Noora Ahonen

Senior Associate, Member of the Finnish Bar, M.Sc. (Econ.)

I advise our clients on a wide array of domestic and international tax matters. I joined Castrén & Snellman in 2021. Before joining Castrén & Snellman, I worked, among other things, as a tax specialist in the Finnish Tax Administration, as a judge of the administrative court, as tax consultant for a major auditing firm and as a lawyer at another Finnish law firm. I have, therefore, worked with a wide range of tax matters concerning both private persons as well as domestic and international organisations and gained valuable experience in handling tax matters in the Finnish Tax Administration and in the administrative courts.

In addition to my law degree, I hold a Master of Science in Economics. I have also completed court training, i.e. I have appointed as a lawyer trained on the bench.

Latest references

We advised Jefferies as the sole arranger and lead manager in a transaction in which Finnfund, a Finnish development financier and impact investor, issued a EUR 100 million green bond. The 10-year bond bears interest at the rate of 3.5% per annum. The bond offering was placed to international investors, including a portion of dedicated green bond investors/portfolios. The bond represents Finnfund’s first ever green transaction and second issuance under its Sustainability Bond Framework established in September 2022. The proceeds from the issue will be used in accordance with the green project categories of Finnfund’s Sustainability Bond Framework to finance and/or refinance eligible green lending, equity investments, and mezzanine financing mainly targeting, for example, the objective of climate change mitigation and adaptation and/or environmentally sustainable management of living natural resources. Net proceeds will be allocated to eligible projects with the objective to mobilise debt capital to support Finnfund’s mission to generate lasting impact by investing in businesses that solve global development challenges. In addition, it contributes to Finnfund’s goal to foster sustainable development by providing investment opportunities for private investors. In its strategy, adopted in January 2022, Finnfund sets one of its targets to fund 50% of its investments with private capital by 2030. Mobilising private capital is key to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in developing countries, given that the UN estimates the financing gap at USD 2.5 trillion per year. Jaakko Kangasniemi, Managing Director, CEO at Finnfund said: “Sustainable, innovative businesses and investors play an integral role in solving both global and local challenges, such as climate change mitigation and adaptation, and biodiversity loss. Capital markets are also vital in the transition away from fossil fuels. We are glad to have such a strong support for our impact investing activity and our mission to foster sustainable development and green transition.” Andrey Medvedev, Senior Vice President at Jefferies said: “We are delighted to have assisted Finnfund issuing its longest private placement to date and showcasing its innovative green projects. This deal demonstrates Finnfund’s appeal to a diversified international investor base and cements its position as a leading development financing agency.”
Case published 26.1.2024
We assisted eQ Community Properties Fund in the sale of two healthcare properties to a fund managed by Northern Horizon. The properties have a total floor area of approximately 3,500 square meters. The two properties are located in Espoo and Lahti. The Espoo asset was completed in 2018 and the Lahti asset was completed in 2023. Both assets are operated by Attendo, the leading care provider in the Nordic region.
Case published 9.5.2025
We successfully represented BMW in an exceptionally long dispute over whether the spare rims sold by the defendant and the hub caps included in them infringed BMW’s trademark and design rights. The Market Court found that the sign used by the defendant caused a likelihood of confusion with BMW’s trademarks. The defendant had used the sign on the hub caps and in the marketing of the hub caps and rims, leading the Market Court to find that the defendant had infringed BMW’s trademark rights. The defendant admitted to infringing BMW’s Community design but denied the related injunction claim. However, the Market Court found that there was no particular reason to refrain from issuing an injunction. The Market Court prohibited the defendant from continuing to infringe BMW’s trademarks and Community design and ordered the defendant to alter or destroy the products and marketing materials that infringed BMW’s rights. Furthermore, the Market Court ordered the defendant to pay BMW EUR 70,000 in reasonable compensation and EUR 80,000 in damages for the trademark infringements, as well as EUR 7,000 in reasonable compensation and EUR 8,000 in damages for the design right infringement. The amounts can be considered exceptionally high in Finland. Additionally, the Market Court ordered the defendant to pay a significant portion of BMW’s legal costs with interest on late payment. In its decision of 11 March 2025, the Supreme Court of Finland did not grant the defendant leave to appeal, and also decided that there was no need to seek a preliminary ruling from the Court of Justice of the European Union. Thus, the Market Court’s judgements (MAO:494/18 ja 517/2023) are final. In addition to the main dispute, BMW demanded in a separate proceeding that one of the defendant’s trademark registrations be revoked. A total of three separate legal proceedings were conducted in the Market Court regarding the revocation. The defendant’s trademark registration was ultimately revoked.
