Wikborg Rein

Aadne Haga

Aadne heads the firm's Gas Dispute practice. He is an expert on international agreements for transportation, sale and purchase of natural gas and other commodities, and specialises on dispute resolution, in particular international arbitration, within these industries. Aadne has advised and represented commercial and state actors within the petroleum and process industries in contract negotiations and disputes for almost 20 years. The disputes have stemmed from inter alia price reviews, joint ventures, sanctions and mergers and acquisitions. He has experience from institutional, ad-hoc and investment arbitration. Aadne reads and speaks Russian and has particular experience with disputes relating to the former Soviet Union, not least as lead counsel in Ukrainian Naftogaz's multi-billion dollar disputes with Gazprom. · International Arbitration

Alexander Owesen

Alex assists Norwegian and foreign investment banks, banks and financial institutions, direct lenders, private equity firms and their portfolio companies, listed and unlisted companies and other market participants with the structuring, negotiation, documenting and completion of various types of financing transactions. Among his specialities are acquisition financing, various types of asset financing, project financing and corporate financing, as well as restructurings. Alex has extensive experience with different types of transaction and debt structures, such as various types of bank financing, direct lending, PIK loans and bond financing (including super senior structures, pari passu structures and senior/junior structures combining these and other types of financing). He keeps on top of all current trends for such financings and, while taking care of the legal aspects of the transaction, keeps a close eye on and understands the commercial aspects of the deal. · Banking & Finance

Anders Færden

Anders is a specialist in insurance law and marine insurance law and is the head of Wikborg Rein's global insurance team. He also has substantial experience in handling marine, contract, tort, professional liability and intermediaries disputes. Anders is admitted to the Norwegian Supreme Court and has extensive litigation experience from a vast number of cases before the Norwegian courts and in arbitration. He is appointed as arbitrator and expert in insurance matters. Anders is ranked by Legal 500 as a "leading individual" in insurance law. He is also ranked by Chambers and Partners and in the Norwegian Financial Daily's lawyers survey within the categories shipping and insurance. · Insurance

Anders Myklebust

Anders mainly works with issues related to tax laws and company laws. He has previously been employed in the Central Tax Office for large-sized companies (Sentralskattekontoret for storbedrifter) and has published a book and several articles in connection with tax law. The work related to tax comprises all areas within tax, charges and duties, but primarily related to corporate taxation. This includes giving advice in tax issues related to transactions, structuring the transactions, transfer pricing etc, as well as day to day tax advice to companies. The work also includes assistance to companies in their contact with the tax authorities, appeals and court cases. In addition to corporate taxation Anders has also wide experience related to the special tax regimes for shipping company (tonnage tax), hydroelectric power plants and petroleum activities. He also works with ordinary personal taxation, including taxation of earn out related to employed shareholders' sale of companies. Within the area of charges and duties Anders has worked with both VAT and special duties. He has also experience from court cases related to these issues. In addition to tax issues, Anders has also experience from ordinary corporate work by assisting the involved parties in connection with sale and purchase of companies. This includes all aspects from negotiation of sale and purchase agreements, shareholders agreements, due diligence processes and closing of transactions. He has also extensive experience from sale and purchase of real estate companies. This work has often a connection to the work related to tax and VAT issues in the transactions. Anders is recommended by Chambers and Partners as "Leaders in their field" in the category Tax. · Tax

Andreas Fjærvoll-Larsen

Andreas has a broad international transaction practice focused on strategic advice and implementation of investments, joint ventures, bank-, bond- and project financings and restructurings within the maritime industries. He is heading the department for shipping- and offshore projects Andreas regularly assists Norwegian and international clients with negotiations of agreements for construction and conversion, sale and purchase, chartering, management and operation of ships, offshore units and ocean infrastructure. Andreas is dual qualified as a Norwegian Lawyer and a Solicitor of England & Wales. · Shipping & Offshore

Andreas Kjensli Lund

Andreas assist lenders, agents, arrangers and borrowers/issuers with bank financing and debt capital markets transactions related to corporate financing, acquisition financing, project/asset financing, syndicated loans and Norwegian high yield bond issues. As part of such financing he also assists with structuring, negotiating and documenting all types of debt structures. · Banking & Finance

Andreas Myrstad

Andreas primarily works with equity capital markets and M&A. He has extensive experience with IPOs, private placements, public and private M&A. · Capital Markets

Ane Vilnes

Ane mainly works with dispute resolution, including litigation, arbitration and mediation within various types of commercial contracts. She has broad experience from several major cases before the domestic courts and also from national and international arbitration (institutional and ad hoc), mediation and negotiations. She has particular experience within areas of law such as contract law, tort law, construction law, IT/technology and M&A. Ane has previously worked as a deputy judge in Bergen District Court. She has also been seconded as a legal adviser to Aker Solutions AS, where she prepared and negotiated a broad range of contracts, participated in several international tender preparations, and provided legal advise on ongoing projects. · Litigation

Anne-Karin Nesdam

Anne-Karin is specialising in international arbitration. She works within the field of petroleum and energy law, and has acted as counsel in several international arbitrations and negotiations in the gas sector, mainly representing gas buyers. She has also assisted clients on the coming EU regulatory framework for hydrogen. She also assists clients on insurance law. Anne-Karin has a doctorate from the University of Oslo. Her doctoral theses analyses the use of policy and legal instruments in EU's secondary energy market legislation (special competition law). She previously worked at the Legislation Department of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, where she was responsible for the areas of transport, insurance, private international and company law. Anne-Karin speaks English and German. · International Arbitration

