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’

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.

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 references

United Bankers – Sale of three care properties
We advised United Bankers on the sale of three care properties to Kinland AS. The buildings were completed between 2021 and 2022 and meet high technical and environmental standards. All three properties are fully leased. The portfolio has a weighted average unexpired lease term of 13 years.
Case published 1.6.2026
Hiab acquisition financing
We are advising Hiab Corporation in the financing for its USD 1,035 million acquisition of Labrie Environmental Group, a leading North American refuse collection vehicle (“RCV”) manufacturer, from Wynnchurch Capital, L.P. Hiab Corporation (Nasdaq Helsinki: HIAB) is a leading provider of smart and sustainable on-road load handling solutions, with 2025 sales of approximately EUR 1.6 billion and approximately 4,000 employees, operating through a global network spanning over 100 countries. Labrie Group is a leading North American provider of RCVs, employing approximately 1,200 people. 
Case published 1.6.2026
We advised an international bank syndicate in a EUR 300 million revolving credit facility (RCF) for ICEYE, the world leader in sovereign intelligence from space. The bank-syndicate comprised Nordic and global banks, with Citi and Danske Bank acting as Joint Global Coordinators and Mandated Lead Arrangers. The RCF will support the issuance of guarantees for customer contracts, enable continued business growth, and serve as a liquidity backstop. 
Case published 21.5.2026
We are advising Terrieri Kiinteistöt Ky and A. Ahlström Kiinteistöt Oy in the sale of a modern production and logistics building complex to Swedish property investment company Catena AB. We are also assisting S-Bank Building Plot non-UCITS Fund which in connection with the transaction, has agreed to sell the land area where the building complex is located to Catena AB. The building complex located in the immediate vicinity of Helsinki-Vantaa Airport was completed in 2021 and comprises approximately 23,260 square metres of leasable area, fully leased to Cramo Finland Oy. The approximately 140,000-square-metre plot offers additional long-term development potential in the form of approximately 45,000 square metres of additional building rights.
Case published 21.5.2026