Castrén & Snellman is honoured to be shortlisted for Scandinavian law firm of the year by the IFLR Women in Business Law Awards 2021 Europe. Our efforts to promote a better work community, work life balance and diversity were also recognised by our inclusion on the shortlist in three other categories:
17.5.2021
IFLR Women in Business Law Shortlists C&S as Scandinavian Law Firm of the Year
Mentorship Programme – National Firm
Work-Life Balance – National Firm
Women in Business Law – National Firm
We are also thrilled that C&S Partner Merja Kivelä was shortlisted as Equity capital markets lawyer of the year. Merja was recently recognised as one of the Women Leaders 2021 by IFLR1000.
The Women in Business Law Europe Awards recognises leading women for their contributions to the practice of business law along with the firms that have developed the most progressive and strong initiatives towards diversity and inclusion from throughout the continent. Winners will be announced on 24 June 2021.
Castrén & Snellman’s work to promote diversity and support its personnel’s work-life balance are part of the firm’s overall sustainability programme, which took some major steps forward in 2020. Our firm was the first Finnish law firm to join the UN Global Compact. Our first sustainability report summarises the work we have done so far and sets goals for 2021 that raise the bar even higher. Our work on all fronts of corporate responsibility continues in 2021. Read the announcement and our sustainability report.
See all the 2021 finalists for the Europe awards.
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Municipality of Tuusula – Data centre project
We are assisting the Municipality of Tuusula in the sale of land to funds managed by Blackstone, a global asset management company, for a data centre project. Currently, a preliminary agreement has been signed for the sale of the approximately 16.7 hectare site in Jokela, Tuusula. In October 2025, the Municipal Council of Tuusula approved zoning amendments that enable the construction of a data centre campus in the Vallunlenkki zoning area. The preliminary agreement on the sale of the land and the approval of the zoning are the first steps in a process that would upon its implementation constitute a significant investment that supports employment and economic growth in Tuusula and its surroundings. The next phase, the environmental impact assessment, is planned to commence in early 2026. Blackstone owns QTS, one of the worlds’s fastest growing data centre platforms with more than 82 data centres in operation or under development across Europe and the United States.
Case published 4.12.2025
OP-Public Services Real Estate Fund – Sale of seven preschool properties
We are assisting OP-Public Services Real Estate Fund in the sale of seven preschool properties to Kinland AS. The transaction value is approximately EUR 24 million, and the majority of the properties are located in the Greater Helsinki area. The portfolio comprises high-quality assets with EPC ratings of A or B, with most properties achieving the highest rating of A. The properties are leased to one of the sector’s leading private operators under lease agreements with a weighted average unexpired lease term of approximately 10 years. The transaction is expected to close on 18 December 2025.
Case published 2.12.2025
CapMan Growth – Investment in restaurant chain Factory
We are assisting CapMan Growth in making a significant investment in Factory, a Finnish restaurant chain known for its high-quality homemade meals and excellent value for money. The investment supports Factory’s ambitious growth strategy to expand nationwide and strengthen its presence also in shopping centres. Industry veteran Aku Vikström also joins as a co-investor and member of the board to support the company. Factory is a restaurant chain that specialises in high-quality homemade meals. In addition to buffet offerings, Factory provides catering services for meetings and events. All dishes are prepared in Factory’s own restaurant kitchens by the restaurants’ own chefs, and the menu focuses on diverse, high-quality home cooking. The company currently operates 22 restaurants in Southern Finland and employs around 200 people. CapMan Growth is a leading Finnish growth investor that makes significant investments in entrepreneur-led growth companies with turnover of €10–200 million. CapMan Growth is part of CapMan, which is a leading Nordic private equity investor engaged in active value creation work. CapMan has been listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange since 2001.
Case published 2.12.2025
Neste – EUR 500 million refinancing arrangement
We advised Neste Corporation on the refinancing of its EUR 500 million term facility by way of two EUR 250 million bilateral term facilities provided by OP Corporate Bank plc and Danske Bank A/S, Finland Branch. Each term facility has a maturity of three years with extension options.
Case published 25.11.2025