Wikborg Rein ranking 2007-2009 in Legal 500
| 30. juni 2009“Wikborg Rein’s traditional shipping business has promoted an international outlook and the full-service firm now has offices in Oslo, Bergen, London, Singapore and Shanghai.”
RANKING LEGAL500 EMEA 2007-2009
“Wikborg Rein’s traditional shipping business has promoted an international outlook and the full-service firm now has offices in Oslo, Bergen, London, Singapore and Shanghai.”
Banking and finance (including Shipping finance)
2007;
Wikborg Rein's 18-lawyer banking group is led by Peter Frølich. In 2006 Johan Rasmussen assisted Svenska Handelsbanken and a syndicate to establish a NOK6bn revolving facility for a private investment company and Bernhard Haukali acted for Nordea Bank Norge and other lenders to support a shipbuilding programme for Solvang.
2008;
Wikborg Rein’s 18-lawyer group is praised for ‘excellent performance and commercial skill’. Johan Rasmussen is assisting a syndicate led by Nordea Bank as arranger and agent in a $1bn financing of Awilco. Bernhard Haukali is dealing with the banking syndicates financing the new shipbuilding programme for Color Line. Clients include Deutsche Bank, DnB NOR and Fortis Bank. Wikborg Rein also deals with capital market borrowing, securitisation and other finance matters, including regulation.
2009;
Wikborg Rein’s strength in shipping and offshore finance is second to none, and the firm is well equipped to deal with the security and credit recovery instructions which will undoubtedly flow from the downturn in the shipping market. Recent instructions include, for Nordea Bank Finland, the financing of eight new car carrier constructions in China. Bernhard Haukali in Oslo and Chee Chuen Yee in Singapore, led the transaction. Johan Rasmussen acted for DnB NOR on the financing of the Ocean Rig group. In domestic corporate finance instructions the team acted for the bank syndicate in a €500m refinancing for a major Norwegian media conglomerate.
Corporate and M&A
2007;
Susanne Munch Thore heads Wikborg Rein's excellent corporate group of 14 partners and 20 associates. Former Orkla in-house counsel Lars-Kaspar Andersen was appointed partner during 2006. Ketil E Bøe and Arne Didrik Kjørnes are widely respected as skilled and experienced corporate lawyers and, amongst the younger partners, Sigurd Opedal is rapidly building a strong client following. In a busy year the firm handled rig-owners Prosafe's acquisition of Swedish target Consafe and TeliaSonera's acquisition of broadband provider NextGenTel.
2008;
Susanne Munch Thore heads Wikborg Rein’s corporate group, which continues to impress. On the transactional side, Haakon Blaauw assisted Nammo in the acquisition of Talley Defence Systems. Ketil Bøe and Arne Didrik Kjørnæs are widely respected as skilled and experienced corporate lawyers and, amongst the younger partners, Sigurd Opedal is recommended for regulatory matters.
2009;
Restructuring and insolvency specialist Leif Petter Madsen has taken over from capital markets expert Susanne Munch Thore as head of the Wikborg Rein corporate group. John Rein recently assisted Primelead Limited in the public offer on Ocean Rig. Bergen-based Haakon Blaauw’s has broad experience in restructuring work. The practice’s leading position in the shipping and offshore sector is reflected in its corporate work. Marius Gisvold and Ketil Bøe have both represented such clients as Aker Yards, SEB Enskilda, and private equity funds in divestments and acquisition. Also recommended are Arne Didrik Kjørnæs and, for regulatory matters, Sigurd Opedal.
Dispute resolution
2007;
Wikborg Rein's litigation group, with nearly 20 Supreme Court Advocates, includes Oslo-based Per Ristvedt, who specialises in real estate and corporate law. In Bergen, labour law specialist Dag Steinfeld heads the group. Dag Mjaaland/Morten Goller successfully represented a major European gas buyer against Statoil in an arbitration of a price review in a gas agreement; the award against the seller/Statoil was made in April 2006.
