What the team is known for
Top-ranked team with the capacity to tackle a high volume of transactions. Maintains a strong position in the private equity sphere, while also advising on M&A across a range of industries such as energy, real estate and pharmaceuticals. Acts for a notable client base on issues which frequently involve international elements, and regularly receives praise for its business-minded, commercial approach. Arla Foods and Danfoss are amongst the department's new client wins and the firm recently acted for the latter on a wide-ranging cross-border acquisition.

Strengths
Interviewees enthuse that the firm "delivers high-quality work" and adds that the "co-operation goes very smoothly" because the firm is "very proactive and willing to learn about its client's business, with a view to delivering the best service." The same client summarises: "I consider them an ideal partner for a global corporation."

Market sources commend the team's responsiveness, as well as its tailored solutions: "The speed they work at is outstanding, the quality impeccable and the price competitive. Most importantly, they provide solutions that can actually be executed, whilst also applying our appetite for risk in their approach to legal issues."

Work highlights
Acted for Maj Invest Equity and other private equity investors and shareholders on the sale of SFK Leblanc to Axcel Industriinvestor and ATP Private Equity Partners.

Advised Bagger-Sørensen on selling a majority shareholding in Fertin Pharma to EQT.

Significant Clients
WhiteAway, Bestseller, Capidea, Solix Group, Ratos Private Equity. 

Notable practitioners
Senior statesman Søren Meisling has a wealth of experience in transactional proceedings involving mergers and acquisitions. He advises clients from the financial, pharmaceutical and shipping industries on regulatory matters as well as structural issues.

According to sources, Jacob Hjortshøj is a "top-notch and really skilled" lawyer. He has an excellent reputation for acting on behalf of corporates, private equity funds and investment banks in the field of mergers, public offers and stock exchanges.

Sources report that Ole Nørgaard is "extremely flexible, always available and a solution-oriented lawyer." He is well regarded for advising on the transfer of businesses, with a focus on cross-border mandates. He acted for Danfoss on its purchase of Sodex, and its subsidiaries. Several clients praise his negotiation skills and he enters the rankings this year on this basis, being described as a "strategic thinker" who "never compromises on the quality of the work."

Chambers and Partners Europe, Corporate/M&A

Chambers and Partners Global, Corporate/M&A

Bech-Bruun is recognised as one of the leading financial and corporate firms in Denmark. In the corporate space, especially, the team continues to excel and secure some of the most impressive mandates in the Danish market.

Clients specifically point to the “professional and enthusiastic service” provided by the team as a key highlight. “They are very good and helpful in getting the deal through on the terms agreed,” says one senior executive in at an investment group. “There is no lawyering or getting in the way of the deal but instead they are very constructive and helpful in solving issues occurring along the way. The team was led by Jacob Hjortshøj who is one of the very best.”

The firm’s corporate practice, in particular, is something many clients highlight. “I would recommend Bech-Bruun highly and continue to use them on all my work,” says one in-house counsel working in the media sector. “Bech-Bruun are my first choice M&A firm and they handle even the largest and most complex deals excellently.”

That strong praise is supported by others. “It is one of the best experiences I have ever had working with an overseas firm,” says one international partner. “Bech-Bruun are head and shoulders above – in terms of knowledge, value for money and results – of all other firms I've used in Denmark. Their availability was excellent, there were no communication problems and the billing arrangements were flexible and very reasonable considering the work done. They were responsive, understanding of the subject and very good value for money. They are the only firm I would undoubtedly use in Denmark.”

One of the more significant matters the banking and finance team worked on this year saw Morten Krogsgaard taking charge as the firm acted for Solix and the Cembrit group in connection with a junior payment-in-kind (PIK) note issue for the purpose of refinancing certain financial indebtedness. Elsewhere, the team also assisted Landesbank Baden Wurtemberg in connection with its financing of a solar power plant sited at Lerchenbord Gods.

The capital markets team had busy year, with one example of its work seeing it advising LM Group Holding on its (Norwegian) kr475 million green bond issue. It also acted as Danish counsel to Danica in its acquisition of bonds issued by Sitecore.

Probably the strongest practice within the firm – certainly one of the strongest in Denmark – is the M&A team, for whom it was another strong year. For example, this year Ole Nørgaard led a team advising Teradyne on its $285 million acquisition of the entire share capital of Universal Robots. Elsewhere, Simon Milthers was the partner in charge when the firm assisted AP Møller–Mærsk with the kr4.1 billion sale of Esvagt to 3i Infrastructure and AMP Capital Investors.

One of the top names in the Danish restructuring and insolvency space, examples of the firm’s recent work include seeing Ole Borch acting for F-Group – with Nordea as the major creditor – in its in-court restructuring process. He also continues to lead the way in assisting Aage Østergaard Horsens – where Sydbank and Danske Bank are the major creditors – with its out-of-court restructuring.

IFLR1000, Mergers and acquisitions

‘Top firm’ Bech-Bruun is noted for its ‘great performance’ and is ‘among the best in Denmark’. Recent mandates involved the group acting on behalf of Total in its proposed purchase of Mærsk Oil and assisting Advent with the acquisition of Færch Plast from EQT. Jacob Hjortshøj, who is described as a ‘skilled negotiator’ and ‘absolutely top M&A lawyer’, advised Solix Group on its acquisition of KK Group. Steen Rode heads the 18-partner team that includes well-regarded Søren Meisling and Søren Kamp Nørbæk.

Legal 500, Commercial, Corporate and M&A