Merilampi Attorneys Ltd > Helsinki, Finland > Firm Profile
Merilampi Attorneys Ltd Offices
KESKUSKATU 7
00100 HELSINKI
Finland
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Merilampi Attorneys Ltd > The Legal 500 Rankings
Finland > Dispute resolution Tier 2
Merilampi Attorneys Ltd handles a variety of contentious assignments including commercial litigation, domestic and international arbitration proceedings, white-collar defence issues, and insolvency related work. The firm has recently seen an increase in liability cases, most notably product liability and environmental liability claims, with shareholder disputes also an area of activity for the group. Jussi Ikonen has over 20 years experience and specialises in commercial litigation and arbitration proceedings at a domestic and global level. Heidi Merikalla-Teir regularly acts as an arbitrator and mediator.Practice head(s):
Jussi Ikonen
Other key lawyers:
Heidi Merikalla-Teir; Tiina Järvinen
Testimonials
‘Effective and clear advice combined with easy accessible lawyers with detailed knowledge about complex subject matters.’
‘Tiina Järvinen was highly effective.’
‘Good, solid traditional law firm.’
‘Jussi Ikonen provides timely and insightful advice.’
‘They have very good knowledge and experts in areas like mergers and acquisitions.’
‘They take an active role.’
Key clients
Elisa Corporation
Lassila & Tikanoja Plc
Skanska Oy
Fujitsu Finland Oy
Municipality of Sysmä
Saxdor Yachts Oy
Finansiel Stabilitet SOV
Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority HSY
Work highlights
- Representing Fujitsu Finland Oy in a contractual dispute involving several thousands of items of IT equipment where the city of Espoo has presented claims for breach of contract amounting to almost €5m plus penalty interest.
- Acting for HSY in risk management relating to the biggest investment project in its history, the new wastewater treatment plant being built in Espoo’s Blominmäki bedrock.
- Representing the municipality of Sysmä in a dispute involving a land lease agreement and the zoning of the leased area
Finland > Employment Tier 2
Merilampi Attorneys Ltd has experience in assisting company management with consultation processes and reorganisations of company operations and also provides guidance related to termination processes as well as separation packages. Group head Heidi Hiltunen acts for domestic and multinational corporations on a variety of employment law issues and represents their interests in litigation; she has also been involved in matters involving equal treatment of employees, harassment claims and European Works Council issues. Jussi Koivu has key experience in cross-border issues and has also been involved in handling employee matters in connection with cross-border mergers.Practice head(s):
Heidi Hiltunen
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Excellent legal knowledge and customer-orientated approach. The practice has a very structured, client-friendly approach.’
‘Heidi Hiltunen, partner, specialises in employment law. Heidi is highly professional. She quickly understands the essence of the client’s problem or issue and thus understands the real needs. She is super-prompt in responding, gives well-argued and concrete advice. She explains even complex and difficult things in such a way that they are easy to understand. Heidi is easily approachable and always nice to work with.’
‘Exceptional understanding of the customer’s business, exceptional legal intuition, cost-efficient.’
‘Heidi Hiltunen is among the best employment lawyers in Finland.’
‘Great law firm around with very competent people. Easy to work with and very good response time.’
‘Jussi Koivu is an excellent communicator, has strong market knowledge and is able to manoeuvre difficult situations and find pragmatic solutions.’
‘Our long partnership with Heidi Hiltunen has enabled us to navigate difficult HR situations with provided expertise’
Key clients
Microsoft
Canon Oy
Citibank International plc sivuliike Suomessa
Aviator Airport Services Finland Oy
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken (SEB)
Pihlajalinna Oyj
FSHS Finnish Student Health Service
Troll Productions Oy
Work highlights
- Assisted Pihlajalinna Oyj on its subsidiary’s (Pihlajalinna Terveys Ltd) acquisition of the entire share capital of Pohjola Hospital Ltd from its previous owner Pohjola Insurance Ltd.
