Avance Attorneys

Chairman: Carl-Henrik Wallin

Managing Partner: Ilkka Perheentupa

Number of partners: 24

Number of lawyers: 76

Languages: English, Finnish, French, German, Swedish

Firm overview:

Avance is a Helsinki-based law firm with a dedicated team of over 100 professionals. From transactions to conflicts and advisory, we bring legal clarity, confidence and strategic edge – securing the best outcomes for our clients. Please visit www.avance.com for further details.

Main areas of practice:

Competition and regulatory:

Our top-ranked competition and regulatory practice advises clients on all aspects of EU and competition law, including merger control and other M&A related antitrust matters, cartel and abuse of dominance investigations, as well as private enforcement. We have significant experience in public procurement and state aid matters, regularly assisting clients on assessments, regulatory processes, and appeal proceedings. Providing advice on compliance and risk management as well as a broad range of regulatory matters is also at the core of our business.

With foreign direct investment control (FDI) and national security considerations playing an increasingly important role in cross-border transactions involving Finland, we have established ourselves as trusted advisors in these critical areas. We further counsel on the EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation enabling clients to manage its implications early in the deal process.

Main contacts: Katja Jaakkola, Partner, [email protected]; Asko Lindqvist, Partner, [email protected]

Compliance and investigations:

Our team assists clients with designing, developing and implementing compliance policies and programs. We conduct regulatory risk assessments, audits and investigations related to compliance practices. Our cross-practice team of compliance specialists can flexibly assist clients with preventing and handling cases involving alleged or suspected financial misconduct, breaches of data protection and privacy, cybersecurity incidents, securities markets and financial services related non-compliance, antitrust infringements, as well as workplace-related non-compliance, such as harassment and inappropriate behaviour. We also provide advice on governance-related matters and strategic advisory for managing conflict situations. Our compliance team provides the first line of defence in various corporate crisis management situations as well as internal and external investigations, including related court proceedings. Our team members have broad experience in building effective strategic and procedural roadmaps to navigate such situations, devising internal and external communication strategies and managing interactions with the relevant authorities and enforcement agencies, such as pre-trial investigation authorities, the Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority, national and EU competition authorities, tax authorities, the occupational safety and health authority, the Data Protection Ombudsman’s Office and the National Cyber Security Centre.

Main contacts: Ulla Vuokila, Partner, [email protected]; Mari Mohsen, Partner, [email protected]; Rasmus Sundström, Partner, [email protected]; Asko Lindqvist, Partner, [email protected]; Katja Jaakkola, Partner, [email protected]; Sonja Heiskala, Senior Associate, [email protected]

Corporate governance:

Our experienced and sophisticated team advises boards of directors and senior management on high-level and complex corporate governance matters, including securities market matters, and legal and strategic issues that are of critical importance to the interests of the company and its shareholders. We are a trusted advisor in governance matters to many of our clients, and we also handle shareholders’ meetings of publicly and privately held companies, and members of our team regularly chair such meetings.

Main contacts: Carl-Henrik Wallin, Partner, Chairman, [email protected]; Ulf-Henrik Kull, Senior Partner, [email protected]; Rasmus Sundström, Partner, [email protected]

Data protection and cybersecurity:

Our data protection and cybersecurity specialists provide strategic advice on the full spectrum of privacy and data protection related matters. From proactive compliance and risk assessments to sophisticated regulatory guidance, we help clients safeguard their critical information and maintain trust. We also assist in preparing for and swiftly responding to cybersecurity incidents — whether coordinating internal investigations, managing external criminal inquiries, or engaging with authorities, affected individuals, and business partners. We have a proven track record of mitigating risks and ensuring business continuity, giving clients the confidence to navigate today’s complex data protection and cybersecurity landscape.