Are Zachariassen

Are's main areas of practice are issues relating to tax law, company law and stock exchange/securities legislation. Before he joined Wikborg Rein, he worked in the Directorate of Taxes, and in other legal practices. His Are has international experience from Wikborg Rein's Singapore office, and holds a particular responsibility for international tax law. · Tax

Arild Frick

Arild has extensive experience from transaction work, both as a strategy consultant and as a lawyer. He is also an experienced compliance advisor, supporting both private and public sector clients. Prior to joining Wikborg Rein in 2022, Arild was heading up Schjødt law firm’s Transaction Department. Arild has also led complex international M&A deals as a lawyer from in house positions, including during his time as GC of Aker ASA (2014-2020), and as management consultant in McKinsey & Company (2009-2010). Arild held the position as VP Board & Executive Mngt Attorney in Aker Solutions ASA 2014 - 2020, and as attorney in BAHR law firm from 2006 - 2009. Legal 500 describes Arild as an "awesome M&A and corporate lawyer" who "takes an active role in tactics but also has in-depth knowledge and experience related to operational subjects". · Corporate / M&A

Arne Byberg

Arne is one of the Norway's most experienced lawyers within IT contracts, and with more than 20 years of experience in technology and law. · Technology / IT

Arun Ravindran

Arun is part of our transactional practice in Singapore. He has extensive experience across the LNG market for multiple long-term SPAs (advising both buyers and sellers) and short-term MSPAs across Asia and Europe. · Shipping

Baptiste Weijburg

Baptiste is a shipping and international trade specialist with extensive experience in resolving international disputes arising from charterparties, bills of lading, shipbuilding contracts, memorandums of agreement, ship management agreements, and marine insurance. He also advises clients on other related sectors, with his practice spanning any issues in relation to the logistics, storage and transhipment of physical commodities (wet and dry), and the sale and purchase of the same. With a strong focus on the European market, he advises some of the biggest owners/fleets across all market sectors (wet, dry, container cargo, LNGs, and tug/tow). He has gained a reputation for his broad range of services, both litigation and advisory/contract drafting, and is seen as "a practical, hands-on lawyer, possessing not only good legal skills but also the commercial understanding to resolve issues". Baptiste has also assisted several owners/operators in recent years with complex issues arising out of war risks and global sanctions, including in relation to Iranian, Venezuelan, Belorussia and more recently Russia. Baptiste also regularly advises clients on greenhouse gas and carbon intensity issues and regulations, including EEXI, CII, and EU ETS. Baptiste is also multilingual. · Shipping

Bard Breda Bjerken

Bård is dual qualified as a Norwegian lawyer and a Solicitor of England & Wales and has a broad international practice focused on shipping and offshore. He regularly assists clients with cross border disputes, negotiating and drafting complex contracts and project due diligence, and also advises international companies with a presence in China on a range of issues regarding their international operations. Before relocating to the Shanghai office, Bård worked almost five years for Wikborg Rein’s London office and two years for the head office in Oslo. Bård has also spent time at Wikborg Rein’s Singapore office. · Shipping

Beatrice Russ

The focus of Beatrice's practice is the finance and development of projects in the shipping, offshore, travel and aviation sectors taking projects from the planning and construction phase through to full operation. Having spent time in-house with UKEF, she also has particular expertise with ECA or other state backed projects and their implementation within domestic and international frameworks. Her clients are some of the leading owners, operators and contractors, as well as some of the major financiers to the industry, including banking syndicates, banks, funds and other alternative finance providers. · Shipping

Bjørn Frode Skaar

Bjørn Frode's main areas are issues related to contract law and company law. He mostly works with clients in the real estate market (transactions, management and construction of real estate). Bjørn Frode is specialized in building- and construction law, and he also assists clients in the offshore sector. · Real Estate

Caroline Skaar Landsværk

Caroline is specialised within renewable energy and the green shift. She heads the firm's energy team in Oslo. In Wikborg Rein, Caroline has assisted in various energy related projects and transactions, within both the renewable energy and petroleum sectors, in Norway and abroad. Caroline has broad knowledge of projects, transactions and the regulatory regime relating to hydro power, onshore wind, offshore wind, power grid, solar power, district heating and power market. She provides advice on energy regulatory issues, including EU law within the energy area. Furthermore, Caroline regularly assists clients in contract negotiations and contract drafting both towards investors, partners, developers, contractors, suppliers and other stakeholders. Such contracts typically comprise power purchase agreements (PPA), cooperation agreements and shareholders agreements, transaction agreements, operation and maintenance agreements, landowner agreements and supply agreements. Caroline has a true engagement for new sustainable technology and infrastructure, and has had the pleasure of working on such projects on several occasions. Caroline has over several years been ranked as one of Norway's up and coming talents within the category energy and climate in the financial newspaper Finansavisen's annual lawyer survey, and is also recognised by the rating agency Chambers & Partners within the area "Energy: Electricity". · Energy

Cathrine B. Hetland

Cathrine has significant experience advising various players in the oil and gas industry on a broad range of matters, including legal and commercial aspects of offshore exploration, development, production and sales, as well as M&A projects. She also works extensively with carbon storage projects. Her previous experience includes several years serving as a senior legal counsel for DEA Norge AS, an NCS oil and gas operator, and as a managing associate in the law firm Thommessen. She is recognised within "Energy: Oil and Gas" in Chambers Global and Chambers Europe, and has for several years in a row been ranked as one of Norway's up and coming lawyers within oil and gas in the Norwegian financial daily Finansavisen's lawyer ranking. She is also a "Recommended Lawyer" within oil and gas in Legal 500. Cathrine is a member of the Norwegian Bar Association's panel on Hydropower, Energy and Oil and Gas law. She has also been a member of several working groups set down by the Norwegian Oil and Gas Association in order to develop model agreements for use on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, and was inter alia part of the working group producing the latest revision of the Norwegian Oil and Gas Association's standard SPA for license transactions. · Energy: Oil & Gas

