For the fifth time in a row, IFLR1000 has named Castrén & Snellman’s capital markets expert, Partner Merja Kivelä as one of the Women Leaders for this year. The IFLR1000 Women Leaders selects the leading female transactional lawyers in the world, who are consistently recommended by clients and peers for the quality of their advice and service. Merja has been nominated every year since the IFLR Women Leaders guide was launched in 2018.
6.4.2022
Capital Markets Expert Merja Kivelä Nominated as One of the IFLR1000’s Women Leaders 2022
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Merja is one of Finland’s most experienced capital markets lawyers. She co-heads our Capital Markets & Financial Regulation service, which was Finland’s market leader in IPOs in 2021. She is also a trusted advisor in private M&A transactions and chairs the shareholders’ meetings of numerous listed companies and institutions.
Merja is widely acknowledged in her field across Europe; to give but one example, she won the award for Equity Capital Markets Lawyer of the Year at the Women in Business Law Awards 2021.
Each year, the IFLR1000 research evaluates lawyers and firms on the basis of transactional experience and market feedback. During the process the research team evaluates thousands of submissions and survey data of thousands of client referees and peers, and conducts hundreds of interviews before nominating individuals for Women Leaders.
See the rankings in detail on IFLR1000 webpages.
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eQ Community Properties Fund – Sale of seven social infrastructure properties
We are assisting eQ Community Properties Fund in the sale of seven social infrastructure properties to Kinland AS. The value of the transaction is approximately EUR 29 million, and the portfolio comprises three preschool facilities and four child protection units from different parts of Finland. The portfolio consists of modern and energy-efficient properties that are long-term leased to leading operators in the industry. The Weighted Average Unexpired Lease Term (WAULT) is approximately 11 years. The transaction is expected to close on 17 December 2025.
Case published 10.12.2025
Ålandsbanken – Consent solicitation process regarding T2 instruments and issue of SEK 350 million AT1 notes
We advised Ålandsbanken Abp in the consent solicitation process regarding its SEK 150,000,000 Tier 2 notes due December 2041 and SEK 200,000,000 Tier 2 notes due March 2043. The terms and conditions of the aforementioned instruments were amended by removing the write-down mechanisms in the consent solicitation process. In addition, we advised Ålandsbanken Abp on the issue of SEK 350 million Additional Tier 1 notes. The notes bear floating interest at the rate of STIBOR three months plus a margin of 3.35 per cent per annum. The AT1 notes were issued on 20 November 2025, and admitted to trading on the official list of Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. The instrument has no maturity date and qualifies as Additional Tier 1 capital in accordance with the EU Capital Requirements Regulation. The issue strengthens Ålandsbanken’s capital structure by taking advantage of favourable market conditions.
Case published 10.12.2025
SuperOffice – Acquisition of Lyyti
We acted as Finnish counsel to SuperOffice AS, backed by Axcel, in its acquisition of Lyyti Oy from Finnish private equity firm Vaaka Partners and other sellers. Lyyti is a leading event management software company for physical, digital and hybrid events with a strong customer base in Finland, Sweden and France. SuperOffice is a leading provider of customer relationship management (CRM) software for small and medium-sized businesses across Northern Europe. Axcel is a Nordic private equity firm with a focus on technology, business services and industrials, healthcare, and consumer sectors.
Case published 9.12.2025
Life Finland – Administration of bankruptcy estate
Life Finland Oy, a retailer of natural products, other health-related products and cosmetics, filed for bankruptcy on its own initiative in June 2025, and our attorney, counsel Elina Pesonen was appointed administrator of the bankruptcy estate. Life Finland Oy was part of the international Life Group, and its parent company Life Europe AB was declared bankrupt in Sweden in June 2025. When declared bankrupt, Life Finland Oy had over 30 operational stores and almost 170 employees across Finland. In addition to the premises of the operational stores, the company had several other leased premises, such as retail premises it was vacating as well as office and warehouse spaces. The bankruptcy estate organised clearance sales in all of the company’s stores. The shutdown of the stores and the clearance sales were efficiently carried out in approximately two weeks in cooperation with the company’s country manager, regional managers and sales staff. The clearance sales yielded a significant liquidation result, and consumers bought nearly the entire inventory. The administration of the bankruptcy estate has required expertise in many areas. The proceedings have dealt with specialised issues such as cash pooling arrangements, intellectual property, franchising agreements, employment relationships and consumer creditors. In addition, the proceedings are notably international, as the estate administrator has organised the shutdown of operations and the liquidation of assets in close cooperation with the estate administrators of the Swedish Group companies. The cooperation has included, among other things, exploring opportunities for selling the business, the sale of intangible rights and the coordination of intra-group agreements.
Case published 9.12.2025