- Provided general employment law related advice to SEB Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken.
Finland > EU and competition Tier 2
Merilampi Attorneys Ltd’s competition and EU practice group is well known for its work in merger control, cartel and abuse of dominant position mandates and follow-on damages claims as well as public procurement processes. The team represents a diverse client roster including international and domestic companies. Erkko Ruohoniemi leads the department and has significant experience in merger control, abuse of dominant position and cartel mandates.Practice head(s):
Erkko Ruohoniemi
Other key lawyers:
Tetti Kunnas
Testimonials
‘Merilampi was an excellent partner for our M&A process. Merilampi personnel are very professional and cooperation during the process was fluent and flexible. We also reached all targets for the process.’
‘All the team members in the EU and competition practice are very service minded, persistent and definitely very professional. The team is working seamlessly together and the responsible partner is always on top of the things. One of the biggest strengths of the team is the fast response time and ability to take control of things quickly.’
‘Merilampi is able to combine their capabilities in competition practice and deep understanding of the contracts between us and our stakeholder network.’
Key clients
Pihlajalinna Corporation
Skanska Ltd
Posti Group Corporation
Elisa Corporation
Sweco AB/Sweco Finland Ltd
Finncont Group
Transbox Ltd
Suominen Corporation
FinnHEMS Ltd
Savonlinja Group
Skoda Transtech
Isku Interior Ltd
Securitas Ltd
Work highlights
- Represented Pihlajalinna Terveys Ltd, part of Pihlajalinna Group, when it acquired the entire share capital of Pohjola Hospital Ltd from Pohjola Insurance Ltd. The FCCA unconditionally approved the transaction in Phase II after a thorough investigation.
- Represented the shareholders of Finncont Group Ltd in a merger control process before the FCCA in the sale of Finncont’s majority shareholding to Sponsor Capital.
- Represented 71 Finnish electricity distribution system operators in a joint appeal against the Finnish Energy Authority’s decision to revise the regulatory framework in the middle of a regulatory period.
Finland > Real estate and construction Tier 2
Merilampi Attorneys Ltd is prominent in real estate transactions within Finland, with a steady flow of construction mandates including EPCM deals and complex industrial projects. Clients that regularly instruct the group include real estate funds, construction and real estate development companies, and insurers. Tommi Elo focuses on numerous domestic and cross-border real estate transactions.Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The leading office concerning construction matters, both small and big ones.’
‘Very good knowledge of construction and legal issues.’
Key clients
YIT Construction Ltd
Skanska
Hartela
Keva
Elo Mutual Pension Insurance Company
Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Company
Union Investment Real Estate GMBH
Nyfosa Finland Oy
Schroder Nordic Real Estate Fund
Citycon
Aberdeen Standard Investment
Niam
Sweco Group
Ylva
Avara
Pirkanmaa Hospital District
City of Vantaa, VTK Kiinteistöt Ltd
OP Real Estate Asset Management Ltd
Are Ltd
Senate Properties
Defence Properties Finland
Aberdeen Standard Investment
Helsinki Region Environmental Services HSY
Work highlights
- Advised Keva in its €400m acquisition of Stockmann’s department store property in the very centre of CBD Helsinki from Stockmann plc.
- Represented City of Espoo in a sale and lease back transaction with LähiTapiola Yhteiskuntakiinteistöt Suomi Ky regarding the Espoo Hospital.
- Counselled the Pirkanmaa Hospital District on procurement law and construction contracts concerning its large modernisation programme of the Tampere University Hospital.
Finland > Banking and finance Tier 3
Merilampi Attorneys Ltd has notable strength in real estate finance work, and particularly excels in acting for borrower clients. The firm is also engaged in a number of assignments from fintech companies, including alternative financings. Department head Tommi Elo provides regulatory advice and has been involved in numerous domestic and cross-border financing transactions. Ari Keinänen stands out for his work in corporate and real estate transactions.Practice head(s):
Tommi Elo
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Citibank
Nordea Bank
Aberdeen Property Funds
Schroder Property Funds
Suominen Corporation
Posti Corporation
Kesko Corporation
Koskisen
Work highlights
- Advised Koskisen Oy on its financing of an investment in a production facility by financing facilities provided by a syndicate led by OP.
