With an increasing caseload on the resource rent tax, the fishing and aquaculture practice at Advokatfirmaet Haavind AS provides full-service advice, from commercial contracts and patent protection to disputes and transactions. Practice head Bjørn Sørgård is ‘both professionally skilled and good in human relations’ and has a proven track record of advising commercial entities and trade associations on regulatory and corporate matters. On the contentious front, Ida Espolin Johnson is a key name, with experience in public, commercial and corporate mandates. The team also includes Torbjørn Gjelsvik, an aquaculture expert, and Christopher Rønbeck who takes point on regulatory matters. In May 2024, the team also strengthened its fisheries and aquaculture financing offering with the hiring of Lene Kristin Hennø from Advokatfirmaet Schjødt.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Deep knowledge of the aquaculture industry, fast, simple and active in finishing the job without any complications. Have an experienced team and good to have a contract with.’

  • ‘Very high level of expertise in the field.’

  • ‘Bjørn Sørgård is both professionally skilled and good in human relations.’

  • ‘Deep industry knowledge and understanding. Swift, prompt and prudent.’

  • ‘Extensive knowledge of law and regulations for the seafood sector. Many years of experience in lawmaking and law practice. Easily accessible lawyers when there is a need for legal advice.’

  • ‘The lawyers have a unique combination of experience from law making and law practice, in addition to strong knowledge of the seafood sector.’

Key clients

  • The Norwegian Seafood Federation
  • Nordlaks Oppdrett AS
  • Nova Sea AS
  • Wilsgård Fiskeoppdrett AS
  • Sporbarhet AS
  • Jarle Bergs Sønner AS
  • STIM AS
  • Gildeskål Forskningsstasjon AS
  • Benchmark Genetics Norway AS
  • Norcod AS
  • Skår og Østervold Invest AS
  • Blom Fiskeoppdrett AS
  • Kvarøy Smolt AS
  • Kvarøy Fiskeoppdrett AS
  • Biofish AS
  • Seløy Sjøprodukter
  • Salmon Evolution AS
  • Gigante Havbruk AS
  • Sisomar AS
  • LetSea AS
  • Smir AS

Work highlights

  • Advised Stim AS on a patent litigation involving smoltification feed.
  • Advised Nordly Holding AS on the sale of 75% of the shares in Stim AS to Summa Equity.
  • Advised Norwegian Seafood Federation (Sjømat Norge) on STH 23 – the first standard contract for the Norwegian aquaculture industry.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Bjørn Sørgård

Other key lawyers

Ida Espolin Johnson, Torbjørn Gjelsvik, Christopher Rønbeck, Lene Kristin Hennø