Nordics - Norway

Wikborg Rein

More informationMore information

The ‘dedicated and skilled insolvency team’ at Wikborg Rein has expertise in both restructuring and insolvency mandates, and is particularly sought after for restructurings in the energy, shipping and offshore sectors. Practice head Kaare Christian Tapper has ’an eye for details‘ and is a highly experienced practitioner in the insolvency and restructuring fields. The group also includes Stian Tande Mortensen, who specialises in debt financings with a focus on high yield bonds, direct lending transactions and financial restructurings; and Leif Petter Madsen, who is a competent litigator specialising in bankruptcies. The ’experienced and solution-oriented‘ Sofie Vikse is a key practitioner in bankruptcy cases and advises companies and creditors on financial restructurings and insolvency issues, while Mira Levand Bergsland, who assists with bankruptcy and restructuring matters, is also recommended.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Dedicated and skilled insolvency team.’

  • ‘Wikborg Rein's restructuring team is one of the very best in the Norwegian market, and they are highly competent in international work.’

  • ‘Very strong team with great capacity to handle large and detailed restructurings.’

  • ‘The team seem to work very well together and Wikborg is excellent at having a small and tight team. ’
  • ‘We worked well with the entire team, but we would like to highlight Kaare Christian Tapper who had an impressive overview and control and managed to navigate different interests in an excellent manner. Further, we were impressed that he takes responsibility and is not afraid to express his views, even though his view might deviate from the clients.’
  • ‘Kaare Christian Tapper has an eye for details while at the same time managing the commercial interests at stake.’

  • ‘Sofie Vikse is experienced and solution-oriented.’

  • ‘Sofie Vikse is an up-and coming and highly skillful lawyer that I have had the pleasure of cooperating with on insolvency related matters over the last couple of years. She is very solution oriented and efficient, and regularly solves matters before she is expected to. I recommend her services for anyone searching for a skilled lawyer within her field of expertise.’

Key clients

  • Nordea Bank Abp, filial i Norge
  • Nordic Trustee AS
  • PB Norge AS, its estate in liquidation
  • K Ekrheim AS
  • Rørosrein AS
  • Apollo Management Holdings, L.p
  • Latina Offshore Limited
  • Telford Offshore Limited
  • Lorentzen & Co AS, its bankruptcy estate
  • IOG plc
  • Solstad Offshore ASA
  • DNB Bank ASA
  • Danske Bank, Norwegian Branch
  • Eksportfinansiering Norge
  • ABN AMRO Bank N.V.
  • Cross Ocean
  • CVC
  • Danmarks Skibskredit A/S
  • Deutsche Bank AG
  • J.P. Morgan SE
  • Sculptor Investments S.a.r.l
  • Sparebanken Møre
  • Sparebanken Vest
  • SpareBank 1 SR-Bank ASA
  • BNP Paribas

Work highlights

  • Assisted the senior secured lenders to the DOF group in the complex financial restructuring of the group's debt.
  • Advised Nordic Trustee AS and an ad hoc committee of the bondholders of the 10.25% $300m senior secured bonds issued by Mime Petroleum AS, in relation to a comprehensive restructuring of the issuer.
  • Assisting Solstad Offshore ASA with refinancing discussions with its secured and unsecured lenders and other stakeholders, and, as part of such refinancing, also assisted the company with the sale of its PSV fleet consisting of 37 vessels.

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.

Leif Petter Madsen

Leif Petter Madsen

Hall of fameWikborg Rein

Leif Petter is a senior member of the Restructuring and Insolvency team. His areas of expertise includes Insolvency Law, Bankruptcy and Restructuring, Litigation and Dispute Resolution. Leif Petter has been appointed trustee in several major bankruptcies in Norway the past 25 years. In 2003-2008, he was appointed trustee in the Finance Credit system, one of the largest finance scandals in Norway. From 2011 until 2016 he administered the bankruptcy of Faktor Eiendom ASA with its 50 subsidiaries. In 2015 he was appointed trustee in Sydvaranger Gruve AS. Recent assignments include the waste management company Veireno AS, the jewelry chain Panorama AS and the biggest Nordic music chain, Musical Retail Holding AS "4 Sound". In 2020 he was appointed trustee in G Travel Norge AS, a major travel agency in Norway with several subsidiaries abroad. Since 2016 Leif Petter has assisted financial institutions and companies under restructuring within supply and oil service as well as shipyards and ship owners. In 2019-2021 he assisted in the restructurings of amongst others, Kleven Shipyard AS, Solstad Offshore ASA and Havyard Shiptechnology AS. He has litigated several cases regarding management and auditor liability. Leif Petter is admitted to the Supreme Court. He is also co-writer of the law commentary to the Norwegian Creditors Recovery Act and to the Norwegian Wage Guarantee Act.

Leading individuals

Kaare Christian Tapper

Kaare Christian Tapper

Wikborg Rein

Kaare Christian specialises in transactions (M&A) and restructuring of solvent and insolvent businesses. Kaare Christian also has notable experience with long term joint ventures, inter alia within renewable energy. Kaare Christian heads the firm's restructuring practice. In addition to his legal degree Kaare Christian holds a MSc in Management from HEC Paris. He is recommended in his fields of expertise in inter alia Chambers and Legal 500. Kaare Christian is also a member of Wikborg Rein's board.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Kaare Christian Tapper

Other key lawyers

Stian Tande Mortensen, Leif Petter Madsen, Sofie Vikse, Mira Levand Bergsland