Firm Profile > Wiersholm > Oslo, Norway
Wiersholm Offices
DOKKVEIEN 1
PO BOX 1400 VIKA
0115 OSLO
Norway
Wiersholm > The Legal 500 Rankings
Banking and finance (including shipping finance) Tier 1
Wiersholm’s roster of Norwegian and international banking institution clients leverage the firm’s expertise across the full spectrum of finance work, which is notably strong in project financing work, shipping finance mandates and issues in the energy, offshore and real estate sectors. Practice co-heads Kaare P Sverdrup and Kristine Hasle Øverby specialise in project and acquisition financing work, and ship finance matters, respectively. The group’s debt financing experience was also expanded following the recruitment of Atle Gabrielsen from Arntzen de Besche in early 2019, and managing associate Petter Thomren Moltu focuses on project financing, acquisition financing and exploration and production financing work.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB
Handelsbanken, Norwegian Branch of Svenska Handelsbanken AB
SpareBank 1 SR-Bank ASA
DNB Bank ASA
Nordea Bank Abp
Altor
Maritime & Merchant Bank ASA
ABN AMRO Bank N.V.
Capital markets Tier 1
Wiersholm is a key contact for investment banks and issuers at a national and international level and regularly handles IPOs, debt and equity offerings; the group is also experienced in derivatives, structured products and regulatory mandates. The team has recently been active in the IPO space; it was involved in the IPO of Ultimovacs and was issuer counsel for the listing of Adevinta on the Oslo Stock Exchange. Sverre Sandvik and Tone Østensen jointly lead the department, which also includes Simen Mejlænder, who ‘provides good and practical advice’, and managing associate Anne Lise E. Gryte.
Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘Strong team with updated and extensive experience. More teamwork than individuals.’
‘Strong experience and good advice, with a solution-oriented and flexible approach.’
‘On par with other tier one law firms in Norway.’
‘We have worked with partner Simen Mejlænder. Very available and responsive. Provides good and practical advice. Shows good understanding of our industry and deep knowledge in the fields of law.‘
Key clients
ABG Sundal Collier
DNB Markets
Carnegie
Nordea Markets
Arcitc Securities
Danske Bank
Norske Skog ASA
Mowi ASA
Nordic Nanovector ASA
Sparebank 1 Markets AS
Fearnley Securities
BRAbank ASA
Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1
The ‘highly accessible and commercial’ department at Wiersholm handles some of the market's top M&A and private equity work and regularly advises on international deals at a Nordic and global level. The team is led by Harald Hellebust, and also counts transactional specialist Jarle Kvam, cross-border focused Ståle Gjengset and Kai Thøgersen, who focuses on the technology and telecoms sectors, as key practitioners. Clients also praise Andreas Mellbye, Sverre Sandvik and Gunhild Dugstad. Erik Thyness is now a Supreme Court judge.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team is highly accessible and commercial in the way it thinks.‘
‘They are highly available at any time and, in addition to being the very best in their field legally, they have good knowledge of our business.‘
Key clients
Altor Equity Partners
Longship AS
EQT Equity Partners
Herkules Capital AS (Herkules Private Equity Fund)
IK Investment Partners
Summa Equity
Kverva/Kverva Management
Orkla ASA
Schibsted
Via Equity
Nordic Capital
Equinor ASA
Construction Tier 1
Focusing on construction projects, Wiersholm’s ‘service-minded’ department also leverages the firm’s strength in litigation and procurement mandates to handle matters which connect these areas of expertise; the team recently represented Skanska Norge in a damages claim for loss of profit against Bane Nor following breaches of the procurement rules relating to a major railway contract. Ronny Lund leads the practice, which also fields group co-head Sondre Dyrland, who advises on petroleum exploration and production mandates; Helge Morten Svarva, who focuses on the energy and real estate sectors; and procurement expert Morten Goller. Hans Augun Parmann is also recommended for contentious work.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘This practice offers a variety of competencies in all fields we need to get support to our company. They are service minded and offer transparency in how they execute their work.‘
‘The associates stand out in their field, always giving honest advice, working efficiently and also keeping us updated on their progress.‘
Key clients
Equinor ASA
ABB AS
AF Gruppen AS
Veidekke ASA
Skanska Norge AS
Multiconsult ASA
Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (MPE)
Thales Norway AS
Leonhard Nilsen & Sønner AS
Johs. Granås AS
BMO Entreprenør AS
Dispute resolution Tier 1
Wiersholm ‘offers exceptional expertise and insight into litigation and dispute resolution’ and ‘combines excellent legal knowledge and an ability to understand the facts with an ability to communicate complicated issues in an understandable way’. The practice has notably broad expertise in contentious work and also has substantial international experience in litigation and arbitration. Team leader Ronny Lund is singled out for his construction expertise, while co-heads Christian Hauge and Olav Fr Perland focus on shipping and financial litigation respectively. Managing partner Morten Goller, competition and public law expert Stephan L Jervell, and IP and TMT specialist Magnus Hellesylt are also key names to note.
Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘One of the best law firms you can engage. Wiersholm offers exceptional expertise and insight into litigation and dispute resolution. Advice given is always sharp, to the point, relevant and contains strategic angles. Clearly Tier 1 firm to work with.’
‘Good team spirit and well coordinated.‘
‘The team has the ability to combine excellent legal knowledge and “understanding the facts” while still managing to communicate complicated issues in an understandable way with their clients.‘
‘Partners are hardworking, dedicated, reliable and the utmost professionals. Communication is clear and concise.‘
‘Olav Perland is at the top of his game. Magnus Snellingen is a star in the making.‘
Key clients
Equinor ASA
Deutsche Bank AG
DNV-GL
International Business Machines AS (IBM)
Sparebank 1
AIG Europe Limited
AF Gruppen ASA
Skanska Norge AS
BDO AS
Danske Bank AS
Coop Norge SA
Nord-Trøndelag Elektrisitetsverk AS (NTE)
Veidekke ASA
Tesla
Yara International ASA
Bertel O. Steen AS
ABB AS
BMO Entreprenør AS and BMO Tunnelsikring AS
Kistefos AS and owner Christen Sveaas
Multiconsult ASA
Electricity and renewable energy Tier 1
Wiersholm advises renewable energy operators on the full range of issues encompassing regulatory matters, transactional work, power purchase agreements, financing mandates, project developments and litigation. The practice’s client roster include domestic and international clients with notable examples including Statnett, Statkraft and TrønderEnergi. Inge Ekker Bartnes and Jon Rabben jointly lead the group and are recommended for regulatory, contractual and corporate work; Kristine Hasle Øverby also handles transactional work and renewable project finance issues. Odd-Harald Berg Wasenden joined Arntzen de Besche in 2020.
Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘Inge Bartnes has great market knowledge and experience combined with a very commercial approach to transactions.‘
‘A wide competence within the energy sector.’
‘Inge Ekker Bartnes is a highly qualified lawyer in the energy field and has exceptional availability and client engagement.‘
Key clients
Statnett SF
Nord-Trøndelag Elektrisitetsverk AS
Statkraft SF
The Hafslund Group
TrønderEnergi AS
Istad AS
SL Capital Partners LLP/ Standard Life Investments
Infranode AB
Ringeriks-Kraft AS
Impax Asset Management (AIFM) Ltd.
Dalane Energi / Dalane Kraft AS
Employment Tier 1
Regularly handling complex employment matters, Wiersholm fields ‘a powerhouse employment team’, which ‘consistently provides high-quality advice and first-class service’. The practice is particularly praised for its contentious work and recently represented Lorentzen & Stemoco in a lawsuit relating to a substantial claim for bonus payment by a former employee. Key individuals in the group include litigator Jan Fougner, Eli Aasheim, who is ‘an outstanding partner’; Christel Søreide, who is ‘bright, clever and client focused’, and newly promoted partner and compliance specialist Georg Abusdal Engebretsen.
Testimonials
‘Wiersholm always have a short response time. Their feedback and advice is to the point and I trust them. They have the ability to explain and give advice in an understandable way. I have used Wiersholm in several different cases and I always feel that they have enough knowledge or will ask someone else in the office with enough knowledge.’
‘The powerhouse employment team at Wiersholm consistently provides high-quality advice and first-class service. Even with an hourly rate at the upper end, we find this team delivering the best value legal advice we find in Norway. The team, and especially partner Christel Søreide, has provided our business with input and guidance beyond our expectations.‘
‘The employment law team in Wiersholm are exceptional both when it comes to quality of the legal advice they provide, and with regards to efficiency and its pragmatic approach.‘
‘The team is just fantastic and the collaboration between in-house peers functions seamlessly.’