Main contacts: Salla Suominen, Partner, [email protected]; Minna Katajoki, Partner, [email protected]; Sonja Heiskala, Senior Associate, [email protected]

Dispute resolution:

We help clients manage and resolve complex conflicts with a clear focus on protecting business interests, minimising risk, and maintaining commercial continuity. Our services span the full conflict lifecycle — from early-stage risk identification and pre-emptive negotiation to litigation, arbitration, and mediation when needed. We support clients across industries in a wide range of commercial, corporate, and regulatory matters, and are also involved in investigations and corporate crime issues. Whether advising behind the scenes or representing clients in formal proceedings, we are committed to delivering commercially driven, strategic outcomes. Drawing on the full strength of our firm, we work across disciplines to offer integrated, cross-border conflict management solutions. Our lawyers also serve as arbitrators and mediators in institutional and ad hoc proceedings, including corporate squeeze-outs.

Main contacts: Salla Suominen, Partner, [email protected]; Ulla Vuokila, Partner, [email protected]; Minna Katajoki, Partner, [email protected]

Employment and incentives:

Our team brings deep expertise in strategic advisory across the full spectrum of employment law. Our employment practice covers both contentious and non-contentious employment matters, with extensive experience in corporate restructurings and business transfers, cooperation procedures, collective bargaining agreements, service and executive employment contract issues, termination of employment, as well as questions related to equity incentive programs, management compensation and pension issues. We advise clients in a wide variety of employment-related disputes and criminal matters, ranging from dispute avoidance and conflict management to litigation and arbitration. Our services also include supporting clients with whistleblowing matters, internal investigations and workplace-related non-compliance, including complex questions related to occupational health and safety matters. In addition, we provide comprehensive guidance on employment-related privacy matters and employment related intellectual property matters, including employee invention and trade secret disputes, as well as strategic management of intellectual property and trade secrets in the employment context.

Main contacts: Mari Mohsen, Partner, [email protected]; Erkki-Antti Sadinmaa, Partner, [email protected], Sebastian Kellas, Partner, [email protected]; Ulla Vuokila, Partner, [email protected]; Minna Katajoki, Partner; Sonja Heiskala, Senior Associate, [email protected]

Finance:

Our experienced and highly ranked banking and finance team advises lenders, borrowers, investors and other market participants in a wide range of demanding banking and finance transactions, including e.g., acquisition, real estate, project and other structured debt financing arrangements, bond issues and debt restructurings. Our team also provides counsel relating to banking and financial regulatory matters. Clients benefit from our hands-on, senior-oriented team with strong market insight, which is fully integrated with the firm’s M&A, real estate, capital markets, tax, restructuring and insolvency, and other practices to offer seamless advise and execution in all transactions.

Main contacts: Sari Wallgren, Partner, [email protected]; Tytti Laajanen, Partner, [email protected]; Robin Nordblad, Partner, [email protected]

IP and technology:

We advise clients on a broad range of intellectual property matters, including the development, protection, licensing, acquisition, and assignment of intellectual property rights and technologies as well as related dispute resolution. We are experienced in providing counsel on trade secret and data law, regulatory matters related to information and communications technology, e-commerce, and consumer and advertising law. Our senior-oriented team also advises clients on employment related intellectual property matters, including employee invention and trade secret disputes, as well as strategic management of intellectual property and trade secrets in the employment context.

Main contact: Kati Rantala, Specialist Counsel, [email protected]; Sonja Heiskala, Senior Associate, [email protected]

Mergers and acquisitions:

Transactions are at the core of what we do. Our team advises clients in their most demanding mergers and acquisitions, joint venture structures, and related arrangements and is recognized as a Tier 1 advisor for all types of corporate and M&A transactions. We believe in the value of bringing the right team and senior attention to each project and understand the importance of effective project management. Our firm has the capability and resources to execute high-end transaction projects from commencement to completion, including strategic planning, corporate structuring, due diligence, negotiation and documentation. We leverage the firm’s shared expertise to achieve the best results for our clients.

Main contacts: Erkki-Antti Sadinmaa, Partner, [email protected]; Ilkka Perheentupa, Managing Partner, [email protected]; Ulf-Henrik Kull, Senior Partner, [email protected]; Anders Floman, Partner, [email protected]

Public M&A and capital markets:

Our public M&A and capital markets team is known for its high level of sophistication and international experience and has been involved in some of the most complex public M&A and capital markets transactions in the Finnish market. We advise both bidders and target companies in takeover and other public M&A situations, including related governance and regulatory issues as well as matters concerning bidding and defense strategies. We also act for public companies, issuers, investors, investment banks and other market participants in connection with various capital market transactions, such as private placements, bond offerings, rights issues, IPOs and other public offerings of equity securities and buy-back programs. We bring hands-on senior attention to each project and focus not only on legal aspects, but also on ensuring efficient and seamless execution from start to finish. In addition to transactional work, our team also provides high-end advice in a broad range of regulatory matters, including in relation to corporate governance, disclosure and insider matters as well as financial regulatory and compliance matters.