2008;
Wikborg Rein’s Sven Eriksrud has been representing Tractebel in a construction dispute totalling NOK2.5bn over the delivery of an LNG Plant to Statoil at Melkøya in Hammerfest. The court case ended in September 2007 after over a year in court; judgment is expected in the autumn of 2008. Other members of the group, which has nearly 20 Supreme Court attorneys, include Per Ristvedt, who is handling various arbitration cases for Gjensidige, and Dag Steinfeld, a labour law specialist.
2009;
Wikborg Rein’s Per Ristvedt, an insurance expert, succeeded in the Supreme Court on behalf of Ace Insurance in a precedent case as to whether an insurance company may independently pursue a claim covered on behalf of the insured party. Sven Eriksrud represented Suez Group subsidiary Tractebel in a construction dispute which, after over a year in court, was settled for some NOK1m. The heavyweight dispute team excels at maritime claims and is also strong in competition, company, labour and construction law. Dag Steinfeld and Trond Eilertsen are recommended.
Electricity, nuclear and renewables
2007;
Wikborg Rein represents the Dutch interests in ongoing discussions with Statkraft and Statnett about a power cable between Norway and the Netherlands.
2008;
Wikborg Rein acts as international counsel to Statkraft Norfund Power Invest, one of the world’s largest developers of independent hydroelectric projects; a current instruction relates to a $380m cross-border financing in the Philippines.
2009;
Wikborg Rein’s Jon Rabben advises widely within the hydropower and renewable energy sector. The firm is acting as counsel to Statkraft Norfund Power Invest, the independent hydro-electric projects developer. Kelly Malone acted for the Biofuels Energy integrated ethanol/sugar mill development in Brazil.
EU and competition
2007;
Wikborg Rein's broad competition and EU practice prospers. Morten Goller is recommended for public procurement and competition matters. Jonas Myhre represented Tomra Systems in allegations of abuse of dominant position by the European Commission.
2008;
Wikborg Rein’s Morten Goller, highly recommended for public procurement and competition matters, has been joined by Mads Magnussen, former legal director of the Norwegian Competition Authority. Recent instructions include assistance to Odjfell Group in connection with cartel allegations made by the European Commission, and representation of Lemminkäinen Norge in a cartel case brought by the Public Prosecutor for Economic Crimes.
2009;
Wikborg Rein’s Morten Goller, is recommended for public procurement and competition matters as is the former legal director of the Norwegian Competition Authority Mads Magnussen. The team supports the corporate group in M&A work and advises in anti-competitive agreement disclosure, licensing and state aid. The firm’s clients include corporates Odjfell Group and Lemminkäinen Norge, as well as public bodies including Helse Øst RHF and the Norwegian state railway company, NSB.
Employment
2007;
Wikborg Rein's Tom Knudsen is well supported by associate Tore Lerheim. The firm's clients include national railway company NSB, Odfjell Drilling and Travel Retail Norway. Wikborg Rein provides a broad business-orientated practice although, in an exception to the rule, Dag Steinfeld recently advised a naval officer facing dismissal for alleged financial irregularities.
2008;
Wikborg Rein’s Dag Steinfeld leads the labour law team whose clients include national railway company NSB, Odfjell Drilling and Travel Retail Norway. Wikborg Rein provides a broad business-orientated practice, although, in an exception to the rule, recently advised a naval officer facing dismissal for alleged financial irregularities.
2009;
Wikborg Rein’s Bergen-based Dag Steinfeld has wide experience of major downsizing operations and, although generally advising on the employer side, also accepts instructions from executives and trades unions. The firm’s clients include NSB, Odfjell Drilling and Travel Retail Norway.
Insolvency and corporate recovery
2007;
Wikborg Rein's Ketil E Bøe is known for his complex restructuring work, including the Kvaerner Group. Marius M Gisvold handled the complex and long-running efforts to refinance Norsk Lotteridrift on behalf of the lending syndicate. Leif Petter Madsen has administered some of the major insolvencies of the last decade.