Cecilie Tollefsen

Cecilie mainly works with corporate tax, VAT and corporate law issues. She has extensive experience from corporate restructurings, including mergers and acquisitions, tax free conversions of Norwegian entities and transfer of business. She advices on domestic and international tax issues, and she has substantial experience on cross border transactions. She also offers day to day advice on issues related to tax and VAT, including correspondence with the Norwegian tax authorities in relation to tax assessments and advance rulings. I addition to being a lawyer, Cecilie holds a bachelor degree in Business and Finance from Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh, and a Master degree in Business Administration from Handelshøyskolen BI. · Tax

Chelsea Chen

Chelsea's main area of practice lies within the maritime, shipping and offshore, petroleum and energy fields. She has a broad range of experience specializing in construction, purchase and sale and financing (including financial leasing) of commercial ships and offshore units together with their employment, operation and disposal. In addition her practice also encompasses marine insurance, international dispute resolution and corporate commercial in relation to outbound and inbound investment between China and Norway. With more than 11 years of experiences, Chelsea has represented a large number of Norwegian and European multi-nationals, shipowners, private and state-owned shipyards, Chinese state-owned oil companies, trading houses and large Chinese financial institutes and has been the lead counsel or main client contact point closing many major transactions. · Maritime

Chris Grieveson

Chris is a Managing Partner at Wikborg Rein's London office and is an English Solicitor. Chris specialises in shipping, oil & gas, and commodity trading law. Shipping He has extensive experience of all aspects of shipping law (both globally and especially within Asia having lived and worked there for 12 years). He has been involved in handling some of the world’s major casualties and pollution incidents. Chris regularly advises shipowners, charterers, P&I clubs and traders on all aspects of carriage of goods, charterparty and marine insurance law. Chris also has extensive experience of shipbuilding and S&P disputes. Offshore In the offshore industry Chris advises operators and contractors in the drafting and negotiation of proposed contracts; handling claims and disputes concerning contractual performance; accidents; and claims under insurance policies. His experience includes all aspects of the industry from the initial bid and tender process through commissioning, and in-field operation. He has acted for all sectors of the industry including EPC and EPCI contractors, drilling contractors, FPSO/FLNG operators, accommodation rig providers, supply boat /barge operators, and oilfield service contractors. Trading Chris’ trading experience includes advising commodities traders, especially metals, coal and oil traders with their sale and purchase arrangements, particularly for long term off take contracts and disputes. Chris has handled numerous disputes for traders arising out of delays, force majeure, quality issues and letter of credit problems. Commercial Fraud Chris has extensive expertise of acting in civil fraud claims in the shipping and offshore industry including asset tracing, he has particular expertise in cases involving Russia, the CIS, China, Indonesia and Vietnam as well as Europe. Compliance and Crisis Management Chris has significant experience advising clients on compliance, regulatory and investigations in the Marine Sector. In particular, he has been extensively involved in anti-bribery and corporate crisis management including the conduct of internal investigations and the handling of criminal law consequences and civil disputes triggered by potential misconduct. · Shipping

Christian A. Cederkvist

Christian works mainly with dispute resolution, primarily within the fields of contract law, construction law and the law of tort. He has experience with inter alia construction law, board member liability cases and major commercial disputes. Furthermore, he advises Norwegian and international clients on different matters related to construction projects and on contract law issues related to transactions. Christian is regarded as a "Key lawyer" in the category "Construction" by Legal 500, where he is described as "a skilled negotiator, thinking strategically and working independently" (2024). · Dispute Resolution

Christian Backe

Christian is head of the firm's Employment law practice. He assists Norwegian and international clients with advice, dispute resolution and litigation in matters concerning employment law and pension. Christian works with a wide range of employment and pension law issues. Among other things, he has extensive experience in assisting employers in connection with reorganization, including business transfers and downsizing. He also regularly assists in matters related to temporary labor and hiring conditions, and has considerable experience in assisting employers in handling whistleblowing cases. Christian assists clients in various industries within private and public sector. Christian is recognized for his work as an employment law lawyer in, among others, Chambers, Legal 500 and Finansavisen. "He is very good at understanding exactly what we want and then making a plan together with us on how to achieve it. He is able to strategise, plan, and then provide hands-on execution." Chambers & Partners · Employment

Christian James-Olsen

Christian is head of Wikborg Rein's Renewables Energy group in Bergen. He primarily works with project development works and contract advice within the shipping, offshore and energy industry. He has particularly broad experience from structuring, planning, negotiations and management of energy, shipbuilding and offshore projects. As part of the Renewables Energy group he is involved in several industry projects regarding renewables and the shipping industry's ongoing green transition. Christian was the Managing Partner of the Shanghai office from 2016 to 2019 and has extensive experience in cross border contracts and investment matters. Christian is ranked by Legal 500 as a recommended lawyer and for 2023 he were given the following testimonial: "I have recently worked a lot with partner Christian James-Olsen and associate Jens Drageset. Both provide quick, quality feedback. They are able to convey legal perspectives in a simple, understandable and case efficient manner. They are always available. Even after working long hours, they are in a good mood, and we always find a way forward." · Renewables