‘Bright, clever and client-focused Christel Søreide is our go-to partner. Highly inventive and responsive and always on top of her game. She is thorough and very pleasant to work with. Always delivers on time, with a unique understanding of our business and our needs. Great ability to delegate the legal work within the team so that our needs are met efficiently and cost-effectively – but always to the highest standard. We would not exchange her for anyone.‘
‘Eli Aasheim is just outstanding. Both her and her diligent and skilful team can be trusted any time with all kinds of matters.‘
Key clients
Aller Media AS
ABB AS
Visma
Schibsted ASA
SATS AS
Fellesordningen for avtalefestet pensjon
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
Nordea
IBM
DNB
EU and competition Tier 1
Håkon Cosma Størdal leads the competition and antitrust practice at Wiersholm, which focuses on four distinct areas of competition law – M&A, antitrust matters, state aid work and EU and EEA law. The firm’s antitrust team is regularly involved in antitrust investigations, cartel work and abuse of dominance matters, while the state aid group specialises in the energy, transport, technology and media sectors. Other key individuals in the department include Stephan L Jervell, who handles competition law work, state aid issues and litigation; procurement and state aid expert Morten Goller and Thomas Naalsund, who is a key contact for energy sector mandates.
Practice head(s):
Key clients
Altor Funds
BankID Norge AS
Bertel.O.Steen
Coop Norge SA
Felleskjøpet SA
Hurtigruten ASA/ Hurtigruten AS
IK Investment Partners
JCDDecaux
Ministry of Petroleum and Energy
Schibsted ASA
Telenor Norge AS
Veidekke ASA/Seby AS
Bravida
Marine Harvest ASA/Mowi ASA
Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics ASA
Kistefos AS
Visma AS
Hafslund ASA
Statnett SF
Sector Alarm Holding AS
EQT
The Norwegian Heart and Lung Patient Organisation (LHL)
Statskraft
Santander Consumer Bank
SB1 Markets
Vipps
Netfonds Holding
Summa Equity
Insurance Tier 1
At Wiersholm, the team acts for policyholders and insurers on a range of marine, D&O, professional indemnity and regulatory mandates and is regularly instructed on pure insurance disputes. Hans Kenneth Viga-Gerhardsen heads up the practice, and Erik Blaker leads the marine insurance group; Blaker’s expertise encompasses wet shipping work, arrest issues, salvage claims and collision matters. Other key practitioners include Kjersti Trøbråten, who is a regulatory expert, and litigator Olav Perland.
Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘Wiersholm’s team has a strong regulatory and practical understanding of the insurance sector that is essential for ensuring swift and relevant advice. They are recommendable for both sparring and on day-to-day matters as well as for handling complex issues.‘
‘Hans Kenneth Viga-Gerhardsen is highly competent and quick to see the relevant questions at hand from both an insurance regulatory and insurance contractual perspective. He has good insight into the industry and a clear understanding of how it operates.‘
Key clients
AIG Europe S.A
AIG Europe UK Limited
BDO AS
C.J. Coleman
Danske Bank
Codan Forsikring NUF
Allianz Corporate & Specialty
AXA XL Insurance SE
QBE Europe SA/NV
W. R. Berkley Insurance Nordic NUF
Intellectual property Tier 1
At Wiersholm, the practice focuses on IP rich industries with substantial expertise in the media, retail and technology sectors; the group's client roster includes Monster, Visma and Orkla. The team is also a key name for IP matters relating to the digital arena and sports rights, and also handles copyright, patent, trade secret and trade mark litigation. Hans Erik Johnsen is singled out for his broadcasting, media and sport expertise; and Rune Opdahl focuses on the media, technology, pharmaceuticals and offshore industries. The practice also fields Magnus Hellesylt, who handles IP litigation, and Kai Thøgersen, who focuses on corporate work.