2008;
Wikborg Rein’s Marius M Gisvold handled the complex and long-running efforts to refinance Norsk Lotteridrift on behalf of the lending syndicate. Leif Petter Madsen has administered some of the major insolvencies of the last decade.
2009;
Wikborg Rein’s Marius Gisvold handled the complex and long-running efforts to refinance Norsk Lotteridrift on behalf of the lending syndicate. Leif Petter Madsen has administered some of the major insolvencies of the last decade.
Intellectual property
2007;
Wikborg Rein's Gunnar Meyer represented Philips Electronics in litigation over the three dimensional trade mark for the company's rotary shavers and won the first trade mark dispute with Remington since an ECJ judgment on the same matter in 2002.
2008;
Wikborg Rein has represented Ratiopharm, one of the leading international generic producers of pharmaceuticals, in several important patent litigations. Other patent clients include Actavis Group PTC. The firm also acts on patent matters for National Oilwell.
2009;
Wikborg Rein’s Gunnar Meyer, a Supreme Court attorney, is recommended for patent and trade mark law, particularly where there is a contentious element. The firm’s clients include generic pharmaceutical manufacturer ratiopharm, Actavis Group PTC, and National Oilwell.
Maritime and offshore construction (excluding finance) – Maritime law (including insurance) - Offshore construction and shipbuilding
2007;
Wikborg Rein's shipping and offshore department expanded in 2006 as transactional work grew in addition to the traditional 'wet' and 'dry' cases. The group comprises 11 partners, 22 associates and seven foreign lawyers deployed in the firm's six offices. Wikborg Rein senior partner, Håkon Stang Lund acted for Skuld in connection with the loss of 132 containers from the Golden Cloud, Gunnar Meyer is acting on behalf of Odfjell Offshore in a complex contractual dispute and Trond Eilertsen is assisting Yara International ASA with the disposal of its LPG/ammonia fleet.
2008;
The Wikborg Rein group comprises some 40 lawyers deployed across six offices. The breadth and strength of Wikborg Rein’s shipping practice cannot be overstated. Finn Bjørnstad leads the commercial shipping practice; Haakon Stang Lund specialises in insurance. Morten Lund Mathisen, who has returned from London to Oslo, heads the casualty team. In transactions, the team acts for BW Offshore in respect of FPSO projects and for the Skeie Group on new building projects and JV arrangements. Clients include Eitzen group, Odfjell Drilling, Transocean, and Farstad Shipping.
2009; (Maritime law (including insurance))
Wikborg Rein’s group comprises some 40 lawyers deployed in the firm’s six offices including Singapore and Kobe. The breadth and strength of the shipping practice cannot be overstated. Finn Bjørnstad leads the commercial shipping practice. Øystein Meland is manager of the Bergen Shipowners Association and an expert in competition law in the shipping sector. Morten Lund Mathisen heads the casualty team. Gaute Gjelsten, who spent three years in the Kobe office is recommended for his all-round capabilities and knowledge of shipping law. Clients include Eitzen group, Odfjell Drilling, Transocean, and Farstad Shipping.
2009; (Offshore construction and shipbuildling)
Wikborg Rein’s Oslo based Finn Bjørnstad heads the offshore group which also has expert lawyers in Bergen, London, Kobe, Shanghai and Singapore handling high value contracts and esoteric disputes such as ‘pitting corrosion; the firm’s far east presence is a vital element of the suberb service delivery in shipbuilding contracts. Jon Heimset boasts long expertise in the NCS construction sector and senior associate Birgitte Karlsen is commended for her expertise in ‘ advice about contractual alternatives’. Wikborg Rein, which acts for most of the major ship and rig owners, continues to attract the cream of talent by operating a ‘maritime trainee’ programme for law students.
Oil and gas
2007;
Wikborg Rein acted in the IPOs of Pertra and Revus Energy. Lars Olav Askheim heads the group which has also been involved, in various capacities, in the high number of oil rig projects of the last two years. Kelly Malone represented the sellers of offshore services provider Songa Drilling for US$500m.
