Firm Profile > Arntzen de Besche > Oslo , Norway

Employment Tier 1

With 'impressive, first-class, professional competencies', Arntzen de Besche is 'in a class of its own'  and has 'deep insight into the legal issues at hand and an in-depth knowledge of its clients' industries' alongside an ability to provide 'access to every resource at short notice'. Key sector expertise for the group encompasses the aviation, energy, public, media and construction sectors. Recent highlights include advising Scandinavian Airlines Systems on multiple issues including union negotiations, assisting TV2 with the employment aspects of its restructuring and downsizing, and acting for DCC Energy on its acquisition of Esso Norge's retail petrol station network. Håvard Sandnes leads the team, Tron Dalheim is 'undoubtedly one of the absolute best lawyers in the field', Knut-Marius Sture 'solves problems quickly', Lars Holo handles contentious work and Sven Iver Steen focuses on pensions law. Frode Martin Toftevåg joined from Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS in 2019.

EU and competition Tier 1

With 'a high level of professional integrity' and 'a solid impression of knowledge and reliability', Arntzen de Besche covers the full spectrum of competition and antitrust issues with notable expertise in the transport, finance, life sciences, oil and gas, and defence sectors. Stein Ove Solberg and Espen I Bakken, who has 'exceptional communication skills and knows the law at a national and European level', jointly lead the group; Solberg focuses on merger control work and Bakken assists with general competition issues, state aid work and public procurements. Clients also praise senior lawyer Vilde Hannevik Lien. Recent mandates include advising Widerøe's Flyveselskap on issues relating to abuse of dominance, assisting Nordstjernan with a merger filing, and acting for Nortura in a dispute relating to the legality of a restrictive clause in an agreement between Nortura and Finnmark Rein. Svein Terje Tveit made partner in 2019. Thea Susanne Skaug moved to an in-house position with DNB Bank.

Real estate Tier 1

Arntzen de Besche 'exhibits excellent commercial insight' and 'works as the best engine oil to make a deal run smoothly'; clients also praise Eilif S Koch, who has 'problem-solving skills and an ability to spot potential problems that are second to none' and 'always finds a balanced approach'. Other key names include the highly regarded Hans Henrik Kværne and Thomas Øslebø. The practice handles the full spectrum of real estate work and regularly acts for institutional lenders and private equity investors. Recent mandates include acting for Stor-Oslo Eiendom on an urban transformation project in the greater Oslo area, assisting NRP Finans with its purchase of a landmark property, and advising the US government on the sale of its embassy in Norway, a landmark building in Oslo.

Banking and finance (including shipping finance) Tier 2

Arntzen de Besche's 'extremely responsive and commercially focused' practice excels in the cross-border financing space alongside notable strength in E&P financing mandates in the oil and gas sector, aviation financings and shipping and offshore finance work. The team recently advised Danske Bank as facility agent on a $1.5bn credit facility to Aker BP, and assisted Pandion Energy with a high-yield bond issuance for the financing of its acquisition of interests in two oil fields. The 'highly professional, approachable and pragmatic' Paul Sveinsson is a key name for aircraft financing issues, Trond Kildal handles debt financings and Sven Iver Steen focuses on regulatory mandates; Kildal recently acted for Palmarium Group on the financing of its acquisition on Lebara Group. Vidar Løhre joined from Wikborg Rein in 2019. Atle Gabrielsen is now with Wiersholm.

Capital markets Tier 2

The team at Arntzen de Besche is particularly active in the oil, technology, seafood, fisheries and real estate sectors. Clients include Magseis, which practice head Marianne Sahl Sveen assisted with its application for a transfer of listing from Oslo Axess to Oslo Stock Exchange; Palmarium Group, which Trond Kildal acted for on the financing of its acquisition of Lebaba Group through a bond issuance; and Storm Real Estate, which Sveen advised on a NOK28m partially guaranteed rights offering. Per A Dagslet is also noted.

Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2

At Arntzen de Besche, the team has notable cross-border elements to its work and excels in the oil and gas, life sciences, technology, fisheries, aquaculture and real estate sectors; clients include Teekay, Rasmussengruppen and Shearwater GeoServices In a recent highlight, Dagslet acted for DCC Energy on its acquisition of Esso Norge's retail petrol station network; other mandates include Lars Horgen Hinze assisting Aurelius and its subsidiary Conaxess Trade Norway with the acquisition of Galleberg and Trond Vernegg advising E-Co Energi Holding on its acquisition of 90% of the shares of Hafslund. Stavanger-based Reidar Smedsvig made partner in 2018, Henrik Braavold Johansen in Oslo made partner in 2019, and Jens Baumann Melberg joined the Stavanger office from Kyllingstad Kleveland Advokatfirma DA. Marianne Sahl Sveen heads the department and Per A Dagslet is also noted.

Dispute resolution Tier 2

Arntzen de Besche's team 'consistently performs solidly with a creative and proactive approach that gives clients the confidence that they don't need to rethink their strategy' and has 'a professional and positive reputation'. Highlights included successfully acting for Ree Minerals Holding in the Supreme Court in a matter relating to share subscriptions, representing Fri Eiendom in a dispute relating to a terminated agreement regarding a property development, and acting for Stainsen Eiendom in an arbitration concerning the right to parking space use. Key names include 'talented litigator' Terje Granvang, 'brilliant adviser' Erlend Haaskjold, Knud Jacob Knudsen and the 'dedicated' Andreas Nordby. Berit Svensli Solseth made partner in 2019. Fred Gade left the firm.

Fishing and aquaculture Tier 2

With 'excellent knowledge of the seafood industry, awareness of the industry's position and its importance in Norwegian society', Arntzen de Besche is 'extremely knowledgeable'. Anders Dyrseth is the key name. The group is noted for its expertise in public regulation issues, license and permit work, and development mandates; it recently assisted Nordlaks with its development and construction of multiple offshore aquaculture farms, advised the Norwegian Seafood Federation on issues surrounding the development of a tracking method for escaped farmed salmon and its establishment as a national system, and represented Kransvik in a matter regarding the withdrawal of its fishing licence. Bjørn Sørgård and Ida Espolin Johnson are now with Advokatfirmaet Haavind AS.

Insurance Tier 2

Arntzen de Besche 'combines knowledge of insurance products, the law and its clients' to assist with a wide range of issues encompassing professional liability work, directors and officers (D&O) issues, natural disaster incidents and matters in the oil and energy, offshore, shipping, aviation and pension sectors. Group leader Sven Iver Steen represented Overføringsavtalens Sikringsordning in a recourse claim against Oslo municipality following Oslo Vei's bankruptcy and Kåre I Moljord is acting for the bankruptcy estate of Marine Subsea in a D&O liability claim against the former board members, two former CEOs and the insurance company.

Maritime law Tier 2

At Arntzen de Besche, the team recently assisted ABN Amro with a term loan facility to Flex LNG for the financing of three new LNG carriers and advised Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken on the financing of three new oil carriers. Teekay, Magseis, Transocean, SpareBank 1 SR-Bank and Dreifa Energy are also clients. Trond Kildal is a name to note; he acts for Norwegian and international banks and financial institutions. Atle Gabrielsen is now with Wiersholm.

Offshore construction and shipbuilding Tier 2

Arntzen de Besche's team of 'practical and professional dealmakers' is 'always very helpful' and 'highly knowledgeable about this specific industry'. The group is noted for its offshore construction project expertise including oil field developments and fish farm construction. Lundin Norway, Teekay Petrojarl and Reinertsen are clients. Karl Erik Navestad leads the department, which also includes Ole Skeidsvoll Moe and Stian Fagervold, who joined from Wiersholm in 2017.

Oil and gas Tier 2

With 'genuine industry expertise and a commercial outlook', Arntzen de Besche has 'strength-in-depth, which allows it to support clients across the spectrum'. The group also has substantial experience in the E&P sector, petroleum industry and oil services market; it recently advised E&P company Hess on the $2bn sale of its Norwegian subsidiary to Aker BP, assisted with the establishment of Edge Petroleum, and handled all issues relating to Lundin's activity on the NCS including the Edvard Grieg and Brynhild oil fields. Group head Karl Erik Navestad has 'great industry knowledge', Rune Omdahl focuses on licensing issues, and Stian Fagervold joined from Wiersholm.