Testimonials
‘The team had an efficient approach. They distributed the different areas of the case to the individuals with special expertise in the actual question. They gave specific and clear advice during the process.‘
‘The individuals we worked with had the ability to understand the scope of the issue very quickly. They were interested and showed a lot of engagement in the cases.‘
Key clients
Visma AS
Monster AS
Schibsted ASA
Altibox AS
Mills AS
Gyldendal ASA
Nordic Nanovector ASA
Gresvig AS
Aller Media Group
Orkla ASA
Novamedia Norsk Postkodelotteri AS
Helly Hansen AS
Maritime law Tier 1
Wiersholm’s shipping expertise spans transactional, finance and litigation work including vessel sales and purchases, new-build projects, marine insurance law, ship finance issues and offshore shipping restructuring and insolvency work. Practice co-heads Karl Even Rygh and Kristine Hasle Øverby specialise in transactional work and ship finance matters respectively; Rygh is also experienced in new-build and conversion projects and sale leaseback issues, and Øverby also acts on offshore-related restructurings. Christian Hauge is the key name for litigation, Erik Blaker leads the marine insurance, arrest, salvage and collision expertise; and Atle Gabrielsen, who joined from Arntzen de Besche in 2019, handles financing mandates.
Practice head(s):
Key clients
Hurtigruten AS
Siem Industries
Ship Finance International Limited
DNV GL
Golden Ocean Group Limited
Frontline Limited
Archer Limited
Avance Gas Holding Ltd.
Ocean Rig UDW Ltd
Viking Supply Ships
Awilhelmsen
MPC Container Ships ASA
NYK Lines
Western Bulk Chartering AS
Polarcus Limited
Sinoceanic Shipping AS
Arendals Dampskibsselskab AS (ADS)
Maersk Supply Service
ADS Crude Carriers PLC
OSM Maritime Group
Flex LNG Ltd
DESS Aquaculture Shipping AS
Electromagnetic Geoservices ASA (EMGS)
Østensjø Rederi
Møretrygd
Tromstrygd
Oil and gas Tier 1
Sondre Dyrland heads up the practice at Wiersholm, which acts for a high-profile client roster including Equinor, the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, ConocoPhillips Skandinavia, VNG and Eni. The group also recently advised Eni on the merger of Eni Norge and Point Resources to create upstream exploration and production company Vår Energi. The practice is also experienced in transactional work, litigation, regulatory mandates and operational issues and is regularly involved in complex matters on the Norwegian continental shelf. Jon Rabben counts Norwegian and international energy sector companies as clients, Thomas Naalsund and newly promoted partner Hans Augun Parmann focus on contentious work, and Kristian M. Lind handles transactional work.
Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘Good knowledge and understanding of the oil and gas industry and strong strategic capabilities. Very likeable individuals.’
‘Thomas Naalsund is a pleasure to work with. Strong strategic capabilities and an excellent litigator with a very pleasant appearance in negotiations and in court.’
Key clients
Equinor ASA
Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (MPE)
ConocoPhilips Skandinavia AS
Eni S.p.A
VNG AG
Spirit Energy Ltd.
DNV-GL Group AS
CapeOmega AS
DNA ASA
Bangchak Corporation PCL
North Sea Infrastructure AS/PKA AIP A/S
CHC Helikopter Service AS
ABB Group Ltd
Public procurement Tier 1
Wiersholm fields a 'strong team' of highly regarded practitioners including managing partner and ‘undisputed leader in the procurement space’ Morten Goller, Stephan Jervell, energy sector specialist Thomas Naalsund and senior associate Oda Hellenes Ekre, who focuses on actions against public authorities and ‘stands out for her practical advice’. The group primarily acts for suppliers with clients including BMO Elektro, Hurtigruten, Veidekke and Skanska Norge. On the procuring authority side, the team recently assisted the Ministry of Industry and Petroleum with its first full-scale carbon capture storage project in Norway.
Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘Morten Goller is an undisputed leader in the procurement space.’
‘Stephan Jervell and Oda Hellenes Ekre show good team spirit, and are well co-ordinated.‘
‘Wiersholm has a strong team, and always responds quickly and to the point to our inquiries.‘
‘Good knowledge of the business and procurement law in general. Practical approach. Good in court.‘
‘Oda Ekre stands out, together with Morten Goller. Ekre works efficiently, gives practical advice and is an excellent discussion partner in difficult matters, who understands the client’s needs.‘
Key clients
Hurtigruten ASA/ Hurtigruten AS
The Ministry of Industry and Petroleum (MPE)
BMO Electro AS / BMO Entreprenør AS
Veidekke Entreprenør AS
Skanska Norge AS
Entur AS
Boreal Norge AS
Den Norske Opera og Ballett
Torghatten ASA
Statnett SF
ABB AS
Real estate Tier 1
Tom Rune Lian and Ståle Meleng jointly lead the department at Wiersholm, which advises on commercial, corporate and residential real estate projects for a client roster of domestic and international companies; key examples include Pareto Securities, Union Gruppen, Vika Project Finance and Ferd. The group is also noted for its tax and VAT knowledge and Nicolay Vold is singled out for his real estate tax expertise. Other key names include Ronny Lund, who assists with onshore and offshore projects and acts in contentious mandates; and managing associate Kim Hellstrøm Christensen, who specialises in real estate transactions and M&A.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team is streetwise and efficient.’
