Ro Sommernes Advokatfirma DA

The firm: Ro Sommernes is a highly specialised “boutique” firm located in Oslo Central Business District, Norway. The firm was established in January 1993 by Knut Ro and Staale Sommernes.

Ro Sommernes has experienced a steady growth since its establishment and has today a total of 36 lawyers, including 17 partners.

Founded on the business idea of providing first-class legal services through a specialized niche firm, Ro Sommernes considers in-depth industry knowledge, partner accessibility and a high level of client attention as key success factors. The firm is solution oriented and innovative, focusing on efficient delivery of legal services backed by commercial understanding and extensive domestic and international experience.

Main areas of practice: Ro Sommernes offers comprehensive services in the field of business law, operating with the following market groups related to its expertise:

• Insolvency and restructuring
• Capital markets
• M&A and transactions (including real estate transactions)
• Real estate and construction law
• Shipping, offshore and energy
• Finance
• Litigation and arbitration

The firm also provides services within labour law, tax, family- and inheritance law, estate planning, IP and media.

Insolvency and restructuring: Ro Sommernes is recognized as one of the leading and most experienced law firms in Norway within the field of insolvency, restructuring and debt negotiations. With its expertise and broad experience, the insolvency and restructuring department handles many of the largest bankruptcies in Norway. Several of the firm’s lawyers are regularly appointed as bankruptcy administrators, debt settlement managers and investigators by the courts. Ro Sommernes advises both debtors, creditors and mortgagees in corporate recovery cases. The firm’s lawyers are also frequently engaged by trustees as consultants.
Contact person: Håvard Wiker / Erik Sandtrø / Nils Holger Koefoed   E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected]

Capital markets, M&A and transactions (including real estate transactions): Capital markets, M&A and transactions represent a major part of Ro Sommernes’ activity. The firm’s transaction team is well-known for its expertise and extensive experience, advising both sellers and buyers, management and stakeholders in relation to cross-border and domestic transactions. Ro Sommernes provides legal services in relation to all aspect of corporate law to private and public companies. The firm is involved in negotiations, structuring, strategic planning and discussions, the signing process and the completion of transactions. The firm’s lawyers have comprehensive experience dealing with all types of corporate documents and agreements.
Contact person: Henrik Hareide Nilsen / Christian Emil Petersen   E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]

Real estate and construction law: Ro Sommernes’ real estate and construction department is well recognized and has long experience advising both buyers and sellers of commercial real estate, in bespoke and complex transactions, covering all stages of buying, selling, leasing and development of real estate. The firm has unique expertise related to hotel real estate, assisting one of the leading players in the hotel business for decades. The firm’s lawyers provide legal services during every step of the purchase and sale process, also advising on financing, management and development of real estate.
Contact person: Nils Petter Hansson   E-mail: [email protected]

Shipping, offshore and energy (corporate/commercial): The shipping and offshore department was established in January 2018 when Erling Lind and Lynne Skajaa joined the firm, bringing specialist expertise of shipping and offshore law to the firm. The department, now consisting of eight lawyers, provides legal services to Norwegian and international clients with the benefit of experience spanning many market cycles. The team provides legal and commercial advice on strategic corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, equity finance, securities listings and intergroup finance. These lawyers also apply market knowledge and practical experience when advising on, drafting and negotiating the commercial contracts which address their client’s operational, strategic and financial requirements. In tune with the ethos of Ro Sommernes, the team’s approach is to establish a close working relationship with clients, understand their business and provide bespoke services and advice. The firm has an established international network of advisors who provide local law advice and assistance when required by its clients. Contact person: Erling Lind / Katinka Wikborg  E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]

Finance: The finance department handles debt finance matters, and draws on Ro Sommernes’ vast experience within the fields of restructuring and insolvency and asset finance, especially within the shipping, offshore, property and leisure sectors. The team provides legal and commercial advice to borrowers and lenders on bilateral and syndicated loan facility deals, lease financings and bond issues, both in new “fresh” deals and in distressed financing matters. The department is often involved in cross-border matters, and draws on the firm’s international network of trusted local law advisors. Contact: Ole Johan Stensli / Katinka Wikborg Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Litigation and arbitration: Ro Sommernes has extensive experience with litigation and arbitration, arguing cases before the courts and arbitration panels. The firm’s litigation practice is first and foremost related to corporate, real estate and construction disputes. Several of the firm’s lawyers have been admitted to the Supreme Court of Norway and/or regularly operate as judges  in arbitration panels.
Contact person: Mathias Tveten   E-mail: [email protected]

Chairman: Nils Holger Koefoed
Board of directors: Nils Holger Koefoed, Henrik Hareide Nilsen, Linn E. Drejer-Dølvik, Martine Neerland Brustad, Sissel Beck
Managing partner: Erik Sandtrø
Number of partners: 17
Number of lawyers: 36 (including partners)
Languages: Norwegian, English, Danish, Swedish, French, German