Firm Profile > LOGOS > Reykjavik, Iceland

Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1

The ‘very experienced, knowledgeable and friendly’ lawyers at LOGOS utilise their ‘in-depth understanding of what domestic and international clients want’ in handling complex M&A deals. Ragnar Tómas Árnason and the team assisted Icelandic company Norvik with selling its timber industry companies in a number of jurisdictions. Thorolfur Jónsson advises on complex M&A transactions for clients such as Icelandair Hotels. Highly regarded for his corporate expertise, Guðmundur Oddsson, who is based in London, led on advice to Xantis Pharma on a number of acquisitions. The ‘very knowledgeable’ Heiðar Ásberg Atlason and Claire Broomhead are also recommended.

Dispute resolution Tier 1

At LOGOS, Helga Óttarsdóttir and senior associate Halldór Brynjar Halldórsson represent Norvik and Byko in the high-profile appeal of the Icelandic Competition Authority's decision regarding an alleged cartel. Practice head Ólafur Eiríksson is leading the team in defending Valitor against a claim regarding a payment gateway, where funds were collected for the whistle-blowing site WikiLeaks. Hjördís Halldórsdóttir represents Síminn in a case against Fjarskipti (Vodafone Iceland) challenging the legitimacy of an injunction in a wider dispute concerning the distribution of a television station owned by the client.

EEA and competition Tier 1

The competition team at LOGOS is jointly headed by the ‘very experienced and knowledgeable’ Helga Melkorka Óttarsdóttir and the ‘reliable’ Gunnar Sturluson. Assisted by senior associate Halldór Brynjar Halldórsson, Óttarsdóttir is representing Norvik and Byko in an appeal challenging a significant fine for an alleged cartel. Other work includes acting for Síminn in an ongoing case before the Reykjavík District Court, which concerns claims for damages submitted by Fjarskipti for an alleged breach of competition law and involves unprecedented counterclaims.

Maritime and transport Tier 1

The highly experienced team at LOGOS provides legal services in the shipping and transportation sector for high-profile clients including the Icelandic Coast Guard and VÍS Insurance. Practice co-head Einar Baldvin Axelsson is leading the group in defending shipping company Eimskipafélag Íslands against cargo claims regarding the loss of frozen fish during carriage. Specialising in aviation law and aircraft finance, co-head Erlendur Gíslason is another key contact and represented Icelandair and Loftleiðir Icelandic in multiple complex matters.

Real estate and construction Tier 1

LOGOS successfully assisted a high-profile client with contentious issues regarding the construction of a factory and other properties. Benedikt Egill Árnason is acting for leading Icelandic construction company Íslenskir Aðalverktakar on multiple projects, including the expansion of the Keflavík International Airport. Practice head Hjördís Halldórsdóttir is advising on the interpretation of contracts regarding an urgent construction project. Erlendur Gíslason is assisting Jarðboranir (Iceland Drilling) with general matters concerning the company's operations worldwide as well as with negotiations of agreements concerning drilling services provided abroad. Other clients include major aluminium producer Rio Tinto Alcan.

Restructuring and insolvency Tier 1

With its sizeable insolvency and restructuring team, LOGOS acts on unprecedented restructuring matters for a wide variety of clients. Ólafur Arinbjörn Sigurðsson, assisted by senior associate Ari Karlsson, was recently instructed by the municipality of Reykjanesbær to advise on its financial restructuring resulting from debts incurred by the municipality. Heiðar Ásberg Atlason, who jointly heads the department with Guðbjörg Helga Hjartardóttir, leads the team in acting in bankruptcy proceedings involving Sjöstjarnan and Stjarnan, as well as in serving as court-appointed administrator for the estate of SS Hus. The ‘very competent’ Óttar Pálsson is another key contact.

TMT and IP Tier 1

Appreciated for their ‘ability to reach clients, listen to them and guide them’, the lawyers at LOGOS handle both contentious and non-contentious IP and TMT matters. Department head Hjördís Halldórsdóttir, assisted by senior associate Freyr Snaebjornsson, successfully represented Síminn—the largest Icelandic telecom company— in a landmark case concerning copyrights and media law before the Supreme Court; the dispute concerned the non-linear distribution of the television broadcast of TV station Skjárinn (now Sjónvarp Símans). Ragnar Tómas Árnason acted for Post and Telecom Administration in a case concerning a severe data breach. Specialising in IT and data protection, the ‘pleasant and very thorough’ Áslaug Björgvinsdóttir imparts ‘a full understanding of the legal process, all potential outcomes and related costs’ to clients. Árni Vilhjálmsson is another key contact.

Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 2

LOGOS acts for an impressive list of clients including Domino’s Pizza Group and Deutsche Bank. Helga Óttarsdóttir, who jointly heads the department with Guðbjörg Helga Hjartardóttir and London-based Guðmundur Oddsson, took the lead in assisting Landsvirkjun with its debut US private placement in green bond format. Thórólfur Jónsson advised Kaupthing on the offering of Arion Bank’s shares in Iceland and Sweden. Benedikt Egill Árnason led a team handling complex financing arrangements for Síminn and Nordea Bank.

Employment Tier 2

At LOGOS, the lawyers are highly regarded due to their ‘superb legal skills’ and ‘complete understanding of the needs of national and international clients’. The team handles contentious and non-contentious issues for clients including Icelandair and aluminium supplier Norðurál Grundartangi. Practice head Ólafur Eiríksson advised Actavis on various employment-related issues, including the company's strategy before an imminent general strike as well as the rights of its employees in cross-border M&As. Eiríksson also represents several individuals in the appeal of a complex injunction case brought by their former employer, a large international management software solution company.

Diversity/Community

When it comes to human resources LOGOS appreciates diversity. The firm boasts of a diverse group of a strong, hard working and interesting employees who are determined and ambitious in their work. Our goal is to create a working environment where everyone has the chance to grow and prosper in their work and where there is space for different personalities.

LOGOS puts emphasis on continuing professional development and encourages employees to increase their knowledge and skills by attending courses, seminars and conferences. Employees are also diligent in sharing information, knowledge and experience within the firm.

LOGOS is a family friendly workplace. The aim of a family friendly workplace is to minimise the negative effects of pressure from work and increase flexibility, which makes the employees more capable of handling the demands of both work and family.