Asta Salo

Senior Associate, Member of the Finnish Bar

Services

  1. Data & Technology

Contact details

I assist both domestic and international clients in various matters relating to data privacy and technology.

I graduated from the University of Helsinki in 2018 after which I worked on technology and privacy related issues both in the consulting and the law industry. I have also studied computer science and mathematics at the University of Helsinki and gained valuable experience working in the IT-sector.

As a part of our Data & Technology team I have been able to take a deep dive into the challenging yet so fascinating world of privacy.

Latest references

Avesco – Acquisition of Vatupassi Törmälä
We advised Avesco AG in a transaction whereby it acquired all the shares in Vatupassi Törmälä Oy. We also advised Avesco AG in the corporate structuring following the transaction. Vatupassi Törmälä Oy is a Finnish equipment rental company specialising in the rental of construction equipment. It has offices in five locations in Central Finland. Avesco AG is a family owned, leading machinery rental company in Switzerland. The company employs over 1,100 employees in Switzerland, Austria, Finland and the Baltics. Avesco AG is also the official partner of machinery manufacturer Caterpillar. After the transaction Avesco Rent Oy and Vatupassi Törmälä Oy will be merged and the operations are continued under the Vatupassi brand.
Case published 13.6.2024
Citycon – Outsourcing of finance activities related to Nordic Accounting and Lease Administration to Staria
We successfully acted as the lead external counsel for Citycon Plc in an arrangement whereby Citycon outsourced its Nordic Accounting and Lease Administration operations and related workforce in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Estonia to Staria Plc. The outsourcing is expected to take place as of 1 August 2024. With this outsourcing arrangement, Citycon aims to align the size and capabilities of the company’s finance organisation with its future development, ensuring it can adapt to meet the company’s needs at any given time. During the assignment, we assisted Citycon in drafting the necessary contract documentation and planning the contract negotiations and timetable. We led the outsourcing agreement negotiations and advised Citycon on employee transfer and data privacy related matters. We also coordinated legal advice for other in-scope countries. Citycon is the leading owner and developer of urban hubs in the Nordics and Baltics. Citycon’s 33 mixed-use, necessity-based centres are located in the major cities in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Estonia. Citycon transforms unique locations into sustainable communities and cities full of life, serving 140 million people each year and delivering long-term share value. Citycon brings value to communities by developing urban hubs for living, working, socialising and shopping. Citycon has extensive experience as an urban developer and uses its expertise in creating mixed-use centres that include retail, offices, hotels, housing, food & beverage as well as healthcare, culture and leisure services.
Case published 13.5.2024
Mérieux Equity Partners – Acquisition of Labquality
We acted as the legal and ESG advisor to Mérieux Equity Partners on the acquisition of a majority stake in Labquality through a leveraged buyout by its buyout fund, Mérieux Participations 4. Existing shareholders of Labquality, including Cor Group and the management, will reinvest a portion of their proceeds into the company in connection with the transaction. Headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, Labquality is a Nordic player specialized in EQA, CRO activities and regulatory affairs, with a strong local presence in Central and Eastern Europe. The company provides a comprehensive array of services for the healthcare, medical technology, and pharmaceutical industries. The company, employing over 120 professionals and supported by a network of more than 150 external experts and consultants across its offices in Finland, Germany, and Poland, serves a diverse clientele of over 8,000 customers, including major pharmaceutical companies in over 60 countries. Mérieux Equity Partners (MxEP) is an AMF-accredited management company dedicated to equity investments in the Healthcare and Nutrition sectors. MxEP actively supports entrepreneurs and companies with differentiated products and services, giving them privileged access to its sector expertise and international network. The transaction will enable Labquality to pursue its buy & build strategy in Europe to accelerate its CRO activities while continuing strong and recurring growth in the EQA segment. Labquality will benefit from MxEP’s sector expertise and financial resources to achieve its ambition of becoming a leading European CRO and EQA platform, with fully integrated regulatory consulting capabilities to serve major customers across Europe.
Case published 4.12.2023
Voisin Consulting Life Sciences (VCLS) – Acquisition of MedEngine
We advised Voisin Consulting Life Sciences (VCLS) on the acquisition of MedEngine, a leading medical science agency in the Nordics. MedEngine is a digitally minded, premium service provider for the pharmaceutical industry, built upon extensive academic expertise and years of experience in the industry. Founded in 2014, MedEngine has a strong presence across the Nordic countries with offices in Helsinki (Finland), Copenhagen (Denmark), and Stockholm (Sweden). Founded in 1997, VCLS provides end-to-end HealthTech solutions to support biotechnology, pharmaceutical and MedTech manufacturers throughout their product development. With offices in the US, France, UK, Switzerland, Denmark, Madagascar, India, and China, VCLS serves a broad range of developers and investors in HealthTech.
Case published 7.11.2023
Speechly – Sale of Speechly to Roblox
We advised the sellers on the sale of Speechly, a Helsinki-based AI voice technology startup, to Roblox Corporation. Speechly, founded in 2016, provides accurate real-time automatic speech recognition and natural language understanding tools and APIs. In 2021, the Finnish news media Talouselämä selected the company as one of the ten most promising Finnish startups. Speechly was admitted to Y Combinator in 2022 and its investors include Cherry Ventures, SNÖ Ventures, TQ Ventures, Seedcamp, Quantum Angels, Joyance Partners, Social Starts and Tiny.vc.
Case published 21.9.2023
Excelerate Energy – Chartering an FSRU to Finland
We advised Excelerate Energy on the conclusion of a lease agreement with Gasgrid Finland Oy for the Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) Exemplar. The Inkoo LNG terminal project will have a significant impact on securing the supply of gas to Finland and Estonia as imports of pipeline gas from Russia cease. The Exemplar is the first FSRU in Finland and the Inkoo LNG terminal project is legally unique. Moreover, the project, which is critical for Finland’s and the Baltics’ gas supply, was completed in an exceptionally short timeframe. Our experts assisted the company in a wide range of areas including contracts, energy legislation, licensing, labour law, taxation and structuring.
Case published 9.6.2023
Pernod Ricard – Sale of local Nordic beverage brands to Hartwall
We acted as Finnish counsel to Pernod Ricard in the sale of a portfolio of local Nordic brands to Oy Hartwall Ab, an affiliate of the Danish group Royal Unibrew. Pernod Ricard is a worldwide leader in the spirits and wine industry. The local portfolio of brands includes spirits, liqueurs and Finnish wine brands, the best-known being the liqueur Minttu, along with their related production assets based in Turku, Finland. The closing of the transaction remains subject to customary conditions.
Case published 21.10.2024
WithSecure – Sale of open source data collection product and business
We advised WithSecure Oyj in the sale of its open source data collection product and business to Patria Oyj. The divested business combining software and services falls outside WithSecure’s current strategy. Through the sale, WithSecure sharpens its focus on the Elements portfolio. WithSecure is a global cyber security company (listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki) with more than 35 years of industry experience. WithSecure offers partners flexible commercial models, ensuring mutual success across the dynamic cyber security landscape. Patria is an international company in the defence and security industry offering defence, security and aviation life cycle support services and technology solutions. As a result of the transaction, Patria will open a new office in Oulu and 10 WithSecure experts currently working in the business area will join Patria. 
Case published 30.9.2024

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