HPP Attorneys > Helsinki, Finland > Firm Profile

HPP Attorneys
BULEVARDI 1A
00100 HELSINKI
Finland

Finland > Maritime and transport Tier 1

Reputed for its depth of expertise in large-scale projects, HPP Attorneys‘ full-service logistics practice covers a variety of contentious and non-contentious maritime and transport matters. The team frequently assists clients with maritime insurance issues and trade sanctions, transport disputes and maritime contracts. Experienced practice head Nora Gahmberg-Hisinger and Matti Komonen have ‘in-depth knowledge and experience of the transport and logistics sector’, with extensive expertise in maritime and transport law, insurance issues and disputes, where the pair ‘stand out as experienced litigators’.

Practice head(s):

Nora Gahmberg-Hisinger

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘In-depth knowledge and experience of the transport and logistics sector.’

‘Nora Gahmberg-Hisinger is well connected, her knowledge and versatile experience are both convincing and impressive.’

‘Nora Gahmberg-Hisinger – always there when we need her.’

‘Nora Gahmberg-Hisinger’s expertise in maritime law stands out and she is very pleasant to work with.’

‘Experience not only within maritime law but also transport law. Practical insights and adaptive attitude.’

‘Nora Gahmberg-Hissinger is an easily approachable person with a high level of expertise. Due to her background, she can also take practical matters into account in advance.’

‘HPP Attorneys has an experienced maritime and transport team.’

‘Partners Matti Komonen and Nora Gahmberg-Hisinger stand out as experienced litigators. They are knowledgeable and efficient.’

Key clients

Neste plc

Transflot Ltd

Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency

Metsä Group

Bore

Work highlights

  • Representing a public entity in a claim for damages against a cruise ship operator when one of its vessel’s crashed into a pier damaging the port facilities.
  • Advised a shipping company on the delivery process of new eco class hybrid ro-ro vessels.
  • Advising a dry bulk cargo carrier on claiming the freight payment in a charterparty dispute relating to Russian trade sanctions.

Finland > Real estate and construction Tier 1

Advising on real estate developments and large real estate transactions, HPP Attorneys has broad expertise, covering all aspects of real estate and construction work. The team benefits from close cooperation with the firm's environmental practice on matters relating to land use, permitting and planning. The group also frequently assists domestic and international real estate investment companies, development companies and real estate advisory businesses. Team co-head Kari Marttinen excels in environmental law, while fellow co-head Jari Tuomala has vast experience in developments, construction projects, and the sale and purchase of real estate property. Leif Laitinen specialises cross-border real estate transactions.

Practice head(s):

Kari Marttinen; Jari Tuomala

Other key lawyers:

Leif Laitinen; Ilona Syrjälä

Testimonials

‘Jari Tuomala is a legend, he has an incredible ability to fix complicated situations with non-professional counterparts, that is why we like him so much. There are several people in the business who have the same knowledge or even better, but none of them are like Jari.’

‘They are flexible in scoping assignments to cater to the needs of the client. Can work with small project teams which makes communication easier. Easy and straight forward to communicate with and are very responsive.’

‘Leif Laitinen is highly experienced. He is an efficient and likable negotiator who likes to stick to the things that matter for the client.’

‘We have had a long-term co-operation with Jari Tuomala and Leif Laitinen. They have advised us in a very satisfactory manner in various property transactions and development matters. We have been able to close numerous transactions with an efficient and cost-effective process.’

‘Ilona Syrjälä is a great example of the next generation of lawyers, professional, kind, funny and down to earth.’

‘Real estate partner Leif Laitinen organises his team efficiently and makes everybody comfortable with the tasks at hand. Communication is very clear and efficient.’

‘Jari Tuomala has has great negations skills. Holistic understanding of the process and client needs.’