‘Wiersholm is always available, positive and has our back all the time.’
‘Tom Rune Lian is commercial with in-depth knowledge of the real estate sector.’
‘Tom Rune Lian is solution-oriented, smooth and bright.’
Key clients
Pareto Securities
UNION Gruppen
Coop Norge
Axer Eiendom
Ferd Eiendom
Arcus Gruppen
Oslo Pensjonsforsikring
Vika Project Finance
Steen & Strøm
Aberdeen Asset Management
Tax Tier 1
Wiersholm’s team of ‘highly skilled lawyers’ are ‘extremely knowledgeable’ and ‘inspire confidence in clients that the work will be to the highest standard’. Group leader Bettina Banoun is ‘an incredibly efficient and skilled lawyer’ and handles corporate and international tax law, Andreas Bullen is ‘a pleasure to work with', Nicolay Vold handles transaction-related tax matters and Morten Goller assists with corporate, international and EU tax law and tax litigation. Other key areas of expertise for the practice include tax planning, restructuring and transfer pricing work, administrative tax disputes and indirect tax mandates.
Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘Extremely knowledgeable In legal tax matters and inspires confidence that the work they are doing for you will be to the highest standard.‘
‘Very skilled lawyers in litigation, Norwegian and international tax and transfer pricing. Very high service level – responsive and efficient.‘
‘Bettina is an incredibly efficient and skilled lawyer. She always responds quickly and is always nice and in a good mood.‘
‘Their knowledge of the tax laws in Norway and when requesting information are extremely specific therefore eliminating time-wasting. All the partners I have worked with have been of the same calibre of professional in their specific field of expertise.‘
‘Andreas Bullen is very knowledgable and pleasant to work with. Morten Goller has a strategic mindset and is very commercial.‘
Key clients
Equinor group
Fred. Olsen/Bonheur
IKEA
Kistefos AS
Ocean Rig UDW, Inc.
Orkla
Saga Tankers ASA/Ferncliff Group
Salmar
SATS Group AS
Seadream
Yara International ASA
TMT Tier 1
Wiersholm is a key name in the market for technology transactions with notable experience in innovative areas encompassing digitalisation projects, big data work, artificial intelligence matters and internet of things issues. The group has also handled numerous GDPR projects and cybersecurity responses, and assists multiple media houses with ePrivacy and adtech mandates. Hans Erik Johnsen counts service providers, developers, licensees, media companies and distributors as clients; Rune Opdahl specialises in privacy, media, digitalisation and e-commerce work; Kai Thøgersen handles transactional work and Magnus Hellesylt focuses on TMT litigation. Senior associate Theresa Schumacher Walberg is also recommended for IT contract work.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Knowledgeable about the field we work in and contracts used. Know the law and give business-related thoughts on how to use the law.‘
‘Rune Opdahl is an excellent professional with in-depth knowledge of data protection, cookies and technology. One other positive aspect of the team is that they are very good at lifting the younger individuals up, enabling them to become really good lawyers and also saving costs for the client. All in all, this is the best data protection team in Norway due to the high quality of the deliverables, the practical knowledge and the understanding of the business environments.‘
‘Curious, creative and knowledgeable.‘
‘Rune Opdahl is tech-savvy, knowledgeable, professional, pleasant to work with and generally the full package.‘
Key clients
Schibsted
Discovery Networks Norway
Aller Media
Telenor
IBM
Santander
Vipps
Hurtigruten
Altibox
Helly Hansen
Coop
Monster/A Nice Company
Visma
Orkla 1881 Group (Digitale Medier 1881/Opplysningen 1881)
Gyldendal
Fishing and aquaculture Tier 2
Finance expert Tone Østensen heads up the practice at Wiersholm following the departure of Nicolas Brun-Lie to Ro Sommernes Advokatfirma DA in early 2019; Østensen is particularly active in capital markets-related issues and recently advised Mowi on its acquisition of K Strømmen Lakseoppdrett. Other key practitioners include Gunhild Dugstad, who focuses on transactional work, and private equity and M&A specialist Jarle Kvam. Managing associate Svein-Helge Hanken is active in the aquaculture sector.
