HPP continuously serves its clients at top European level. Our key practices and practitioners are recommended and ranked high again in Chambers Europe 2023.
The ranking is based on law firm and client interviews about different firms and their lawyers.
Chambers and Partners has ranked eight of our departments. In addition, Marko Wainio has been recognised as the Most in Demand Arbitrator in Dispute Resolution, Henna Wiklund (nee Kinnunen) has been ranked in Employment and Jaakko Klemettilä in Tax. Altogether, 15 of HPP’s lawyers have been ranked in their respective fields.
HPP has been recommended in the following key practice areas:
Banking & Finance
HPP Attorneys is noted for its presence on real estate and project finance transactions. The law firm is also experienced in acquisition and corporate finance matters, in addition to refinancing mandates. The lawyers frequently act for domestic and international banks on cross-border deals.
Clients describe the lawyers: “They were available when needed and performed well.”
Antti Rintakoski is particularly active on real estate finance transactions. He is also knowledgeable in corporate and acquisition finance deals, as well as refinancing arrangements. He is appreciated, because “We are very happy with his level of service, commercial awareness and competence.”
Competition/European Law
HPP Attorneys offers a broad competition law practice, advising clients on both behavioural investigations and merger clearance mandates. The law firm further assists with state aid matters and competition compliance queries. Team members provide additional experience in EU regulatory matters, particularly regarding legislation on biocidal products and chemicals. The team has a number of clients from the energy and transportation sectors.
One client says ”I was very pleased with the advice, which considered our issue from more viewpoints than I could have wished for and from both an EU and national competition regulatory perspective.”
Tuomas Saraste frequently represents clients in cartel investigations, both before the Finnish Supreme Court and the European Commission. He also assists with merger clearance matters and state aid mandates, as well as general compliance topics. He is appreciated, because “He provides a good service”, “He is very polite, skilled and effective” and “He has very strong expertise coupled with flexible service and good business mindset.”
Corporate and M&A
HPP Attorneys has a notable practice advising corporates, investment companies, private equity houses and industrial clients. The department acts on a variety of mandates, including tender offers and auction processes. The lawyers also assist with corporate governance topics. The team has a particular focus on transactions in the energy sector.
One client describes: ”They were very knowledgeable of the law, and able to explain it in a simple and accessible manner to non-lawyers and overseas clients. They could juggle lots at once and provided very quick responses at all times and were very available.”
Notable practitioners Antti Säiläkivi and Andrew Cotton are key contacts for clients.
Dispute resolution
HPP Attorneys Ltd is an established outfit assisting with a range of commercial disputes. The law firm boasts notable expertise in damages, bankruptcy, and construction. The firm advises on both litigation and arbitration proceedings, especially concerning construction and shipping-related disputes.
Clients remark that “HPP’s approach was very customer-oriented” and ”Their work was admirably effective throrough and diligent. They were able to produce simple, straightforward and understandable responses to our complicated questions.”
Marko Wainio is an acclaimed lawyer who handles construction disputes and other commercial disputes. He is also a highly regarded arbitrator.
Mikko Leppä is a well regarded lawyer who co-leads HPP’s dispute resolution practice and is adept in acting for both domestic and international clients in commercial disputes and arbitration proceedings. He is respected, because “Mikko has been absolutely great in handling our matters.”
Energy & Natural resources
HPP Attorneys is renowned for its strength in environmental and permitting matters, particularly in relation to the natural resources sector, with notable experience in mining projects. The firm offers further expertise across renewables, notably advising on several wind farm projects. It is particularly active in financing matters within the sector, with an impressive roster of clients including international investors and corporations, as well as domestic energy producers and infrastructure operators.
Clients note that “HPP demonstrates proactivity, reactiveness and clarity in their recommendations” and ”They have a very good commercial sense supported by extensive experience in practical business situations and negotiations.”
Kari Marttinen advises on permitting and project development across a range of areas, including in relation to energy storage facilities, oil refineries and wind farms.
Tarja Pirinen is noted for her particular expertise in mining, in which regard she assists clients with permitting and exploration matters. Client notes “She is able to provide and deliver clear, concise answers and service.”
Björn Nykvist is a highly experienced partner who advises clients on power purchase agreements and wind farm transactions. Client says”Björn Nykvist strongly defends the interests of his clients whilst also having a commercial and pragmatic approach.”
Real estate
HPP Attorneys assists clients with a variety of real estate deals, including portfolio transactions and M&A involving property-owning companies. The law firm has additional experience in lease negotiations. The department is knowledgeable in mandates relating to a range of office, retail and residential assets.
Clients describe: “HPP has a practical and deal-oriented approach to transactions” and “They have super quick response times and a high service level.”
Jari Tuomala is a respected lawyer who frequently advises on transactions involving commercial properties, including the acquisition of property-owning companies. He also has experience in the buying and selling of leaseholds. Clients note “He has a strong level of knowledge, is experienced and very pleasant to work with” and “Jari is a great lawyer and he has remarkable negotiation skills.”
Leif Laitinen joins the rankings as an up-and-coming practitioner following notable market recognition. He advises funds, asset managers and investors on real estate transactions, including the acquisition of shares in housing companies. Client notes“Leif Laitinen is an eager, service- and solution-oriented lawyer, who handles pressure situations in style.”
Restructuring & Insolvency
HPP Attorneys’ respected insolvency practice often acts as administrator in bankruptcy proceedings. The firm’s lawyers also have experience as supervisor and administrator in restructuring programmes. The firm offers additional expertise representing creditors in proceedings relating to security arrangements and the realisation of assets, and is also well versed in wider contentious work.
Sami Uoti is often instructed as an administrator in restructuring and bankruptcy proceedings and is well regarded in this field and client says “Sami Uoti has a wealth of experience of insolvency matters.”
Klaus Majamäki has considerable experience acting for creditors in bankruptcy and restructuring proceedings, as well as acting as an administrator.
TMT
HPP Attorneys possesses a strong TMT practice. The department is noted for its expertise in contract negotiations. The team also advises on IT outsourcing and procurement matters.
Clients describe:“The team of HPP Attorneys has a deep knowledge in IT contract law” and “HPP Attorneys’ service and response time have always been exemplary.”
Kari-Matti Lehti assists technology sector clients with procurement and outsourcing matters, as well as advising on contract negotiations. Clients say “Kari-Matti Lehti has a deep knowledge in IT-legislation and excellent negotiation skills” and “Kari-Matti Lehti understands business very well, has a great knowledge of the international IT industry, and he is a very good negotiator.”
Pekka Raatikainen is known for his expertise in IT procurement and outsourcing matters. He also represents clients in contractual negotiations in the technology sector.
Henna Wiklund (nee Kinnunen) was ranked in Employment and she regularly handles employment disputes, as well as assisting with the employment aspects of M&A transactions: “Henna is a great expert who went above and beoyond for us.” Another confirms “Henna’s client service is always good.”
Jaakko Klemettilä Newly ranked lawyer Jaakko Klemettilä of HPP Attorneys regularly assists clients with tax audits, transactional tax structuring and tax exemption assessments. One client says “Jaakko Klemettilä is available to help us to get things done and responds well to evolving projects.”
We are humbled by the continued recognition in the latest Chambers Europe rankings for 2023. We thank our clients and employees for helping us to be consistently recognised as one of the leading Finnish law firms comprising of leading lawyers.
