EU and competition

Wiersholm

Håkon Cosma Størdal and Elisabeth Lian Haugsdal jointly oversee the team at Wiersholm, which has broad competence across the full spectrum of EU and competition issues. The ‘very impressive’ Størdal handles complex Norwegian and cross-border competition matters, including merger mandates, antitrust investigations, and follow-on litigation. Haugsdal has extensive experience acting for clients in complex litigation proceedings before the Norwegian Competition Authority as well as various EU authorities. The core team also includes seasoned antitrust litigator Stephan L Jervell, described by clients as ‘a rock star in court’, as well as Thomas Naalsund, a key contact for contentious state aid and public procurement matters. At associate level, the ’very sharp‘ Edvard Hamer Rojahn is also recommended.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The Wiersholm competition team is a top competition outfit in Norway. Their strength lies in a deep understanding of the law, including relevant EU case law. Their lawyers are critical thinkers and always take the 'devil's advocate' in effect shifting the discussion to what the competition authority will think or do or how they will react to our arguments.’
‘Håkon Cosma Størdal is a veteran competition lawyer. He keeps a cool head and is ready to tackle judges' most probing questions. Håkon is always pushing the discussion further, asking probing questions and testing the robustness of the legal and economic arguments.'
'Stephan L. Jervell is a rock star in court, very positive and proactive, and a convincing advocate before judges. Edvard Hamer Rojahn is a rising star, very sharp and always adding to the discussion with important contributions.’
‘The team is headed by Håkon Størdal. He is very impressive. Størdal combines in-depth knowledge of competition law with commercial, strategic and practical thinking. He takes ownership and is able to communicate complex issues in understandable terms. He has been a true resource and guided us with a firm hand in this complex and challenging matter.’
‘We have had the pleasure of working with Stephan Jervell and Elisabeth Haugsdal in addition to several other associates on the Wiersholm team. Jervell is a strategic thinker and his background in litigation has been very valuable in this case. Haugsdal is dedicated, knowledgeable and has full control of the law. She also is a valuable speaking partner and understands the commercial realities. I would also like to recommend Edvard Rojahn as an excellent associate in this area.’
‘Håkon Cosma Størdal is highly skilled and experienced in all aspects of competition law. He has excellent communication skills, has a strong commercial mind and is always available.’
‘Very skilled with a good overview of EU competition legislation and EU bodies. We have good experience with Wiersholm and have had no need to use competing law firms.’
'Elisabeth Haugsdal is highly appreciated for her excellent competence and availability.'

Key clients

Altor Funds
DNB
Bertel. O. Steen
Coop Norge SA
Felleskjøpet SA
Hurtigruten ASA/ Hurtigruten AS
IK Investment Partners
JCDDecaux
The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy
Schibsted ASA
Svenska Handelsbanken AB
Veidekke ASA/Seby AS
Bravida
Mowi ASA
Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding ASA
Kistefos AS
Visma AS
Hafslund ASA
Statnett SF
Sector Alarm Holding AS
EQT
The Norwegian Heart and Lung Patient Organisation (LHL)
Statkraft
Santander Consumer Bank
SB1 Markets
Vipps MobilePay AS
Vipps Holding AS/BankID BankAxept AS
Netfonds Holding
Summa Equity
Veidekke Entreprenør AS
Skanska Norge AS
Entur AS
Boreal Norge AS
Den Norske Opera og Ballett
Torghatten ASA
ABB AS
Discovery Communications Europe Limited
Bastø Fosen AS
Viking Redningstjeneste Topco AS
Anora (Former Arcus ASA)
Widerøe's Flyveselskap AS
Norwegian Banks' Guarantee Fund
KLP
Ticket
Algeco Holdings B.V
Equinor ASA
Strawberry AS
The Ministry of Trade, Industries and Fisheries
The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy
Nordic Capital
AF Gruppen
Multiconsult
Trønderenergi ASA
Aneo AS
Norsk Hydro ASA
Orkla ASA
Yara International ASA
IBM
Space Norway AS
Discovery Communications Europe Limited
Bane NOR SF
OSM Maritime Group

Work highlights

Successfully represented Schibsted ASA before the Norwegian Supreme Court, where the Norwegian Competition Authority (NCA) and the Competition Appeal Tribunal's decision to block Schibsted's acquisition of Nettbil was annulled.
Successfully represented a client before the Norwegian Supreme Court, where the Supreme Court confirmed that Norwegian procedural law did not allow for holding group members responsible for external funding costs in a class action such as the one at issue filed by "Alarmkundeforeningen".
Assisting Widerøe AS with the acquisition by Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA before the Norwegian Competition Authority.