Advokatfirmaet Simonsen Vogt Wiig > Oslo, Norway > Firm Profile

Advokatfirmaet Simonsen Vogt Wiig
FILIPSTAD BRYGGE 1
PO BOX 2043 VIKA
0125 OSLO
Norway

Norway > Dispute resolution Tier 1

Led by ‘very skilled‘ litigator Christian Reusch, the team at Advokatfirmaet Simonsen Vogt Wiig ‘quickly grasps the legal issues involved in complex disputes and works very well together under pressure‘. The group is acting for Prime Capital in an ongoing cross-border contractual dispute with a Norwegian lawyer concerning an investment in a windmill park. Based in the Bergen office, Kristoffer Larsen Rognvik regularly appears before the Supreme Court in a range of multi-jurisdictional disputes, and acts as counsel to shipping, oil and gas and marine sector clients. Anette Fjeld focuses on tax litigation, while senior associate Therese Sætre Løfsgaard is a key name for damages and contractual litigation. In 2022, Tage Brigt A. Skoghøy, Ørjan Salvesen Haukaas and associate Marie Bjørk Myklebust departed to DLA Piper.

Practice head(s):

Christian Reusch

Testimonials

‘Christian Reusch does good work.’

‘I would especially recommend Christian Reusch as an outstanding legal adviser with an impressive and extraordinary performance. We are very satisfied with the services and focus we received.’

‘They deal with disputes in a very calm and measured way, even when things get heated. Strongly recommend them.’

Kristoffer Larsen Rognvik is a very safe pair of hands for disputes, he is very measured and considered in his approach. There is no doubt that all aspects of the dispute have been considered and that the best course of action has been found when his advice is provided.’

‘The dispute resolution team has outstanding capabilities in court. Individual strengths are used collectively in the team. There is good cooperation across partners and not separate “partner-led silos”.’

‘Anette Fjeld is well organised, well spoken and well prepared.’

Key clients

Andøya Vind AS

Bank Norwegian AS

Coop Norge SA

DNB Bank ASA

Entercash Ltd.

European Gaming & Betting Association

Gjensidige Forsikring

Frøiland Bygg AS

The Federation of Norwegian Aviation Industries (NHO Luftfart)

Norsk Butikkdrift AS

Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA

Prime Capital AG

Prime Scandic SARL

Rheinmetall Norway AS and Rheinmetall AG

Rolls Royce Marine

Skarpnes AS

Trannel Inc

Tesla

TV 2 AS

Ullevål Universitetssykehus HF

Yara

Norway > Energy

Highly regarded for its regulatory expertise, the oil and gas group at Advokatfirmaet Simonsen Vogt Wiig handles the full range of issues encompassing field exploration and development mandates, CCS projects, infrastructure developments and decommissioning matters. Petroleum and regulatory expert Bjørn-Erik Leerberg heads up the team alongside Gunnar Espeland in Stavanger, who handles onshore and offshore project work; Nikolai Brøvig and Halvor Klingenberg are also members of the team. For renewable energy mandates, the firm has particular expertise in wind power and electricity grid matters, and practice co-head Peter Aall Simonsen excels in large-scale energy projects. Fellow co-head Robin Aker Jakobsen is a key contact for electricity focused work and works closely with Jahn Egil Osestad. Sunniva Kinsella is the key name at the senior lawyer level.

Practice head(s):

Bjørn-Erik Leerberg; Gunnar Espeland; Peter Aall Simonsen; Robin Aker Jakobsen

Testimonials

‘The knowledge and flexibility of a large firm with the responsiveness of a boutique.’

‘The SVW team is responsive and nimble. They have significant expertise in the Norwegian energy sector, including matters involving regulation.’

‘Peter Aall Simonsen is a long-standing expert in Norwegian energy sector law.’

‘They are easy going, easy to work with, they give good advice and are good at explaining complicated legal issues in an easy-to-understand manner.’

‘Their versatility within a wide range of required professional areas.’

‘Their individuals have personal qualities that strengthen the team’s overall ability to assist on a wide level.’

‘SVW forms a formidable team with great expertise in legal matters relating to network construction and operation.’

‘Robin Aker Jacobsen in SVW is a nice guy due to his sociable personality and professional competence.’

Key clients

Neptune Energy Norge AS

Eni S.p.A / Eni International B.V

Eni Insurance DAC

Equinor ASA

Saudi Aramco Development Company

Aramco Overseas Company B.V./ Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures LLC

Petroleum Safety Authority Norway

GIDE LOYRETTE NOUEL (on behalf of PKN Orlen)

DNO ASA

Norwegian Petroleum Directorate

Instituto Nacional de Petroleo, Mozambique

Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Petroleum Exploration and Production Department, Petroleum Authority, Uganda

Horisont Energi AS

Swarfix AS

Noble Drilling (Norway) AS / Noble Holding UK Ltd.

Noble Drilling (Land Support) Limited

Noble International Finance Company

Agder Energi AS/Agder Energi Nett AS

Andritz Hydro

Arctic Wind AS

Arva AS

Barents Nett AS (formerly Varanger Kraft Nett AS)

Biojet AS

BKK Nett AS

CapMan Infra Oy

Crédit Agricole CIB

Dekabank

DNB Bank ASA

Eesti Energi AS

Eksfin – Export Finance Norway

Elmea AS (formely Lofotkraft AS)

Fagne AS (formely Haugaland Kraft Nett AS)

Finnmark Kraft AS

Glitre Energi Nett AS

Hamnefjell Vindkraft AS

Hardanger Energi Nett AS

Horisont Energi AS

Hybridtech Consulting AS

HyCap

Hydrolift AS

KKB Norway AS

Kvikraft AS

Kystnett AS

Lede AS

Linea AS

Linja AS

Lofotkraft AS

Mellom AS (formely NEAS Nett AS)

Mørenett AS

NAEV Solventus S.a.r.l.

