ADVEL Attorneys at Law > Reykjavik, Iceland > Firm Profile
ADVEL Attorneys at Law Offices
Hafnartorg, 4th fl.
Kalkofnsvegur 2
101 Reykjavik
Iceland
ADVEL Attorneys at Law > The Legal 500 Rankings
Iceland > Tax Tier 1
ADVEL Attorneys at Law has ‘exceptional knowledge’ in a wide range of tax matters relating to VAT and corporate tax, M&A transactions, corporate financings, and restructurings, advising domestic and international clients in all business sectors. The practice is jointly led by Ragnar Guðmundsson and Bjarni Þór Bjarnason, who are recognised as leading tax attorneys; both have extensive experience in company and tax law, M&A, and corporate financing work.Practice head(s):
Ragnar Guðmundsson; Bjarni Þór Bjarnason
Testimonials
‘Exceptional knowledge in domestic tax related matters.’
‘Ragnar Guðmundsson has exceptional knowledge in domestic tax related matters.’
Key clients
Arion Banki
Rapyd Europe hf.
Work highlights
- Advised Vátryggingafélag Íslands on the acquisition of Fossar Investment bank hf.
- Advised the first Icelandic search fund, Leitar Capital, and its investment vehicle, Seek, in connection with the first Icelandic search fund investments.
- Advised atNorth in a landmark dispute with the tax authorities regarding VAT treatment of cross-border services.
Iceland > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 2
ADVEL Attorneys at Law has significant expertise in banking and finance regulation, particularly in EU law and the European System of Financial Supervision. This includes advising Arion Bank on matters related to its funding, client loans, and providing legal counsel across other relevant aspects of its operations. The practice is co-led by Dóra Sif Tynes
, who is a prominent consultant to public institutions and companies on EEA and EU law, and Stefan Þór Ingimarsson, who specialises in both domestic and cross-border company law, corporate governance issues, and insurance work.
Practice head(s):
Stefan Þór Ingimarsson; Dóra Sif Tynes
Testimonials
‘Stefán Þór Ingimarsson is very well-connected in the local market and has a strong presence with the major Icelandic players. He is likeable, swift and a very gifted lawyer always focused on finding the best and most cost efficient solutions for his clients.’
‘Strong team with extensive experience in the field.’
‘Stefán Þór Ingimarsson – strong all round knowledge. Very customer focused. Dóra Sif Tynes – Good international experience. Strong background in EU regulations and directives.’
Key clients
Arion Bank
Hampidjan
VÍS (Iceland Insurance Company)
Work highlights
- Advised Arion Bank on its EMTN programme.
- Advising Arion Bank on its Covered Bond programme.
Iceland > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2
ADVEL Attorneys at Law‘s ‘strong team with extensive experience’ is well-versed within a range of corporate and commercial law matters, as well as M&A deals and debt capital market transactions. Practice leader Stefan Þór Ingimarsson, described as a ‘highly skilled lawyer with extensive experience in M&A and commercial law’, handles local and cross-border transactions, as well as refinancings and reorganisations of Icelandic companies. Dóra Sif Tynes is a leading expert for public institutions and companies on EEA and EU law, utilising her extensive litigation experience, while Bjarni Þór Bjarnason focuses on company law, M&A, and corporate financings. Practice head(s):
Stefán Þór Ingimarsson
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘My dealings have been with Stefan Þór Ingimarsson who has coordinated work we have done together. The firm is full-service and offers an excellent service.’
‘Strong team with extensive experience.’
‘Stefán Þór Ingimarsson is an excellent corporate lawyer, great to deal with, calm, knowledgeable and always available.’
‘They are well-focused and respond in a timely fashion.’
‘Stefán Þór Ingimarsson is a highly skilled lawyer with extensive experience in M&A and commercial law, including cross-border deals. He is known for his quick responses and constant availability, making him a reliable and dependable professional. Clients appreciate his dedication and prompt attention to their needs.’
‘Stefán Þór Ingimarsson is knowledgeable, approachable and responsible.’
Key clients
Advania Group
VÍS (Iceland Insurance Company)
Klappir Green Solutions
Nasdaq CSD Iceland
Hampidjan
Work highlights
- Advised Arion Bank’s local counsel in arranging the bank’s EMNT and Covered Bonds programmes.
Iceland > Dispute resolution Tier 2
Iceland > EEA and competition Tier 2
ADVEL Attorneys at Law has extensive knowledge of EEA issues, competition law, and state aid work, handling matters before the Icelandic Competition Authority, Icelandic courts, and the EFTA Surveillance Authority. Practice leader Dóra Sif Tynes assists public institutions and companies with EEA and EU law mandates and brings extensive litigation experience from the Community Courts and the EFTA Court. Hrafnhildur Kristinsdóttir rejoined the practice in 2024 following a seven-year tenure at the EFTA Surveillance Authority in Brussels. She has extensive expertise in European and administrative law, public procurements, and judicial procedures.
