Focus Advokater (LLP)

The firm: Focus Advokater LLP is a full-service business law firm advising domestic and foreign clients on all aspect of commercial law. Its roots go back to 1892, and through a series of mergers combined with organic growth the firm is now among the largest law firms in Denmark based outside Copenhagen. The head office is in Odense with branches in Copenhagen, Kolding, Svendborg and in Hamburg, Germany.

The firm’s emphasis is on being an active player within its areas of practice, assisting clients to minimise legal risk, facilitate transactions and business, and curtailing the impact should disputes arise.

Areas of practice: The firm comprises four departments as set out below, each boasting some of Denmark’s leading lawyers within their particular area of speciality.

Real estate: the firm is a leading advisor to some of Denmark’s largest real estate developers and contractors providing advice on all matters pertaining to real estate, ranging from project development, planning and zoning, to construction, sale and purchase of real estate, and real estate leases. Moreover, partners of the firm act in dispute resolution both before the courts and in a vast number of arbitrations.

The firm advises on all aspects of infrastructure and building projects, including tenders and EU public procurement, drafting of construction contracts, partnership and consortium agreements, organisation of building projects and handovers. It also advises in relation to agriculture and greenhouse production.

Within construction Focus is a leading provider of legal service and assistance to real estate developers, contractors, architects, investors and insurance companies. From Focus’ main hub in Odense, it services clients with real estate projects all over Denmark. Notable clients include major project developers Arkitekt-Gruppen, City Huset, 5 E Byg and Skjøde.

M&A and corporate law: providing legal advice and assistance on all matters of corporate law, the firm is particularly strong in advising clients on mergers and acquisitions, assistance to founder-controlled and owner-managed companies, tax and overall management of legal risks. Areas of practice includes venture capital issues, IPOs, take-overs and de-listings, cross-border transactions and takeover bids and listing of companies. The department also handles vendor due diligence and the set-up of data rooms. Notable clients includes Micro Matic group and Halberg (MacBaren).

The partners of the firm are engaged as non-executive board members in a number of Danish entities, representing a broad variety of businesses. Insolvency: the firm renders legal advice and assistance to companies facing insolvency and restructuring proceedings, and partners of the firm act as trustees in bankruptcy proceedings.

Contracts and commercial: with a focus on providing legal advice on all matters related to the day-to-day challenges of businesses, the firm has built strong competences within employment law, intellectual property rights, IT law, sales and distribution agreements and competition law. The firm has extensive experience with drafting and advising clients on franchising, distribution and licence agreements, and is sought after as a provider of legal advice and assistance pertaining to intellectual property rights, including registration and protection of such rights, transfer of IPR, and protection of rights against infringement including by way of court actions.

The firm also advises in all legal aspects relating to the maritime industry including vessel registrations (in DIS and many foreign registers) and ship finance, providing assistance to Danish and foreign ship owners, financiers and other players in the field. We act as well within offshore on wind turbines and related vessel services.

The German desk is operated by lawyers admitted in both Germany and Denmark, and provides a broad range of services to German-speaking clients active in Denmark, and to Danish clients entering the German-speaking markets.