Avance‘s finance team has strong capabilities across acquisition finance, real estate finance, and debt finance transactions. Sari Wallgren has a stellar track record advising on complex secured financings, representing both lenders and borrowers. Tytti Laajanen has recently been active on sustainability-linked financings and refinancings. Donya Baya is singled out for her ’extraordinary’ quality of work, assisting the team with a broad range of banking mandates. Another stand-out individual is Essi Paavolainen, who has particular expertise advising on the borrower side of deals.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘The essential strengths of the team are its flexibility, efficiency and dedication. As a client, we appreciate a long-term relationship built with the team. Due to this advantage, their lawyers understand the client´s financial structure and history very well, and it makes the collaboration very easy.’
- ‘Sari Wallgren has excellent knowledge and a long-standing experience on banking and finance transactions. A long-term client relationship is very much appreciated. ’
- ‘Avance's quality of work is extraordinary; they listen to the client's needs, ask exactly the right questions and when we receive drafts from them, there is very little to tweak. They are also excellent at coming up with creative solutions to complex issues. Their availability is also very good, and when a project is ongoing, you can set up calls on very short notice and do not have to rely on only email correspondence, which helps projects to move along and which is very helpful in this fast-paced environment. ’
- ‘Tytti Laajanen has an extensive background from the bank sector, and it really shows. She understands the client and asks exactly the right questions, and she has also been excellent at coming up with creative solutions to complex structures. Donya Baya's quality of work is extraordinary; she is able to produce work of very high quality in a very short time, even when the matter at hand may be quite complex.’
- ‘Dedicated team with proactive approach and attention to deadlines.’
- ‘Sari Wallgren is a very experienced and knowledgeable lawyer.’
Key clients
- A. Ahlström Oy and A. Ahlström Kiinteistöt Oy
- Adelis Equity Partners
- Alma Media Oyj
- Alma Property Partners
- Altor Funds
- Barings Real Estate
- CapMan Infra
- Cobbleyard Real Estate
- Elenia Verkko Oyj
- Helsingin Lyyra Ky
- IQM
- Keskisuomalainen Oyj
Work highlights
Advised OP Corporate Bank as coordinator, sustainability coordinator, agent, mandated lead arranger and bookrunner, as well as a syndicate of eight banks, on Metsäliitto Cooperative’s EUR 200 million sustainability-linked revolving credit facility.
Advised OP Corporate Bank as coordinator, sustainability coordinator and agent, as well as a syndicate of five banks, on Posti Group’s EUR 150 million sustainability-linked revolving credit facility.
Advised Lumme Palvelukiinteistöt (jointly owned by Alma Property Partners and senior members of the operating team) on secured financing arrangements related to the acquisition of a care property portfolio from Hoivarakentajat.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Sari Wallgren
Other key lawyers
Tytti Laajanen; Donya Baya; Essi Paavolainen