Noted for its ‘combination of deep legal expertise, strategic thinking, and pragmatic approach to risk’, SANDS is well positioned to assist clients with the full cycle of procurement matters, ranging from design to management of disputes. Co-head Åshild Fløisand is a key advisor on matters within the construction and technology sectors, as well as being active in contentious procurement matters before the civil courts and KOFA. Fellow co-head Kjersti Holum Karlstrøm is a name of note for procurement litigation, and acts in Supreme Court cases. Eirik Vikan Rise regularly handles injunctions and damages claims, while Lars Sørensen lends his broad knowledge to suppliers and contracting authorities.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Strong in their professional skills, quickly understand the issues, know the industry, and are also good at human issues.’
- ‘Kjersti Holum Karlstrøm, Mia O. Mannsverk and Lars Sørensen - all three are very pleasant to work with. In cases where I have made mistakes, they give honest feedback about it. However, they are not judgmental, but rather solution-oriented. They let me express my opinions even when they are better equipped to assess the issues.’
- ‘The team stands out as an exceptionally strong practice within public procurement. What makes them unique is their combination of deep legal expertise, strategic thinking, and pragmatic approach to risk. They provide clear, well-balanced advice with the right risk profile, enabling clients to make informed decisions with confidence.’
- ‘We primarily work with Åshild Fløisand and Eirik Vikan Rise, and together they form what we would describe as our dream team within public procurement.’
- ‘Good team with high practical skills and competence.’
- ‘Kjersti Holum Karlstrøm is an expert in her field and has impressed us with her knowledge, accessibility and professionalism. A trusted advisor in all inquiries related to public procurement.’
Key clients
- Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries
- Ministry of Defence
- Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet)
- The Research Council of Norway (NorgesForskningsråd)
- The Norwegian food research institute NOFIMA
- Innovation Norway
- Helse Stavanger HF (health trust)
- Helse Bergen HF (health trust)
- BIR AS
- BIR Infrastruktur AS
- BIR Ressurs AS
- Perpetuum Miljø AS (part of the Perpetuum Group)
Work highlights
Represented Consto Anlegg Nord AS in a public procurement case before the Supreme Court of Norway.
Advising Helse Stavanger HF on all procurement and dispute resolution matters relating to the €1.2bn New Stavanger University Hospital.
Appointed by the Norwegian Ministry of Defence to the official committee drafting new national legislation for defence and security procurements.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Åshild Fløisand; Kjersti Holum Karlstrøm
Other key lawyers
Eirik Vikan Rise; Lars Sørensen; Mia O. Mannsverk