Key clients

Tristan Capital Partners LLP

Catella Asset Management Oy

Altaal AB

WasaGroup Oy

Cobbleyard Real Estate Oy

Erikoissijoitusrahasto Evli Logistiikkakiinteistöt

Yleisradio Pension Fund

DEAS Asset Management

Senate Properties

Real Estate Venture Capital Management LLP (Revcap)

EAB Value Added Fund III Ky

Nyfosa AB

Nordika Fastigheter AB

Cibus Nordic Real Estate AB

Taaleri Plc

Pontos Group

Aktiivihallit Ky (Limited Partnership)

Veritas Pension Insurance Company

Avant Capital Partners

Serena Properties AB

Projekti GH Oy

Samhällsbyggnadsbolaget i Norden AB

Elite Finland Added Value Fund II Ky

Elite Alfred Berg Vuokratuotto Erikoisijoitusrahasto

Auratum Real Estate

LUHTA-Kiinteistöt Oy

Grand Residence Development Oy

Work highlights

  • Advised Altaal AB and Avant Capital Partners Oy on the acquisition of an office property which is located in Aviapolis, Vantaa near Helsinki-Vantaa Airport and Aviapolis train station.
  • Advised Senate Properties as the seller on a property development project in the historical site Uudenmaan kasarmi located in Kruunuhaka, Helsinki.
  • Advised Tristan Capital Partners LLP and Catella Asset Management Oy on the sale and lease back arrangements on two industrial and logistics properties.

Finland > TMT Tier 1

HPP Attorneys’s technology department offers the full range of advice on TMT matters, including sector-related contract drafting, such as licensing technologies, technology development and deployment and major outsourcing agreements, as well as on disputes in the field of telecoms and mobile communications. Areas of expertise include data protection, data security and AI. Co-head Kari-Matti Lehti has a wealth of experience in outsourcing, and privacy as well as data protection law, both on a national and international level, working with clients active within the communications and IT sectors, and co-head Pekka Raatikainen is recognised for his IT disputes practice.

Practice head(s):

Kari-Matti Lehti; Pekka Raatikainen

Testimonials

‘Our experience was very positive. We will certainly continue to use HPP for future needs in Finland.’

‘Excellent understanding of the TMT field and market practice.’

‘They have the capability to understand client needs. Excellent understanding of various negotiating situations and capability to adapt various negotiation styles to changing situations without losing control and parties’ trust.’

Key clients

CGI

HiQ Finland Oy

Liikennevirta Oy

Sympa Oy

Esri Finland Oy

Foreca Oy

Mortgage Society of Finland

Finnish Medicine Verification Organisation

Scalinx

Work highlights

  • Advised an IT service provider in the outsourcing of Finnish bank’s IT services, including the development and maintenance of 150 mission-critical applications.
  • Advised one of the largest Finnish financial sector entities in their acquisition of new business critical software solution and related services from international software vendor.
  • Advised one of the largest Finnish unemployment funds in their acquisition of new business critical software solution and related services.

Finland > Banking and finance Tier 2

With a focus on project financing issues, especially regarding the construction and development of wind farms, and mandates in the green energy and infrastructure sectors, HPP Attorneys advises on a range of finance arrangements and distressed cases. Antti Rintakoski focuses on lender mandates and has extensive experience in domestic and cross-border finance and debt capital markets transactions, and specialises in real estate, project and leveraged financings, high-yield bond issuances, and investment grade lending. Björn Nykvist and Teija Lius are key names for project finance mandates.

Practice head(s):

Antti Rintakoski

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘HPP’s Banking and Finance practice offers personal and comprehensive collaboration, where many years of cooperation gives the trust needed to let HPP drive processes seemingly independently. The comprehensive knowledge and experience of the team members means that the client can feel secure that its best interests are taken care of.’

‘The partners comprehensive knowledge and capability to drive a process leads to minimising unnecessary administrative work at the client end.’

‘Collaboration work with HPP’s banking and finance team has always been very convenient. The team truly understands its clients’ needs.’

‘Three key factors we have valued: Expertise, experience and problem-solving capability in matters.’