Claire Jiang

Claire specialises in both contentious and non-contentious shipping and offshore matters. Claire assists clients in drafting, reviewing, commenting and negotiating various type of contracts in relation to shipbuilding, international trade, offshore construction, transportation, charterparty, bill of lading and other general corporate matters. She advises major Chinese state-owned shipyard groups, including without limitation China State Shipbuilding Corporation Group, China Merchant Industry Holding, COSCO Shipyards, as well as the major international manufacturers and suppliers in the shipping and offshore industry, etc. Claire also has extensive experience in handling international arbitration and court proceedings including LMAA, LCIA, HKIAC, SIAC, and London and Hong Kong court litigations. In addition, Claire has a broad range of experience specializing in handling all post-casualty issues, including without limitation investigations, post-casualty analysis, legal advice, negotiations and litigation. Her clients include the P&I club members within the I&G group and the top H&M insurers and the international shipowners worldwide. · Maritime / Shipping

Claire Jiang

Claire has extensive experience advising shipowners, P&I Clubs and H&M insurers on post-casualty matters, including collisions, fires and explosions, salvage, limitation of liability, pollution incidents and other major casualties. Claire regularly assists with investigations, strategic post-casualty analysis, liability assessment, negotiations with authorities and claimants, and the coordination and conduct of related litigation and arbitration. Her clients include members of the International Group of P&I Clubs, leading H&M insurers and international shipowners. In parallel, Claire advises on shipbuilding, conversion and offshore construction projects, acting for major Chinese state-owned shipyard groups and offshore contractors, as well as international owners, manufacturers and suppliers. Her work includes drafting and negotiating shipbuilding and conversion contracts, refund guarantees, offshore EPC arrangements, charterparties, transportation and international trade contracts, as well as associated corporate and financing documentation. Her clients include, among others, CSSC Group, China Merchants Industry Holdings, COSCO Shipyards, and other leading industry participants. Claire also has substantial experience in international dispute resolution, acting in arbitrations under the LMAA, LCIA, HKIAC and SIAC Rules, as well as in litigation before the English and Hong Kong courts and PRC maritime courts. She frequently handles disputes arising out of casualties, shipbuilding and offshore projects, charterparties, and international trade. Claire is dual qualified under Chinese and English law and practises as a Solicitor of England and Wales. · Shipping / Maritime

Dag Erik Rasmussen

Dag Erik is head of the firm's Capital Markets practice. He primarily works with transactions relating to listed companies and advises companies, investment banks and investors. He lectures on company- stock exchange- and securities law. Dag Erik has experience as a board member in listed companies and investment companies. He is a member of the board of the Oslo Stock Exchange and represents the Norwegian Society of Financial Analysts on the Norwegian Corporate Governance Board. Dag Erik is rated by Chambers and Partners, Legal 500 and IFLR. · Capital Markets

Daniel Nygaard Nyberg

Daniel heads asset management at Wikborg Rein. He assists with fund establishment for new and established managers (including Private Equity, Venture Capital, real estate funds, fund-of-funds, etc.), negotiation of fund agreements, tax and structuring of funds, the investments by the investment team, co-investments and underlying acquisition structures. He represents institutional investors in investments and the purchase and sale of fund interests in Europe and the USA (dozens of investments in recent years). He has lead several major acquisition and merger processes at management company level and M&As at the portfolio level. Daniel also regularly assists with the establishment of incentive schemes for both investment team members and the management and employees in underlying portfolio companies. · Asset Management

Eivind Stage

Eivind is deputy head of the firm's competition law discipline. He is a versatile and experienced adviser in all types of competition law matters under Norwegian law and EU/EEA law. He has broad experience in handling large and complex competition cases from various industries. Since 2013 he has led the firm's assistance in several high-profile cases before both Norwegian and foreign competition authorities, in cases concerning anti-trust investigations, related damages lawsuits, and merger cases. He also advises on the legality for various forms of collaboration, abuse of dominant position and competition law compliance. Eivind also has seven years' experience from the Norwegian Competition Authority, in positions such as Head of Section and Deputy Director of Market Monitoring Department, as well as experience as a deputy judge. Eivind's background and expertise make him a versatile and sought-after competition law expert. According to the renowned rating agency Legal 500, he is described as "a true expert in this field". · Competition / Antitrust

Elisabeth Roscher

Elisabeth is head of the firm's ESG, Compliance and Crisis Management team. She was previously partner and head of the Fraud Investigation & Dispute Services team at EY Norway (2011-2016). Elisabeth was also senior public prosecutor with Økokrim, responsible for investigation and prosecution of various large and complex economic crime cases. She has extensive experience in both pleading and prosecuting cases before Norwegian courts, including several Økokrim cases before the Norwegian Supreme Court. Her main areas of practice include: - Corporate compliance in particular anti-corruption, anti-money-laundering, responsible business conduct and human rights and international sanctions and trade control - Private investigations and crisis management for both national and international companies - Criminal law, in particular economic crime and corporate criminal liability · Compliance

Erik Enger-Mår

Erik primarily works with property development, transactions, lease agreements and general assistance to property owners. Erik advises both traditional property companies, as well as institutional and financial players, and has significant experience from assisting clients within i.a. project financing and private equity, and a number of his clients are foreign investors in the Norwegian market. Erik has extensive experience from arranging and carrying out real estate transactions, including portfolio sales, forward structures, and sale-lease-back. He also has extensive experience from negotiating lease agreements. Erik has previously worked as deputy judge at the Oslo County Court (Oslo Byfogdembete), which handles bankruptcy / insolvency cases, temporary injunctions, etc. · Real Estate

Fanos Theophani

Fanos specialises in all aspects of dry shipping, P&I and Defence, as well as international trade and multi jurisdiction commercial disputes. He is known for his detailed knowledge of the law, clear commercial and tactical advice. He regularly acts for a variety of clients, including P&I Clubs, H&M insurers, shipowners, managers, charterers, operators and traders. Fanos advises on a wide range of disputes arising under Charterparties and bills of lading (including, off-hire, deviation, demurrage, cargo claims, off spec bunkers, speed and performance, letters of indemnity); shipbuilding contracts, memorandums of agreement and various commercial contracts. As his "strong track record" shows, Fanos has extensive experience in London arbitrations (LMAA, ICC, and LCIA), the English Courts and ADR, in particular mediation. Fanos is a Supporting Member of the LMAA and speaks Greek. He is recognised in directories as a Ranked and Notable Practitioner in Shipping. · Shipping

