With offices in Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, Tromsø, Tønsberg, and Ålesund, SANDS is active across the full spectrum of employment issues, from day-to-day HR matters to board-level matters. Espen Johannessen, who oversees the group, regularly counsels employers and public bodies on a varied stream of work, including whistleblowing and collective bargaining. Henning Heitmann is a key practitioner in change processes, whereas Maria Elena Kvalen is an expert in labour law, assisting with downsizing, restructuring, and compliance work.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘SANDS provided outstanding support by being available.'
- ‘In numerous matters, they have repeatedly demonstrated exceptional business acumen, substantial legal expertise, and highly developed negotiation skills. The strategic advice and guidance they provide, when implemented, consistently secure the most favorable outcomes for our organisation. Their ability to integrate a deep understanding of commercial objectives with rigorous legal analysis ensures that every recommendation is both practical and legally sound, making them an invaluable partner in complex transactions and negotiations.’
- ‘Henning Heitmann is an exceptionally skilled and business-oriented advisor with the highest level of integrity. He consistently demonstrates strong strategic acumen, quickly grasping complex issues and organisational structures, and providing clear, actionable advice that directly supports our business goals.’
- ‘The team is highly efficient, consistently providing clear and timely answers to our questions, which allows us to move forward with confidence.’
- ‘Henning Heitmann consistently stands out. What we value most is his efficiency and responsiveness. He comes across as proactive, handling our needs quickly and effectively.’
- ‘The team appears highly professional. I believe it is important to highlight their expertise in HR and collaboration. I have not encountered a more competent labour law attorney at any other law firm.'
Key clients
- I.K. Lykke Drift AS
- Eramet SA
- Bolsønes Verft AS
- Skytanking Holding GmbH
- Fjord1 AS
- Solstad Offshore
- Asplan Viak
- OTB AS
- AS3
- I.K. Lykke Drift AS
- Eramet SA
- Bolsønes Verft AS
Work highlights
Advised Asplan Viak on a major restructuring and redundancy process in Norway.
Advised Skytanking Holding GmbH on ongoing employment law issues relating to its Norwegian operations.
Advised Solstad Offshore on multiple large-scale restructuring and the redundancy processes.
Practice head
Espen Johannessen
Other key lawyers
Henning Heitmann; Maria Elena Kvalen