Nelfo

Nordea Bank Abp, filial i Norge

Norgesnett AS

Northconnect KS

Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA

Nydalen Energi AS

Odda Energi Nett AS

PGEIF

Prime Capital AG

Raudfjell Vind AS

REN AS / Energi Norge AS

RWE Wind Norway, Branch of RWE Wind Norway AB (previously E.ON)

SFE Produksjon AS

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB

Statnett SF

Stavro Vind AB

Svelgen Kraft Holding AS

Tensio AS

Tibber

Tromsø Vind AS

Vestall AS (formely Vesterålskraft Nett AS)

Vestas Norway AS

Vevig AS (formerly Gudbrandsdal Energi Nett AS)

Vissi AS (formerly Ymber Nett AS)

Yara International AS

Work highlights

  • Advising the The Norwegian Petroleum Safety Authority in connection with its Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) regulatory practices concerning offshore petroleum activities and offshore renewable energy projects.
  • Assisted the Mozambican Government with the establishment and implementation of its upstream oil and gas regime.
  • Advising RWE Wind Norway in relation to Norwegian wind power projects.

Norway > EU and competition Tier 1

At Advokatfirmaet Simonsen Vogt Wiig, the EU and competition team continues to act for Alarmkundeforeningen in the first class action for damages brought against cartel participants in Norway; practice head Jan Magne Langseth leads on this work. Karin Fløistad specialises in assisting telecoms and media sector clients with EU law mandates, and specialist counsel Erik Klevmo is well known for assisting Norwegian and international companies with antitrust cases, EU and EEA regulatory matters, state aid issues and public procurement work. Senior lawyer Olav Haukeli is a key contact, and Espen I Bakken joined from Arntzen de Besche in October 2022.

Practice head(s):

Jan Magne Langseth

Key clients

Alarmkundeforeningen (The Alarm Customers’ Association)

Alsaker Fjordbruk

Bank Norwegian

British American Tobacco

Coop

Fremtind Forsikring

Kindred Group PLC

Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA

RiksTV

Snusbolaget / Haypp Group

St1 Group

Synnøve Finden

Telia

The Ministry of Children and Equality

The Ministry of Trade, Industries and Fisheries

The Ministry of Transport and Communication

TV 2

Yara International ASA

Signicat AS

Tink AB

Work highlights

  • Advising Norwegian carbon tech company Horisont Energi on a range of competition and state aid issues arising from production projects.
  • Acting as counsel to Norwegian marine gas oil supplier St1 on litigation arising from an alleged breach of merger control rules.

Norway > Fishing and aquaculture Tier 1

The fishing and aquaculture group at Advokatfirmaet Simonsen Vogt Wiig advises on the full spectrum of matters across both industries, acting for small-scale to industrial-sized businesses. Core areas of expertise for the team include corporate M&A and regulatory mandates, as well as contracts and dispute resolution. The practice is co-led by Arthur Duus and Kenneth Mikkelsen; Duus is noted for his corporate and regulatory expertise and is trusted by some of the region's largest salmon farmers, while Mikkelsen maintains a strong track-record in fishing litigation.

Practice head(s):

Arthur Duus; Kenneth Mikkelsen

Testimonials

‘We are very happy with the team, their capabilities and knowledge.’

‘After working closely with Arthur Duus for several years, we are very confident with his performance.’

‘They have a practical team.’

‘Arthur Duus, he has a lot of experience in court, but he is not that kind of lawyer that says ‘let’s go to court’, but more ‘let’s find a solution out of court.’’

Key clients

Alliance Seafoods Inc

Alsaker Group

Nergård Havfiske AS

Norges Sildesalgslag SA

Andreassen Rederi ANS

Arctic Pioneer AS

Berg Fiskeriselskap AS

Bjølve Bruk AS

Eidsvaag AS

Eimskip

Fjon Bruk AS

Fosen Yard AS

Grimsholm Fiskedrift AS

Hermann Export AS

Hermes AS

Karls Fisk og Skalldyr AS

Kvitungen AS

Lenangen Fiskeriselskap AS

Lerøy Norway Seafoods AS

Midsund Fiskebåtrederi AS

Work highlights

  • Assisting Alsaker LFC Holding AS with the delivery and post-delivery process following the building of well-boats at Astilleros Murureta, a shipyard in Bilbao, Spain, with a value of approx. NOK500m.
  • Assisting Bjølve Bruk AS with negotiations regarding securing rights of access to freshwater for the production of smolts and juvenile Atlantic Salmon.
  • Assisted Alsaker Fjordbruk AS and its subsidiaries with a round of applications for growth under industry regulations also known as ‘the traffic light system’.

Norway > Insolvency and corporate recovery Tier 1

Advokatfirmaet Simonsen Vogt Wiig‘s ‘very professional insolvency team‘ operates out of the Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim offices, and is regularly instructed on prominent financial restructuring mandates in the offshore and shipping industries. The group is highly regarded for its strong capabilities in advising on the administration of complex bankruptcies; Bjørn Åge Hamre is well known for his expertise in this area. Hamre jointly heads up the department with Peter Aall Simonsen, who acts for creditors in restructurings, and debt settlement expert Nils Håkon Risberg.

Practice head(s):

Peter Aall Simonsen; Bjørn Åge Hamre; Nils Håkon Risberg

Testimonials

‘Peter Aall Simonsen: very experienced, responds immediately, has precise, strategic and tactical legal knowledge and experience in this field.’