Filip Truyen

Filip is among Norway's leading experts on company law. He is also a Professor, Doctor of Laws at the University of Bergen and at the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH). He has published scientific work with focus on shareholder conflicts, directors' liability, corporate governance, compulsory acquisition, public ownership and enterprise valuation. He has broad experience as an Appellate Court Judge and as an arbitrator. Moreover, Filip is frequently engaged in the sale and reorganising of businesses, especially where the choice of transaction model is an important premise. He often acts as counsellor in ownership disputes, including challenges that come with generational changes. Filip was Deputy Chairman at the Appeal Board of Stock Exchanges in Norway in the period 2009-2012. Since 2015 he has served as Chairman of the Norwegian Government's Legislative Committee on Securities. The Committee has delivered nine public reports on securities law. · Corporate / M&A

Finn Bjørnstad

Most of Finn's clients are Norwegian and foreign banks and shipowners, and his main areas of practice are: issues relating to newbuildings/conversion projects for ships, financing and purchase/sale/affreightment of ships and offshore vessels, project finance for different assets in Norway and abroad, as well as towards the private equity market – both for investors and brokers – in connection with establishing projects in Norway and abroad. Bjørnstad holds several board positions. Finn is recommended by Chambers and Partners as "Leaders in their field" in the categories Energy, Oil & Gas and Shipping Finance. · Shipping

Fiona Rafla

Fiona acts for a wide range of clients active in the oil and gas and offshore markets including owners, charterers, P&I clubs, yards and energy majors. She focuses on international commercial dispute resolution and advises on disputes arising out of international trade contracts, charterparties, ship building and superyacht construction. She has broad experience of substantial High Court litigation and arbitration (in particular LMAA, LCIA, SIAC, GAFTA, FOSFA and LME). Wet experience includes high-value casualty claims, salvage and cargo disputes. Fiona has particular expertise in complex commercial fraud and multi-jurisdictional disputes within the shipping sector, with comprehensive experience in injunctive relief, including freezing orders, anti-suit injunctions and general mandatory injunctions. · Maritime & Offshore

Fredrik Gisholt

Fredrik is mainly employed with labour law and contract law, including litigation for Norwegian courts and arbitration. · Employment & Labour

Geir Ove Røberg

Geir Ove is assisting international, Nordic and Norwegian ship owners and banks with transactions within financing, sale and purchase of entities and assets. He has been leading several international contractual negotiations, and has assisted in large projects related to shipping/financing. · Shipping

Geir Sviggum

Geir is our Managing Partner. He headed the firm's Shanghai office from 2008 to 2013 and was Managing Partner International with overall responsibility for Wikborg Rein's international practice from 2012 to 2016. Geir has on a number of occasions, as late as 2022, been named International Lawyer of the Year in the Norwegian Financial Daily's annual lawyers survey. Legal 500 points to Geir as a Leading Individual within the Regulatory, Compliance and Investigations category, describing him as "the rock that you need in a crisis". Geir is also ranked Band 1 by Chambers Europe within the Compliance category. Geir's specialities are threefold: - Compliance with a particular focus on anti-bribery and crisis management, hereunder criminal law consequences and civil disputes triggered by potential misconduct. Geir's experience spans from a role as public defender in Norwegian courts to crisis management on behalf of listed Norwegian companies following suspected misconduct, preventive advisory work for Norwegian companies and public authorities in their anti-bribery work and lecturing on anti-bribery legislation at universities in several countries; - Dispute resolution focusing on larger disputes of international nature. Geir has significant experience from Norwegian courts as well as arbitration- and court processes in several countries; - Advisory work to medium-sized and large Norwegian industry- and technology enterprises in their international exposure, hereunder regulatory issues, sales contracts, distribution contracts, production contracts, agent contracts and risk preventive measures. Geir further has significant experience as legal advisor to Norwegian authorities with regard to Norway's various international exposure. During Geir’s time in China he was highlighted in local and regional rankings as among China’s "15 Rising Stars" in the legal profession for "impressive achievements" and among the 100 most influential lawyers in Asia. Geir is frequently used as speaker at universities, conferences and in other fora. · Compliance

Gillie Belsham

Gillie is a highly experienced senior commercial disputes resolution lawyer specialising in heavyweight, complex problems often at Board level and with safety and/or reputation/ “bet the company” and cross border aspects, arising mainly in the Aviation and Offshore Energy sectors. Gillie is comfortable with all forms of arbitration, litigation and mediation and is known for (1) her strategic direction of matters, never losing sight of where the money is for the client whether defending or claiming, and (2) her ability to handle complex, high value cases, usually in multi-jurisdictions, over the long haul to deliver successful results. Gillie is very experienced at leading big teams, whether cross border or otherwise, who are client focussed and committed to success. Gillie assists in particular the London and international Aviation insurance market with a wide range of their most difficult problems and currently is Lead Counsel defending a number of very high value claims made by Lessors arising out of the detention of aircraft in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. · Dispute Resolution