Practice head(s):
Key clients
Mowi ASA
Salmar ASA
Kverva AS
Insula AS
Norway Royal Salmon ASA
Milarex AS
Summa Equity AB
Samherji hf
Kistefos AS
Lumarine AS
Icefresh AS
Norwegian Fish Company AS
Rimfrost AS
Alltech Norway AS
Insolvency and corporate recovery Tier 2
Wiersholm is noted for its restructuring strength and handles financial restructurings, distressed asset issues and cross-border work. The practice is also active in the shipping and offshore sectors and counts Olympic Subsea, Polarcus and The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries as clients; it also recently assisted DNB Bank and Nordea Bank with the merger of AGR and First Geo and the related financial restructuring. Ståle Gjengset heads up the team, which also counts Kaare P Sverdrup, Kristine Hasle Øverby and Atle Gabrielsen, who joined from Arntzen de Besche in 2019, as key practitioners.
Practice head(s):
Key clients
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries/The Kingdom of Norway
Polarcus Limited
Norske Skog AS/Norske Skogindustrier ASA
DNB Bank ASA
Sparebank 1 SR-Bank ASA
Altor Equity Partners
Olympic Subsea ASA
Nordic Trustee ASA
Viking Supply Ships A/S
Offshore construction and shipbuilding Tier 2
Wiersholm’s offshore construction group is led by litigator Helge Morten Svarva while the shipbuilding team is headed up by Karl Even Rygh, who specialises in new-build projects. The practice is particularly active in litigation and arbitration and is increasingly handling field development and project mandates; it acts for foreign and Norwegian operators and oil services contractors on issues on the Norwegian continental shelf. Litigator Christian Hauge, construction team head Ronny Lund, and Sondre Dyrland are key names to note. The department also recently recruited Atle Gabrielsen from Arntzen de Besche; he is experienced in financing work.
Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘Qualified lawyers with experience in the oil and gas sector.‘
Key clients
Hurtigruten AS
Equinor ASA
Avance Gas Holding Ltd.
Golden Ocean Group Limited
ConocoPhillips Skandinavia AS
DNV GL
The Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (“MPE”)
Ship Finance International Limited
Frontline Limited
Archer Limited
ABB Group Ltd
Flex LNG Ltd
DESS Aquaculture Shipping AS
Østensjø Rederi
Sinoceanic Shipping AS
Siem Industries
BMO Entreprenør AS
Viking Supply Ships
Moss Havn KF (the port authority of Moss)
Wiersholm > Firm Profile
Wiersholm is an internationally oriented firm of lawyers, dedicated to covering the needs of the business community for strategic advice on business law, operational legal assistance and legal proceedings. The firm’s services are based on top legal competence combined with efficiency and understanding of how business works. 180 lawyers and 50 other employees work in a focused and determined way to perform beyond the client’s expectations.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banking and finance (including shipping finance) | Kristine Hasle Øverby | ||
| Commercial, Corporate and M&A | Harald Hellebust | ||
| Dispute resolution | Ronny Lund | ||
| EU and competition | Håkon Cosma Størdal | ||
| Electricity and renewable energy | Inge E Bartnes | ||
| Employment | Eli Aasheim | ||
| Insolvency and corporate responsibilities | Ståle Gjengset | ||
| Intellectual property | Rune Opdahl | ||
| Maritime law and offshore constructions | Karl Even Rygh | ||
| Oil and gas | Sondre Dyrland | ||
| Real estate and construction | Tom Rune Lian | ||
| Securities and stock exchange | Tone Østensen | ||
| TMT | Hans Erik Johnsen | ||
| Tax | Bettina Banoun | ||
| Fishing and aquaculture | Tone Østensen | ||
| Insurance | Hans Kenneth Viga-Gerhardsen |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Ms Eli Aasheim | Partner Eli Aasheim works mainly with employment law. Her practice covers all… | View Profile |
 |
Ms Bettina Banoun | Partner Bettina Banoun has extensive experience in work related to tax law,… | View Profile |
 |
Stig L. Bech | View Profile | |
 |
Mr Erik Blaker | Partner Erik Blaker is a specialist in maritime law, transport law, insurance… | View Profile |
 |
Mr Andreas Bullen | Partner Andreas Bullen’s practice includes transfer pricing, international tax law, Norwegian company… | View Profile |
