Department profile
BAHR

Employment

Europe Guide 2026 : Norway

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BAHR

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About

Provided by BAHR

BAHR’s employment group has a unique composition with the three partners of the group having more than 60 years of experience with all areas of employment law, headed by Norway’s heavyweight and no 1 employment lawyer Tarjei Thorkildsen. Other partners are Margrethe Meder (former Head of Legal of Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO)) and Tor Olav Carlsen (former Head of Legal in Employers Association Spekter). BAHR’s employment law services is full range and includes ongoing advice on contracts and various employment issues (incl. GDPR), handling court cases (individual and collective bargaining disputes) and all employment law issues related to acquisitions, mergers and restructuring. Furthermore, the group assists management and boards in matters related to handling employee representation, employment related sustainability requirements (incl. CSRD), corporate governance, incentive schemes as well as preparing relevant documentation. 

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Employment - Norway

Band 1

What the Team is Known For
BAHR boasts a full-service offering that leverages the employment and pensions law expertise of key practitioners to assist with labour and HR issues. It acts as counsel to major employment confederations and blue-chip companies and offers considerable expertise in employment litigation, handling pensions, transfer of undertakings and terminations. The law firm also advises on downsizing and restructuring issues, as well as working hours, incentive schemes, collective agreements and industrial action.
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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • BAHR represented the employer confederation Spekter in a dispute regarding layoffs in the aviation sector, and before the Supreme Court in a case regarding termination of employees and to what extent an employer is obliged to offer alternative positions in the undertaking.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The firm possesses a high level of expertise in both individual and collective employment law.

    Employment respondentEurope

  • BAHR's employment team stands out for being hands-on, responsive and results-driven.

    Employment respondentEurope

  • The department stands out through its deep specialisation and documented track record within the complex fields of collective bargaining law and Norwegian labour court procedure.

    Employment respondentEurope

  • The lawyers at BAHR are highly available, quick to respond, and always very service-minded.

    Employment respondentEurope

  • BAHR are all always brilliant in everything they do and deliver.

    Employment respondentEurope

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Tarjei Thorkildsen
    Tarjei Thorkildsen

    Tarjei Thorkildsen

    Tarjei Thorkildsen offers pre-eminent expertise covering the full gamut of employment and pensions law, as well as frequently representing clients in high-profile disputes.

    • Tarjei has been a star lawyer for years.

      Employment respondentEurope

    • His strategic foresight ensures that a successful legal strategy is perfectly aligned with our future commercial and industrial relations stability.

      Employment respondentEurope

    • Tarjei has been the lead employment litigator in Norway for some time.

      Employment respondentEurope

    • Tarjei Thorkildsen has excellent skills in procedural law and courtroom strategy.

      Employment respondentEurope

    • Tarjei's collaborative style is essential for maximizing efficiency and success in complex disputes.

      Employment respondentEurope
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  • Margrethe Meder
    Margrethe Meder

    Margrethe Meder

    Margrethe Meder is an experienced lawyer who possesses particular knowledge in redundancies, hirings and working time matters, in addition to employment-related litigation.

    • Margrethe Meder is always very service-minded and excellent to discuss complex cases with.

      Employment respondentEurope

    • Margrethe brings exceptional expertise, professionalism and practical judgement to every engagement.

      Employment respondentEurope

    • I really liked working with Margrethe. She is always to the point and updated on the latest.

      Employment respondentEurope

    • Margrethe Meder is a brilliant and smart lawyer.

      Employment respondentEurope

    • She is my favourite adviser.

      Employment respondentEurope
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  • Tor Olav Carlsen
    Tor Olav Carlsen

    Tor Olav Carlsen

    Tor Olav Carlsen handles a wide range of work, including cross-border mandates. His broad expertise spans labour matters such as industrial disputes, collective bargaining and downsizing and employment matters such as outsourcing agreements, incentive programme and whistle-blowing.

    • He is very service-minded.

      Employment respondentEurope

    • Tor Olav provides clear, pragmatic advice and is not afraid to think outside the box, resulting in highly valuable and actionable guidance.

      Employment respondentEurope

    • What distinguishes Tor is he is very knowledgeable, experienced, pragmatic and efficient.

      Employment respondentEurope

    • He has great insight in collective labour law and is quick to deliver.

      Employment respondentEurope

    • Tor is an extremely knowledgeable and passionate lawyer, who is always ready to provide advice on the shortest notice.

      Employment respondentEurope
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Ranked Individuals at BAHR (4)

Norway

Members

Provided by BAHR

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