Gry Hvidsten

Gry is a leading lawyer within data protection and digitalization. She is the Head of the firm's Data Protection practice. Her practice also includes assisting clients within IT-law/information security, e- privacy law and marketing law. Gry also works with large and complex projects in the intersection between data protection and legislation concerning the use of personal data within specific sectors such as finance and health. Gry holds a unique combination of in-depth professional knowledge and a commercial mindset. She has 20 years of experience working as a data protection specialist in the Legislation Department in the Ministry of Justice, in Norway’s largest company Equinor and as a long-standing business lawyer. She advises leading corporations within a variety of sectors, including large group companies, and public authorities on all aspects related to data protection compliance, including the procurement, implementation and development of new technology and new products and services, including necessary agreement to cover the sharing and transfer of personal data. Over the last years her focus has expanded to include larger and more complex projects related to digital business development and the use of new technologies. Gry has assisted several international corporations with the implementation of BCR (Binding Corporate Rules). She also assists clients on a regular basis in relation to handling security incidents and with handling technology transactions. She often works in close cooperation with other Wikborg Rein teams such as Commercial property, Financial regulatory, Risk and crisis management and with our firm’s office in Shanghai. With a passion for the intersection between technology, law and business development, Gry takes a particular interest in understanding the client's business and in working closely with clients to find effective and business-oriented solutions. She is a lecturer at Norwegian universities and a regular speaker at industry events. Gry is a member of the board of The Norwegian Association for Computers and Law (NFJE). She is also responsible for the Norwegian chapter in the International Comparative Legal Guide (ICLG) on Data Protection 2021. Gry received appreciation as Next Generation Partner in the latest Legal 500 ranking. · Data Protection

Gunnar Meyer

Gunnar specialises within intellectual property law, with a particular focus on patent, trademark and trade secrets litigation. He has in-depth knowledge within life sciences, including pharmaceuticals, and related regulatory issues. Gunnar has extensive litigation experience before all courts, including the Supreme Court. He has argued a substantial number of cases within patent and trademark law. He regularly represents businesses within the pharmaceutical industry, oil and gas, renewables, agriculture and branded consumer goods. Gunnar is recognised by Chambers and Partners as 'Senior statesperson' in the category Intellectual Property, and by Legal 500 within 'Hall of Fame' in the category Intellectual Property. He is also ranked as Patent Star and Trademark Star by Managing Intellectual Property, and in the top category in Patent Litigation by IAM Patent 1000. "He is very dedicated and service-oriented. He always works with integrity and manages to have client satisfaction firmly at the centre of his focus." Chambers Europe 2023 "Gunnar Meyer is ‘one of Norway’s most experienced patent litigators‘." The Legal 500 2023 · Intellectual Property

Hanne Rustad Gundersrud

Hanne specialises in compliance and crisis management. She joined Wikborg Rein from a large global law firm with headquarters in London. In addition to her Norwegian legal qualification, she is a solicitor qualified in England and Wales. Hanne has broad expertise within the field of compliance, with particular focus on investigations (internal and external) with an international angle, corporate criminal liability, human rights and responsible business, anti-corruption work and sanctions. As a solicitor in London, Hanne supported large, listed companies that were subject to investigation by various supervisory authorities, including the Serious Fraud Office and the Financial Conduct Authority. She has also handled regulatory enforcement action and investigations from an in-house counsel perspective, in connection with two separate secondments to investment banks in London. As a result, Hanne has relevant experience supporting companies in their handling of and dialogue with relevant regulatory authorities, in both criminal and civil law contexts. Hanne works with a range of clients across different sectors including, most notably, financial institutions, industry conglomerates and companies in the telecoms and renewables sectors. Hanne also has experience working as Chief Compliance Officer at a Norwegian listed company focusing on renewable energy. Hanne is a member of the Norwegian Law Society's Ethics Committee. Hanne holds a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) from the University of Essex and a Master of Laws (LLM) in International Business Law (Distinction) from the London School of Economics. She is also a Solicitor Advocate with Higher Rights of Audience before the English High Courts. · Compliance

Harald Hauge

Harald is a tax specialist and works primarily with structuring, transactions, incentive programs and dispute resolution for both businesses and investors. He is a trusted advisor for several family offices. Harald is known for his combination of technical and human skills, and gives also advice on tax policy issues and legal development towards lawmakers and the Ministry of Finance. Harald's experience includes e.g. principal cases within the private equity and financial sectors concerning classification of various income streams, financial instruments, loss deductions, life insurance regulations, innovative incentive schemes, partner models, exit tax issues, wealth and succession planning. Dispute resolution includes dialogue with tax authorities, appeals and court proceedings. Clients represent a wide spectre, from listed financial institutions to family offices and investors. Harald regularly comments tax news in the newspapers, speaks at seminars and writes articles on new regulations and court decisions in journals etc. Harald holds a PhD in tax law from the University of Oslo and is also an Assistant Professor II and lecturer with the Norwegian School of Economics. Harald has several times been awarded as Norway's leading tax lawyer in Finansavisen's ranking (the Norwegian Financial Business Newspaper). He has also been awarded the prize for best lecturer with the law school of University of Bergen. · Tax

Heidi Ann Vestvik-Bruknapp

Heidi Ann is specialised in fisheries and aquaculture and has special experience in assisting fishing companies and aquaculture companies with complex regulatory issues. The advice to fisheries companies especially includes application processes in relation to succession of generations, as well as legal assessments of all regulatory issues related to such processes. Within aquaculture law she has special knowledge towards the exceptions within the Norwegian traffic light system. Heidi Ann has also advised aquaculture clients on issues related to the EU Animal Health Law and has therefore experience with regulatory issues related to listed fishing diseases. Heidi Ann was in 2022 and 2023 ranked as "Rising Star" within Legal500. · Fisheries & Aquaculture