Practice head(s):
Dóra Sif Tynes
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Arion Bank
The Icelandic Government
Vodafone
Work highlights
- Advised Sýn hf. (Vodafone Iceland) in a case regarding a complaint to the EFTA Surveillance Authority related to alleged illegal state aid to FARICE for the rollout of the IRIS submarine cable.
- Advised Arion bank in a case concerning action for damages related to breach of competition law in the field of payment services.
- Advised Sýn hf. (Vodafone Iceland) in the negotiations of a cooperation agreement with Viaplay Sweden.
Iceland > Employment Tier 2
ADVEL Attorneys at Law provides advice to foreign corporate groups with interests in Iceland, and offers immigration law services to large-scale industries. The firm also assists listed companies with compliance with employment law. Practice leader Stefan Þór Ingimarsson specialises in company law and corporate governance, with expertise in refinancing and reorganising Icelandic companies.Practice head(s):
Stefán Þór Ingimarsson
Key clients
The Icelandic Government
atNorth
Hampidjan
Advania
Arion bank
Work highlights
- Advised Brim hf. on a number of cases before the District Court in Reykjavik as well as the Court of Appeal concerning the legal status of fishermen.
Iceland > Real estate and construction Tier 2
ADVEL Attorneys at Law offers comprehensive legal support to major domestic and international clients across real estate, project development and construction mandates; dispute resolution involving landmarks, natural resources, and geothermal energy; as well as tendering, public procurement, and project management issues. Practice leader Guðmundur Siemsen has notable experience in the field, specialising in real estate law and all related aspects such as landmarks, contractor issues, planning work, and construction law.Practice head(s):
Guðmundur Siemsen
Key clients
Arion bank
Reitir Real Estate
Kolufell
Work highlights
- Advised Festi hf. on its forest carbon offset project to reduce the carbon footprint for the entire company group and purchase of land in Iceland which will be used for this project.
- Advising the at North group in relation to various aspects of project which relates to building and establishing data centre facilities.
Iceland > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 2
Iceland > TMT and IP Tier 3
Led by Stefan Þór Ingimarsson, ADVEL Attorneys at Law manages a broad spectrum of intellectual property matters, including the structuring and negotiation of cross-border agreements involving sensitive IP rights such as trade marks, copyrights and patents. The practice also handles IP registrations and infringement cases, including those in the technological sector.Practice head(s):
Stefan Þór Ingimarsson
Key clients
Advania Group
atNorth Group
Rekstrarfelag 10-11
RV Unique Aps
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 15 attorneys, with legal education from several different countries and substantive work and litigation experience in Europe and the US. Its attorneys are proficient in English, German, Italian, 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 15 attorneys, and fundamental clients include Festi, Vodafone, Arion Bank, Advania, Hampidjan, Reykjavik City Hall, local municipal governments, atNorth, 50 Skills 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 | Bjarni Thor Bjarnason | ||
| Banking, finance and tax | Dora Sif Tynes | ||
| Banking, finance and tax | Stefan Thor Ingimarsson | ||
| Corporation and commercial | Bjarni Thor Bjarnason | ||
| Corporation and commercial | Ragnar Gudmundsson | ||
| Corporation and commercial | Dora Sif Tynes | ||
| Corporation and commercial | Stefan Thor Ingimarsson | ||
| M&A | Bjarni Thor Bjarnason | ||
| M&A | Ragnar Gudmundsson | ||
| 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 | Arni Freyr Arnason | ||
| Bankruptcy, insolvency | Gudmundur Siemsen | ||
| Bankruptcy, insolvency | Ragnar Gudmundsson | ||
| Maritime, aviation and transport | Gudmundur Siemsen | ||
| Litigation | Arni Freyr Arnason | ||
| Litigation | Gudmundur Siemsen | ||
| Trade marks, intellectual property | Arni Freyr Arnason | ||
| Employment and labour | Gudmundur Siemsen | ||
| Energy and environmental | Gudmundur Siemsen |
Lawyer Profiles
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Mr Gudmundur Siemsen | Mr. Siemsen has extensive experience in litigation, in particular disputes concerning landmarks, planning… | View Profile |
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Mr Stefan Þór Ingimarsson | Mr. Ingimarsson holds an LL.M. In International Economic and Business law from… | View Profile |
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Ms Dora Sif Tynes | Ms Tynes is an expert in the field of EU and EEA Law… | View Profile |
Solicitor Profiles
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Mr Bjarni Þór Bjarnason | Practise areas Company law, Tax law, Mergers and Acquisitions, Corporate finance, Contract… | View Profile |
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Mr Ragnar Guðmundsson | Practise areas Tax Law, Corporate Law and Corporate Consultancy, Mergers and Acquisitions… | View Profile |
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Mr Stefan Thor Ingimarsson | Mr. Ingimarsson holds an LL.M. In International Economic and Business law from… | View Profile |