Castrén & Snellman appoints expert in project law and international arbitration Jerker Pitkänen as partner

‘With his versatile knowledge and long-term focus, Jerker has gained international recognition and become a true expert of projects. His appointment further strengthens our engineering projects practice, a team of the sharpest international expertise, which represents constructors, suppliers, industrial operators and investors in the most significant green transition projects,’ says Sakari Lukinmaa, Managing Partner at Castrén & Snellman. ‘We are particularly delighted to have a long-term member of our firm join the partnership: Jerker has walked his career path with us, advancing from a trainee to a successful and internationally recognised trusted advisor of our clients.’

A dispute resolution lawyer specialised in international engineering projects

Jerker Pitkänen has a long and versatile experience both in project law relating to international construction projects and in resolution of international disputes.

He is a true expert in domestic and international arbitration. In recent years, he has worked closely with clients in the energy sector, acting as counsel in numerous large-scale contractual disputes for both contractors and employers. Jerker has gained vast experience from various EPCM and EPC contracts (both FIDIC based and customised) governed by laws of different countries, including Finnish, Swedish, Estonian and English law.

For several years, international rankings, such as Legal 500 EMEA and Who’s Who Legal, have ranked Jerker among Finland’s leading legal experts.

Supporting our clients in all stages of the green transition

Castrén & Snellman’s clients have been focusing on the green transition, emissions-free energy generation and carbon neutrality targets in their business already for many years, a transition that is further accelerated by the ongoing global energy crisis.

‘Reducing emissions is a highly topical issue in construction and energy production,’ says Jerker Pitkänen. ‘New technological innovations bring opportunities but can also increase complexity and unpredictability in projects. In addition, the overall economic uncertainty carries with it its own challenges. These risks must be managed through carefully drafted agreements and efficient control of rights during project implementation.’

‘The increasing instability of the global economy and emerging technological, environmental and political risks, combined with the requirement of bankability for projects, will place higher demands on project contracts, change management and effective dispute resolution.,’ concurs Uwe Uusitalo, head of Castrén & Snellman’s International Construction & Projects service. ‘Jerker has been supporting our clients throughout projects from start to finish and successfully assisted our clients in resolving disputes. This is what makes him the best possible advisor for our clients in their energy and construction projects.’

Our firm has participated in the most significant projects in the energy sector, including modern new builds. In these projects, our clients have either constructed or commissioned the construction of various renewable energy solutions, such as wind and solar farms and new builds that use low-emission heating systems.

‘One of our strengths is that we can offer our clients a full palette of legal services to cover their every need throughout the entire life cycle of a project. We can support them all the way from contract negotiations and project implementation to dispute resolution, if need be. We know our clients and their businesses like the back of our hand and can find the right solutions for even the most challenging issues. I am very honoured to be able to continue this work for our clients as a partner of our firm,’ Jerker says.

Jerker Pitkänen has worked at Castrén & Snellman since 2009. He graduated from the University of Helsinki in 2010, and four years later he was admitted to the Finnish Bar Association and was granted the right to use the qualification Master of Laws with court training.

Our warmest congratulations to Jerker!