Key clients

European Investment Bank

Aktiivitilat AM Oy

Samhällsbyggnadsbolaget i Norden AB

Aquila Capital

Danske Finance Ltd

Municipality Finance

Collector Bank AB

Taaleri Plc

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB

Joh. Berenberg, Gossler & Co. KG

Teollisen yhteistyön rahasto Oy (Finnfund)

Work highlights

  • Advised Finnfund (a Finnish development financier and impact investor) on its participation in a $135m financing package, arranged by Asian Development Bank, for VINFAST, related to manufacturing of Vietnam’s first fully electric public transport bus fleet and first national electric vehicle charging network.
  • Advised AB Sagax on a €99m bank financing arrangement for the purpose of refinancing the existing real estate investments.
  • Advised eQ’s residential fund (Oivat Kaupunkikodit Ky) on a financing arrangement with a contractor and two banks for the purpose of financing a construction project.

Finland > EU and competition Tier 2

Well known for its experience in antitrust matters, including cartel litigation and administrative proceedings before the National Competition Authority, the Finnish Market Court and the Finnish Supreme Administrative Court, HPP Attorneys’ EU and competition practice regularly advises clients on high-profile competition-related EU regulatory processes. The team is led by Tuomas Saraste, Anna Roubier and Jouni Alanen; Saraste acts as counsel on merger control, abuse of dominant market position and cartel processes, while Roubier is an expert in antitrust issues and product regulatory laws, and Alanen’s practice covers public procurement mandates.

Practice head(s):

Tuomas Saraste; Anna Roubier; Jouni Alanen

Testimonials

‘Excellent know-how, flexible and client-oriented way of working. Also good collaboration between other practices.’

‘Tuomas Saraste is a top-class professional in this field with excellent expertise and an approach that helps the client to reach the best possible outcome.’

‘Anna Roubier is a client focused and easy to approach professional with a high attention to quality work and details.’

‘Good substance and professional competencies.’

‘Tuomas Saraste is brilliant leader in the team. Great understanding of business logic driving the issues.’

Key clients

Metsä Group

Finavia

Beretta Holding

Wihuri

Stellex Capital Management

The Simply Blue Group

NCC

CGI

Caverion

Stark Suomi

Oy M-Filter Ab

Pohjan Voima Oy

Euromaster (part of Michelin Group)

Eltel Group/Eltel Networks

Finland > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 3

HPP Attorneys' corporate and M&A department has been involved in deep tech and green transition investments, renewable energy and infrastructure transactions, tech-related M&A and growth investments. The team, which is ‘known for providing outstanding and prompt service to clients’, is jointly led by Antti Säiläkivi, who focuses on corporate, M&A and private equity fund work, and Andrew Cotton, who is particularly focused on cross-border M&A deals, advising foreign private equity clients on investments into Finland.

Practice head(s):

Antti Säiläkivi; Andrew Cotton

Other key lawyers:

Björn Nykvist

Testimonials

‘The individuals at HPP truly stand out for several exceptional qualities that set them apart from their competitors. Their commitment to excellence and the qualities we have valued in them include exceptional service, market expertise and specialised expertise.’

‘HPP’s team is known for providing an outstanding and prompt service to clients. Their responsiveness and dedication to meeting clients’ needs are qualities that make them stand out in the legal field.’

‘One of the standout qualities of HPP is their exceptional understanding of the market, which is particularly noteworthy in the legal aspects of the energy sector. Their deep knowledge of legislation and regulations in this field is unparalleled.’

‘Specific standout partners and associates at HPP bring a high level of specialised expertise to the table. Their in-depth knowledge of renewable energy, including wind and solar power, allows them to provide tailored advice that addresses the unique challenges and opportunities in these sectors.’

‘The team is very skilled and has high capacity.’

‘Björn Nykvist is very experienced and well-connected.’

‘Andrew Cotton is very easy to work with. He is trained in both English and Finnish Law and knows how to easily explain any concept specific to local law.’

