Mr Christian Hals > Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS > Oslo, Norway > Lawyer Profile

Lawyer Rankings

Norway > Capital markets

Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS provides ‘excellent support‘ to its clients and has ‘a solid mix of commercial understanding and legal knowledge combined with an efficient and proactive approach‘ thanks to ‘a solution-oriented and client-centric team‘ jointly led by Ervin Auren and Solveig Fagerheim Bugge. Clients also praise the highly regarded Anders Arnkværn, who ‘stands out for his outstanding knowledge and understanding of his clients‘; newly promoted partner Christian Hals and ECM lawyer Hans Cappelen Arnesen. Arnesen recently advised Elkem on its IPO on the Oslo Stock Exchange, Arnkværn and Bugge assisted Shelf Drilling with its IPO, and Einar Grette acted for DNB Bank, DNB Markets and Nordic Trustee on Chembulk Holdings’ €250m bond issuance.

Norway > Commercial, corporate and M&A

As a key name in the market for cross-border transactions, Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS acts for a high-profile client roster including DNB, Altor Equity Partners and Storebrand. In a recent highlight, the well-regarded Anders Arnkværn advised SafeRoad Holding and Nordic Capital on FSN Capital’s NOK2bn acquisition of SafeRoad; other mandates include Hans Cappelen Arnesen assisting Hellman & Friedman with its recommended cash offer for payment service provider Nets, Christian Grüner Sagstad (the head of department) handling Triton Partners’ acquisition of a majority stake in Glamox, and Ervin Auren advising Alimentation Couche-Tard on the divestment of its marine fuel business through the sale of Statoil Fuel and Retail Marine to St1 Norge. Baard Bale, Stig Berge and Solveig Fagerheim Bugge are also key names to note. Christian Hals and Rune Ulriksen Steinsland made partner in 2018.

Norway > Oil and gas

At Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS, newly promoted partner Christian Hals leads the oil and gas team and Pål Lieungh heads the oil services group; Hals recently advised Ineos on its acquisition of Dong E&P and Lieungh assisted Island Offshore Shipbuilding with the restructuring of its debt relating to a 30-vessel operation. Other mandates include acting for PGNiG on its acquisition of licence interests in the Fogelberg field and handing Seadrill’s restructuring. BP International, Equinor, Kongsberg Gruppen, Faroe Petroleum and Transocean are also clients. Jacob F Bull focuses on construction projects, Mads Haavardsholm advises clients in the oil services sector and Ståle R Kristiansen handles tax work. Rune Ulriksen Steinsland made partner in 2018 and managing associate Kristine Hyldmo Bjørnvik joined from Advokatfirmaet Haavind AS in 2019. Rune Solberg retired and Asle Bjelland is now a judge.