Castrén & Snellman represents clients across the majority of industries, with a wide-ranging IP practice that covers trademark, copyright and design prosecution, brand clearances, strategy, and IP portfolio management and audits. The team has seen an increase in contentious matters, dealing with a variety of work concerning IP enforcement, trade secret litigation, and disputes involving false advertising and claims of unfair competition. Sakari Salonen leads the IP practice, representing life sciences and research and development companies in patent licensing and litigation cases. Hanna Paloheimo is well versed in advising pharmaceutical companies, while Nina Mikander, head of the IP prosecution team, focuses on contentious IP proceedings, including opposition and cancellation actions before the Finish Patent Office and EUIPO. Another key name is Kim Parviainen, who advises clients in the technology sector.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘There are no unnecessary questions once it has been agreed how things will be handled. All the IP matters will be handled with great expertise.’
- ‘Nina Mikander is very professional in all IP-related matters. Working with her goes very smoothly because she is so devoted to handling the client's requests. She can ask the right questions if some information is missing and understands the client's industry deeply. You can trust what she does 100%.’
Key clients
- BMW AG
- Boehringer Ingelheim
- Crocs, Inc.
- DNA Plc
- Merck KGaA and Merck Oy
- Onses Finland Oy
- OP Financial Group
- Patria Group
- Valio Ltd
- Wärtsilä Corporation
- Arctic Biomaterials Ltd
Work highlights
Represented BMW in a long-running dispute over whether the spare rims sold by the defendant and the hub caps included in them infringed BMW’s trademark and design rights.
Represented Google in all its day-to-day legal matters in Finland, including IP advisory, trademark enforcement, customs seizures, and copyright and marketing law matters, as well as data privacy and technology-related work.
Represented Onses Finland Oy before the Finnish Market Court in an extensive dispute concerning alleged trademark infringement and unfair business practice.
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.
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
Sakari Salonen; Nina Mikander; Hanna Paloheimo
Other key lawyers
Kim Parviainen