Chambers Europe

Chambers Europe Rating 2013

Banking and finance

Chambers and Partners Europe, Banking and Finance

Chambers Europe Rating 2013

Capital Markets

Chambers Europe Rating 2013

Competition and European Law

This team is especially commended for its public procurement and state aid advice, and handles a broad range of competition issues for both public and private clients. In recent highlights the group assisted a waste and energy company with the public procurement procedures to set up a EUR400 million incineration plant, and advised Energinet.dk on the merger notification for its acquisition of ten transmission companies. Other high-profile clients include Bang & Olufsen and GlaxoSmithKline.

Sources say: "Clever and trustworthy lawyers, available whenever needed."

Department head Simon Evers Kalsmose-Hjelmborg is praised as being "pragmatic and business-minded." Sources value his litigation skills, availability and direct advice. "Superb" public procurement expert and competition practitioner Peter Stig Jakobsen is "extremely good at advising on strategic issues," say sources. "He presents a case in a very clear and intelligent way, and has good insight into the economics of competition law." Jesper Kaltoft stands out for his competition and public procurement advice. Peers enjoy working with him and praise his pragmatism as well as his "firm grip" on the issues at hand.

Chambers and Partners Europe, Competition/European Law

Chambers Europe Rating 2013

Corporate/M&A

Chambers Europe Rating 2013

Dispute Resolution

This respected and established firm can count on a strong dispute resolution team with expertise in areas such as transport, shipping and construction. Recent highlights include successfully defending Sydbank against a DKK65 million negligence claim, and representing LO against a former employee. The practice is also developing its international capabilities, and recently established a representative office in Shanghai. Clients appreciate the firm's strong customer focus.

Sources say: “I like the close partner attention we get."

Clients value Jes Anker Mikkelsen for his ability to create a good business environment. He recently acted on behalf of Hessen Forst on a EUR3.3 million international freight claim, and is widely acknowledged to be one of the top maritime and transport lawyers in Denmark. Carsten Pedersen is a respected arbitrator who specialises in professional liability and construction. Sources say his advice is “clear, direct, and to the point.”  

Chambers and Partners Europe, Dispute Resolution

Chambers Europe Rating 2013

Employment

This firm's employment team remains at the forefront of the market. It handles all aspects of labour law, and is particularly highlighted for its strength in contentious cases, with significant experience of Supreme Court and High Court proceedings. Recent work has involved a number of high-profile dismissal disputes and discrimination cases. The team works closely with the firm's corporate department, providing employment law support on transactional mandates. Clients include train operating company DSB and Tata Consultancy Services Danmark. 

Sources say: "The team displayed excellent knowledge." "Creative and to-the-point advice."

Morten Ulrich is highly regarded by peers as a strong litigator, and clients say that he is "outstanding for his expertise and experience." He advised the Danish Confederation of Trade Unions in a notable High Court case concerning a former employee's claim for payment of a special pension scheme. Department head Mette Klingsten is a well-respected figure in this field. Clients praise her for "always going the extra mile to understand our business," and for always being available. Bjarke Vejby often assists with litigation and arbitration proceedings. He has many clients from the IT, telecoms and financial industries.

Chambers and Partners Europe, Employment

Chambers Europe Rating 2013

Intellectual Property

This highly regarded firm houses a strong team that is able to handle the full spectrum of IP matters. It offers expertise in a number of niche areas, such as data protection and music copyright, in addition to more traditional IP disciplines. The firm has an admirable global reach, assisting both domestic and international companies with complex, cross-border matters. Clients include household names from the IT, technology and entertainment sectors.

Sources say: "A great commercial law firm with excellent business acumen." "Extremely quick to respond to us."

Claus Barrett Christiansen is held in high regard as a "fair-minded and intelligent litigator who gets results." He runs a broad practice encompassing trade mark and copyright work. Klaus Madsen is renowned for his expertise in patent disputes, where he frequently represents generic pharmaceutical companies. Clients value his strong work ethic and in-depth experience of the field. Lisbet Andersen enters the rankings this year thanks to a raft of enthusiastic client feedback. Sources say: "She is really good – if you give her a case, she will resolve it to your satisfaction. She has excellent customer focus." 

Chambers and Partners Europe, Intellectual Property

Chambers Europe Rating 2013

Real Estate

This real estate group retains its reputation as one of the leading teams in the market. The firm's recent merger with Philip Law Firm has added new expertise to the department. Its clients include a range of national and international companies, from investment funds to project developers, with notable names including Aberdeen Asset Management, Essex Invest and By & Havn.

Sources say: "The team has an excellent understanding of the market."

