Norwegian Property ASA
Lytix Biopharma AS
Komplett ASA
Work highlights
- Assisted Norwegian robotics company Autostore with its $12.4bn IPO and subsequent listing on the Oslo Stock Exchange.
- Advised Norwegian bank Sbanken on DNB Bank’s public bid on all shares in the client.
- Assisted Komplett ASA with its NOK1.8bn IPO, and its subsequent acquisition of Swedish company NetOnNet.
Wiersholm
With a reputation for being ‘one of the best capital market teams in Norway‘, the group at Wiersholm fields expertise across the full range of capital markets work, and IPOs and listing mandates have been prominent in the department’s recent workload. Tone Østensen has an excellent track record in advising on public and private transactions, stock exchange law, and securities law, while practice co-head Simen Mejlænder advises international and Norwegian investment banks and issuers on listing processes and IPOs, and practice co-head Sverre Sandvik is ‘extremely experienced and knowledgeable within capital market matters‘. Anne Lise E. Gryte is a key name for equity capital markets work, and also advises on public takeovers.
Practice head(s):
Sverre Sandvik; Simen Mejlænder
Other key lawyers:
Tone Østensen; Anne Lise E. Gryte
Testimonials
‘Sverre Sandvik is an outstanding lawyer. Always available, always wise and pragmatic. The gold standard for the trusted adviser.’
‘You always get top attention and quality.’
‘Sverre Sandvik: Pragmatic and effective, and always provides fantastic client service.’
‘Anne Lise E. Gryte: Very effective and hands on.’
Key clients
ABG Sundal Collier
DNB Markets
Carnegie
Nordea Markets
Arctic Securities
Mowi ASA
Arctic Bioscience AS
SpareBank 1 Markets AS
Flyr AS
Elopak ASA
Norse Atlantic ASA
Volue ASA
Pareto Securities
Integrated Wind Solutions ASA
Western Bulk Chartering AS
Tekna Holding ASA
Rana Gruber ASA
Work highlights
- Advised Carnegie, JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley as managers on the NOK2.7bn IPO of AutoStore.
- Acted for ABG Sundal Collier, DNB Markets and Clarksons Platou Securities as joint global co-ordinators and bookrunners in connection with Edda Wind’s NOK875m IPO.
Wikborg Rein
Wikborg Rein ‘is home to one of Norway’s leading capital markets teams‘ according to clients. The ‘extremely solid‘ group is regularly instructed on a wide spectrum of capital markets matters, with high-profile private placements, IPOs, listings and large bond issuances prominent in the practice’s recent workload. Practice head Dag Erik Rasmussen is ‘extremely experienced and knowledgeable, and has a solution-oriented approach‘; he is the key name for equity capital markets mandates. On the debt capital markets side, Stian Tande Mortensen is the name to note, while Per Anders Sæhle ‘displays unrivalled expertise in Norwegian and international capital markets transactions‘. At senior associate level, Karoline Stock Evje and Ingrid Aasa Haavaldsen are noteworthy practitioners.
Practice head(s):
Dag Erik Rasmussen; Stian Tande Mortensen
Other key lawyers:
Per Anders Sæhle; Karoline Stock Evje; Ingrid Aasa Haavaldsen
Testimonials
‘Solution-oriented, focused on setting up and running a smooth process.’
‘Karoline Stock Evje – extremely dedicated, very hard-working, knowledgeable and service-oriented.’
‘Ingrid Aasa Haavaldsen – diligent, efficient, solution-oriented.’
‘Wikborg Rein showcases unique experience and high quality, and the advice is of great value.’
‘Dag Erik Rasmussen – we are always confident that we are in safe hands when he is advising on a deal.’
‘Per Anders Sæhle has a calm and steady presence.’
Key clients
Entra ASA
DNB Bank ASA
Permira
BEWi ASA
Pareto Securities AS
Transocean ASA
Sparebank 1 Markets AS
Arctic Securities AS
Groupe Bruxelles Lambert
NEL ASA
DNB Markets
ABG Sundal Collier ASA
Danske Bank Markets
Nordea Markets
Nordic Trustee AS
Carnegie AS
Clarksons Platou Securities
Kent Global plc
Work highlights
- Advised global private equity fund Permira on the acquisition of a 10.2% stake, worth NOK20bn, in Adevinta ASA.
