Waselius & Wist > Helsinki, Finland > Firm Profile

Waselius & Wist > The Legal 500 Rankings

Finland > Banking and finance Tier 2

Waselius & Wist is a ‘go-to’ practice for advising multinational credit institutions on major inbound transactions into Finland. Its work includes unsecured and secured financings, acquisition and structured finance work, and securitisation and major aviation finance projects. Team leader Timo Lehtimäki focuses primarily on cross-border transactions for private equity houses and international banks, and is noted for his work on asset-based lending matters, bond issuances and financing transactions. Specialist partner Maria Lehtimäki deals with cross-border financings and structured finance work in regards to distressed investments, while finance, regulatory, and fintech practice head Olli Kiuru is a key contact regarding fund structuring and restructuring matters.

Finland > Tax Tier 2

Waselius & Wist provides ‘very pragmatic and efficient tax advice‘ to its clients encompassing transactions, structuring issues and tax litigation. Managing partner and practice co-head Niklas Thibblin ‘stands out‘ for his work on cross-border tax matters, including compliance issues and acquisition structurings, while co-head Jouni Weckström is a tax litigation specialist, covering VAT-related litigation and transfer pricing claims.

Finland > Capital markets Tier 3

Waselius & Wist assists international asset managers with inbound transactions into Finland, as well as advising on regulatory matters connected to securities, alternative investment funds and derivatives. Practice co-heads Maria Lehtimäki and Timo Lehtimäki are both highly experienced in advising on capital markets transactions and regulatory matters. Olli Kiuru is also a key name to note.

Finland > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 3

Waselius & Wist focuses on both domestic and international transactions, as well as the sale, purchase and financing of companies. The team is also experienced in handling mergers, takeovers, venture capital issues and management buy-outs for international clients, and is noted for its work on distressed M&A transactions. Co-head Christoffer Waselius focuses on complex cross-border M&A mandates, especially in the infrastructure sector; Fredrik Lassenius  handles complex M&A transactions for technology companies, private equity houses and corporates. Corporate specialist Olli Kiuru and contract expert Åsa Krook also contribute to the practice.

Finland > Employment Tier 3

Waselius & Wist advises multinational corporations on business developments in Finland, with particular expertise in day-to-day employment advice and employment litigation. Founding partner Jan Waselius  is an expert in employment disputes and arbitrations, while Jouni Kautto  covers the employment elements of corporate transactions.

Finland > EU and competition Tier 3

Waselius & Wist advises UK, US and Chinese clients on Finnish abuse of dominance issues, state aid work and public procurement matters; it is particularly strong in multi-jurisdictional merger control mandates. Practice head Lotta Pohjanpalo focuses on public procurement and regulatory matters, as well as acting  for clients before the FCCA, Market Court and Supreme Administrative Court.

Finland > Intellectual property Tier 3

Waselius & Wist focuses primarily on copyright, trade mark, patent, trade name and trade secret enforcement and defence work, with specialist expertise in assisting clients accused of IP rights infringements. It is often involved in cases before the Finnish Market Court acting on behalf of clients in the pharmaceuticals and gaming sectors. Practice co-head Bernt Juthström is particularly experienced in advising on the misuse of trade secrets, while co-head Åsa Krook deals with strategic IP management work and complex franchising arrangements.

Finland > Dispute resolution Tier 4

Waselius & Wist focuses on commercial litigation and arbitration matters, ranging from IP claims and tax litigation to post-M&A disputes. Senior partner and founding member Jan Waselius specialises in dispute resolution and arbitration work, while Bernt Juthström is known for IP and IT-related disputes. Christoffer Waselius covers commercial disputes, bankruptcy and restructuring petitions, and ad hoc and institutional arbitrations.