Bird & Bird‘s corporate department fields experts in transactional mandates, leveraging corporate, commercial and regulatory knowledge to assist with all business strategies and challenges, often involving cross-border elements. Group head Maria Carlsson is focused on cross-border private M&A and has expertise in the technology and media, infrastructure and transport, and real estate sectors. Mikko Ahonen has strong experience in private equity mandates, advising Finnish and international private equity investors, as well as publicly and privately held companies on domestic and cross-border transactions; while Matti Kuokkanen advises on M&A transactions and day-to-day commercial and corporate matters. Iina-Mari Supper was promoted to partner in May 2023.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Maria Carlsson and her team has very strong experience in corporate transactions and gave us as a client many useful tips during negations.’
‘Maria Carlsson has a good understanding of customer preferences and needs.’
‘Competent, business-oriented and pragmatic.’
‘Maria Carlsson, Partner - excellent knowledge of M&A, business driven and customer oriented.’
‘Very experienced and competent team, covering all legal aspects needed in a strategic M&A process, including but not limited to complex competition law and filing issues.’
‘Experience from a wide variety of transactions, including support in negotiations and negotiation tactics in addition to actual legal framework.’
‘Great team/firm for mid-sized M&A projects!’
‘We have been working with Mikko Ahonen (and his team) on a number of cases. Always a pleasure to work with Mikko. Professional, experienced and pragmatic. Great match for our needs.’
Key clients
- Edita Group
- Fortum
- Cyient Corporation
- Mitsubishi Corporation
- Prime Minister’s Office
- Eezy Group
- Sponsor Capital
- Pinja Group
- Basware
- City of Vantaa
- Adola Oy
- Enersense International
- S-Bank Ltd (S-Pankki Oyj)
- Vantaan Kiinnike ja Rak Oy
- Juuri Partners
- Ekokuljetus JNH Oy
Work highlights
- Advising listed Indian corporation Cyient Limited on its acquisition from PE investor Sentica of Sentiec Oyj and its subsidiaries forming the Citec Group.
- Advising S-Bank Plc on the acquisition of the Finnish private customer, asset management and investment services operations of Svenska Handelsbanken AB.
- Advising Edita Group Oyj on the divestment of its subsidiary Edita Prima Oy to PostNord Strålfors Oy, a Nordic communications solution provider.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Mikko Ahonen
Bird & BirdPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Maria Carlsson