Avance‘s IP and technology team provides clients across the gaming, entertainment, and movie industry with strategic and regulatory advice, handling both transactions and contentious matters. Practice co-head Sonja Heiskala specialises in technology transactions, and licensing and IP disputes in various industries. Co-head Kati Rantala, who joined the team from Eversheds Asianajotoimisto Oy / Eversheds Attorneys Ltd (a member of Eversheds Sutherland) in May 2025, is particularly experienced in trademark law.
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.
- ‘Avance's team is agile, solution-oriented and has great personnel to act upon assignments.’
- ‘Sonja Heiskala is a standout attorney who has a great ability to understand a client's business and who diligently pursues the client's best interests, and she will ensure that the legal issues related to an assignment are identified and appropriately managed and handled.’
Key clients
- Hostaway Oy
- Paptic Oy
- Alma Media Oyj
- Freska Group Oy
- IQM Finland Oy
- Alltvex Oy
- Investcorp Holdings B.S.C.
- Frendy Oy
- Adelis Equity Partners
- Triton Equity Partners
- Amer Sports Oy
- Plugit Finland Oy
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.
Advised Alma Media on the acquisition of Edilex Lakitieto Oy from Edita Group Plc.
Advised VIA equity on its strategic partnership with Saarni Cloud.
Lawyers
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
Sonja Heiskala; Kati Rantala