 |
Mr Håkon Cosma Størdal | Partner Håkon Cosma Størdal advises on EU/EEA law and is a specialist… | View Profile |
 |
Ms Gunhild Dugstad | Partner Gunhild Dugstad’s practice includes mergers and acquisitions, company law and the… | View Profile |
 |
Mr Sondre Dyrland | Dyrland has many years of experience with the oil and gas industry… | View Profile |
 |
Mr Inge Ekker Bartnes | Partner Inge Ekker Bartnes works mainly with mergers and acquisitions, energy law,… | View Profile |
 |
Anne Lise Ellingsen Gryte | Anne Lise Ellingsen Gryte practices corporate and securities law with an emphasis… | View Profile |
 |
Georg Abusdal Engebretsen | Partner Georg Abusdal Engebretsen specialises in assisting Norwegian and international enterprises and… | View Profile |
 |
Mr Jan Fougner | Partner Jan Fougner is a specialist on litigation and employment law and… | View Profile |
 |
Atle Gabrielsen | Partner Atle Gabrielsen works primarily with banking and finance issues. He regularly… | View Profile |
 |
Mr Ståle Gjengset | Partner Ståle Gjengset works mainly with providing legal and strategic advice and… | View Profile |
 |
Mr Morten Goller | Partner Morten Goller works with dispute resolution, including litigation and negotiations, in… | View Profile |
 |
Kristine Hasle | Kristine Hasle is a banking and finance lawyer with particular focus on… | View Profile |
 |
Mr Christian Hauge | Partner Christian Hauge works on the areas of shipping and offshore, with… | View Profile |
 |
Mr Harald Hellebust | Partner Harald Hellebust works mainly with transactions, including purchase and sale of… | View Profile |
 |
Mr Magnus Hellesylt | Partner Magnus Hellesylt has special expertise in litigation and dispute resolution, often… | View Profile |
 |
Mr Stephan L Jervell | Partner Stephan L. Jervell works with litigation, dispute resolution and negotiations, and… | View Profile |
 |
Mr Hans Erik Johnsen | Partner Hans Erik Johnsen’s practice includes intellectual property law, broadcasting/media law, technology… | View Profile |
 |
Mr Jarle Kvam | Partner Jarle Kvam works mainly with company law and stock exchange law,… | View Profile |
 |
Mr Tom Rune Lian | Partner Tom Rune Lian works mainly with real estate, with emphasis on… | View Profile |
 |
Kristian Martin Lind | Kristian M. Lind advises clients operating or having interests in the technology,… | View Profile |
 |
Mr Ronny Lund | Partner Ronny Lund works with contract law in general and construction law… | View Profile |
 |
Mr Simen Mejlænder | Partner Simen Mejlænder’s practice focuses on capital market transactions, general company law… | View Profile |
 |
Ståle O. Meleng | Ståle O. Meleng works primarily with commercial properties, with emphasis on transactions,… | View Profile |
 |
Mr Andreas Mellbye | Partner Andreas Mellbye works mainly with transactions in M&A, Private Equity and… | View Profile |
 |
Mr Thomas G Naalsund | Partner Thomas G Naalsund specialises in dispute resolution and litigation, national and… | View Profile |
 |
Mr Rune Opdahl | Partner Rune Opdahl works mainly with enterprises in the media, technology, e-commerce… | View Profile |
 |
Hans Augun Parmann | Partner Hans Augun Parmann specialises in litigation, dispute resolution and contract law,… | View Profile |
 |
Mr Olav Fr Perland | Partner Olav Fr. Perland works mainly with dispute resolution and providing advisory… | View Profile |
 |
Ingjerd Røynås | Partner Ingjerd Røynås works mainly with mergers and acquisitions and in questions… | View Profile |
 |
Mr Jon Rabben | Jon Rabben assists Norwegian and international clients within the energy sector, and… | View Profile |
 |
Karl Even Rygh | Partner Karl Even Rygh works with shipping and offshore transactions, in particular… | View Profile |
 |
Mr Sverre Sandvik | Partner Sverre Sandvik has extensive experience in advising on stock exchange listings,… | View Profile |
 |
Mr Helge Morten Svarva | Partner Helge M. Svarva has extensive litigation experience from both his time… | View Profile |
 |
Mr Kaare P Sverdrup | Partner Kaare P. Sverdrup works mainly with banking and finance, mortgage and… | View Profile |
 |
Christel Søreide | Partner Christel Søreide has extensive experience within employment law and dispute resolution,… | View Profile |
