Team size: eight

Can you briefly explain how the legal team is structured, highlighting key individuals and their role within the department?

Coop Norge is one of the top enterprises in Norway, with a turnover of NOK 58 bn in 2020. It is responsible for Coop’s procurement, wholesale and logistics operations, brand management and membership programme. It owns an extensive portfolio of real estate holdings and investments. Coop operates more than 1300 physical grocery and hardware stores in Norway, employing more than 28 000 employees. Coop is not a public listed company; instead, it is owned by Norwegian consumers— 2 million customers have membership in one of the 66 Coop-cooperatives in Norway, half of the Norwegian population.

The group’s legal function is led by the commercially minded general counsel Knut Kjøsnes who, through his leading role, is responsible for all aspects of the legal affairs of Coop Norge, navigating unchartered legal terrain within a wide range of complex matters. He receives excellent assistance from the other six lawyers in the team. Although the legal function is relatively small compared to Coop’s revenue and market position, it has proved to be highly efficient and able to deal with all legal matters without heavy reliance on external attorneys. Knut Kjøsnes believes this is due to him adopting a flat organisational structure and recruiting experienced lawyers from top-tier law firms with a proven track record.

Along with Mr Kjøsnes, the knowledgeable Herman Jorkjend focuses on Coop’s law matters and financial and legal aspects, advising on several projects, including the development of Coopay – a ground-breaking application for payments and identification. The excellent Kristin Hungnes handles the corporate governance and all legal tasks of the industry and logistics area. Hungnes has developed and implemented a solid governance structure for the division and assisted in several transactions and projects, such as the establishment of new manufactories, the acquisition of shares in industry players, and the establishment of joint ventures and the extension of Coop logistic warehouse — including recent work for it to become energy positive — one of the largest warehouses in Norway, and among Europe’s most automated and modern warehouse facilities. The highly skilled Catharina Bartnes advises the Coop’s retail core business, including anti-trust, marketing, and contract law. She is also representative in the Norwegian Council, dealing with unfair marketing practices and infringement complaints between Norwegian corporations. Specialist counsel Jan Sandtrø is a highly regarded market leader in technology and GDPR.

As a cooperative owned by its members and a champion for sharing economy, Coop continues to recruit outstanding lawyers. Recent joiners are the well-reputed lawyer Gro Hauge from DLA Piper, focusing on Coop’s real estate affairs, and the experienced commercial contracts, corporate and M&A lawyer Jan Martin Rostveit from Schjødt, each of them have become a vital member of the team, adding high value to the business.

Knut Kjøsnes
General counsel
Coop Norge