Finland > Intellectual property Tier 3
Merilampi Attorneys Ltd provides a good range of IP services including handling marketing issues, regulatory advice and data protection matters, with clients spanning healthcare, real estate and domestic companies. Mika Pakarinen is experienced in entertainment, media and marketing law and acts in arbitration and litigation proceedings, and Tetti Kunnas is noted for her knowledge of IP, IT, technology and competition law.Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Excellent IP department: High skilled and great experience in the defence of IP rights owners.’
‘Pro active service, quick response.’
‘The team is developing nicely into a Finnish powerhouse for IP.’
Key clients
Burberry
DS Smith
Daniel Wellington
Swedish Tourism Association
Pihlajalinna
Suominen
The Finnish National Rescue Association
STERIS Finn-Aqua
Fizza Oy
Fenix Outdoor
Betolar
The Centre for Occupational Safety
Neural DSP Technologies Oy
Work highlights
- Setting up a technology licensing scheme for a Finnish technology company Betolar Oyj.
Finland > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 4
Merilampi Attorneys Ltd handles complex transactions for both domestic and international clients spanning publicly listed companies and private corporations. Antti Kahri has substantial experience in domestic and international mergers and acquisitions and private equity transactions. Olli Nikitin handles domestic and international matters spanning corporate law, public and private M&A and complex commercial agreements.Practice head(s):
Antti Kahri
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team is reliable, competent, available and agile. The services include all business law disciplines relevant for our company, and we can rely on the necessary expertise flexibly on a case-by-case basis.’
‘Long term insight and commitment to client work. Deep knowledge of our company’s business and current matters. Strong customer orientation and service mindedness. Olli Nikitin’s roles as the secretary to the board of directors, and wide range of legal services he offers, makes him a trustworthy partner for continued co-operation.’
‘Olli Nikitin knows our company and industry extremely well which adds a lot of value.’
Key clients
Škoda Transportation Group
Pihlajalinna Plc
Suominen Corporation
Atlantic Bridge
Elisa Corporation
Posti Corporation
Neste Corporation
Kesko Corporation
Fortum Corporation
Sweco AB
Total Specific Solutions
Epredia Inc.
Koskisen Group
Asfalttikallio Oy
Work highlights
- Advised Pihlajalinna on its acquisition of Pohjola Hospital from Pohjola Insurance.
- Advised a total of nine Nasdaq Helsinki listed companies on annual general meetings held during 2022.
- Assisted US-based private equity company Great Hill Partners on a transaction where Finnish Leadfeeder and German Echobot merged.
Merilampi Attorneys Ltd > Firm Profile
The firm: Merilampi is one of the leading Finnish business law firms. Merilampi is particularly known for work in mergers and acquisitions and dispute resolution, but the services also cover the entire spectrum of demanding business law, ranging from competition and EU law, employment and labour law, real estate and construction law to assignments related to technology and intellectual property. Many of its clients are major international corporations and listed Finnish companies. The firm is regularly involved in high-profile M&A, real estate, competition law and dispute resolution cases.
Main areas of practice
Transactions and finance: In M&A, the firm represented, among others (1) Pihlajalinna Plc in a Mehiläinen Yhtiöt Oy public cash tender offer for all shares in Pihlajalinna Plc (transaction value approximately MEUR 362), (2) Sweco Finland Oy in its acquisition of Optiplan Oy from NCC Group, (3) Posti Group Corporation in its sale of Posti Kotipalvelut Oy to Stella Care Oy and (4) Total Specific Solutions in its acquisition of Futunio Oy.
