Castrén & Snellman emerged as the most attractive employer in the entire Finnish legal sector in the Universum Student Rankings for the third year in a row. We have been the most popular private sector employer among law students for 17 years running, ever since the survey was first conducted in 2008. This is the fourth time we are number one in the entire legal sector.
5.6.2025
Universum Student Rankings: Castrén & Snellman the most popular legal sector employer for the third year in a row
The annual survey charts the employer image of companies in various fields among students. This year, 29% of law students chose Castrén & Snellman as the most desirable employer.
We are grateful for the recognition we have received from law students! Our long-time success and third consecutive win in Universum’s survey demonstrate that our continuous efforts in supporting students and providing them with opportunities for growth is bearing fruit. Our goal remains to be the best workplace in the industry – for both students and experienced professionals. Our company culture, straightforwardness, and genuine collaboration across teams contribute to the fact that our trainees enjoy their time with us,
says HR Director Outi Ruohola.
Law students seek career growth and opportunities to learn
In recent years we have received a lot of positive feedback on our student-friendly culture where we include students in our every-day work right from the start. Based on the most recent Universum Student Rankings, opportunities for career growth and learning are of particular value for law students. They also appreciate companies that respect their people, and a competitive salary doesn’t hurt either.
Each year, Castrén & Snellman employs around 100 trainees in various roles with diverse responsibilities. The trainees assist our teams with the most challenging cases in the Finnish market, gain comprehensive knowledge of business law, and thus advance on their path to becoming experts.
A total of 10,802 students from seven institutes of higher education participated in the survey this year. In addition to law students, Universum surveys students in fields such as engineering, health/medicine, business and IT.
A big thank you to students for showing your support!
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Ministry of the Environment – Report on the promotion of circular economy aspects in public procurement
Castrén & Snellman was commissioned by the Ministry of the Environment to carry out a study on how the Circular Economy Act could be used to promote circular economy aspects in public procurement. Our report provides valuable information to the working group tasked with preparing the new Circular Economy Act. The report includes an overview of relevant strategies, action programmes and policies, a look at relevant legislation and case law, an assessment of the current state of circular economy procurement and examples of integrating circular economy aspects into public procurement from around the world. We end the report with concrete conclusions and a proposal for a new circular economy provision with justification. The proposal aims to maximise the regulation’s effectiveness and minimise any adverse side effects. The final report is available on the Circular Economy Act project’s Gateway to Information (in Finnish). The study was carried out by Anna Kuusniemi-Laine, Sanna Aalto-Setälä, Lotta Huhtamäki, Marja Ollila, Laura Vuorinen, Paavo Heinonen and Anna Ylitalo.
Case published 11.11.2025
CapMan Real Estate – Acquisition of a High-Quality Residential Asset
We advised CapMan Real Estate in the acquisition and financing of a high-quality residential asset located in Katajanokka, Helsinki. The asset was acquired from the Finnish Seamen’s Service Bureau (MEPA). The property consisting of 38 modern rental apartments with a parking garage was completed in 2017. The building features high-quality construction, modern floorplans, and well-designed communal areas including a gym and rooftop sauna premises, and blends with the area’s historic maritime character. The residential asset is located in the prestigious Katajanokka seaside district of central Helsinki, known for its architectural heritage and proximity to the city centre. The property has a high ESG profile which will be further improved by CapMan Real Estate.
Case published 6.11.2025
Stena Line – Acquisition of NLC Ferry (Wasaline)
We are acting as legal adviser to Stena Line on its acquisition of NLC Ferry Ab Oy (Wasaline), strengthening Stena Line’s position in the Baltic Sea and enabling it to take over operations of the ferry route between Umeå in Sweden and Vaasa in Finland. The acquisition further strengthens Stena Line’s position as one of the leaders in sustainability within the ferry industry and enhances the company’s access to alternative fuels whilst providing a strong intermodal transport link towards Gothenburg and Trelleborg, and onwards to the European continent. NLC Ferry, operating under the auxiliary name Wasaline, were owned by Kvarken Link, a company jointly owned 50/50 by the cities of Umeå and Vaasa. Wasaline is the world’s northernmost shipping company, operating daily passenger and freight services between Vaasa, Finland and Umeå, Sweden, and is the first carbon-neutral ferry operator in the Baltic Sea with its hybrid vessel, Aurora Botnia, which runs on biogas and batteries. Stena Line is one of Europe’s leading ferry operators, with 20 routes across the continent. The company is family-owned, was founded in 1962 and is headquartered in Gothenburg, with 6,550 employees and an annual turnover of 19.6 billion SEK. The transaction is conditional to the approval of the respective municipal councils of Umeå and Vaasa as well as customary closing conditions such as authority approvals. The completion of the transaction is expected to take place in the beginning of the year 2026. Castrén & Snellman is collaborating with CMS Wistrand, Stena Line’s advisor on Swedish law matters in connection with the transaction.
Case published 4.11.2025
Prisma Properties – Acquisition of a retail property
We advised Prisma Properties in a real estate transaction in which the company acquired a retail property in Helsinki from Hartela. The acquired property was built specifically for the discount retailer Jula. Completed in October 2025, the property is modern and very energy-efficient, and it is fully leased to Jula under a 10-year lease agreement. The property located in the Konala district, adjacent to the busy Ristikko shopping centre, spans 2,600 square metres. Prisma Properties is a fast-growing developer and long-term owner of modern properties for discount retail, grocery retail, and quick-service restaurants. The company operates across the Nordics and manages a property portfolio valued at approximately EUR 650 million, primarily consisting of newly developed properties with long lease agreements.
Case published 29.10.2025