Topprangeringer i Legal 500

Insurance (tier 1)

While the majority of its work maintains a focus on reinsurance and professional liability issues, DLA Piper has also expanded its maritime expertise following the arrival of Hugo A. B. Munthe-Kaas, who has extensive experience in shipping and offshore work. Notable clients include Munich Re, AXA XL and Tryg. Dual-qualified in the UK and Norway, Alexander Plows heads up the practice, with experience in financial services, D&O, professional indemnity, and warranty and indemnity claims. Other key names include Camilla Wollan, who focuses on regulatory matters, and Beate Vesterås, who handles contract disputes and public law issues.

Leading individuals: Alexander Plows

Real Estate (tier 2)

Clients appreciate the 'excellent follow-up and understanding of the market' at DLA Piper, which fields a 'proactive team', which is known for handling cross-border instructions on both the development and transactional side. Headed up by Thomas Rindahl Håkonsen, who has extensive experience in retail and large-scale commercial agreements, the practice also benefits from Line Ravlo-Losvik's notable reputation for multibillion-NOK deals. Core mandates for the wider team, which features Anders Bergene and Magnus Lutnæs, include acquisitions, sales and leasebacks and residential conversions, as well as advising on fund and corporate structures for various real estate clients.

Leading individuals: Line Ravlo-Losvik

Banking and finance (including shipping finance)

DLA Piper acts on a broad variety of financing matters, encompassing bilateral and syndicated bank lending work, asset financings, export finance issues and financial services regulatory mandates. With access to the firm's extensive global network, the team is well-positioned to handle work for international banking clients. Practice head Børge A. Grøttjord has considerable experience in public infrastructure and property acquisition finance matters, and Erik Ramm handles transactions, loan work and restructurings.

Hall of Fame: Erik Ramm
 

Commercial, corporate and M&A 
DLA Piper is an excellent choice for cross-border transactions, with its pan-Nordic and global network positioning it well in the market. The practice has significant expertise within numerous sectors including energy and renewables, natural resources, IT and private equity. Practice head Sveinung Mjaugedal, who primarily acts for private equity leaders and major industrial companies in construction, healthcare and technology. Other key names include Fredrik Lykke, who is active in the insurance sector, private equity specialist Christian Fenner and Kaare Oftedal who is 'a very experienced transactional lawyer'.

Dispute resolution 

According to clients, DLA Piper has ‘the ability to see the overall picture of complex issues, while at the same time looking down to the individual sub-issue’. As the only international firm with a base in Norway, the group is a key name in the market for cross-border disputes and acts for a variety of global clients including Munich Re, Credit Suisse and Ikea. Berit Reiss-Andersen leads the group and is recognised for her expertise in criminal proceedings. Alexander Plows is the primary contact for insurance disputes, Johan Ratvik focuses on contentious insolvencies, and Are Hunskaar handles construction claims, while Arne Engesæth is a highly regarded mediator and arbitrator.

Employment 
Per Benonisen heads up the employment practice at DLA Piper, which has a strong track record in advising on the employment aspects of transactions, reorganisations and restructurings.The team provides advice on employee benefits, working hours and employee claims, collective temporary lay-offs and stock option schemes. Berit Reiss-Andersen has experience in investigations and whistleblowing matters as well as pensions litigation, and Kaja Kaarby's areas of expertise include individual and collective employment issues as well as reorganisations and redundancies.

EU and competition 

DLA Piper specialises in EU and competition matters in the food, retail, construction and pharmaceuticals industries. The team, which is part of the firm's regulatory group and leverages the firm's wider Nordic and global network, is led by Kjetil Haare Johansen, who has a focus on international trade and distribution mandates, intellectual property issues and M&A.

Insolvency and corporate recolvery

DLA Piper regularly acts on regional restructuring and insolvency matters and also leverages its global capabilities to handle cross-border mandates, with notable expertise in bankruptcy proceedings in the hotel industry. Practice head Egil Hatling focuses on securities work, business analysis issues, schemes of arrangement and debt negotiations, while also working as a court-appointed administrator.

Intellectual Property

DLA Piper acts for many large international corporations on trade mark work including filing and prosecuting trade mark applications, as well as licensing and distribution matters. The team, which is led by Petter Bjerke, is also experienced in the IP aspects of transactions and contracts and provides advice on marketing law. Kjetil Haare Johansen handles research and development agreements as well as unfair competition and market abuse matters.

Tax

Drawing on an extensive network of offices in the Nordic region, DLA Piper is praised for its expertise in the tax elements of corporate and capital markets transactions. The team is particularly strong advising financial services, real estate and construction clients. Practice head Preben Aas is notably active in the tax aspects of transactions, mergers and demergers.

TMT

DLA Piper's Oslo-based TMT team leverages the firm's global network to attract complex, cross-border mandates, acting for major multinational clients. A particular strength of the team is in data protection, GDPR and cybersecurity mandates. Petter Bjerke heads up the team, and has specialist experience advising clients in the media, telecoms, and advertising sectors.