- Acted as lead counsel to five joint bookrunners and managers on Tidewater’s $175m senior secured bond issuance.
AGP Advokater
Lars André Gjerdrum and Hege Dahl jointly lead the practice at AGP Advokater, which is well known for advising technology and telecoms companies on high-profile private placements and IPO listings. Gjerdrum has an excellent track record in acting for investment banks in a range of capital markets transactions, and Dahl is sought after for her strength in securities law. Gard A. Skogstrøm is adept at handling debt and equity capital transactional matters, while associate Mats Øvrebø assists with M&A mandates.
Practice head(s):
Lars André Gjerdrum; Hege Dahl
Other key lawyers:
Gard A. Skogstrøm; Mats Øvrebø
Key clients
Norselab AS
Sikri Holding ASA
ABG Sundal Collier
Pareto Securities
Sparebank1 Markets
Hjemmelegene AS
Oda Group Holding AS
Crayon Group Holding ASA
Akobo Minerals AB
Work highlights
- Advising ABG Sundal Collier ASA on a NOK1.9bn private placement in Norway Royal Salmon ASA.
- Advised Sikri Holding ASA on its NOK1.4bn IPO and listing on Oslo Børs.
- Advised Pareto Securities AS on cryptocurrency company Norwegian Block Exchange’s NOK480m IPO and listing on Euronext Growth Oslo.
Advokatfirmaet CLP DA
The capital markets team at Advokatfirmaet CLP DA is ‘very professional, responsive, always delivers high-quality work, and is able to give commercially useful advice‘. The group has been kept particularly busy advising aquaculture and fishing, technology and financial services clients on high-value private placements and listing matters. Practice head Edvard Cock handles equity capital markets transactions and stock exchange listing work, and Andreas Kildal is a key contact for listed securities trading issues. Senior lawyer Joakim Gjerde advises investors, managers and issuers on a range of transactional matters. Senior associate Christine Schjerven is also a name to note.
Practice head(s):
Edvard Cock
Other key lawyers:
Andreas Kildal; Joakim Gjerde; Christine Schjerven
Testimonials
‘Always available and always quality work.’
‘Highly competent team, always available and delivers advice and services efficiently.’
‘Edvard Cock and Joakim Gjerde – competent, accessible and proactive.’
‘Innovative, out of the box solutions.’
Key clients
Techstep ASA
Atlantic Sapphire ASA
poLight ASA
Aqua Bio Technology ASA
DLTx ASA
S.D. Standard ETC Plc
House of Control Group AS
Morrow Batteries AS
Hofseth BioCare ASA
Saga Pure ASA
Black Sea Property AS
Clean Seas Seafood
Nordic Semiconductor ASA
Work highlights
- Advised Atlantic Sapphire ASA on its $125m private placement.
- Advised Morrow Batteries on its €100m private placement.
- Advised Standard Supply AS and its parent company S.D. Standard ETC on a NOK150m private placement and subsequent listing on Euronext Growth Oslo.
Advokatfirmaet Haavind AS
At Advokatfirmaet Haavind AS, the team has been kept busy handling high-value IPOs, private placements, and large-scale public takeovers for renewable energy, technology, aquaculture and real estate companies. Cornelius Sogn Ness heads up the group, and is sought after for his expertise in securities law, bond work and transactional matters. Hans-Christian Donjem is singled out for financing matters, and corporate expert Bjørn Olav Torpp handles private equity issues. Senior lawyer Ragnar Gundersen Koffeld assists Norwegian and international financial clients with ECM and DCM mandates.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Hans-Christian Donjem; Bjørn Olav Torpp; Ragnar Gundersen Koffeld
Testimonials
‘Knowledge and experience of stock exchange laws and matters.’
Key clients
Norsk Hydro ASA
Telenor ASA
Carnegie AS
Kople AS
Fastighets AB Balder
ABL Group ASA
Fearnley Securities AS
Nordea Bank Norge
Pareto Securities AS
Work highlights
- Advised Fastighets AB Balder on its NOK37bn mandatory takeover bid in order to acquire a 100% stake in Entra ASA.