A great deal of the banking and finance work undertaken by the firm was made in relation to real estate market, including both property acquisition financing and refinancing transactions. Clients in that sector included, among others, Mercada and Aberdeen Standard Real Estate Funds. During the year, the firm also experienced increase in demand for regulatory advice especially by foreign financial institutions operating in the Finnish market.
During the past year, Merilampi completed a substantial number of real estate transactions. Among others, the firm advised the following clients in their major transactions: Aberdeen, Barings Real Estate Advisers GmbH, Elo Mutual Pension Insurance, Nordea Life Assurance and Schroders Real Estate Funds.
Dispute resolution: In the field of dispute resolution, Merilampi has top assignments from all relevant areas: commercial litigation, arbitration (both domestic and international), ADR, white-collar defence and insolvency related advice. The firm’s lawyers are constantly active in a number of arbitration and mediation cases, both as counsel and arbitrators/mediators.
Merilampi continues to represent clients in a wide variety of industries and areas of substantive law. Lately, there has been a notable increase especially in the firm’s caseload in complex construction and engineering disputes. The firm’s lawyers have recently been very active also in different types of liability cases (such as product liability, environmental liability, board of directors’ or auditor’s liability).
During the past year, the DR team has advised, among others, Fujitsu Finland Oy in its complex contract dispute with the City of Espoo. The team also regularly represents Lassila & Tikanoja plc in controversial matters with their subcontractors, employees and other stakeholders. They also represent one of the big-four auditing companies in many of its high-profile liability cases.
Competition and EU: The firm’s competition experts have recently been busy with merger proceedings before the competition authorities. For example, Merilampi represented Pihlajalinna Plc in the merger control proceedings before the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority and the Market Court in Mehiläinen Yhtiöt Oy/Pihlajalinna Plc case. Merilampi has also continuously advised Sweco AB and its subsidiaries in various competition matters relating to Sweco’s acquisitions taking place in markets for sustainable development and design.
In addition, the firm regularly represents high profile companies in public procurement cases as well as cases related to abuse of dominant position as well as distribution systems and e-commerce. Another example of Merilampi’s versatile competition expertise is the successful representation of telecom company Elisa Corporation in yet another access pricing case against the Finnish telecom regulator Traficom in the Supreme Administrative Court.
Real estate and construction: Merilampi’s real estate and construction practice is one of the advisors in the forefront of advising in the most prominent real estate developments and construction endeavours in the market. The expertise of the team is utilised by private and public sector property owners, developers, contractors, financiers and consultants in a variety of assignments, both contentious and non-contentious, in the construction and real estate field.
The team has a steady flow of mandates particularly concerning complex infrastructure and engineering projects, and a strong specialisation in design and build and construction management contracts. During the past year, some of the most notable references include advising YIT Finland and Meridiam SAS in their successful bid for the first social infrastructure PPP in Finland, assisting several hospital districts and social and health care authorities in the largest hospital build projects in Finland, and several litigation and arbitration proceedings relating to construction and engineering endeavours.
Employment and labour law: Merilampi’s employment team is one of the most experienced in the industry. They are involved in building new and restructuring old organisations, creating and amending working rules and contracts of employment as well as supporting company management with employment related questions and challenging situations. They represent clients in civil and criminal cases relating to employment and assist in cooperation negotiations.
During the past year, the team has advised, among others, Microsoft on a regular basis in both national and global HR-issues, University of Helsinki on several significant court cases and Posti Ltd in the Supreme Administrative Court related to decisions of the Administrative Court and the Regional State Administrative Agency.
Technology, IT and data privacy: Merilampi’s technology and IT law specialised practice is experienced in handling technology and IT law related contentious and non-contentious assignments with high quality. The team routinely assists clients in a variety of contractual arrangement related to the exploitation and distribution of technology, such as licensing and distribution agreements. In addition, the team routinely advises clients in matters of software and IT service development, sales, licensing, distribution and maintenance. Their expertise also covers data privacy questions.