‘Delivers flexible and pragmatic advice on top of a rock solid theoretical foundation. Always on time.’

‘Bjørn Åge Hamre: matched by few in theoretical capabilities, and adds value to any process he’s involved in.’

Key clients

ABN AMRO Bank

The bankruptcy estate of Bergen Bunkers AS (a subsidiary of O.W. Bunkers)

Bergen tingrett

DVB Bank SE

GIEK (The Norwegian Export Credit Guarantee Agency)

ING Bank N.V.

The bankruptcy estate of Kleven Verft AS

Nordea Bank Abp

The bankruptcy estate of Norske Skogindustrier ASA

The bankruptcy estate of Nordic Personell AS (IMO Offshore AS)

The bankruptcy estates of Sesam Parkering, Separk Tech AS and Separk Holding AS

The Norwegian Advisory Council on Bankruptcy

Audhild Viken AS

BS Vest AS

Termowood AS

Fosen Seafarm Construction AS

Work highlights

  • Acting as Norwegian counsel to the bankruptcy estate of Norske Skogindustrier ASA, with claims exceeding NOK10bn, in connection with ongoing, cross-border proceedings under Chapter 15 of the US Bankruptcy Code.
  • Acting as counsel to three syndicates (comprised of 12 international banks) regarding the ongoing, high-profile second reorganisation of Seadrill Limited.
  • Assisting with the administration of the bankruptcy estate of Kleven Verft AS, one of the largest shipyards in Norway.

Norway > Maritime law Tier 1

With a ‘dedicated and hands-on team with strong commercial understanding and drive’, Advokatfirmaet Simonsen Vogt Wiig fields one of the largest and comprehensive shipping and maritime groups in Norway. With a strong presence in the coastal region, the group's expertise covers corporate and commercials mandates, shipping financings, offshore services matters, casualty claims and litigation. Oslo-based Erlend Lous and Bergen-based Hågen Hansen are both experts in complex financing and sale and leaseback structures. Christine Rødsæther is also a specialist in transactions and financing work, and Jan Vablum (also based in Bergen) has extensive expertise in marine insurance issues, and litigation and arbitration proceedings relating to cargo claims, casualty issues and arrests. Yannis Litinas specialises in cross-border shipping transactions, and clients benefit from his qualifications in England and Wales, Greece and Norway. Lars Inge Ørstavik is also recommended. Frithjof Herlofsen left to establish his own firm in 2022.

Practice head(s):

Erlend Lous; Jan Vablum

Testimonials

‘Dedicated and hands-on team with strong commercially understanding and drive.’

‘Erlend Lous is always available, and tackles all challenges. He has a strong commercial understanding and has the ability to strongly recommend one solution over another (most lawyers give you alternatives rather than one solution when it comes to “commercial” issues).’

‘Erlend Lous – Erlend stands out as being very experienced and knowledgeable. There is not much he has not seen before.’

‘Yannis Litinas – A pleasure to work with.’

‘Lars Inge Ørstavik – Clear and fearless in his advice and actions.’

‘Hågen Hansen – stands out for his good understanding of the market and his tactical nous.’

‘We mainly interact with Christine Rødsæther of SVW, and she is very attentive, responsive, highly qualified and has a practical approach to legal matters. She’s a pleasure to work with.’

Key clients

Blystad/Songa Group

Clarksons (Oslo)

DNB Bank

Eidsvaag AS

Fearnley Securities AS

Fosen Yard AS

GC Rieber Shipping

Gjensidige Forsikring ASA

Grieg Star

Maritime Asset Partners Limited

Ness Risan & Partners

Australis Maritime

Sterling Shipping Ltd

Pareto Maritime Services

RF Tankers

Skuld

Westcon Yards AS

Uthalden Maritime

Seaway 7 ASA

Energifonden Maritime AS

Work highlights

  • Assisted Maritime Asset Partners Ltd with 14 transactions in which 19 vessels were acquired by the client’s fund.
  • Assisted Grieg Star with various lease-finance matters, sales, purchases, and financings of vessels.
  • Assisting GC Rieber Shipping AS with sale of its SURF/Construction Vessel to Dong Fang Offshore Co., Ltd, and Hung Hua Construction Co., Ltd (Taiwan).

Norway > Offshore construction and shipbuilding Tier 1

Advokatfirmaet Simonsen Vogt Wiig’s shipping and offshore department continues to be one of the key names for clients operating on the Norwegian continental shelf,  and is notable for its ‘exceptional execution and experience on shipping transactions’. With offices in Oslo and Bergen, the group regularly advises international yards , shipowners, and domestic and international banks on newbuild vessel and rig financing issues, oil and gas offshore construction projects, and insolvency and restructuring mandates. Erlend Lous is a paragon in shipbuilding and offshore construction contracts, and Gunnar Espeland is a go-to individual for green and brownfield oil and gas projects. Lars Inge Ørstavik is trusted by shipowners, underwriters, yards and suppliers and regularly handles non-contentious mandates, while Jan Vablum is a dispute resolution expert.

Practice head(s):

Yannis Litinas; Jan Vablum; Kenneth Mikkelsen; Gunnar Espeland

Testimonials

‘Exceptional execution and experience on shipping transactions compared to peers.’

‘Erlend Lous is the key name we use and who I would recommend.’

Key clients

Seatankers Management Company Limited

Offshore Merchant Partners

DVB Bank SE

Endur ASA and its subsidiaries

Westcon Yards AS

ABN AMRO Bank N.V., DNB Bank ASA, NIBC Bank N.V.

Nordea Bank AB filial I Norge on behalf of 7 Lenders

Yinson Production

Fjord 1 AS

Volstad Maritime AS

Fosen Yard AS

Oma Baatbyggeri AS

Marinacc AS.

