12.11.2021

Career Stories: Minna Korhonen

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Partner Minna Korhonen handles demanding financing assignments, real estate transactions, and insolvency and corporate law assignments

Minna joined Castrén & Snellman in 2018. Before joining the firm, she had worked as counsel at another large law firm, as an associate at a smaller firm and as a lawyer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Minna is extremely happy in her current position.

‘My experience has been that we have low team boundaries, which makes us a genuine full-service firm. We have been successful in highly demanding projects that require a wide range of expertise. Clients know that we will handle their assignments comprehensively, which is a real benefit. Work days can sometimes be long, but the work itself is interesting and my colleagues are great, which balances things out. Our warm work community, meaningful work and the clients I get to work with are what drive me forward.’

A Transaction Lawyer Through and Through

When she was little, Minna dreamed of being a paediatrician, but does not regret going into business law instead.

What interests Minna in finance is how challenging and complex the assignments are and how different each work day is.

‘Our client might be either a bank or other financial institution providing financing or a company taking out a loan. The work is more than just reviewing financing documentation, it also requires understanding the projects or transactions that are being financed, which can come in all shapes and sizes. We might be working on a real estate development project one day and working to secure financing for a transaction the next. Finance touches on many fields of law, and we often work with our firm’s other teams on assignments. We do a lot of work with our Real Estate Investments & Transactions, Environment, Infrastructure & Natural Resources and Mergers & Acquisitions teams in particular.’

Sustainability Leading the Way Forward

Green financing is a trending topic in the field at the moment along with sustainability issues in general.

Minna notes that financing is a good way to promote sustainable development and combat climate change: every project needs financing, be it an acquisition or a development project.

The pace of change relating to sustainability has been rapid and has an impact on practical client work.

‘Sustainability goals are guiding the operations of an increasing number of companies. Our firm is a forerunner in sustainability matters, which is a huge benefit for our clients. Sustainability in commerce and industry means building good business for the future, and that is something we want to support.’

Latest references

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 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
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
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