Tax Tier 2

Arntzen de Besche is recognised for its expertise in the tax aspects of acquisitions and corporate restructurings particularly in the oil and gas, shipping, real estate, banking and insurance sectors. The practice recently assisted Gassco with real property tax issues relating to the Kårstå processing plant, advised Edge Petroleum on the tax elements of its establishment, and handled the tax aspects of DCC Energy's acquisition of Esso Norge's retail petrol station network. Eyvind Sandvik focuses on international tax and Rune Tjomsås Andersen is a key name for petroleum tax work. Anders Heieren joined Kluge Advokatfirma AS in 2019

Insolvency and corporate recovery Tier 3

At Arntzen de Besche, the 'highly reputable' team covers insolvency, restructuring and refinancing work; the group's restructuring expertise includes debt restructuring, asset recovery litigation and corporate reorganisations, while it handles crisis management issues, workforce reductions and bankruptcies on the insolvency side. Practice leader Joar Grimsbu and Stein Tonning handled a debt restructuring and bankruptcy proceedings for the bankruptcy estate of Reinertsen; Trond Kildal is another key practitioner. Atle Gabrielsen joined Wiersholm.

Intellectual property Tier 3

Key areas of focus for Arntzen de Besche include the oil and gas, energy and offshore sectors; it recently advised Steeper Energy on the licensing agreements for the use of its fuel conversion technology, and acted for Smart Reamer Drilling in cease and desist proceedings relating to patent infringement and abuse of trade secret issues. Litigator Andreas Nordby is noted. Espen Sandvik left the firm to take up a judicial position and Tommy Dahlen moved in-house.

TMT Tier 3

The technology and innovation group at Arntzen de Besche includes litigator Andreas Nordby. The team excels in the oil service, offshore, automotive, retail and life sciences sectors with a client roster including Merck & Co, Petroleum Geo-Services and Shell. In a recent highlight, the practice advised Helse Midt-Norge RHF on its implementation of a software solution; other work includes representing Tono in a claim against Tidal relating to the alleged manipulation of figures, and assisting Steeper Energy with contracts for the use of its technology in a biofuel plant. Espen Sandvik left the firm to take up a judicial position and Tommy Dahlen moved in-house.

Diversity/Community

Diversity

Diversity is a focus area in our firm as it benefits our employees as well as our clients. Diverse teams increase innovation and resolve problems in the best way. The recruitment of people with different backgrounds makes us more adaptable to new legal challenges and opportunities as everyone’s unique experience and competence drives value.

Our values are Teamwork, Integrity, Quality and Dedication. Our values lay the foundation of our work and our working environment. This is reflected in who we are, how we perform our work, who we recruit, our reputation and how we treat each other. We have a long-term perspective on our working environment and it has high priority in our management. We believe motivated and ambitious employees with a good life work balance achieve excellence and creates added value for the client and the company.

Our values form the basis for everything we do and we aim to promote social responsibility through our work.

Community

Arntzen de Besche is the only Norwegian law firm (as of February 2018) approved by the UN Global Compact initiative, which means we support the initiative’s ten principles. The ten principles are categories within four headings; Human Rights, Labour, Environment and Anti-Corruption. The initiative encourages businesses worldwide to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies, and to report on their implementation. More than 8,000 businesses from 145 countries support the initiative. 

Our main partner within CSR is Sykehusklovnene, The Norwegian part of the European Federation of Hospital Clown Organizations, to which we provide financial support and pro-bono services. Sykehusklovnene’s aim is that “All children admitted to hospitals will receive visits from hospital clowns“, and they provide positive experiences and a breathing space for children and youngsters in an otherwise difficult period in their lives. 

Our lawyers are regularly active in the development of law through legislation work and academic contributions. We are proud that we have contributed to shaping the theory and practice of law in Norway since 1870.

We are an Eco-Lighthouse business (Norwegian: “Miljøfyrtårn”), meaning we can document our environmental efforts and demonstrate social responsibility. This is the most used certification scheme for enterprises in Norway. We fulfil requirements and implement actions in order to create more environmental friendly operations and good work environment.

Further, we are actively involved in the Oil for Development (OfD) program where we assist petroleum authorities world-wide through the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate. The operative goals are “economically, environmentally and socially responsible management of petroleum resources which safeguards the needs of future generations”.

As part of our CSR efforts, we work pro bono in situations / cases where it is believed that people or organizations have been the victims of injustice.

For many years, our lawyers have held honorary posts and participated actively in non-profits, foundations and law committees.

We regularly arrange exam preparation lectures for law students at the Universityof Oslo, Bergen and Tromsø.