Songa/Blystad group

WLR/TRF

Maersk Supply Services

GC Rieber Shipping AS

G2 Ocean AS

Wergeland Group AS (including Solund Yard)

Yara Norge AS

Eidsvaag AS

Grieg Logistics

Kleven Yard

Work highlights

  • Advised Project Pissarro AS on the sale/leaseback financing of two offshore supply vessels purchased by Project Pissarro AS to be bareboat chartered out to Esvagt A/S, Denmark , converted to hybrid vessels by installing battery packages at Ulstein Yard Norway and employed on long term time charter to Total.
  • Assisted the Euronext Oslo listed Seaway 7 ASA with the negotiations of a bareboat charter with purchase options of a newbuildt Heavylift vessel constructed by CSSC in China.
  • Assisting Wergeland Base AS and Grieg Logistics in connection with a complex repair project in respect of the vessel Dubai Harmony.

Norway > TMT Tier 1

Advokatfirmaet Simonsen Vogt Wiig‘s TMT team ‘has good standing in the market‘, and garners praise for its ‘in-depth industry knowledge‘. IT procurement specialist Nicolai Halbo heads up the department and is well known for his extensive experience in advising on digitalisation projects; ERP matters are a growing area of instruction for Halbo. Espen Tøndel is ‘an outstanding lawyer due to his overall knowledge and long experience within the TMT sector, and is able to give valuable advice no matter what the issue is‘. The ‘robust and solution-orientedTrine Vabog is well known for assisting large public and private companies with IT contracts, and Tor Stokke is a key name for advising telecoms clients on regulatory issues. Senior associate Øyvind Akerholt is also a key name to note. In August 2022, Hugo Berg Otterlei joined from Advokatfirmaet Schjødt.

Practice head(s):

Nicolai Halbo

Testimonials

‘Excellent skills and very pleasant to work with.’

‘Trine Vabog possesses strong legal skills.’

‘Trine Vabog has a unique ability to communicate at different levels – always with precision, always with attention to the needs and abilities of the given situation and participants. She always delivers.’

‘Very good at balancing the right person with the right level of competence to the right task. This enables us to have proper resourcing and the right team for us as a client.’

‘Tor Stokke is always ready to discuss complex issues.’

‘Very pleased with the proactive, competent and cost-effective counselling we receive from Simonsen Vogt Wiig.’

‘The team understands our company in and out and has outstanding industry knowledge.’

‘Partners and associates we have worked with have been outstanding counsels and advisors. They understand our company’s specific culture and the dynamics of the industry in which we operate and are able to provide great advice across all legal matters.’

Key clients

Helseplattformen AS

Norsirk AS

Space Norway AS

Hemit HF

Multi Color Corporation (MCC)

Veidekke Entreprenør AS

Vic.Ai AS

Jakob Hatteland Computer AS

Kongsberg-gruppen ASA

Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA

Novelda AS

Play Magnus AS

RiksTV AS

Telia Norge AS

TV2

Zwipe AS

Yara International ASA

Skanska Norge AS

The Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection

Sporveien AS

Work highlights

  • Providing ongoing advice to healthcare company Helseplattformen AS regarding negotiations for a comprehensive service agreement for the delivery of a common EHR system.
  • Assisted Multi-Color Corporation with negotiating an operational service agreement with a Norwegian supplier following its acquisition of Skanem and subsequent merger of IT operations.

Norway > Banking and finance (including shipping finance) Tier 2

Ship finance matters are a key driver of work for the team at Advokatfirmaet Simonsen Vogt Wiig, and the group is well known for assisting lender-side clients with large-scale bilateral and syndicated bank lending work, project financings and restructuring issues relating to the offshore and shipping sectors. Peter Aall Simonsen is highly regarded for his expertise in asset-based financing and project financing work; he shares leadership of the practice with restructuring expert Eivind Eliassen and Halvor Klingenberg, who regularly handles corporate financing mandates. Other key names include associate partner Stig Strand and senior associate Sunniva Kinsella. In August 2022, Christian Berg Meland joined from SANDS.

Practice head(s):

Peter Aall Simonsen; Halvor Klingenberg; Eivind Eliassen

Testimonials

‘SVW has a large and experienced banking and financing team. They are effective and easy to work with, and they have a pragmatic and commercial approach.’

‘We are particularly pleased with the work of Eivind Eliassen and Halvor Klingenberg. Halvor is notable in the Norwegian market and is pragmatic and extremely effective.’

‘Strong skills on aspects relating to ship finance.’

Key clients

DNB Bank ASA

Nordea Bank Abp

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB

FSN Capital

ING Bank N.V.

Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank

Export Finance Norway (Eksfin)

ABN AMRO Bank N.V.

Prime Capital AG

NIBC Bank N.V.

Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA

Bank Norwegian ASA

BNP Paribas

Pareto Bank ASA

Maritime & Merchant Bank ASA

SpareBank 1 SR-Bank ASA

DVB Bank

ABN AMRO Bank N.V.

Shawbrook Bank Limited

Fremtind Forsikring AS

Aquaship

CSI Leasing

Adelis Equity Partners

Hima Seafood Rjukan AS

Work highlights

  • Assisted Norwegian company Håndverksgruppen with its senior secured financing agreements, with Sparebank 1 SR-Bank ASA acting as agent on behalf of a bank syndicate.
  • Advised Hima Seafood Rjukan on the financing of a land-based aquaculture project in Rjukan, Norway.