 |
Mr Kai Thøgersen | Partner Kai Thøgersen has extensive national and international experience with providing corporate… | View Profile |
 |
Ms Kjersti T Trøbråten | Partner Kjersti T. Trøbråten is a specialist on securities law and framework… | View Profile |
 |
Mr Hans Kenneth Viga-Gerhardsen | Partner Hans Kenneth Viga-Gerhardsen works mainly with professional liability, directors’ liability, insurance… | View Profile |
 |
Mr Nicolay Vold | Partner Nicolay Vold works mainly with tax law and company law and… | View Profile |
 |
Ms Tone Østensen | Partner Tone Østensen has extensive experience as an advisor in capital market… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of lawyers : 180Languages
English French German and the Scandinavian languagesMemberships
IBA (International Bar Association) Norwegian Bar AssociationOther
Chair : Kjersti Trøbråten Managing partner : Morten GollerDiversity/Community
Wiersholm | Recruitment, diversity and inclusion
We consider the diversity of our employees to be one of our firm’s most important assets. The unique experiences each person brings to the firm, allow us to better serve our clients. Also, seeing our differences as strengths gives us a better understanding of one another as human beings.
This contributes to our working environment. We have fun together and appreciate spending time with each other in social settings. In October, we even won the “most prestigious trophies of the business”, when both our male and female football-team kicked all contestants off the field in the annual Lawyer’s Cup.
Brief Facts
- 59% of our employees are female and 52% of our associates are female.
- Six of our seven female partners were recruited from within the company. Our lawyers come from 10 different countries, speaking 14 different languages. We have lawyers licensed to practice in the UK, Denmark and Sweden.
Initiatives
- Mino.jur: Wiersholm has a strong collaboration with Mino.jur, a student-run organisation for minorities at the faculty of law. The aim of the organisation is to create networks and contacts among minorities, and contribute to their professional development. We hope the initiative will attract to our company more legal talent that have a minority background.
- Female forum: In March, we invited a select group of Norwegian business women to the first annual female forum. Our aim is to create an informal network where we can discuss current events and developments, and also to be inspired by some amazing women. Keynote speaker in 2017 was Jeanette Dyhre Kvisvik one of Norway’s most exciting entrepreneurs. Together with Alexa Chung, she founded the e-commerce company Villoid.
- Other initiatives: We also participated in the #itshertreat campaign in August, organised by the non-profit organization #shesgotit, addressing unconscious bias and gender stereotypes. We always support and encourage those who make an effort to build a better future.
Wiersholm | Pro Bono and CSR
We acknowledge our duty to the society we are a part of as individuals and all of us together as Wiersholm.
It is the duty of lawyers “to promote justice and to prevent injustice”; this very pledge is an expression of the presence of an inherent social responsibility.
As a business, we base ourselves on paying clients. However, not everyone is able to buy first-rate legal advice. This is why we would like to give something back to organisations in need of our assistance, of which our cooperation with the Norwegian Organisation for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) is a good example. Since 2012, Wiersholm has assisted NOAS in the judicial review of asylum cases and in so doing worked to ensure the legal protection of asylum seekers.
Key figures
- 13 218 hours spent on pro bono work
- 101 lawyers, accounting for
- 55% of the legal staff, have worked on pro bono cases (in the last three years)
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Banking and finance (including shipping finance)
- Capital markets
- Commercial, corporate and M&A
- Construction
- Dispute resolution
- Electricity and renewable energy
- Employment
- EU and competition
- Insurance
- Intellectual property
- Maritime law
- Oil and gas
- Public procurement
- Real estate
- Tax
- TMT