- Advised Nordic investment bank Carnegie AS on a NOK150m private placement in Pickatale AS.
Advokatfirmaet Schjødt
The capital markets department at Advokatfirmaet Schjødt counts IPOs, listings and private placements as key areas of expertise, and is well known for advising on public M&A and restructurings. Oil and offshore companies are prominent in the client roster. Audun Bondkall focuses on securities law and public and international transactions; he co-leads the team with Marianne Lind Sahl, who is very experienced in advising on IPO mandates, while Viggo Bang-Hansen is adept at assisting with equity and debt capital markets matters. In 2022, Christoffer Bjerknes and senior associate Ingvild Walle Skraastad joined from Advokatfirmaet Simonsen Vogt Wiig.
Practice head(s):
Marianne Lind Sahl; Audun Bondkall
Other key lawyers:
Viggo Bang-Hansen; Christoffer Bjerknes; Ingvild Walle Skraastad
Key clients
Vår Energi
Frontline
Thoma Bravo
Airthings
Nykode Therapeutics
NEL
REC Silicon
Meltwater
Klaveness Combination Carriers
ABG Sundal Collier
Pareto Securities
Carnegie
Sparebank 1 Markets
DNB Markets
Arctic Securities
Work highlights
- Advised Vår Energi ASA on its NOK8.85bn IPO and subsequent listing on Oslo Børs.
- Advising private equity company Thoma Bravo on its NOK3.2bn voluntary public offer to acquire all shares in Mercell Holding ASA.
Advokatfirmaet Selmer AS
Advokatfirmaet Selmer AS‘ capital markets department is jointly led by Andreas Jarbø, who has expertise in IPOs, equity transactional matters and securities law, and Jon Fredrik Johansen, who has an excellent track record in acting for managers, investors and shareholders on high-value ECM transactions. Recently, the team has reported a noted increase in instructions from issuer-side technology clients. Other key practitioners are financial regulatory expert Bernt Olav Steinland and senior associate Milja Lønne Mørkhagen, who is very experienced in advising on stock exchange matters.
Practice head(s):
Andreas Jarbø; Jon Fredrik Johansen
Other key lawyers:
Bernt Olav Steinland; Milja Lønne Mørkhagen
Testimonials
‘Competent and knowledgeable.’
Key clients
Infront
Kitron
Europris
SpareBank 1 Sørøst Norge
Ekornes QM Holding
Norsk Titanium
Photocure
Pyrum Innovations
Astrocast
Nordic Nanovector
PCI Biotech
Norwegian Block Exchange
Gentian Diagnostics
AEGA
Sparebank 1 Østlandet
Sparebanken Vest
Selvaag Bolig
Nordea Bank
DNB Bank
SEB
KBN
PKH
Braathen Eiendom
Arctic Securities
Work highlights
- Assisted Swiss satellite communications company Astrocast SA with its CHF40m private placement and subsequent listing on Euronext Growth Oslo.
- Advised German company Pyrum Innovations AG on its NOK475m private placement and successful listing on Euronext Growth Oslo.
- Advised Norwegian savings bank Aurskog Sparebank on its underwritten NOK200m rights issuance with tradable subscription rights, and subsequent listing on Oslo Børs.
Arntzen de Besche
Vidar Løhre and Henrik Braavold Johansen jointly head up the capital markets practice at Arntzen de Besche, which has been kept busy advising clients from the fishing, oil and gas, and financial services industries on IPOs, private placements and debt work. The group is adept at representing investors and issuers, and has notable strength in handling cross-border matters. Senior lawyer Elisabeth Eriksson is also a key contact.
Practice head(s):
Vidar Løhre; Henrik Braavold Johansen
Other key lawyers:
Elisabeth Eriksson
Key clients
NTS ASA
Pareto Securities AS
Frøy ASA
KMC Properties ASA
Shearwater Geoservices Holding AS
Torghatten ASA
Sparebank 1 Markets AS
ICE Fish Farm
Carnegie AS
Lime Petroleum AS
Ecofisk
NOVELDA
Huddlestock Fintech
Nutreco B.V.