‘The approach of Antti Säiläkivi to any and all corporate legal matters is outstanding. Antti and his team can handle all of our legal questions effectively and quickly. Antti Säiläkivi is the go-to corporate legal guy. His experience, capabilities and understanding of our business are simply magnificent. No issue goes unsolved, and we can count on premium delivery – makes your life easy.’

Key clients

Commerz Real AG

Cube Infrastructure Managers

Terrafame Group Limited

Aquila Capital GmbH

Total Energies Plc

Kempower Plc

Stellex Capital Management LLC

Lone Star Fund

OGCI Climate Investments LLP

Finnish Mineral Group

Work highlights

  • Advised French green hydrogen producer Lhyfe on its investment into Flexens Oy Ab, its first transaction in Finland.
  • Advised TotalEnergies on its acquisition of a 20% stake in Ductor.
  • Advised the sellers of Dutch company Vitavanti Group B.V. on the sale of all the company’s shares to Digital Care Solutions Oy and management rollover.

Finland > Dispute resolution Tier 3

With ‘outstanding knowledge in all areas of dispute resolution’, HPP Attorneys‘ practice assists with settlement negotiations, handles litigation and arbitral proceedings as counsel and arbitrator, and acts as counsel in mediation proceedings. The department frequently acts in maritime, transport, environment and energy related disputes. Marko Wainio has a focus on commercial dispute resolution and Mikko Leppä's practice covers court and arbitration proceedings; the pair jointly lead the team. In January 2023, the ‘exceptional’ Tatu Jaarinen was promoted to the partnership.

Practice head(s):

Mikko Leppä; Marko Wainio

Other key lawyers:

Tatu Jaarinen; Anna-Maria Svinhuvud

Testimonials

‘Outstanding knowledge in all areas of dispute resolution.’

‘Tatu Jaarinen, newly elected partner, is an exceptional lawyer. Tatu is very focused, analytical, honest and easy to trust.’

‘Mikko Leppä is by far the most professional dispute lawyer we  have been working with, very easy to get along with. Together with his associate Anna-Maria Svinhuvud, they also were exceptionally skilled in communicating even the most difficult details in a way that clients fully understood them.’

‘Great dispute resolution team. Great to work with.’

‘Marko Wainio is simply great and a nice person to work with. Hands on. Very analytical, systematic, efficient and pragmatic.’

‘Trust, trust, trust. They deliver and you can 100% trust them.’

‘With HPP’s dispute resolution team I never have to feel like I’m working with an unwieldy organisation. Instead, their key individuals can always be reached directly and I can discuss with a person who is on top of our case.’

Key clients

Metsä Group

Neste plc

NCC Industry Ltd.

The Finnish Transport Agency

CGI Finland Ltd

NYAB Oyj

Amiko Oy

Collector Bank AB

Phillip Morris

Turun Vesihuolto Oy

Pohjolan Rakennus Oy

GreenHorizon Renewables a.s.

Autotalo Järvi Oy

Järvileasing Oy

Reima Oy

RemaSawco Oy

Work highlights

  • Acting successfully as counsel to NYAB in a complex dispute against the bankruptcy estate of a Finnish construction company relating to the validity of certain corporate decisions.
  • Acting successfully as counsel to Lähde & Co Oy against a well-known Finnish Hollywood actor.
  • Acting successfully as counsel to NYAB against the bankruptcy estate of a Finnish construction company in a case relating to the recovery of assets.

Finland > Employment Tier 3

HPP Attorneys‘ employment department handles issues arising from the full life cycle of employment relationships, receiving mandates from Finnish and international corporations across various industry sectors. Henna Kinnunen leads the team and provides advice on employment contracts, terminations, employment litigation and employer operation reorganisations; she also has particular interest in occupational health and safety matters.

Practice head(s):

Henna Kinnunen

Other key lawyers:

Visaperttu Vasala

Testimonials

‘Henna Kinnunen is very responsive and easy to approach. She has wide knowledge.’

‘Excellent service, attentive. Knows our business thoroughly.’