Intellectual property and media: Merilampi’s intellectual property and media practice manages assignments from protection and commercialisation of IP to regulatory questions and dispute resolution in complex IP matters. The IP team assists among others the Nordic luxury brand Daniel Wellington and the iconic Burberry brand in the defence of their valuable copyright and trademark portfolios. Furthermore, they represented a major German automotive company in Finland’s largest anti-counterfeiting litigation as well as the packaging giant DS Smith, medical equipment company Steris Finn-Aqua, the Finnish National Rescue Association and the Swedish Tourist Association.
The IP practice works in close co-operation with outside patent attorneys to bring added technical insight into patent and utility model enforcement and in creating insightful employee invention processes. Merilampi’s team also has extensive experience in the field of media and entertainment law.
Product compliance and product liability: Merilampi’s product compliance and product liability practice advises companies manufacturing, importing and distributing products in a wide variety of issues and obligations stemming from EU’s and national legislation. Recently the team has been particularly busy with appeal proceedings before the relevant authorities as well as court proceedings in product safety matters, in which Merilampi team represented, for example, known international luxury accessory manufacturers as well as vehicle manufacturers. The team also regularly assist clients in product recalls.
Tax: Merilampi’s tax team has more than four decades of experience and diverse expertise in different areas of tax law. During 2022 and 2023, Merilampi has assisted its corporate clients relating to M&A related tax assignments such as structuring, due diligence projects and also advised in VAT and transfer pricing related issues. In addition to serving corporate clients, Merilampi has advised private persons in personal tax audit processes and preparing their wills from the optimal tax point of view and assisted in tax controversy projects.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Heidi Merikalla-Teir | heidi.merikalla-teir@merilampi.com | +358 40 750 6106 | |
Jussi Ikonen | jussi.ikonen@merilampi.com | +358 40 097 8281 |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Sakari Aalto | Sakari Aalto advises domestic and international clients in technology and IPR-transactions. He… | View Profile | |
Tommi Elo | Tommi Elo focuses on banking and finance, real estate and securities transactions… | View Profile | |
Jussi Ikonen | Jussi Ikonen has vast experience in the legal field. Jussi specialises in… | View Profile | |
Tiina Järvinen | Tiina Järvinen specialises in commercial litigation and arbitration. She has acted as… | View Profile | |
Antti Kahri | Antti Kahri specialises in domestic and international mergers and acquisitions and private… | View Profile | |
Antti Karanko | Antti Karanko specialises in arbitration, commercial litigation and mediation. Antti has successfully… | View Profile | |
Ari Keinänen | Ari Keinänen is one of our most experienced attorneys specialised in corporate… | View Profile | |
Jussi Koivu | Jussi Koivu is an expert in employment and labour law. He has… | View Profile | |
Jukka Laitasalo | Jukka Laitasalo is one of the founding partners of our 1992 establised… | View Profile | |
Annika Luhtanen | Annika Luhtanen has years of experience as a legal advisor to clients… | View Profile | |
Heidi Merikalla-Teir | Heidi is the Managing Partner of Merilampi. Heidi has extensive experience in… | View Profile | |
Olli Nikitin | Olli Nikitin assists our clients in corporate law and M&A and real… | View Profile | |
Mika Pakarinen | Mika Pakarinen specialises in domestic and international mergers and acquisitions and in… | View Profile | |
Erkko Ruohoniemi | Erkko Ruohoniemi specialises in competition law related cases, such as merger control… | View Profile | |
Heidi Savolainen (née Hiltunen) | Heidi Hiltunen specialises in employment law. She counsels domestic and multinational corporations… | View Profile | |
Veli Siitonen | Veli Siitonen is specialised in company and securities law as well as… | View Profile | |
William Sjöberg | William Sjöberg provides advice to our domestic and international clients across various… | View Profile | |
Sami Tuominen | Sami Tuominen assists both domestic and international clients in tax related matters.… | View Profile |