E.On
EG A/S
Fearnley Securities
Nordic Aquafarms Group
CMS Kluge
Johan Svedberg and Dag Thomas Hansson jointly head up CMS Kluge‘s capital markets practice, which is well known for working in conjunction with the banking and finance and corporate departments to assist with private placements, IPOs and listings, to name a few areas of expertise. Technology, energy, oil and gas, and financial services companies are prominent on the group’s client roster.
Practice head(s):
Johan Svedberg; Dag Thomas Hansson
Testimonials
‘Very satisfied with Johan Svedberg and his team.’
‘They always deliver quality and on time.’
‘The team has proven to be a strong partner, has delivered on the task in a timely manner, and enabled the company to conduct its capital raise in a professional manner. We are very satisfied with the support that CMS Kluge provides the company.’
Key clients
CO2 Capsol AS
Xplora Technologies AS
DNB Markets
Armada Capital Partners
Ocean 14 Capital Ltd
Loke Marine Minerals AS
Ludvig Lorentzen AS
Work highlights
- Advised CO2 Capsol on its NOK1.38bn IPO on Euronext Growth Oslo.
- Advised DNB Markets on Himalaya Shipping’s NOK1.7bn IPO and listing on Euronext Growth Oslo.
- Advised a group of financial services companies as managers on Cool Company’s $275m private placement.
Advokatfirmaet Grette AS
At Advokatfirmaet Grette AS, recent instructions include advising Carnegie, Pareto Securities and SEB as managers in connection with Nordic renewable energy company Cloudberry Clean Energy’s NOK600m private placement; practice head Andreas Myrstad and ECM expert Øyvind Greaker Bjørndal led on this matter. The team has a solid track record in acting for construction, technology, financial services, oil and gas, shipping and real estate companies on EMTN programmes, private placements and bond issuances. Erik Alsvik Skogsbakken is a key name for debt work.
Practice head(s):
Andreas Myrstad
Other key lawyers:
Øyvind Greaker Bjørndal; Erik Alsvik Skogsbakken
Testimonials
‘Andreas Myrstad and Øyvind Greaker Bjørndal have provided excellent advice and engagement in the projects that we have worked together on, and I would warmly recommend them to anyone.’
‘Excellent quality and timeliness on all deliverables.’
Key clients
Sparebank 1 Markets
Pareto Securities
ABG Sundal Collier ASA
Carnegie
SEB
Elop AS
Avinor
Norske tog
Electromagnetic Geoservices ASA
Work highlights
- Advised SEB and SpareBank 1 Markets on offshore company Integrated Wind Solutions’ NOK350m private placement.
- Advised SpareBank 1 Markets on drone services company Nordic Unmanned’s NOK80m private placement.
Advokatfirmaet Simonsen Vogt Wiig
At Advokatfirmaet Simonsen Vogt Wiig, the ‘very pragmatic‘ team continues to handle private equity capital markets work, high-value listings and IPOs for a solid roster of technology, financial, logistics, pharmaceuticals and energy sector companies. The department is jointly led by ECM expert Amund Fougner Bugge and Christian Berg Meland, who is a key name for DCM mandates. In 2022, Christoffer Bjerknes and Ingvild Walle Skraastad moved to Advokatfirmaet Schjødt.
Practice head(s):
Amund Fougner Bugge; Christian Berg Meland
Testimonials
‘Amund Fougner Bugge has been outstanding in delivering on time, with great clarity and a true understanding of what is important to the clients.’
‘The team is very responsive and highly experienced.’
‘The attorneys are very pragmatic and translate legal concepts well to those in other legal jurisdictions.’
Key clients
Huddly AS
Harmonychain AS
Canopy Holdings AS
Play Magnus AS
Zwipe AS
Jinhui Shipping and Transportation Limited
Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA
Bank Norwegian ASA
Active Brands AS
Veson Nautical LLC
Tibber AS
BTIG Norway AS
Næringsbanken ASA
Pareto Securities AS
Sparebank 1 Markets
Novelda AS
Work highlights
- Advising a special purpose acquisition company on its listing on the AIM, as well as its acquisition of a 100% stake in an SaaS platform for film and television production.