‘We have been mainly dealing with Visaperttu Vasala, whose expertise in the field of employment law has been of great value to our organisation. He is easy to reach and provides high-quality legal services in a timely manner.’

‘Henna Kinnunen provides fast and to-the-point advice without extra hassle.’

Key clients

Terrafame Group Limited

Finnish Minerals Group

Caverion Industria (a subsidiary of Caverion Corporation)

EG A/S

Asfalttikallio Oy

Master Builders Solutions Finland Oy

Work highlights

  • Successfully represented a leading technology solution provider in a high-profile dismissal case.
  • Successfully represented a leading IT company in a dispute relating to allegations according to which the employer had been unlawfully paying too low salary to the employee for years and discriminating against the employee.
  • Acting for a company operating in the environmental management industry in criminal proceedings in which several employees belonging to the company management are being suspected of industrial accident offences relating to an industrial accident where an employee died.

Finland > Tax Tier 3

HPP Attorneys' tax practice has a strong focus on transactional tax work, especially relating to the environmental and green energy spaces. The group has recently been involved in tax due diligence and structuring work, VAT tax disputes, and reorganisations. The group is led by Jaako Klemettilä, who is well regarded for his ‘knowledge of local Finnish tax matters’ and specialises in M&A tax, general corporate tax, incentive schemes, group reorganisations and international tax work.

Practice head(s):

Jaakko Klemettilä

Testimonials

‘Fast and reliable.’

‘Jaakko Klemettila’s knowledge of local Finnish tax matters is impressive and his advice has been instrumental.’

‘The level of local tax knowledge and service have been outstanding. The level of advice we have received was of very high quality. The communication has been very good and the team has always made themselves available if any sudden questions and queries arose.’

Key clients

Commerz Real AG

VSB Group

Bob W

Work highlights

  • Advised Commerz Real AG on its acquisitions of Finnish windmill parks.

Finland > Intellectual property

HPP Attorneys formed a new IP in 2024 practice with the new arrival of Henrik af Ursin in January, who is ‘among the top Scandinavian lawyers’ and previously led the IP team at Merilampi Attorneys Ltd.

The firm: HPP Attorneys, established in 1975, is a full-service business law firm.

The firm has particularly strong experience in its core specialisms of M&A, competition, banking, finance and insolvency, environment, real estate and construction and dispute resolution with a particular focus on renewable energy, mining, IT and technology, intellectual property,  transport and logistics and financial sectors.

Areas of practice
Corporate and M&A: the firm has more than 30 years’ experience in both domestic and cross-border transactions. Its M&A experts constantly participate in major transactions. The firm’s services cover all issues related to mergers, acquisitions and other corporate arrangements. The firm offers specialised teams of exceptionally experienced experts for due diligence reviews.

Competition and EU: the firm offers services with an emphasis on efficient resolution of all competition-related issues. The firm carries out assignments in particular in the media, telecommunications, IT, logistics, energy and pharmaceutical sectors.

Banking and finance: the firm’s banking, finance and insolvency team has extensive experience in all kinds of financing arrangements, in particular corporate lending, acquisition finance and sale and lease back and leasing arrangements. The firm is widely known for its high standard and extensive expertise in the reorganisation of companies and insolvency law.

Dispute resolution: the firm’s specialists represent Finnish and foreign clients in domestic and international commercial litigation and arbitration. A number of the firm’s partners regularly act as mediators and arbitrators.

Environment, real estate and construction: the firm’s environment, real estate and construction team has the most extensive experience and resources as providers of legal services in matters related to environment and nature protection, real estate and construction, energy and natural resources as well as infrastructure.

The firm regularly advises in environmental permit application proceedings and environmental liability issues, in major infrastructure and construction projects as well as in mining and renewable energy projects. Further, we advise on a regular basis in real estate transactions and development projects. The firm’s clientele comprise of national and multinational energy companies, environmental consulting companies, national and multinational mining companies and waste management companies as well as companies in the metal, construction, real estate investment and development and chemical industries.

