Sep 01, 2010: Hannes Snellman continues its Nordic expansion by moving into Copenhagen, Denmark

International businesses view the Nordic countries as one market and so does Hannes Snellman. At the end of 2008, Hannes Snellman launched its operations in Sweden. The Stockholm office has today established itself as a key player in high-end M&A and other transactions and complex conflict management matters.

“Our move into Copenhagen is a very important milestone in Hannes Snellman’s Nordic strategy,” says Fredrik von Baumgarten, Managing Partner, Stockholm. “To my great satisfaction we are able to launch the Copenhagen office with dynamic lawyers who are among the very best in Denmark. To me the business rationale is obvious and I really believe that clients will appreciate an integrated one-stop-shop of the highest quality covering the Nordics,” Fredrik von Baumgarten continues.

In Copenhagen, Hannes Snellman’s operations take off with top partners. Managing Partner Philip Risbjørn was until recently Head of an M&A department of a leading Danish law firm. Moreover, Hannes Snellman has secured two other Danish top practitioners, who will join the Danish office as soon as possible. Their names will be announced later. These three very experienced and highly ranked individuals have all advised on several of the largest transactions in Denmark. Amanda Tonsgaard will join as a partner on 1 October. She has worked as a director in London with the global private equity manager Capital Dynamics focusing on the operations in the Nordic region. She has more than a decade of transactional experience as an M&A lawyer and a principal of a private equity fund. Hannes Snellman’s M&A partner Mathias Lindqvist has relocated to Copenhagen to form part of the Copenhagen team as well.

“With this team, we have a strong base for expanding,” says Philip Risbjørn. He decided to join because “Hannes Snellman is a leading and international firm with the right strategy and culture”. Amanda Tonsgaard agrees and adds that “from a client’s perspective I can clearly see the compelling advantages of a Pan-Nordic law firm both in terms of coverage and the ability to service clients.

The Danish operation, like the rest of the firm, will focus on transactions and conflict management and the plan is to grow significantly within M&A, Capital Markets and Banking & Finance. With offices in Helsinki, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Stockholm and now Copenhagen, Hannes Snellman is rapidly developing its critical mass and knowledge base to serve clients in the Nordic region and Russia. “Regardless of location, our hall mark is uncompromising client attention and clear legal advice combined with seamless service. Our operations are fully integrated, which enables us to provide services across the region at the highest level, very fast and cost effectively,” says Managing Partner Carl-Henrik Wallin.

For further information please contact:
Fredrik von Baumgarten, Managing Partner, Stockholm: +46 760 000 002, fredrik.baumgarten@hannessnellman.com
Philip Risbjørn, Managing Partner, Copenhagen: +45 41 772 400, philip.risbjorn@hannessnellman.com
Carl-Henrik Wallin, Managing Partner: +358 40 522 3902, carl-henrik.wallin@hannessnellman.com
Johan Aalto, Senior Partner: +358 400 609 755, johan.aalto@hannessnellman.com
www.hannessnellman.com

Hannes Snellman is an international law firm focusing on Transactions and Conflict Management in the Nordic area and Russia.
We have a staff of some 300 professionals in our offices in Copenhagen, Helsinki, Moscow, St. Petersburg and Stockholm.

Philip Risbjørn
Former partner and Head of an M&A department in a leading Danish law firm. Rated among Denmark’s leading Corporate M&A lawyers by major international ranking publications. Areas of expertise include corporate law, domestic and international M&A, and securities law. Some fifteen years of experience in this field, e.g. from the London market. Has published numerous articles and is a frequent speaker in Denmark and internationally.

• 1995, Master of Laws, the University of Cambridge, England
• 1991, Master of Laws, the University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Amanda Tonsgaard
Broad transactional experience as an M&A lawyer and in the private equity industry. At Capital Dynamics, a global private equity manager, responsible for activities in the Nordic region. Has also previously been responsible for deal sourcing and execution in the Nordic countries for Langholm Capital LLP, a mid-market private equity fund. Prior to that a corporate lawyer with Danish law firm Bech-Bruun focusing on M&A transactions.
2003, MBA degree, London Business School, London, UK

• 1998, Master of Laws, the University of Copenhagen, Denmark
• 1997, New York University School of Law, New York, USA

Mathias Lindqvist
10 years at Hannes Snellman and a partner since 2009. Areas of expertise include corporate and contract law, with a focus on M&A and real estate transactions. Gained international experience at New York University and Skadden, Arps in New York. Specialises in cross-border transactions and international projects, including particular experience of Russia related cross-border projects having also worked at Hannes Snellman’s office in St. Petersburg.

• 2005, LL.M. (Corporate), New York University School of Law, USA
• 2001, Master of Science in Economics, Swedish School of Economics and Business Administration, Helsinki, Finland
• 2001, Master of Laws, University of Helsinki, Finland