Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS

Chairman: Hans Cappelen Arnesen
Managing Partner: Sverre Tyrhaug
Number of partners: 51
Number of other lawyers: Approx. 180 (including partners)
Languages: English, Danish, Dutch, German, French, Norwegian, Swedish

Firm Overview:
Established in 1856, Thommessen is considered to be one of Norway’s leading commercial law firms. The firm has offices in Oslo, Bergen and London. The firm provides advice to Norwegian and international companies as well as organisations in the public and private sectors, ranging from SMEs to large multi-national corporations. Thommessen covers all business related fields of law. 250 people work at Thommessen today. Approximately 180 of them are lawyers.

Main Areas of Practice:
As a leading law firm with long traditions, Thommessen has played a role in some of the biggest events and changes in the Norwegian legal and business landscape.

Capital Markets:
Thommessen has one of Norway’s largest and most experienced capital markets departments. The firm covers IPOs, new issues, bonds, public takeovers and market regulatory issues. Thommessen’s lawyers work on some of the clients’ most important transactions.

Compliance & Investigations:
Thommessen provides preventative assistance through the development of compliance manuals, training and strategy for risk management. The firm’s lawyers have significant experience facilitating investigations and performing internal and external investigations.

Construction:
Thommessen is a key advisor in construction and building projects. The firm’s lawyers have extensive experience from the industry and have participated in the negotiation of standard contracts, particularly in the offshore sector. The firm’s lawyers have been involved in some of the largest construction disputes before Norwegian courts.

Debt Financing:
Thommessen assists financial institutions, investors and borrowers through the entire process: from preparation and structuring of loan agreements, through negotiation and preparation of agreements for the agreed security. The firm has been involved in some of the largest and most complex financing projects in Norway.

Dispute Resolution:
Several of Thommessen’s lawyers are admitted to the Norwegian Supreme Court and regularly litigate before THEnation’s highest court. Some lawyers have also litigated cases before the EFTA Court and the European Court of Human Rights. Furthermore, they are often used as arbitrators in commercial disputes.

Employment:
Thommessen helps clients to achieve their goals through processes that safeguard both the employer and the employee. The firm’s lawyers have extensive experience from the civil courts, labour law and arbitration proceedings, and provide its clients with clear and business minded advice.

Environment:
Thommessen has significant experience on environmental law issues, and lawyers have advised on some of the most complex environmental cases in Norway. The firm’s lawyers have in-depth knowledge of environmental law and assist clients with issues connected to due diligence, contract drafting and compliance.

EU/EEA & Competition Law:
Thommessen has been involved in major issues within Norway – from complex merger cases to possible breaches of competition law. The lawyers assist on transactions, contract negotiation and commercial projects in the litigation process and on major investigative matters.

Financial Regulation:
Thommessen was one of the first law firms that named financial regulation as its own area of expertise. The firm has assisted in everything from designing license applications, to giving advice on ongoing activities and assisting in connection with the supervision of the Financial Supervisory Authority.

Fishery & Aquaculture:
Thommessen assists clients in safeguarding their resources and interests in a strictly regulated sector affected by national and international policy-making. The firm’s lawyers use their broad expertise assisting clients in all phases: from patents, through negotiations and contracts, to reorganisations or administrative and criminal law.

Insolvency & Restructuring:
Thommessen’s lawyers have been involved in all medium and large-sized insolvency and restructuring cases in Norway during the recent decades. They have assisted in questions related to restructuring and insolvency, including financial restructuring or extensive processes that involve both financial and industrial restructuring.

Insurance:
Thommessen assists insurers and policy holders in all industries. The lawyers are also involved in connection with accidents and in relation to the buying and selling of businesses – particularly when it comes to liability issues and recourse. The firm’s lawyers have extensive knowledge of insurance law, counselling, litigation and arbitration.

Intellectual Property:
For generations, Thommessen’s lawyers have been heavily involved in advising and litigating on intellectual property law and legislation in Norway. The firm’s experience and expertise ranges from patent law, managing trademark portfolios, to copyright matters in the digital age.

IT & Data Protection/Privacy:
Thommessen assists leading Norwegian and international companies, both on the customer and supplier side, in cases involving everything from IT procurement to development projects and licensing of technology and data security.

M&A & Corporate:
Thommessen advises both small and large companies operating in various industries, private equity funds and investment banks. The firm is involved in strategic discussions, negotiations, signing and implementation of a wide range of Norwegian and international mergers, acquisitions and dispositions.

Oil & Gas:
Thommessen has assisted in all major structural changes and transactions on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. The lawyers work with oil companies, governments and investors alike in all areas related to upstream activities.

Oil Service:
For decades, Thommessen has assisted companies in all stages of the value chain, as well as in all phases of a project – from concept development to stock exchange listings. The lawyers have in-depth knowledge of the industry and significant international experience.

Private Equity:
Thommessen’s lawyers give clear advice based on in-depth market and industry knowledge. They have extensive insight into the considerations that apply when private equity funds are buying, selling or going in as investors.

Real Estate:
Thommessen is heavily involved in the transactional market and its lawyers provide advice on the establishment and listing of real estate companies. The firm handles issues related to the lease and development of commercial property.

Renewable Energy: Thommessen advises in projects from A to Z: from acquisition and concessions, through contracting, delivery, operation and maintenance agreements, to physical and financial power contracts.

Shipping: Thommessen’s lawyers have expertise and experience both from the dry and wet shipping law. The firm handles transactions, maritime accidents, marine insurance and litigation. The firm finds the best solutions for shipping companies – whether they are facing issues related to their operating activity, organisation or taxes.

Tax & Duties:
Thommessen has litigated several major cases and contributed to new legislation – both in Norway and internationally. The firm’s lawyers provide clear and practical advice, based on the individual client’s commercial interests and activities.