The latest Legal 500 EMEA has ranked nine of Castrén & Snellman’s services in Tier 1 and two in Tier 2, and 51 of our leading experts were mentioned by name for their exceptional work in their own fields. Our clients were especially impressed by our collaborative way of working and our ability to bring clear thinking and innovative solutions to the table. The publication reviewed a total of 11 practice areas in Finland. The Legal 500 ranks law firms and lawyers throughout the world and is one of the most prestigious publications in our line of business.
13.4.2023
Castrén & Snellman top-ranked once again in the Legal 500 EMEA 2023: ‘True desire to deeply understand our activities and the business we are engaged in’
Tags
Castrén & Snellman is also a recommended firm in the Green Guide EMEA 2023. Click here to learn more about this recognition.
C&S was ranked in the top two tiers in Finland in the following categories:
The Legal 500 highlighted six C&S lawyers in the Finnish Hall of Fame:
Mikko Alakare, Marko Hentunen, Anna Kuusniemi-Laine, Niklas Langenskiöld, Rickard Langenskiöld and Matias Wallgren
12 C&S lawyers were recognised as Leading Individuals:
Pia Ek, Anders Forss, Tomi Kemppainen, Merja Kivelä, Sari Laaksonen, Janne Lauha, Tuomas Lehtinen, Sakari Lukinmaa, Sakari Salonen, Tero Tuomisto, Outi Tähtinen and Jan Örndahl
Seven were recognised as Next Generation Partners:
Benjamin Bade, Antti Kaakkola, Ilona Karppinen, Minna Korhonen, Jussi Nieminen, Kim Parviainen and Eija Warma-Lehtinen
Five were recognised as Rising Stars:
Sanna Honkinen, Anna-Maarit Laurila, Elina Marttala, Hanna Paloheimo and Jerker Pitkänen
What our clients say about us:
The rankings are largely based on interviews with clients. Here are some quotes from our clients:
Banking & Finance: ‘Long term commitment to serve us. Deep understanding in relevant products and services. Also very impressive command of regulatory matters.’
Dispute Resolution: ‘The team focuses on large scale international arbitration disputes, primarily in the construction sector, and is probably the only Finnish firm to do so. The team is focused on finding swift and efficient resolution to disputes, taking a commercial view, whilst being underpinned by hugely competent and technical lawyers. This blend of international experience, commercial intelligence and pre-eminent legal acumen is unique in Finland.’
Capital Markets: ‘The team is easy to approach. Their way of working is informal and relaxed, still very professional.’
Employment: ‘Castrén & Snellman’s employment team is unique and delivers excellent quality service. Even though it’s the leading law firm in Finland, the employment team is easy to reach and able to give assistance in the most difficult cases in a practical way so that the customer really gets value for money.’
EU & Competition: ‘Definitively one of the best law firms in Helsinki in terms of pragmatic, accessible and professional approach. From our perspective the firm has enough resources in situations limited by time. We appreciate the firm’s solution driven and effective way of working. Basis for our good and long relationship is the firm’s true desire to deeply understand our activities and the business we are engaged in.’
Real Estate & Construction: ‘C&S has handled many of the biggest real estate transactions in Finland during the past few years. The quality of the work is impeccable and they have a big group of highly skilled lawyers in the team. Antti and his team have a deep knowledge of the industry.’
For a more detailed look at the rankings, please visit the Legal 500 website.
Latest news
Latest references
Jolt Capital and Tesi – Investment in VEV
We advised Jolt Capital and Tesi in connection with their investment in VEV, a leading provider of commercial fleet electrification solutions. The investment, led by Jolt Capital with Tesi as co-investor, will support VEV’s next phase of growth and expansion across Europe. As part of the transaction, VEV became an independent company following the acquisition of Vitol’s stake in the business. Founded by Vitol, VEV provides integrated fleet electrification solutions combining fleet strategy, charging infrastructure, energy supply and operational services. Through its VEV IQ platform, the company supports more than 6,000 commercial electric vehicles across Europe and has been deployed across more than 600 sites spanning the transport, logistics and waste sectors. Jolt Capital is a private equity firm focused on growth investments in European deeptech companies. Tesi is a Finnish state-owned investment company that promotes Finnish business and economic growth through investments. We advised Jolt Capital and Tesi on the equity financing and structuring aspects of the transaction. International law firm Goodwin advised the investors on the acquisition of VEV.
Case published 10.9.2026
VR Group – Intellectual property matters
VR-Group Plc is a transport and logistics group owned by the Finnish State, operating passenger and freight rail transport in Finland with activities also in the Swedish market. VR Group provides passenger, logistics and maintenance services with over 160 years’ experience in developing responsible transport of the future. We advise VR Group in intellectual property matters as part of the company’s wider brand protection efforts. Our assignments have included advice on copyright, design rights and trademarks, focusing on the protection of the company’s visual identity – including its distinctive green colour – in connection with transport services as part of a comprehensive IP protection strategy. VR Group’s consistent brand building has also received recognition, including the Finland Chamber of Commerce’s Brand of the Year award in 2026. In the competition, brands were viewed comprehensively from various perspectives, including their story, strategic role, brand renewal ability and intellectual property protection. The jury found that VR had understood the importance of the protection of its brand as part of a comprehensive business strategy.
Case published 9.9.2026
NoHo Partners – EUR 50 million secured notes and EUR 97 million senior secured facilities agreement
We advised NoHo Partners Plc on the issuance of EUR 50 million senior secured floating rate notes. The notes have a tenor of four years and mature on 10 September 2030. The notes bear interest at a rate of three-month EURIBOR plus a margin of 4.375 per cent. per annum. The notes were allocated to a mix of domestic and international investors. We also advised NoHo Partners on the negotiation of its new senior facilities agreement. The facilities agreement comprises a EUR 60,000,000 term loan facility, a EUR 10,000,000 capex facility and a EUR 27,000,000 revolving credit facility. “We are delighted by the interest investors have shown in the company’s Notes, which reflects confidence in our strategy. The successful issuance of the Notes, together with the new loan agreement, extends the maturity profile of our financing and enables the company to continue executing its growth strategy going forward. I would like to thank all investors for their participation, as well as our partner bank for the excellent execution of the Notes issuance”, says Jarno Suominen, CEO of NoHo Partners. OP Corporate Bank plc acted as the sole lead manager and bookrunner for the issue of the notes. NoHo Partners Plc is a Finnish group established in 1996, and it specialises in restaurant services being the creative innovator of the Northern European restaurant market. The company was listed in Nasdaq Helsinki in 2013 becoming the first Finnish listed restaurant company, and it has continued to grow strongly throughout its history. NoHo Partners’ vision is to be the leading restaurant operator in Northern Europe.
Case published 4.9.2026
Topfoods – Acquisition of Delice Plus
We advised Topfoods Oy, a Triton-backed Geia Group company, on its acquisition of Oy Delice Plus Ab, a Finnish supplier of cakes and pastries. Through the acquisition, Topfoods strengthens its retail business and further reinforces its position in the cakes and pastries segment. Founded in 2008, Topfoods supplies selected food products to professional kitchens, the retail sector, and the food industry.
Case published 4.9.2026