Firm Profile > ADVEL Attorneys at Law > Reykjavik, Iceland
ADVEL Attorneys at Law Offices
SUDURLANDSBRAUT 18
108 REYKJAVIK
Iceland
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ADVEL Attorneys at Law > The Legal 500 Rankings
Employment Tier 1
With a range of domestic and international clients, ADVEL Attorneys at Law handles the full gamut of employment law issues including restructurings and M&A work, settlement agreements, dismissals and the incorporation of foreign companies in Iceland. Led by Óskar Norðmann, the group acts for the government in all major cases it is involved in relating to the legality of strikes and the interpretation of collective agreements. The group also increased its headcount in 2019, with Ragnar Gudmunsson and associate Svanhildur Anna Magnúsdóttir joining from SKR Legal Services.
Practice head(s):
Óskar Norðmann
Key clients
Mannvit hf.
The Icelandic Government
Hatch Technologies
HB Grandi
Hampidjan
Advania
Arion bank
N1
Rio Tinto
City of Reykjavik
Birta pension fund
Primary Healthcare of Reykjavik
Capital District Fire and Rescue
Real estate and construction Tier 1
With a client roster spanning large international and domestic companies, ADVEL Attorneys at Law's practice handles the full spectrum of real estate work including land acquisitions for development projects, financing agreements, arbitration proceedings arising from construction projects, zoning and planning matters and regulatory disputes. Practice head Guðmundur Siemsen, who has notable expertise in PFIs, is highly active across the group's real estate mandates; in a recent highlight, he advised Kolufell on its purchase of plot rights next to the newly constructed Harpa Concert Hall.
Practice head(s):
Guðmundur Siemsen
Testimonials
‘Guðmundur Siemsen has a great holistic understanding of real estate and construction matters. He is also an effective contract writer.’
‘Kristín Hallgrímsson has extensive knowledge and experience in this field.’
Key clients
Mannvit hf.
Silicor Materials
Balcke-Dürr
SPX Corporation
Reitir Real Estate
Kolufell
Arion bank
Mannvit Hungary
Vatnaskil
Klettur
Mannvit Germany
Dispute resolution Tier 2
ADVEL Attorneys at Law has considerable expertise in the insurance sector, where the group defends insurance companies against claims brought by banks relating to D&O contracts. The practice also represents clients in the real estate, telecoms and banking industries in competition law cases and winding-up proceedings. Kristinn Hallgrímsson, who is an expert in corporate law, is head of Supreme Court litigation in the practice, and often acts alongside experienced litigator and practice head Guðmundur Siemsen.
Practice head(s):
Guðmundur Siemsen
Key clients
The Icelandic Government
Atorka Group
Advania Group
SMI ehf.
N1 hf.
Mannvit Engineering
Stræto bs.
Air Atlanta
Vodafone
Askja
EEA and competition Tier 2
ADVEL Attorneys at Law has particular expertise in state aid disputes in the banking sector, which is a key area of strength for practice head Dóra Sif Tynes; Tynes previously worked as a legal officer at the EFTA Surveillance Authority and was head of legal services at the EFTA Secretariat. The group's broader offering includes acting in market manipulation claims and damages claims, and handling merger approvals before the Competition Authority.
Practice head(s):
Dóra Sif Tynes
Key clients
The Icelandic Government
Arion bank
Advania Group
Reitir Real Estate
N1 hf.
Mannvit Engineering
Stræto bs.
City of Reykjavik
Vodafone
Askja
Restructuring and insolvency Tier 2
The restructuring group at ADVEL Attorneys at Law has recently acted in various winding-up and bankruptcy proceedings, where the team represents financial creditors and insolvent companies; it also acts for lenders providing loans to distressed companies. Practice head Guðmundur Siemsen is highly active and demonstrates particular expertise in restructuring work in the aviation and energy sectors.
Practice head(s):
Guðmundur Siemsen
Key clients
Festi
Advania
Festing
Fóðurblandan
Arion bank
Capacent
TMT and IP Tier 2
ADVEL Attorneys at Law's IP practice handles a high volume of trade mark registration applications and disputes for domestic corporates, and represents companies filing and defending injunctions and damages claims. Kristinn Hallgrímsson is a key name in the practice and recently defended Rekstrarfelag 10-11 in a trade mark dispute brought by Íslandsstofa to appropriate the client's trade mark, raising novel questions as to what constitutes a well-known trade mark.
Practice head(s):
Stefan Thor Ingimarsson
Key clients
Kaupfelag Skagfirdinga
Rekstrarfelag 10-11
Advania Group
N1 hf.
HB Grandi hf.
Capretto ehf.
Sena – Entertainment
Polyhudun ehf.
Bayer Corporation
Vatnaskil ehf.
Samhjalp
Lactol ehf.
CoPeerRight Agency
Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 3
The banking, finance and capital markets team at ADVEL Attorneys at Law, which is led by Kristinn Hallgrímsson, handles contentious and transactional matters including loan agreements, debt issuances, refinancing work, regulatory matters and bankruptcy disputes. Recent key work includes Dóra Sif Tynes acting for Arion Bank on its NOK500m bond issuance on the Oslo Stock Exchange; Tynes recently returned to the practice after a period at the European Free Trade Association. Stefan Thor Ingimarsson is singled out for his expertise in domestic and cross-border financing transactions and restructuring agreements; he recently advised a large bank on a high-value foreign bond offering.