Department head Torben Schøn is regarded as one of the top names in this field. "He is involved in almost every aspect of the real estate business," praises one source, whilst another enthuses: "He has a fantastic client base." Andreas Antoniades advises on real estate and public procurement matters. He is well known for his asset management and lease law knowledge. The "ambitious and engaged" Lars Kjær often advises on the financing aspects of real estate transactions. He recently assisted Patrizia with financing the acquisition of a residential property portfolio.

Chambers and Partners Europe, Real Estate

Chambers Europe Rating 2013

Restructuring/Insolvency

Following a merger with Philip in 2011, this firm now boasts one of the largest restructuring and insolvency teams in Denmark. The team is well known for both its domestic and international capabilities, and advised on a string of recent high-profile restructurings and bankruptcies. Highlights include assisting The Containership Company with its EUR30 million restructuring, which involved US court proceedings, and domestic sporting events provider DGI with its USD100 million restructuring.

Sources say: “A quick, highly professional service – always my first choice.” 

Sources praise the “pragmatic and business-minded” Ole Borch for his ability to find solutions. “He always does a great job,” said one interviewee. Michael Serring is a securities expert, as well as a “highly skilled insolvency lawyer.” He has been busy representing banks in bankruptcy litigation. The "pleasant but tough" Troels Tuxen is "the perfect guy to broker a reconstruction," says a source. Also active on bankruptcy cases, “he inspires confidence” in his clients.

Ulrik Holsted-Sandgreen acts for financial institutions and corporations, handling restructurings and bankruptcies. Erik Malberg has extensive experience of working on bankruptcy and insolvency issues, and has strong connections with a number of major banks. Bjørn Wittrup advises on restructurings and reorganisations and also takes appointments as a bankruptcy trustee. Clients consider Carsten Ceutz to be “knowledgeable and extraordinarily good in court.” He often acts on behalf of financial creditors.

Chambers and Partners Europe, Restructuring/Insolvency

Chambers Europe Rating 2013

Shipping

This well-regarded practice focuses on advising P&I clubs, liability underwriters, shipowners, operators, managers and cargo owners. The group has much experience of handling litigation, insurance, sale and purchase transactions, and restructuring mandates. In restructuring it acts as trustee to The Containership Company on its USD50 million restructuring proceedings, a matter involving US law due to the location of the company's assets. In the insurance area the group notably represented If Insurance in a dispute against DHL Global Forwarding regarding the loss of a container in transit.

Sources say: "This is an efficient, sophisticated, businesslike and extremely hard-working team, with which it is very easy to communicate." 

"First-class lawyer" Jes Anker Mikkelsen heads the department and is lauded as "proactive, insightful and authoritative" by interviewees. Clients value his "excellent legal and client skills, and sophisticated understanding of business." Johannes Grove Nielsen continues to receive praise as one of the market's rising stars, and was recently involved in the restructuring of The Containership Company.

Chambers and Partners Europe, Shipping

Chambers Europe Rating 2013

Tax

This highly regarded firm fields one of the largest tax teams in the market. It wins praise for its full-service offering, covering everything from tax planning to group restructurings. It handles standalone tax work in addition to supporting other practices within the firm. The team demonstrates its considerable global reach with an impressive client roster of domestic and international clients. Recent highlights include advising PwC on tax issues relating to its merger with Grant Thornton.

Sources say: "We are extremely happy with the team; it is responsive, available and delivers results on time."

Department head Anders Oreby Hansen is hailed as an expert in transfer pricing. Clients say: "He's a clever guy with an excellent attitude. You feel really secure working with him – if you have a case together, you know it will be done well." Interviewees describe Michael Serup as one of the country's leading lawyers for tax restructuring. He typically advises on mergers and demergers of Danish corporates.

Kaspar Bastian is regarded as a formidable tax litigator. Interviewees praise his "considerable expertise" in the field. Thomas Frøbert is described as "a well-rounded tax practitioner with a hands-on approach, who always ensures the job is completed to the client's satisfaction." Arne Riis continues to build his reputation as a standout practitioner. He is popular with clients, who appreciate his superb technical ability and thorough approach. 

Chambers and Partners Europe, Tax

Chambers Europe Rating 2013

TMT

This practice advises on the gamut of TMT law and acts for an impressive list of high-profile international clients, including Microsoft, Business Software Alliance and Sony Music. Recent case highlights include defending Konica Minolta Business Solutions Denmark against a DKK32.5 million action regarding alleged patent infringement.

Sources say: "This team has a wide range of skills in different legal areas, so it's easy to get the right person for the case." "The lawyers are excellent at communicating with their clients, especially in complicated cases."

Niels Andersen continues to impress at the top level of Danish IT with his "easy-going, very skilled" presence. He receives the unanimous respect of interviewees, who note that "we can always trust him to give us the right advice." "Absolutely fantastic software lawyer" Arly Carlquist maintains strong relationships with domestic and global IT institutions, often assisting them with significant outsourcing projects and implementation agreements.

Chambers and Partners Europe, TMT