Norway > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2

Advokatfirmaet Simonsen Vogt Wiig‘s department has a solid track record in advising on venture capital and private equity work within the commercial, corporate and M&A space, and industrial M&A deals have been prominent in the group’s recent workload. Practice head Amund Fougner Bugge garners praise as ‘an exceptional lawyer with a commercial mindset‘, while associate partner Kristoffer Birkeland is a key name for venture capital matters. Henning Øvrebø is well versed in handling complex transactions for domestic and international companies. In August 2022, Christoffer Bjerknes and Mathias Teir moved to Advokatfirmaet Schjødt.

Practice head(s):

Amund Fougner Bugge

Testimonials

‘The team are very competent and professional.’

‘Good advice in a timely fashion.’

‘Actively seek solutions to problems.’

‘Amund Fougner Bugge is an exceptional lawyer with a commercial mindset.’

‘Amund Fougner Bugge is the partner that we have worked with. He always looks out for us as a client and is easy to get a hold of when needed.’

Key clients

FSN Capital

Adelis Equity

Core Equity

Valedo Partners Fund

Prime Capital

Litorina

Bank Norwegian

Norwegian Air Shuttle

AMF Pensionsförsäkring

TV2

Sparebank 1 Markets

Exsitec Holding AB

Fox Group

DHT Corporate Services

Tibber AS

Azets Norway Holding AS

Work highlights

  • Acted as Norwegian counsel to engineering and industrial manufacturing company Langley Holdings concerning its acquisition of Norwegian company Bergen Engines from Rolls-Royce Power Systems in Norway.
  • Represented Bank Norwegian in its NOK20bn public takeover by Nordax Bank AB.

Norway > Employment Tier 2

Advokatfirmaet Simonsen Vogt Wiig houses ‘a strong, professional legal team within employment law‘. Led by Lill Egeland, who attracts praise from clients as ‘one of the finest legal minds in Norwegian employment law‘, the group continues to handle prominent restructurings, reorganisations and transfers of undertakings for a client base of public and private sector companies. The ‘highly knowledgeable and always availableThomas Talén is very experienced in advising on the employment aspects of transactions, while Bergen-based Trine Lise Fromreide is well known for her litigation expertise, and regularly advises on whistleblowing cases. Specialist counsel Thorgeir Hole and senior associate Ingrid Mjøsund are also names to note.

Practice head(s):

Lill Egeland

Testimonials

‘Lill Egeland combines brilliant legal advice with good humour and responsiveness.’

‘Lill Egeland and her team are distinctly professional, responsive and service-minded – they help you all the way through in a personal and pleasant way. No issue is too big and no issue is too little. The service delivered by SVW has always been excellent and with a personal touch that they are highly valued by. Lill Egeland has the ability to be very professional and at the same time pragmatic and exquisitely friendly.’

‘Simonsen Vogt Wiig’s employment law team are able to quickly assess the problem from our point of view. They are both legally and commercially oriented, and they work efficiently.’

‘Thomas Talén has a proactive and hands-on approach to the issues. He is always client-focused, with strong commercial skills and overview of what is happening in the market.’

‘Accessibility, and quick responses.’

‘Trine Lise Fromreide is an exceptionally good partner to discuss employment law issues with.’

‘Lill Egeland is outstanding in supporting our company. She is also very good in leading the way in complex and difficult cases. She is a person my company can trust in difficult matters.’

‘The firm performs with a confident and professional calmness.’

Key clients

Hewlett-Packard

Telia

Klarna

Mars Norge

PepsiCo

Elkjøp

Orona

Oslo Metropolitan University

The municipality of Bærum

Go-Ahead

Egmont

TietoEvry

Håndverksgruppen AS

Omnicom Media Group Norway AS

IRIS Salten IKS

Flight Park AS

The Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries

The Norwegian Nuclear Decommissioning

Work highlights

  • Acting as longstanding employment counsel to Hewlett-Packard Enterprise.
  • Advised the Ministry of Education and Research on a major reorganisation process.
  • Acting as longstanding employment counsel to the Directorate of Fisheries, most recently on a large reorganisation process.

Norway > Insurance Tier 2

Advokatfirmaet Simonsen Vogt Wiig’s insurance practice handles the full range of contentious and non-contentious work on behalf of both conventional and marine insurers. The firm has core expertise in marine insurance and is a top choice for leading marine insurers in Norway. Team co-head Anette Fjeld, who joined from Deloitte Advokatfirma AS in 2022, is an expert in non-marine insurance claims and liability issues and also has notable experience in high-profile insurance litigation. Fellow co-lead Lars Inge Ørstavik has deep knowledge and experience in casualty work and compensation law and regularly assist P&I clubs, hull underwriters and ship owners. Christian Bjørtuft Ellingsen is a go-to lawyer for contractual and insurance claims within the transport and energy sector.

Practice head(s):

Anette Fjeld; Lars Inge Ørstavik

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Strong marine insurance practice. Good combination between pragmatism and bright legal minds.’

‘Lars Inge Ørstavik is a very experienced lawyer within all fields of marine law, always ready to come up with new, smart and practical solutions. Øyvind Grøneng is an extremely bright up-and-coming litigation specialist.’

Work highlights

  • Represented If Insurance and Yara (as well as liability insurers) in a $65m claim before the Borgarting Court of Appeal following the total loss of the MV “Cheshire” and total loss of a valuable cargo following a decomposition event on board the vessel.
  • Represented Britannia and the owners of the MV “Sola” against the Norwegian government/Ministry of Defence following the collision with and subsequent sinking of the Norwegian Royal Navy’s frigate KNM Helge Ingstad.
  • Acted as legal adviser to Hydor AS and its shareholders (S&F Holdings AS and Xenia Consult AS) on its sale of Hydor AS to Hydor Bidco AS, a company wholly owned by Longship Fund II LP.