2008;
Wikborg Rein’s Jarle Erik Sandvik heads the practice. The firm advises on gas contracts and licence acquisition on the Norwegian Continental Shelf for major European utilities and medium-sized oil companies. The firm also represents European gas utilities on their contracts with Norwegian gas producers and acts as international counsel to several offshore drilling contractors. Kelly Malone specialises in the development and financing of cross-border renewable energy projects.
2009;
Wikborg Rein’s Jarle Erik Sandvik heads the practice. The firm advises on gas contracts and licence acquisition on the Norwegian continental shelf for major European utilities and medium-sized oil companies. Wikborg also represents European gas utilities on their contracts with Norwegian gas producers. The firm acts as international counsel to several offshore drilling contractors. Kelly Malone specialises in the development and financing of cross-border renewable energy projects.
Real estate and construction
2007;
Wikborg Rein is recommended for large project and complex property company work. In an interesting instruction during 2006 Anne Sofie Bjørkholt assisted Tschudi Shipping Company acquire Sydvaranger AS, the owner of a former mining site in northern Norway, to be used for oil industry facilities, homes, retail property and hotels.
2008;
Wikborg Rein’s real estate team is involved in major transactional work, including work for leading property developers and owners, such as DnB NOR, Vital Forsikring, and Eiendomsspar. The firm is recommended for large project and complex property company work. Anne Sofie Bjørkholt assisted Tschudi Shipping Company in acquiring Sydvaranger, the owner of a former mining site in northern Norway, to be used for oil industry facilities, homes, retail property and hotels.
2009;
Wikborg Rein’s real estate-team is involved in major transactional real estate work, including work for leading property developers and owners, such as Vital Forsikring and Eiendomsspar. The firm is recommended for large project and complex property company work. Anne Sofie Bjørkholt assisted Tschudi Shipping Company acquire Sydvaranger, the owner of a former mining site in northern Norway, to be used for oil industry facilities, homes, retail property and hotels.
Tax
2007;
Wikborg Rein's Haakon Blaauw, in Bergen, and Marianne Iversen, in Oslo, are strong tax practitioners who handled a precedent tax case before the Supreme Court on behalf of Westfal-Larsen Shipping AS. Are Zachariassen is rising quickly through the ranks.
2008;
Wikborg Rein’s Marianne Iversen and Haakon Blaauw handled a precedent-setting tax case in the Supreme Court on behalf of Westfal-Larsen Shipping. Are Zachariassen, highly recommended for international tax, is now based in the firm’s Singapore office. Wikborg Rein has advised BW Gas and BW Offshore on a number of structural issues and helped Prosafe SE, a Norwegian listed offshore company, to migrate to Cyprus.
2009;
Wikborg Rein is strongest in corporate and international work, with a particular focus on international shipping activities. Recent instructions include the restructuring of Prosafe SE, and assistance with the Aker Yards sale of 70% of the merchant vessel division. Marianne Iversen is recommended for both advisory and controversy work and Singapore-based Are Zachariassen for maritime and offshore assignments. Anders Myklebust was previously a legal adviser in the large business section of the Central Tax Office.
TMT
2007;
Wikborg Rein's Torleif Dahl and his team advised Liberty Global on the sale of Priority Telecom Norway in June 2006. The firm has also been appointed Norwegian counsel to new telecoms operator Nordisk Mobiltelefon Norway AS.
2008;
Wikborg Rein’s Torleif Dahl and his team act for Yahoo! and Sun Microsystems in Norway. Other clients include Fronter and Net Trans Services. Wikborg Rein acts as legal counsel for Brønnøysundregistrene project, the major public sector IT platform.
2009;
Wikborg Rein’s Torleif Dahl has long experience in the telecoms and technology sector advising such clients as Nordisk Mobiltelefon, Groupe Canal+, and Telia Sonera on issues from licensing to transactions.