Case published 9.5.2025
We are advising DNA Plc in brand protection and intellectual property enforcement matters globally. Our intellectual property team manages DNA’s global trademark portfolio, including registration, prosecution, opposition and enforcement. We also advise DNA in questions concerning consumer and marketing law, unfair competition, social media, domain names and cybersquatting. DNA Plc is one of Finland’s leading telecommunication companies. DNA offers connections, services and devices for homes and workplaces, contributing to the digitalisation of society. The company has approximately 3.7 million subscriptions in its fixed and mobile communications networks. In 2024, DNA’s total revenue was EUR 1,100 million, and the company employs about 1,600 people around Finland. DNA is part of Telenor Group.
Case published 7.5.2025
Castrén & Snellman’s Attorney Christer Svartström acted as the administrator in the restructuring proceedings of Foodiq Oy, which began on 11 March 2024. Foodiq is a unique future food focused company that develops and produces plant and milk-based products for both the private and public sectors. The company’s largest shareholder is a Swedish investment company focusing on FoodTec, Nicoya AB. The majority of creditors approved the draft restructuring programme in expedited proceedings after restructuring proceedings that lasted just under a year. The District Court of Helsinki affirmed the restructuring programme including the one-day payment programme on 10 March 2025 and appointed Attorney Christer Svartström as the supervisor of the programme. In cooperation with the parties, they found an effective and quick restructuring solution for the company, avoiding a long-term programme and allowing the company to focus on its core business. The restructuring programme was financed by investments made by the company’s investors. At the same time, the one-day programme provided a better outcome for creditors compared to a longer programme. The implementation of the restructuring programme ended successfully on 28 March 2025.
Case published 6.5.2025
We are proud to have provided legal assistance to PwC in the successful public tendering process for the comprehensive renewal of Kela’s benefits processing systems. Kela is the Social Insurance Institution of Finland, and this project is a significant cornerstone in modernising Finland’s social security infrastructure. PwC was selected as Kela’s strategic partner to implement a comprehensive overhaul of the benefits processing systems, digital services, customer relationship management, and information exchange platforms. The project aims to meet the demands of the future digital environment and enhance customer experience through the adoption of Salesforce technology. The new systems are expected to simplify benefit processes, enhance user experience for both customers, employees and other stakeholders, and ensure adaptability to future legislative changes. Castrén & Snellman provided strategic legal support to PwC throughout its successful bidding process, which was carried out through a competitive negotiated procedure. We extend our warmest congratulations to PwC for their successful bid and look forward to seeing the positive impact of this project on Finland’s social security system.
Case published 24.4.2025
We advised Milexia Group, a portfolio company of the French PE sponsor Crédit Mutuel Equity, on its acquisition of the activities of Alpha Positron Oy, a Finnish distributor specializing in GPS/GNSS, time and frequency solutions for the electronics industry, process automation, corporate IT, defense, and other demanding markets. Milexia Group is one of the world’s leading European suppliers for high-quality electronic components, systems and scientific instruments technology. It has offices, warehouses and technical centres in France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, Nordics and Hong Kong. The acquisition aligns with Milexia’s strategy to expand its presence in the Nordic region and enhance its portfolio of communication solutions.
Case published 24.4.2025
We are acting as legal advisor to Piippo Plc in the sale of their bale netwrap and baler twine machines, related assets, and trademarks used in Piippo’s business to Portuguese Cotesi S.A. The sale of assets will be carried out in two phases and the final completion of the transaction is expected to occur during the first quarter of 2026. Piippo Oyj’s core business is baling nets and twine and it is one of the leading suppliers in the industry globally. The company’s global distribution network covers more than 40 countries. The company’s shares are listed on the First North Growth Market Finland operated by Nasdaq Helsinki Oy. Founded in 1967, Cotesi is one of the world’s leading producers of synthetic and natural twines, nets and ropes, with operations in Europe, North America and South America and its main production plant in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.
Case published 17.4.2025