Norway > Intellectual property Tier 2

IP expert Rune Ljostad heads up the practice at Advokatfirmaet Simonsen Vogt Wiig, which is highly regarded for its strength in advising clients in the media and entertainment industry on copyright issues. The department has seen an increase in instructions from life sciences companies, and continues to handle contentious trade mark work, unfair competition matters, and licensing and distribution agreements, to name a few areas. Senior associate Nicholas Foss Barbantonis is ‘very clear and precise‘, and acts in high-profile IP transactions, unfair business issues and trade mark matters, while senior associate Hedda Baumann Heier regularly acts as counsel to international companies within the music sector.

Practice head(s):

Rune Ljostad

Testimonials

‘Rune Ljostad is excellent in the field of intellectual property, and he is a very good litigator.’

‘The team at Simonsen is very reliable and dedicated. They put the client first and provide fast and accurate advice in any situation.’

‘I work with Nicholas Foss Barbantonis in trade mark matters. Nick knows our company well and is very clear and precise in his communication with me. He responds fast and counsels in a way that is easy to understand.’

Key clients

Bank Norwegian AS

IOTA Foundation

Fotolotto.no (Snapchance.no AS)

Kystgjerdet AS

Lootie.com

Lovisenberg Sykehus AS

British American tobacco

Royal Canin

Amedia AS

Kindred (London) Limited

Trannel International LLC

Norges Bank (the Central Bank of Norway)

Motion Picture Association

Oslo Kommune Munchmuseet (the Munch Museum)

Chess world champion, Magnus Carlsen

Work highlights

  • Successfully defended Bank Norwegian before the Supreme Court in unfair competition and trade mark litigation against Komplett Bank, Ikano Bank, and BRA-bank.
  • Representing German non-profit foundation IOTA Foundation, which operates the technical platform for the IOTA cryptocurrency, in ongoing copyright litigation brought against the founder of the company.
  • Advising Norwegian museum Munchmuseet on developing an international IP and commercialisation strategy.

Norway > Public procurement Tier 2

The public procurement team at Advokatfirmaet Simonsen Vogt Wiig, which acts from within the firm’s wider EU and competition department, is well known for its expertise in handling public procurement litigation and high-profile procurement process mandates. Practice head Anders Thue represents large public sector clients in complex procurement matters and Christian Bjørtuft Ellingsen is well versed in advising energy and transport sector clients on procurements. Senior associate Olav Haukeli is a key name to note. In October 2022, Espen I Bakken joined from Arntzen de Besche , and Anne Buan left for CMS Kluge.

Practice head(s):

Anders Thue

Key clients

Baneservice AS

Bombardier

Central Norway Regional Health Authority

Fosen-Linjen AS

Franzefoss

The Norwegian Maritime Authority

Go-Ahead Group

KLP Forsikring (insurance)

NordicInfu Care AB

Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA

Sanofi Avensis Norge AS

Statnett SF

Stiftelsen Diakonissehuset Lovisenberg

Stiftelsen Norsk Luftambulanse

Telia

The Ministry of Justice and Public Security

The Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom)

The Norwegian Directorate of eHealth (NDE)

The Norwegian Police

Troms og Finnmmark fylkeskommune

The Norwegian Road Authority

The Norwegian Tax Authority

The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration

Tensio

Norwegian Government Security and Service Organisation

Sikri AS

Vestland fylkeskommune

Aebi Schmidt Group

The National Program for Supplier Development in Norway

Work highlights

  • Providing ongoing assistance to Central Norway Regional Health Authority regarding the procurement of a new system for patient journals and patient administration (EPJ/PAS).
  • Defended transport company Sporveien AS in public procurement litigation concerning a major rebuild of a railway station in Oslo.
  • Advising public transport company Kolumbus on the public procurement process for high-speed passenger ferries for the Ryfylke region.

Norway > Real estate Tier 2

Advokatfirmaet Simonsen Vogt Wiig‘s ‘service-minded’ real estate group advises on the full spectrum of real estate matters, with a particular focus on transactions and development projects. Corporate real estate deals, project planning issues and foreign-driven real estate investments are matters the group is experienced in handling. Notably, the group advised Njord Securitires on 11 different transactions totalling NOK3.2bn. The ‘instrumental’ and ‘solution-oriented’ Jørgen Lindboe heads up the practice and has expertise in transactions and project developments.

Practice head(s):

Jørgen Lindboe

Other key lawyers:

Pål Brudvik; Gøran Mjelde Aarvik

Testimonials

‘You can always expect quick feedback and good follow-up. The company spends time on the important elements and what is relevant, they don’t spend time just to spend time.’

‘Jørgen Lindboe is clear, solution-oriented and good at focusing on what needs to be done.’

‘The real estate team at Simonsen Vogt Wiig covers all aspects of advice and transactional services that we need.’

‘Jørgen Lindboe is instrumental in due diligence and contract negotiations work. He is very experienced and result oriented which makes him easy to work with.’

‘Jørgen Lindboe – experienced, calm and a good negotiator which always focuses on the client’s best interests.’

‘Simonsen Vogt Wiig are very attentive, and service minded on a personal level. They assess the problem quickly and apply the proper legal competence depending on the issue to be solved.’

‘Jørgen Lindboe is probably the best all round Real Estate lawyer in Norway. He assesses cases very quickly and is very intelligent and likeable. He is street smart and commercial, but thinks before he speaks and lays plans out elegantly when others seem stuck.’

