Castrén & Snellman has once again been ranked as one of the leading law firms in Finland in the 2025 edition of the World Trademark Review 1000 – the World’s Leading Trademark Professionals. In the 2025 survey, our firm received top-tier gold rankings in enforcement and litigation as well as prosecution and strategy.
31.1.2025
Castrén & Snellman’s Trademark team receives gold rankings in the WTR 1000
According to the publication, ‘full-service IP powerhouse Castrén & Snellman is one of the leading practices in Finland. Active in high-profile litigation and entrusted with enviable trademark portfolios, its practitioners demonstrate swift and effective responses along with the delivery of top-tier legal guidance.’
On the private practice side, the WTR 1000 ranked eight individuals in the gold tier and only seven individuals as leading practitioners in anti-counterfeiting. Our firm’s partner Sakari Salonen, Head of IP, was once again ranked in both of these individual top categories. Head of IP Prosecution Nina Mikander was ranked in the silver tier, and IP & Tech litigation partner Kim Parviainen and IP Counsel Tiina Orre were in the bronze tier. EU Trademark and Design Attorney Anne Laukkasuo made her WTR 1000 debut with a bronze tier ranking.
Sakari and Nina are described as ‘the firm’s most prominent figures in trademark matters and instrumental to its success.’
Kim is said to ‘excel in both litigious and transactional proceedings, offering extensive expertise in franchising for brands seeking to expand’ and Tiina ‘is active across the trademark life cycle and is a formidable force during anti-counterfeiting measures.’ Anne is praised for ‘her extensive private practice experience and commercial awareness’ which enables ‘her to seamlessly assist clients with effective protection strategies and represent them before the EUIPO.’
WTR 1000 is the only independent definitive guide dedicated to identifying the world’s leading trademark professionals. The publication identifies the trademark industry’s talents in over 80 jurisdictions around the world. All the WTR 1000 rankings for Finland can be found here.
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