Nordics - Finland

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Bird & Bird

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Bird & Bird‘s commercial, tech and comms department is fully integrated into the firm’s broad network of international offices, enabling it to handle a range of global mandates, especially regulatory matters regarding in particular data protection and electronic communication law. The team is engaged by numerous multinational software vendors, IT service providers as well as telecom operators and service providers. Head of the team Sakari Halonen predominantly advises clients in complex cross-border IT outsourcing transactions as well as in IT contracting in general. Riku Rauhanen advises on complex privacy and commercial law issues, while Tobias Bräutigam is another notable member of the team. In 2024, the highly regarded Pia Ek joined from Castrén & Snellman, adding notable expertise in cross-border digitisation projects and other commercial and transactional work.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Riku Rauhanen’s practical approach and understanding of our industry's essential aspects are very helpful. His quick responses to our inquiries have made our work much more efficient. ’

  • ‘I appreciate the knowhow and special expertise of the team in the area of data protection. Collaboration with clients is flexible and very customer friendly. High quality output that exceeds expectations.’

  • ‘I highly recommend Sakari Halonen. Extremely knowledgeable, has an profound understanding of the regulatory landscape in Finland, never fails to deliver and is great to work with.’

  • ‘This practice has excellent professionals on sectors we need. Their ability to create networks is fantastic. They have both local and cross boarder know how.’

  • ‘Unique experience with the technology industry as well as with the academia which gives the team a cutting edge expertise in the practical and theoretical aspects of technology, privacy, and data economy law.’

  • ‘Tobias Bräutigam is an example of a cutting-edge legal professional with a knack for futuristic thinking, navigating effortlessly the crossroads of legal advice, academic sense-making, and translating opportunities from renewing regulatory environment into opportunities in entrepreneurship. He leads with genuine enthusiasm towards everything to do with privacy, technological innovations, and the data economy, and yet his contribution is practical and geared towards finding the most added value from different options available.’

  • ‘PSakari Halonen is an excellent lawyer, really gets into the thick of things. Has helped us tremendously with his knowledge and sharp eye to avoid potential pitfalls.'

  • 'Tobias Bräutigam has superb knowledge on data protection; calm and articulate - a great asset to the firm.’

Key clients

  • Sanoma Oy
  • Barry-Wehmiller
  • Posti
  • 8-bit sheep
  • Capgemini Group
  • S-Group (SOK)
  • Edita Group Plc
  • Kofax
  • Tietoevry
  • Normet Group Oy

Work highlights

  • Advised Barry-Wehmiller on setting up a strategic privacy program involving a multitude of jurisdictions.
  • Assisted Sanoma Cooperation in drafting an appeal in a litigation with Traficom.
  • Advised Posti Oy in an appeal to the highest administrative court in Finland. The case involved questions of EU and Finnish law interpretation.

Lawyers

Rising stars

Riku Rauhanen

Riku Rauhanen

Bird & Bird LLP

Riku Rauhanen is a Senior Associate in our Commercial and Privacy & Data Protection groups in Helsinki, where he works with our local and international clients advising them on data protection, other data regulation, and commercial contracts. Riku has extensive experience in providing legal advice on various data protection issues. His work covers all aspects of privacy and data protection law, including negotiating data processing agreements, carrying out data protection impact assessments and implementing multijurisdictional data protection projects. He has advised a wide variety of clients from public bodies to multinational technology companies on data protection law. In addition to privacy and data protection, Riku also specialises in other data regulation. His particular area of interest is the EU's artificial intelligence regulation.  Riku is part of Bird & Bird's global network of AI experts. In addition to data-related councelling, Riku also provides guidance on contract law issues. He has extensive experience of drafting and negotiating different types of contracts as well as supporting clients with interpreting contracts and resolving contract-related conflicts.

Leading individuals

Sakari Halonen

Bird & Bird LLP

Sakari Halonen is a partner and co-head of Bird & Bird's Nordic Tech & Comms group based in Helsinki. He predominantly advises clients in complex cross-border IT outsourcing transactions as well as in IT contracting in general. He also leads Bird & Bird's Finnish Commercial group. His ability to quickly get to the core of the problem, focus on the key issues, and find win-win solutions is the essential element valued by his clients. In addition to advising numerous global IT service providers, Sakari also acts for the customer-side in various industry sectors, including financial services, aviation, defence and automotive. Sakari is also frequently engaged in M&A transactions, with a particular focus on technology-related transactions and the technology aspects of M&A in general. In addition, as an arbitrator, he is also involved in IT-related dispute resolution processes.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Sakari Halonen

Other key lawyers

Riku Rauhanen, Tobias Bräutigam, Pia Ek

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