What the team is known for
Outstanding energy practice with noted capabilities in cross-border matters, assisting clients with high-profile M&A, financing and corporate mandates relating to projects. Broad expertise covers both offshore and onshore oil and gas activities as well as renewables, with a strong focus on wind energy. Advises on the regulatory and EU law aspects of energy matters and acts on environmental issues associated with energy projects. Further strength in representing clients in energy-related arbitration proceedings.

Strengths
A client appreciates the lawyers' "fast and always thoroughly thought-through work" in addition to their "fair, open and direct counselling."

A second source praises the firm's multidisciplinary approach, stating: "It is such a confidence to know we have partners that have expertise within all these fields."

Work highlights
Assisted AffaldVarme Aarhus with the negotiation of a contract relating to the establishment of a geothermal plant generating renewable energy.

Notable practitioners
Jakob Østervang is active in the renewable energy market, frequently handling divestments, joint ventures and financing mandates in the sector.

Per Hemmer is a well-regarded figure in the energy market who receives plaudits for his regulatory expertise. He regularly advises on energy and infrastructure projects, also assisting with environmental permits. An interviewee highlights that "he is always responsive and commercial in his approach."

Chambers and Partners Europe, Energy

Bech-Bruun continues to develop its position as one of the leading names in the Danish energy and infrastructure market. This year it successfully expanded its team to bring in new expertise to supplement the already strong lawyers on its roster. It has also continued to impress on the energy side in particular, where it has again secured some of the most significant mandates in the Danish markets.

“Bech-Bruun’s energy team is providing a full-scope service for high-profile and complex renewable projects, including procurement, regulatory, competition, corporate and financing,” says one in-house counsel at a major European energy provider. “They have outstanding knowledge of Danish energy law and the Nordic energy market and all the relevant stakeholders. They are also very friendly, pragmatic and have a good responsiveness.”

Generally, clients praise the accuracy of the firm’s work as above average, with the work ethic of some of the senior lawyers praised in particular.

“Why we are using Peter [Østergaard Nielsen] is that he has a very good commercial touch and knows the supplier market on wind, he knows the industrial players and is strong on the supply agreements,” says one in-house counsel at a Danish investment group. “He is very well known on the supplier market for wind. When he moved to Bech-Bruun we followed him, because we are attached to Peter, not the firm he works for.”

Nielsen joined the team in February 2016 from Moalem Weitemeyer Bendtsen and brings a strong reputation in the wind and renewables market with him. The firm also brought on board another new partner in January 2015 in the shape of Claus Berg from Viltoft to help boost its construction and public procurement capabilities.

While the firm is known for its strength in the energy market, it has also had a productive year on the infrastructure side as well. This includes the continuing advice being provided to the Region of Southern Denmark on the development of a new hospital and working with Aarhus Kommune on the public-private partnership (PPP) construction of a new office building.

IFLR 1000, Energy and infrastructure

Ranked: tier 1

With extensive experience in waste-to-energy, upstream oil and gas and natural gas work, Bech-Bruun’s energy practice incorporates a ‘dedicated’ renewable energy department, ‘which includes leading experts in both contract law and M&A’, as well as financing and project development mandates. Jointly led by Per Hemmer and Jakob Østervang, the group also regularly advises a range of energy companies, investors, project developers and municipalities on regulatory issues, energy project developments and contentious matters. Anders Hørlyck Jensen specialises in offshore wind matters.

'A very professional team with a lot of experience; also able to deal with unusual situations.’

‘Bech-Bruun has a dedicated department focusing strictly on renewable energy, which includes leading experts in both contract law and M&A. Their strong legal skills combined with an unparalleled understanding of the industry gives them a significant edge compared to other competing firms.’

Legal 500, Energy