GC Summit: Norway 2026

On Wednesday 11^th March, Legal 500 was delighted to host the GC Summit: Norway 2026. The summit brought together leading in-house counsel and private practice lawyers for a packed morning of topical panels, insightful discussion and networking.

The first panel was in association with AGP Advokater and had a transactional focus. Entitled ‘Navigating M&A and capital markets projects: how to manage large teams while maintaining control, oversight and efficiency,’ the session considered practical strategies for in-house counsel dealing with large-scale M&A. During transactions, GCs are often responsible for managing a range of functions across the business, as well as external counsel and cross-border teams. The panellists discussed how in-house counsel can lead these various teams and stakeholders to successful outcomes. Key takeaways included the implementation of effective frameworks and processes, such as comprehensive governance structures, top-down communication, clear distribution of work among teams and effective decision-making strategies. Moderator Gard A. Skogstrøm, partner and co-founder at AGP, was joined on stage by Lars André Gjerdrum, also partner and co-founder at the firm, Henrik S Fronth, general counsel at ODA and Sara Habberstad, VP legal and compliance at LINK Mobility Group AS.

As AI becomes increasingly integrated into both the legal and business landscape, the next panel considered the role it plays in the due diligence process. Sponsored by Datasite, the conversation covered how AI is shaping both internal and external work, from contracts to transactions. Frederik van’t Hooft, sales director at Datasite, moderated the session, joined by Joachim Røberg-Larsen, general counsel at Møller Mobility Group, Walter Salicath, head of legal at aera.id and Laiz Batista Tellefsen, chief legal and compliance officer and Comrod Communication Group. The panel discussed how AI has the potential to revolutionise but is not a gamechanger on its own; the tools provide a baseline that in-house counsel can then utilise for effective and efficient due diligence processes. It is a path not without hurdles, as the speakers pointed out, with risks such as data protection and cybersecurity to consider. Ultimately, trial and error is hard to avoid – as long as it’s done transparently and in secure conditions. GCs should work closely with the relevant teams to test and incorporate AI and other tools in a safe and controlled way that benefits the business as a whole.

After a break for refreshments and networking, the agenda resumed with an editorial-led panel from Legal 500 entitled ‘Bridging the gap: effective communication between in-house counsel, external counsel and senior management’. Isabel Caine, editor – corporate counsel at Legal 500, was joined on stage by Christine Stousland, group general counsel at Sector Alarm Holding AS, Uzma Sadaf Bhatti, general counsel at GK Group AS, and Camilla Tellefsdal Robstad, general counsel at Orkla ASA. Discussion centred on how GCs can effectively communicate across functions – both internal and external. Top tips included ensuring in-house counsel are involved from the outset, maintain open lines of communication across all teams and being fully informed about the organisation’s objectives and background. The panellists emphasised the importance of building trust between legal teams and the rest of the business or external counsel, so that legal risk is absorbed as part of the broader strategy and advice provided is aligned with the business goals. Ultimately, the in-house role is to be a safe harbour and reliable point of contact for the organisation as a whole – one that adds value and drives growth.

Deloitte sponsored the final panel of the day, entitled ‘The employer handbook: minimising risk and maintaining compliance when navigating labour laws’. Moderator Gro Forsdal Helvik welcomed to the stage fellow Deloitte Advokatfirma partner Bjørn Ofstad, as well as Kjersti Bergsåker‑Aspøy, EVP legal, commercial and compliance, Petoro AS, Helene Skatvedt, associate general counsel at CEPI and Kristin Tingberg, VP general counsel at Adecco Group Nordics. The panel examined how situations can arise requiring expert knowledge of employment law and how in-house counsel can stay on top of regulatory changes. Practical strategies were a key focus, with discussion exploring how to maintain compliance when dealing with both complex and day-to-day workforce matters.

Legal 500 would like to thank our sponsors, AGP Advokater, Datasite and Deloitte, for working with us to bring this event to life. Finally, a big thank you to our speakers and all those who joined us for the Legal 500 GC Summit: Norway 2026. We hope to see you again in Oslo next year.