Arntzen de Besche

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Arntzen de Besche‘s ’highly competent and responsive‘ team advises on all employment law matters, with particular expertise in pensions, whistleblowing claims, and compliance and privacy issues, and mandates in the aviation, media, and oil and gas sectors. Practice head Frode Martin Toftevåg is a highly experienced litigator and an expert in collective labour law and transfers of undertakings. The group also includes Håvard Sandnes, who is sought after for pension advice; and Knut-Marius Sture, who is a specialist in employment and union negotiations with a focus on restructurings and downsizings. Other skilled practitioners are Agathe Løwenborg, who has sector-specific knowledge in aviation and oil and gas industries; Mira Tengesdal Torstenbø, who heads up the Stavanger office and advises on both individual and collective employment law; and Sven Bjørk, who was recently promoted to partner.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Highly competent and responsive people.'

  • 'Having had the privilege of working with Arntzen de Besche, I can confidently say that they are truly exceptional in every aspect, and they have given our team tremendous support and crucial advice in sensitive and business critical matters. What sets them apart from their competitors is their unwavering commitment to excellence and their knowledgeable approach to handling labour and employment matters.'

  • ‘Excellent service provided. Really good communication flow and engagement from their side. Our company was followed up with in a proper and professional manner.’

  • 'Sven Bjørk balances empathy, client interest and counterpart interest in the best of ways and is our preferred "go to" partner when it comes to employment practice. He quickly understands the case, the business and the client needs and is considered to be the best one could ask to have by one's side when times are tough.’

  • ‘Håvard Sandnes is the best adviser I've ever used in employment cases. Unique competence and personality - really gives all he has got to close cases all the way through.'

  • ‘Knut-Marius Sture is a strong figurehead with a huge amount of experience and is very commercially minded.’

  • ‘Agathe Løwenborg has a winning personality, good energy and a highly efficient and knowledgeable skillset. I have never experienced working with a lawyer who is able to understand both our business and the problem she is tasked with solving so quickly.'

  • ‘In my experience working with Mira Tengesdal, I have found her to be an outstanding partner who consistently goes the extra mile to ensure that her clients' needs are not just met but exceeded. Her accessibility, knowledge, diligence, supportive nature, client-centric focus and exceptional leadership make her a standout attorney in the field of labour and employment law.’

Key clients

  • Equinor ASA
  • Seadrill
  • Viaplay Group
  • Vard Group AS
  • DNB Bank
  • Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (NIF)
  • Orkla ASA
  • Sparebanken Vest
  • Aviator Airport Alliance AS
  • Warner Bros. Discovery
  • Spordrift
  • Ruter AS
  • Clarksons
  • Norsk Luftambulanse (Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation)

Work highlights

  • Acting for Equinor ASA in a claim brought by its former head of legal regarding an alleged invalid termination.
  • Successfully represented Aviator Airport Alliance AS as counsel in three parallel Court of Appeal cases involving claims for compensation forwarded by 69 members of the unions Fellesforbundet and Handel & Kontor for alleged breaches of the transfer of undertaking protection.
  • Assisted Eviny with a major reorganisation concerning approximately 200 positions in all the legal entities in the group.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Håvard Sandnes
Managing Partner. Sandnes specialises in employment law and his clients are primarily on the employer’s side in the private sector. He has considerable experience of dispute resolution and in-court advocacy. Sandnes often assists company managements to handle cases that have a major impact on the business. In connection with cases that are being handled at board level, he is often asked to participate in the board’s deliberations. With years of management and board experience, Sandnes is a trusted strategic advisor for his clients. He is keen to give advice that not only clarifies the legal aspects but also fits into the business’s strategic and commercial plans. In his role as advisor, he is analytical and provides clear, straightforward advice in situations of great importance to all those involved. Sandnes is also a popular public speaker.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Frode Martin Toftevåg
Partner. Toftevåg is head of Arntzen de Besche´s Employment and Pensions practice and has comprehensive experience with national and international labour law, dispute resolution and pensions. Toftevåg is legal counsel to several Norwegian and international companies, employers’ associations and public sector institutions. He has previously worked in the employment law department of the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO) and has considerable experience as an advisor to unionized companies. Toftevåg is co-author to one of the legal commentaries on the Norwegian Labour Disputes Act (“Arbeidstvistloven”).

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Frode Martin Toftevåg

Other key lawyers

Håvard Sandnes, Knut-Marius Sture, Agathe Løwenborg, Mira Tengesdal Torstenbø, Sven Bjørk