Heidi| Jorkjend

Heidi specialises in competition law. She has extensive experience with cases involving violations of competition rules, notifiable transactions, and general advisory work. She also has extensive experience with the Security Act's rules on ownership control and international FDI. Heidi assists Norwegian and international clients in all aspects of competition law. She has worked on some of the largest investigation cases in Norway, both for competition authorities (Norwegian Competition Authority, ESA, and the Commission), national courts, and the EFTA Court. She has also assisted in numerous complex transactions. · Competition / Antitrust

Herman Steen

Herman is head of the firm's Shipping and Offshore Dispute Practice in Oslo and global head of the Maritime and Offshore Emergency Response Team. He is admitted to the Norwegian Supreme Court and is member of the Norwegian Bar Association's Legal Committee on Maritime, Air and other Transport Law, including Marine Insurance. Herman is ranked by Chambers and Partners, Legal 500 and the Norwegian Financial Daily. Legal 500 has described him as "the go-to person for international maritime disputes, specifically casualty claims and marine insurance issues", "always has a practical solution to solve a tricky issue" and that he is "calm, knowledgeable and a steady pair of hands". He is one of the leading lawyers in international maritime and marine insurance law. Herman has particular experience with maritime casualties, where he assists Norwegian and international clients, including P&I clubs, hull insurers, shipowners and others in connection with investigation and handling of incidents in Norway and around the world such as salvage, wreck removal, pollution, collisions, groundings, fires and cargo damage. He also assists in the handling of claims and legal proceedings arising out of such incidents. He has extensive experience with cover disputes under P&I, hull, war and cargo insurances, as well as reinsurance, direct actions, jurisdiction and choice of law issues and charterparty disputes. He is one of a few experts on autonomous ships. Herman has extensive litigation experience as a lawyer and previously as a judge. He has argued several cases for the Norwegian Supreme Court and has acted as a mediator on numerous occasions and is an experienced negotiator. He has been working out of the firm's offices in Oslo, London and Kobe, Japan. Herman has previously been a judge in Oslo District Court and Drammen District Court, and also research assistant at the Scandinavian Institute of Maritime Law, where he wrote a thesis on charterparties which has been published in the Scandinavian Institute of Maritime Law's law journal. He has a law degree from the University of Oslo and a master's degree in maritime law from King's College London. He has attended Harvard Law School's Program of Instruction for Lawyers (Negotiation). Herman is frequently speaker at Norwegian and international conferences. He is lecturing at the Nordic Association of Marine Insurers' (Cefor) Claims Forum and has for many years been lecturing at the Scandinavian Institute of Maritime Law. He is regularly publishing maritime and marine insurance law articles in Norwegian and international periodicals. Herman is one of the editors of the firm's Shipping Offshore Update. · Shipping

Håkon Lagesen

Håkon primarily works commercial property transactions, including private equity and project finance, and commercial lease agreements. Håkon also works with property development and general assistance to property owners and managers. Håkon advises both financial and institutional players, as well as traditional property companies, and has significant experience from assisting clients within i.a. project financing and property M&A. A number of his clients are foreign investors in the Norwegian real estate market. Furthermore, Håkon has extensive experience with negotiations of commercial lease agreements. Håkon is regarded as a "Key lawyer" in the commercial property segment by Legal 500. "Håkon Lagesen: Hard working, high level of accuracy and efficient." Legal 500, 2022. · Real Estate

Håkon Stalheim Meldahl

Håkon specialises in dispute resolution, contract law and compliance. He has extensive experience in sanctions, export control regulations, anti-corruption measures, business and human rights, as well as security legislation. Håkon's work includes providing general advice, assisting in transactions, engaging with authorities, and serving as a defence counsel for corporations, especially in cases relating to sanctions. Håkon also has significant experience with complex projects in the energy industry. Previously, Håkon worked as an in-house counsel at Equinor. In this role, he managed contract negotiations and disputes, assisted in investigations, and served as a compliance officer for the group's business area for project developments, drilling operations, and procurement activities globally. · Dispute Resolution

Ian Chetwood

Ian is a disputes lawyer with significant experience in shipping cases and large scale commercial disputes in court proceedings, arbitrations and ADR for clients around the world. His clients include ship owners, cargo owners and insurers. He specialises in wet and dry shipping cases and has taken cases to the Supreme Court and to the CJEU. He has provided expert advice on English law in foreign courts. · Shipping

Ina Lutchmiah

Ina is the Managing Director of Wikborg Rein's Singapore office and leads the transactional practice. She has particular expertise in LNG projects and other shipping and offshore energy transactions. Her experience includes advising on decommissioning and recycling of offshore assets and vessels in accordance with the Basel Convention regime, long-term charters for FSRU and FLNG projects, sale and purchase agreements, sale and leaseback arrangements, joint ventures and corporate structures, shareholder agreements and related documents, business acquisition due diligence, JV partner due diligence, time charters and related service agreements, shipbuilding contracts, EPC contracts, drilling contracts and towage contracts. Ina is English qualified and speaks fluent English, Bulgarian and Greek. · Shipping

Ingrid Aasa Haavaldsen

Ingrid advises clients on private and public M&A transactions as well as capital markets transactions, such as acquisitions, structured sales processes, equity investments and public tender offers. Ingrid is recommended within the areas "Commercial, corporate and M&A" and "Capital Markets" in the Legal 500. · Corporate / M&A

Ingrid K. Høstmælingen

Ingrid is head of the firm's Commercial Property practice. She assists both operational and institutional players and has in the recent years also provided assistance to international investors in the Norwegian property market. She advises clients on a wide range of real estate matters, including transactions, development, and leasing. With over 17 years of experience in the field, she has developed a deep understanding of the industry and the legal frameworks that govern it. "Ingrid Høstmælingen stands out as always available, accommodating, experienced, flexible/creative and solution-oriented. She always contributes positively to a deal, irrespective of whether she represents you or your counterparty." Legal 500 (2023) Ingrid is frequently used as a lecturer, including for Norwegian Real Estate Agents/Forum for Commercial Brokers, the Norwegian Bar Association etc. · Real Estate

