Avance‘s wide-ranging competition practice encompasses merger control, antitrust, foreign direct investments (FDI), public procurement and regulatory matters across the Finnish market. The team regularly represents health and social care, energy, telecoms, building technology, construction, banking, and IT companies before the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA). Practice head Katja Jaakkola frequently assists clients with securing FDI approvals and foreign subsidies-related matters, with established experience in merger filings in the health care sector. Laura Kauppila handles merger control investigations by the FCCA, while Asko Lindqvist is well equipped to handle complex merger control, cartel, and dominance cases.
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.
- ‘Their people understand our business with an excellent client-driven attitude.’
- ‘Asko Lindqvist is very knowledgeable and takes ownership of our matters. Any area of law I need help on, I go to him and even if not in his area, he ensures I get timely, quality, precise, concise and value-oriented advice.'
- ‘Katja Jaakkola is great. Effective, cooperative and a pleasant person.'
- 'Katja Jaakkola knows regulatory matters well. She has our warmest recommendation.'
Key clients
- CVC Capital Partners
- Mehiläinen
- Alma Media
- CapMan
- If P&C Insurance
- Summa Equity
- Altor Equity Partners
- Keskisuomalainen
- KKR
- Telia Company
- Accountor Software
- Hiab (previously Cargotec)
Work highlights
Advised Telia Company on the divestment of its TV and media business, including the TV4 brand in Sweden and the MTV brand in Finland, to Schibsted Media on a cash and debt-free basis.
Advised Cargotec Corporation (now Hiab Corporation) on the sale of the MacGregor business area to funds managed by Triton, for an enterprise value of EUR 480 million, to support Hiab’s future growth.
Advised CVC Capital Partners and its portfolio company Mehiläinen on a transaction in which international private equity firm Hellman & Friedman joined CVC as a significant investor in Mehiläinen.
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Katja Jaakkola
Other key lawyers
Laura Kauppila; Asko Lindqvist