Key clients

Njord Securities AS (formerly Castelar Corporate Finance AS)

Colliers International Corporate AS

Malling & Co, Project Finance AS

Rimfeldt Eiendom AS

Oslo Finans AS

Realkapitial Investor AS

Vika Project Finance AS

Fazenda Utvikling AS

DNB Næringseiendom AS

Seabrokers AS

Coop Norge Eiendom AS

Birger N. Haug Holding AS

DNB Bank ASA – DNB Markets Investment Banking Division

RAC NORWAY AS (part of the AVIS group)

The municipality of Bergen

Prospective AS

JM Norge AS

Hero Eiendom AS

Gaustadbekken AS

Ragde Eiendom AS

Work highlights

  • Advised Castelar Prosjekt 38 AS, Statens Hus Skien, Kristiansand Etatbygg AS, Bodø Samfunnsbygg AS, Vestlandet Etatbygg AS and Innlandet Etatbygg AS in relation to a coordinated sale of seven real estate companies owned by the clients to Public Property Invest AS, a major Norwegian real estate fund established by Arctic Securities AS.
  • Advised property company LogCap Oslo AS on the following four acquisitions in Oslo and the Oslo-region: Leiraveien 11 AS, Skedsmo Kombibygg AS, Berghagan Næringseiendom AS and Ringeriksveien 16 and 20.
  • Advised Njord Securities AS on a number of transactions comprising the purchase and syndication of Myrdalsvegen 22 AS, Boger Invest AS, Cover AS, Saupstad Senter AS, Kulturhallene Eiendom AS, Vestre Havn Bygg 2 AS, Prinsens gate 5 AS and Dronningens gate 1 AS.

Norway > Capital markets Tier 3

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.

Norway > Tax Tier 3

Advokatfirmaet Simonsen Vogt Wiig‘s ‘knowledgeable, friendly, hardworking and service-minded‘ team attracts praise for its ‘deep knowledge and experience of Norwegian tax law‘. Led by tax specialist Fredrik Haberer Anfinsen, the group is very experienced in advising international private equity clients on the tax aspects of structuring cross-border transactions. Bergen-based Vidar Kleppe is well versed in handling tax litigation, while Pål Brudvik stands out for advising real estate companies on transactional tax issues. In February 2022, Anette Fjeld joined from Deloitte Advokatfirma AS.

Practice head(s):

Fredrik Haberer Anfinsen

Testimonials

‘Very knowledgeable, humble, seeks the broader picture, service minded.’

‘Fredrik Haberer Anfinsen delivers legal assistance and advice of high quality. He shows a good understanding of the client’s needs and business, and provides good assistance in identifying practical solutions.’

‘The team at SVW were extremely helpful. The help we received was tailored to our needs, pragmatic, and well explained.’

‘The partners are very accessible.’

‘Vidar Kleppe is a very experienced lawyer. He is very service minded, good at explaining legal issues in a simple way, always follows up in a matter of days and his services are great value for money. Mr Kleppe is my first choice even for clients who are not based in Bergen.’

‘Fredrik Haberer Anfinsen is one of the most knowledgeable on tax I’ve ever worked with.’

‘They stand out for their proactive role, guidance, and willingness to go the extra distance to achieve the desired outcome.’

Key clients

Amtech AS

Adelis Equity Partners

Tibber AS

ABBH AS

Aquaship AS

Bank Norwegian

Colliers International Corporate AS

Coop

Coop Norge Eiendom AS

DLVRY

Egmont

Eni S.p.A / Eni International B.V

Enode

FSN Capital

Grønt Punkt Norge AS

Hero Eiendom AS

Kindred Group PLC

Kosli

Malling og Co

Njord Securities AS

Norwegian Airshuttle ASA

Papirfly Group

Pareto Securities AS

Play Magnus

Prime Capital AG

Ragde Eiendom AS

Rimfeldt Eiendom AS

Telia Company

Trolltun Investering AS

Verdane Capital

Zwipe AS

Work highlights

  • Assisted multiple clients with the tax aspects of a sale of seven real estate companies owned by the clients to Norwegian real estate fund Public Property Invest AS.
  • Represented Telenor Norge AS in tax litigation before the Court of Appeal.

The firm: Simonsen Vogt Wiig (SVW) is one of the largest law firms in Norway with its 180 lawyers. The firm has a strong international focus on advising leading national and global companies for decades from its offices in Norway and Singapore.

Areas of practice
Maritime: SVW is recognised as one of the leading law firms within shipping and offshore. Several lawyers are internationally ranked as leaders within maritime law, shipping transactions and ship building/offshore construction.

Dispute resolution: SVW is one of few Norwegian firms with a standalone dispute resolution team that dedicates 100% of its time to contentious matters. It has extensive experience and expertise in handling complex matters before both the Norwegian and European courts, arbitration tribunals and a variety of boards, councils and committees.

Oil and gas: SVW has one of Norway’s broadest and most internationally-oriented oil and gas groups and the largest asset transaction volume by number of transactions in Norway for the last five years.

Banking and finance: SVW operates a full-service banking and finance practice. The firm represents agents in major syndicated facilities and clients include some of the most active foreign banks in Norway. SVW is also a market-leading firm within the energy sector and aviation finance.

Commercial, corporate and M&A: SVW operates an expanded standalone transactional department, with partners solely handling public and private M&A work. The team has reported an increasing order volume and presence in the Norwegian transaction market in recent years.

Intellectual property and TMT: SVW is widely acknowledged by clients and peers for its leading TMT practice. It is the only firm in Norway that has a broad coverage in all TMT areas: IT, media, telecoms and data protection.

Insolvency and corporate recovery: SVW has a well-respected restructuring and insolvency team. They assist with credit security, restructuring of business enterprises, and the handling of the clients’ creditor and debtor interests, and as trustee in major bankruptcy estates.