Isak Mendoza

Isak specialises in IT contracts and related regulatory fields. He works on larger and medium-sized IT projects and IT procurements, including drafting and negotiation of outsourcing contracts, cloud service agreements, various XaaS contracts, operational services agreements, and development contracts. He also provides advice in related areas such as data rights, security, AI, marketing law, e-commerce, and telecommunications. Isak also has experience with general and specific compliance projects related to GDPR and other regulatory fields, as well as tech M&A. Isak has been ranked as a Rising Star by Legal500 (2021-2024) and is described as having ‘extensive legal knowledge,’ a ‘great understanding of technology,’ and ‘excellent negotiation skills.’ He has also been highlighted as a Promising Talent in the lawyer survey conducted by the Norwegian business newspaper "Finansavisen". Isak graduated from the University of Oslo, where he worked as a research assistant at the Department of Private Law during his final year. He wrote his thesis on automated decisions, which was later published in ‘EU: Internet Law: Regulation and Enforcement’ (Springer 2017). Isak regularly serves as a supervisor and examiner for master theses. In 2019, he participated in a summer school on IT law at Cambridge. · Information Technology

Jan Erik Clausen

Jan Erik is the Managing Partner at Wikborg Rein's Bergen office. He works primarily with M&A and capital market transactions, including assisting clients in connection with the purchase and sale of companies and businesses, mergers, demergers, share issue and other equity transactions. In recent years, he has advised both private and governmental parties and led a number of major transactions in various sectors, including a significant number of transactions in the fisheries/aquaculture and energy sectors. In addition, he continuously assists a number of profiled operators in Norwegian business with investments, projects and general business law. In recent years, he has held several board assignments, both in private and listed companies. In addition to working at the office in Bergen, Jan Erik has assisted in establishing Wikborg Rein's office in Singapore. · Corporate / M&A

Jan L. Backer

Jan has an extensive experience in advising companies and industry clients on a broad range of issues. He has considerable experience in international transactions. Jan has worked on employment law issues for more than 20 years. His general knowledge of and long-term relationship with management in business and industry makes him a valuable advisor with respect to contractual issues, termination and other questions relating to the management. He is frequently been used for discussing and preparing pension arrangements as well as advising on conflicts pertaining to pension issues. Jan has been much involved in reorganizations and downscaling. He is a member of the Norwegian Bar Association's Panel for employment law. He is recommended by Chambers and Partners as "Leaders in their field" in the category Employment. · Employment

Jarle Schelander

Jarle works with issues related to tax and corporate law. He has previously worked for the Norwegian Tax Administration, including at the Central Tax Office for Large Enterprises. He was previously a lawyer and partner in the law firm Harboe & Co, which was a niche firm specialising in tax law. Jarle has also been a lecturer on master's programmes in tax law, and has been a supervisor and examiner on master's theses in tax law. He is currently also co-author of several commentary editions to the Tax Act, including the parts of the Tax Act that apply to corporate taxation and the ground rent rules on water and wind power. Jarle works broadly within the field of tax law, but has particularly worked with corporate taxation and issues in the transition between company and owner, and with both national and international issues. For two decades, he has also worked with Norwegian resource rent tax rules, both from the government side and from the advisor side, and with special tax issues for Norwegian financial institutions and various capital funds. He also has extensive experience of dispute resolution within tax and duties, both during the tax authority's review stage, with appeals and with court review, as well as contact with the tax authorities for advance clarification of relevant issues. He also has good experience with issues related to various incentive schemes, both in connection with transactions and in collaboration with long-term ownership structures that want customised models. · Tax

Jens Christian Werring-Westly

Jens Christian advises key players in the financial sector on complex and strategically important financial regulatory matters. He advises all types of financial institutions, including banks, insurers, fintechs and payment institutions, and focuses on licensing processes, regulatory structuring, capital requirements (CRR/CRD), solvency regulation (Solvency II) and ongoing compliance, including DORA, MiCA and PSD3. He is frequently engaged in matters requiring close dialogue with supervisory authorities. Jens Christian previously served as Deputy Director General and head of the legal section for banking and insurance at the Norwegian Ministry of Finance. There he led the development of financial sector legislation and handled regulatory cases concerning financial institutions. He has extensive experience with crisis management and resolution, including participation in resolution colleges for systemically important banks. He was responsible for EEA-related processes in the financial markets area and chaired the EFTA working group on financial services. Jens Christian has in-depth knowledge of both Norwegian and EU financial regulation, and of how regulatory frameworks are developed and applied in practice across jurisdictions. · Banking & Finance

Johan Astrup Heber

Johan has extensive experience with bankruptcies, corporate and financial restructurings, reconstruction proceedings, M&A, contract and company law, as well as banking and securities law. He was the network leader for insolvency law at JUC during 2021-2023, has written a number of articles, and has worked on secondment in Toronto at Blake, Cassels & Gaydon, Canada's biggest law firm. Johan has been a key member of all the major restructuring and insolvency cases Wikborg Rein has worked with over the last 10 years, including as project manager. He has considerable expertise on all relevant areas of areas. · Insolvency & Restructuring

Johan Rasmussen

Johan mainly works with issues relating to financing, security, documentation and restructuring. He has also conducted several cases within these areas before the Norwegian courts. Before joining Wikborg Rein he worked in the Oslo municipality with legal issues relating to real estate. Furthermore, he worked in Christiania Bank og Kreditkasse ASA. Johan is recommended by Chambers and Partners as "Leaders in their field" in the category Banking Finance. · Banking & Finance