The public procurement team at Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS, which is a sub-department of the EU/EEA and competition law team, routinely acts on behalf of tenderers and contracting authorities in complex procurement damages claims, specifically within the utilities sector. The team is co-led by Oslo-based Eivind J Vesterkjær and Bergen-based Wenche Sædal, with Vesterkjær’s practice covering a broad range of industries including the life sciences, technology, energy, retail, and shipping sectors, and Sædal serving as adviser and litigator for prominent public and private clients. Åse Rieber-Mohn assists suppliers and public authorities with contentious and non-contentious procurement-related issues.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘I experience a very high degree of follow-up and commitment in connection with assignments. Very neat and structured, and with very good communication and plan for implementation through all the processes I have participated in.'

  • ‘I would like to mention Wenche Sædal. Through our collaboration, she stands out as a reliable, proactive and good humoured partner, though razor sharp, which make her obviously attractive for potential customers.’

  • ‘Worked with Wenche Sædal. She has a great ability to understand our needs and quickly understand the issues in our cases. She has an easy-going personality which makes cooperation pleasant and simple. Always available and handles issues in a short time.’

  • ‘I believe Eivind Vesterkjær, Wenche Sædal and the team have an excellent touch on things and provide valuable and on the spot solutions.’

  • ‘Eivind Vesterkjaer: outstanding practitioner and good insights and strong ability to find solutions. Wenche Sædal: is showing her true abilities and is a sharp legal profile that can get things happen.’

Key clients

  • Bane NOR SF
  • Vestland fylkeskommune
  • Eviny AS and BKK Nett AS
  • Veidekke Industri AS
  • Skagerak Energi-group, including Skagerak Energi AS and Lede AS
  • Kystverket (Norwegian Coastal Administration)
  • Lyse/Lyse Lux/Lnett AS
  • Fagne AS
  • Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Fisheries
  • Stacc AS
  • BIR Bedrift AS
  • Unicare Norge AS
  • Bama Storkjøkken AS
  • Arval AS
  • Universitetet i Bergen
  • Apotek 1 Gruppen
  • Isalten Nett AS
  • Coloplast Norge AS
  • KODE Kunstmuseer og Komponisthjem
  • HCL Technologies Norway AS
  • Idrettens Helsesenter AS
  • Haugaland Kraft AS
  • Lockheed Martin Corporation
  • Bolt Services NO AS
  • SSI Diagnostica AS
  • Gyldendal AS
  • El-Proffen AS
  • Servicegrossistene AS
  • Å Energi AS
  • Lindum AS
  • GasscoAS
  • Kongsberg Gruppen
  • Kromann Reumert

Work highlights

  • Served as Bane NOR SF's strategic procurement adviser.
  • Awarded a contract through a public procurement process conducted by the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Fisheries to provide an analysis of Directive 2014/23/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council and formulating detailed proposals for the incorporation of the directive into Norwegian law.
  • Represented the Vestland County Administration in an interim injunction case brought against it by BMO Tunnelsikring AS.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Eivind J Vesterkjær, Wenche Sædal

Other key lawyers

Åse Rieber-Mohn