Main contacts: Rasmus Sundström, Partner, [email protected]; Robin Nordblad, Partner, [email protected]; Elisa Heinonen, Partner, [email protected]; Ulf-Henrik Kull, Senior Partner, [email protected]; Ilkka Perheentupa, Managing Partner, [email protected]

Private equity:

Our team has first-hand experience in industry practices and fund structures. We bring the full range of our expertise, including M&A, banking and leveraged finance, fund formation matters, taxation, management incentive arrangements and management compensation to our sponsor clients.

Main contacts: Ulf-Henrik Kull, Senior Partner, [email protected]; Ilkka Perheentupa, Managing Partner, [email protected]; Erkki-Antti Sadinmaa, Partner, [email protected]; Robin Nordblad, Partner, [email protected]

Real estate and construction:

Our real estate and construction team advises property owners, investors, funds, developers, construction companies, as well as the public sector in a broad range of real estate transactions and projects, including the sale and purchase as well as development and construction of both individual properties and real estate portfolios. We also support our clients more generally in various construction and real estate asset and investment management matters. We work closely and seamlessly with our other practice groups to provide assistance e.g. in relation to financing, structuring, tax as well as competition, FDI and other regulatory matters. Supported by our market-leading M&A and private equity practices, we have extensive in-depth expertise in real estate related joint ventures and other co-investment platforms.

Main contacts: Henrikki Tahkokallio, Partner, [email protected]; Christoffer Charpentier, Partner, [email protected]; Mathias Lindqvist, Partner, [email protected]; Björn Söderblom, Partner, [email protected]

Restructuring and insolvency:

When financial pressure arises, all stakeholders—whether debtor companies, creditors, or shareholders—need clear, strategic guidance to protect value and secure the best possible outcome. We partner with all sides to navigate complex financial distress situations with commercially focused solutions that preserve business continuity and unlock opportunity. Our experienced team advises clients on out-of-court refinancing and voluntary restructuring negotiations—including pre-pack solutions—as well as formal insolvency proceedings. We represent clients also in insolvency-related disputes such as claw-back claims, director and board liability cases, and damage claims. In distressed M&A, we support identifying, structuring, and executing transactions involving financially troubled assets or businesses. Additionally, our lawyers are regularly appointed as administrators in corporate restructuring proceedings, delivering practical leadership in complex turnaround situations.

Main contact: Salla Suominen, Partner, [email protected]; Sari Wallgren, Partner, [email protected]; Tytti Laajanen, Partner, [email protected]; Robin Nordblad, Partner, [email protected]

Tax and structuring:

We provide a broad range of tax advisory services on both international and domestic tax matters with focus on transactions, tax controversy and corporate tax advice. Our team delivers strategic insights across all facets of taxation including corporate taxation, M&A structuring, incentive programs, financial services tax, value added tax and real estate taxation. Our team with recognized and seasoned tax professionals has extensive experience of providing tax advice even in the most complex matters.

Main contacts: Sebastian Kellas, Partner, [email protected]; Antti Leppänen, Senior Advisor, [email protected]; Ulla Vuokila, Partner, [email protected]

Venture and growth capital:

Our team has in-depth experience advising VC-backed Nordic companies from a broad range of industries, as well as leading global venture capital, growth equity investors and strategic corporate venture investors. We provide tailored, practical, solutions-oriented counsel in all matters throughout the venture capital investment lifecycle, including advisory on equity and debt financing, transactional assignments, governance, intellectual property, data privacy, corporate and securities law, commercial agreements and strategic alliances.

Main contacts: Ilkka Perheentupa, Managing Partner, [email protected]; Anders Floman, Partner, [email protected]; Henrik Aro, Senior Associate, [email protected]