Practice head(s):
Kristinn Hallgrímsson
Key clients
Arion Bank
Hampidjan
Advania Group
Reitir Real Estate
N1 hf.
HB Grandi hf.
Oryggismidstodin
Invent Pharma Group
Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 3
ADVEL Attorneys at Law's 'tenacious and dedicated' group recently handled multiple M&A transactions for Icelandic corporates and also assisted with operational matters and commercial agreements. In a recent instruction, Kristinn Hallgrímsson advised N1 on all aspects of its purchase of retail company Festi for ISK38bn, the largest acquisition in 2018 in Iceland; the group also advised the client on its refinancing. Stefan Thor Ingimarsson regularly advises clients on cross-border transactions, refinancing agreements and restructuring procedures.
Practice head(s):
Stefan Thor Ingimarsson
Testimonials
‘Competence and professionalism are two words that come to mind when I think about partner Stefan Thor Ingimarsson.’
Key clients
Arion banki
Hampidjan
Advania Group
Reitir Real Estate
N1 hf.
HB Grandi hf.
Oryggismidstodin
Invent Pharma Group
Askja
ADVEL Attorneys at Law > Firm Profile
The firm: ADVEL Attorneys at Law is a leading Icelandic law firm, providing a full range of legal services for individuals, corporations and institutions alike, both foreign and domestic. The law firm traces its roots back to 1966 to the formation of Logvisi. From the very beginning Logvisi, and later ADVEL, has first and foremost been a corporate and commercial law firm with a strong standing in dispute resolution, providing legal services to several of Iceland’s largest companies, government authorities and pension funds, advising its clientele both locally and abroad. Over the years it has also provided substantial advice to foreign clients seeking business in Iceland.
ADVEL Attorneys at Law has been extensively relied upon during the ongoing financial crisis, with its lawyers advising various financial institutions, companies, local and foreign creditors and official authorities, including the FME. This involves advice on the new emergency legislation, foreign currency restrictions, financial restructuring, redundancies, composition with creditors, sale of assets and advice on insolvency and bankruptcy procedures applicable within the Icelandic jurisdiction.
ADVEL Attorneys at Law has a long history of serving international clients, as well as local clients abroad, pioneered by one of its early founders, attorney Jon Finnsson, who attended both Universität Hamburg and Johan-Wolfgang-Goethe-Universität in Frankfurt am Main. He counselled numerous foreign clients and all of the firm’s major local clients abroad, from 1966 until he retired in 2004. The law firm’s attorneys have maintained this tradition. It currently counts 20 attorneys, with legal education from nine different countries and substantive work and litigation experience in Europe and the US. Its attorneys are proficient in English, German, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish and Spanish. ADVEL takes pride in an exceptionally strong international team and can safely say that it is unmatched by other Icelandic law firms. Through ADVEL’s membership of Globalaw, a leading global law firm network, it is linked to 116 law firms with over 5,000 lawyers, enabling it to provide clients with an international legal resource and providing assistance in cross-border dealings.
Areas of practice: ADVEL Attorneys at Law is one of Iceland’s leading law firms. ADVEL represents many of Iceland’s most prominent companies, public authorities and individuals, as well as having served numerous foreign clients in this time. Its practise currently consists of 20 attorneys, and fundamental clients include N1 (Esso/Exxon), Vodafone, Arion Bank, Advania, HB Grandi, Alfesca, Reykjavik City Hall, local municipal governments, Iceland Seafood International, Mannvit Engineering, Alcoa and Frumherji, to name a few.
Corporate and M&A is one of the firm’s primary practices, based on a decade-long experience, and includes consultation for all its major clients. The firm’s other areas of practice include: banking, finance and tax; dispute resolution; EEA, EU and competition; employment and labour; maritime, aviation and transport; projects and PFI; energy and environmental, restructuring and insolvency; trademarks and intellectual property.
Reference is made to the firm’s online submissions for further work highlights.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banking, finance and tax | Sigurdur V Gudjonsson | ||
| Banking, finance and tax | Sigrun H Johannsdottir | ||
| Banking, finance and tax | Stefan Thor Ingimarsson | ||
| Corporation and commercial | Kristinn Hallgrimsson | ||
| Corporation and commercial | Stefan Thor Ingimarsson | ||
| Corporation and commercial | |||
| M&A | Sigurdur V Gudjonsson | ||
| M&A | Stefan Thor Ingimarsson | ||
| Foreign investments, contracts | Dora Sif Tynes | ||
| Foreign investments, contracts | Stefan Thor Ingimarsson | ||
| EU, EEA and competition | Dora Sif Tynes | ||
| Administrative and local government | Gudmundur Siemsen | ||
| Administrative and local government | Oskar Nordmann | ||
| Bankruptcy, insolvency | Gudmundur Siemsen | ||
| Bankruptcy, insolvency | Kristin Hallgrimsson | ||
| Maritime, aviation and transport | Jon Ogmundsson | ||
| Maritime, aviation and transport | Kristinn Hallgrimsson | ||
| Litigation | Gudmundur Siemsen | ||
| Trade marks, intellectual property | Sigurdur Valgeir Gudjonsson | ||
| Employment and labour | Oskar Nordmann | ||
| Employment and labour | |||
| Energy and environmental | Gudmundur Siemsen |