Offshore construction and shipbuilding: SVW is recognised as one of the leading law firms within shipping and offshore and is one of the few to offer strength across the board in shipping and maritime law. Several lawyers are internationally ranked as leaders within maritime law, shipping transactions and ship building/offshore construction.

Capital markets: SVW offers a very strong capital markets team and has key expertise in the areas of public M&A. The firm assisted recently on the largest private stock exchange listing in Norway since 2010.

Construction: SVW’s clients include several national and regional contractors, including three of the top ten contractors on the recently published list of the 100 largest construction companies in Norway.

EU and competition: SVW’s team has extensive experience with EU and EEA regulatory matters and competition law, and the firm assists with all aspects of competition law.

Tax: SVW fields a standalone tax team, with resources across six offices that advise clients on a wide variety of tax-related matters involving corporations, partnerships and their owners and investors. The team has extensive experience in handling audit and controversy matters.

Real estate: the firm fields a standalone real estate team of 40 lawyers across its network of six offices and assists parties in the property sector throughout the whole value chain with a special focus on transactions, raising capital, development projects and regulatory matters.

Employment: SVW assists clients in both the private and public sector. Human resources departments, legal departments and management of major Norwegian and international companies regularly seek assistance from the firm with restructuring, workforce reductions, transfers of undertakings and individual personnel matters.

Electricity and renewables: the firm is one of Norway’s premier law firms in the area of renewable energy and assists major players in both regulatory and finance matters. Its lawyers within this sector have extensive industry knowledge and expertise about energy and watercourse law due to long experience from the power industry regulatory authorities and private practice.

Insurance: SVW’s insurance practice handles both contentious and non-contentious work on behalf of conventional and marine insurers. The firm is a recognised leader in marine insurance, and acts for all major marine insurers in Norway.

DepartmentNameEmailTelephone
Administrative (Managing Partner) Mona Søylandmos@svw.no+47 922 93 651
Banking and Finance Halvor Klingenberghkl@svw.no+47 922 42 116
Capital Markets and Corporate and M&A Amund Fougner Buggeafb@svw.no+47 911 45 982
Dispute Resolution Christian Reuschchr@svw.no+47 975 02 247
EU and Competition Jan Magne Langsethjml@svw.no+47 966 44 440
Electricity and Renewable Energy Peter Aall Simonsenpes@svw.no+47 920 23 789
Employment Lill Egelandleg@svw.no+47 934 90 834
Insolvency and Corporate Recovery Bjørn Åge Hamrebah@svw.no+47 402 49 104
Insolvency and Corporate Recovery Peter Aall Simonsenpes@svw.no+47 920 23 789
Intellectual Property Rune Ljostadrlj@svw.no+47 911 21 180
TMT Tor Stokketst@svw.no+47 932 11 581
Maritime Law Christine Rødsæthercro@svw.no+47 950 74 898
Shipping Erlend Louselo@svw.no+47 992 16 772
Oil and Gas Bjørn-Erik Leerbergbel@svw.no+47 934 90 683
Real Estate Jørgen Lindboejli@svw.no+47 918 03 814
Construction Frank Almåsfal@svw.no+47 917 92 074
Tax Vidar Kleppevkl@svw.no+47 940 12 512
PhotoNamePositionProfile
Nicholas Foss Barbantonis photo Nicholas Foss BarbantonisSenior Lawyer
Pål Brudvik photo Pål BrudvikPartner and Head of Transactions
Lill Egeland photo Lill EgelandPartner and Head of Employment
Christian Bjørtuft Ellingsen photo Christian Bjørtuft EllingsenPartner
Amund Fougner Bugge photo Amund Fougner BuggePartner and Head of Capital Markets and Corporate and M&A
Ingar Fuglevåg photo Ingar FuglevågPartner and Head of Aviation
Hågen Hansen photo Hågen HansenPartner
Sunniva Kinsella photo Sunniva KinsellaSenior Lawyer
Halvor Klingenberg photo Halvor KlingenbergPartner and Head of Banking and Finance
Jan Magne Langseth photo Jan Magne LangsethPartner and Head of EU and Competition
Bjørn-Erik Leerberg photo Bjørn-Erik LeerbergPartner and Head of Oil and Gas
Jørgen Lindboe photo Jørgen LindboePartner and Head of Real Estate
Rune Ljostad photo Rune LjostadPartner
Erlend Lous photo Erlend LousPartner
Henning Øvrebø photo Henning ØvrebøPartner
Christian Reusch photo Christian ReuschPartner and Head of Dispute Resolution
Christine Rødsæther photo Christine RødsætherPartner
Peter Aall Simonsen photo Peter Aall SimonsenPartner and Head of Renewable Energy
Mona Søyland photo Mona SøylandManaging Partner
Tor Stokke photo Tor StokkePartner and Head of Technology and Media
Anders Thue photo Anders ThuePartner
Espen Tøndel photo Espen TøndelPartner
Trine Vabog photo Trine VabogAssociate Partner
Morten Wilhelm Winther photo Morten Wilhelm WintherPartner and Head of Financial Regulatory
Number of lawyers : 180
Scandinavian languages
English
French
German
Greek
Icelandic
Mandarin
Portuguese
World Services Group (WSG)
Contacts : Mona Søyland (Managing Partner)
Contacts : Jan Vablum (Bergen)
Contacts : Gunnar Espeland (Stavanger)
Contacts : Nils Håkon Risberg (Trondheim)
Contacts : Asbjørn Breistein (Kristiansand)
Contacts : Ørjan Nilsen (Tromsø)
Contacts : Torgeir Willumsen (Singapore)