Maritime and transportation: the firm is ranked as the leading Finnish law firm in shipping and transport law. The firm has broad and extensive experience in various kinds of maritime, transport, shipbuilding, insurance and tort-related cases, as well as related issues of international trade. Its expertise covers all elements of the logistics chain across all the transport modes: sea, road, rail and air.

IT and telecoms: the firm’s IT and telecoms work ranges from advising major international technology companies on their Finnish operations to assisting tech start-ups bringing new technologies to market. The firm is particularly experienced in advising on data protection and data security issues.

Employment: the employment law practice provides expertise in employment law in connection with questions relating to national, as well as cross-border business restructurings. The expertise of the practice covers areas such as employment law due diligence reviews, advising on questions relating to employment law in connection with transfers of business and other corporate restructurings, for example outsourcings. The employment law practice advises clients independently in all questions relating to various fields of employment law covering employment and director contracts, dismissals, terminating employment and service relationships by mutual agreement, non-competition and non-disclosure agreements, incentives, questions relating to annual leave and working hours, co-operative negotiations, and data protection issues, as well as occupational safety issues. In employment disputes, the firm surveys with the with client preconditions for settlements in order to secure the client’s best interest and undisturbed business operations.

Tax: the tax team provides domestic and international clients across a range of industry sectors with extensive assistance on taxation issues arising from transactions, business operations or tax dispute matters. The firm provides tax advisory both as part of HPP’s multidisciplinary teams handling major transactions or complex disputes, as well as discrete tax assignments. The firm’s goal is to provide solution-oriented tax advice by focusing on a clear understanding of clients¹ businesses. It assists clients in identifying the key taxation issues in their business and evaluating the tax consequences comprehensively and as a pre-emptive measure before any adverse consequences arise. In order to do this, it conducts a careful analysis of the different aspects of the client’s business or transaction structure.

The firm also defends clients’ interests if they are faced with tax disputes.If required, the firm will seek solutions to taxation issues in co-operation with the tax authorities. Its goal is to ensure a high-quality and truly solution-oriented dialogue between its clients and the tax authority.

Intellectual Property: The IP team  possess a deep expertise in managing various facets of intellectual property (IP) law. HPP’s combination of specialized legal knowledge and industry-specific insight equips HPP to handle an array of IP-related matters effectively. The attorneys are experienced in navigating complex issues ranging from IP identification and acquisition along the supply chain to the enforcement and litigation of patents, designs, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. The team excels in trademark and design prosecution, protection, valuation, and portfolio management.

HPP’s Intellectual practice is also well-versed in tackling the challenges of anti-counterfeiting and addressing parallel import-related issues through strategic enforcement.  The team also coordinates multi-jurisdictional IP enforcement and litigation, showcasing our capability to handle cases with an international perspective.

Department Name Email Telephone
Corporate and M&A Markku Mäkinen
Corporate and M&A Björn Nykvist
Corporate and M&A Andrew Cotton
Dispute resolution Mikko Leppä
Competition and EU Tuomas Saraste
Banking and finance Antti Rintakoski
Environment, real estate and construction Kari Marttinen
Environment, real estate and construction Jari Tuomala
Environment, real estate and construction Tarja Pirinen
Energy and infrastructure Markku Mäkinen
Energy and infrastructure Kari Marttinen
Maritime and transport Nora Gahmberg-Hisinger
IT and technology Kari-Matti Lehti
IT and technology Pekka Raatikainen
Employment Henna Wiklund (née Kinnunen)
Tax Marko Koski
Tax Jaakko Klemettilä
Banking and Finance Teija Lius
Dispute Resolution Tatu Jaarinen
Competition and EU Anna Roubier
Environment, real estate and construction Leif Laitinen
Corporate and M&A Marius Af Schultén
Corporate and M&A Antti Säiläkivi
Intellectual Property Henrik Af Ursin
Number of lawyers : 75
English
French
German
Russian
Swedish
Contacts : Kari Marttinen
Contacts : Markku Mäkinen
Contacts : Björn Nykvist