Hannes Snellman’s employment practice is at your service to advise on all aspects of employment law providing continuous practical support to your business.
We assist you in cases involving general consultation, manager agreements, terminations of employment, employment policies, pension and benefits, incentive schemes, data protection and privacy legislation matters, health and safety issues, occupational accidents, and contacts with authorities. We provide guidance on management and employment related corporate governance issues.
If you are looking for experienced advice in large restructuring and insolvency processes, extensive change negotiations, or retention arrangements, our team is fully equipped to assist you. In addition, our expertise includes negotiating collective bargaining agreements as well as the consultation process and agreements related to arranging of employee participation in the administration of undertakings also in case of cross-border mergers. We also help you to handle any disputes related to employment law matters, which typically relate to dismissals, redundancies, occupational safety, or criminal matters. The transactional work performed by our employment team includes participation in M&A transactions and outsourcing arrangements as well as in other transactions with specific emphasis on employment law.
References
Parties:
Catena Media (seller), Moneta Communications (buyer)
Transaction:
Hannes Snellman counsel to Moneta Communications Ltd in its acquisition of UK and Australian online sports betting brands from Catena Media plc
Deal value:
EUR 6.0 million
Role:
Counsel to Moneta Communications Ltd
Parties:
Sega Europe Limited and SEGA Corporation (Buyers) Rovio Entertainment Corporation (Target)
Transaction:
Counsel to Sega Europe Limited and SEGA Corporation in the recommended public cash tender offer for all shares and options in Rovio Entertainment Corporation.
Deal value:
Approximately EUR 706 million
Role:
Counsel to Sega Europe Limited and SEGA Corporation
Parties:
Equip Capital, Lakers Group AB, Vestum AB
Transaction:
Equip Capital has acquired a portfolio of companies from Lakers Group by Vestum AB
Deal value:
Value not public
Role:
Counsel to Equip
Advised several clients in settlement negotiations regarding various employment matters.
Held training for international and domestic clients about employer obligations under Finnish legislation.
Held training for domestic clients about employer obligations related to whistleblowing.
Advised client in preparations for the authorities’ occupational safety and health inspection at the client’s workplace.
Parties
PCP and Avia Pharma AB
Transaction
PCP in its SEK 350 million term loan to Avia Pharma AB
Deal Value
SEK 350 million term loan
Role
Counsel to PCP
Parties
Schaeffler (bidder), H2 Green Steel (target)
Transaction
Schaeffler, a leading global supplier to the automotive and industrial sectors and one of the world’s largest family companies, investment in the Swedish green impact company H2 Green Steel.
Deal Value
H2 Green Steel raises EUR 190m in series B round
Role
Counsel to Schaeffler
We advised the client in setting up operations in the Finnish Lapland and preparing feasible employment models and work permits for a staff consisting of up to 200 noncitizens.
Parties:
Applied Materials Inc. (buyer), Picosun Oy (target)
Transaction:
The acquisition of Picosun Oy, an innovator in atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology, primarily for specialty semiconductors.
Deal Value:
Value not public
Role:
Finnish counsel to Applied Materials Inc.
Parties:
Sitowise (buyer), Bitcomp Oy (target)
Transaction:
Counsel to Sitowise in its acquisition of Bitcomp Oy
Deal Value:
Value not public
Role:
Counsel to Sitowise
Parties
MEKO (buyer), Koivunen (target)
Transaction
Counsel to MEKO in its acquisition of Koivunen, the provider of automotive spare parts and related services.
Deal Value
EUR 122 Million
Role
Counsel to MEKO
Parties
Basware Corporation (target), a consortium consisting of Accel-KKR, Long Path Partners, and Briarwood Chase Management (buyer)
Transaction
Counsel to the offeror consortium of Accel-KKR, Long Path Partners, and Briarwood Chase Management in the tender offer for all outstanding securities in Basware Corporation.
Deal Value
EUR 620 million
Role
Counsel to the consortium
Advised clients in several occupational safety and health related matters related to data center operations.
Advised Pankaboard in its negotiations with the Paper Workers’ Union and Trade Union Pro to conclude company-specific collective bargaining agreements for its paper workers and salaried employees, respectively.
Parties Lassila & Tikanoja plc (JV shareholder), Neova Oy (JV shareholder), L&T Biowatti Oy (joint venture company)
Transaction Counsel to Lassila & Tikanoja plc, a service company that is putting the circular economy into practice, in creating a joint venture with Neova Oy consolidating the parties’ energy wood businesses in Finland and Estonia. The joint venture’s turnover is approximately EUR 100 million and it employs approximately 100 employees.
Deal Value Not disclosed
Role Legal counsel to L&T plc
Parties
Enersense International Oyj, Megatuuli Oy
Transaction
Enersense International Oyj, a provider of zero-emission energy solutions, has signed an agreement on acquiring shares of the onshore wind farm developer Megatuuli Oy.
Deal Value
EUR 18.5 million
Role
Counsel to Enersense International
Counsel to several listed companies in the assignment and termination of new members to their top management.
Parties
Virala Acquisition Company Plc
Transaction
Hannes Snellman acted as legal counsel to Virala Acquisition Company Plc on its IPO and the listing of its Class C shares on the SPAC segment of the regulated market of Nasdaq Helsinki
Deal Value
EUR 107.5 million
Role
Counsel to Virala Acquisition Company Plc
We advised the client in arranging employee participation on the board of directors of the combined company (Anora Group Plc) in connection with a cross-border merger between Altia Plc and Arcus ASA, as required by the EU directive 2017/1132.
Parties Vungle, Inc. (Buyer), GameRefinery Oy (Target)
Transaction Vungle, Inc.’s acquisition of GameRefinery Oy
Deal Value Value not public
Role Counsel to Vungle, Inc.
Parties
Telia Finland (Seller) and AddSecure (Buyer)
Transaction
Telia Finland’s divestment of Telia Alerta business to AddSecure
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to Seller/Telia Finland
Parties
Telia Company (Seller), Polhem Infra (Buyer), Telia Carrier (Target)
Transaction
Telia Company’s divestment of Telia Carrier to Polhem Infra
Deal Value
SEK 9,450 million
Role
Finnish counsel to Telia Company
Parties
Castellum (Buyer), Lindström Invest (Target)
Transaction
Castellum's acquisition of real estate group Lindström Invest
Deal Value
EUR 150 million
Role
Counsel to Castellum AB (publ)
Counsel to a Finnish subsidiary of a global public listed company in the automobile industry. We advised the company in the co-operation proceedings relating to reduction of workforce as well as the restructuring of its operations. Our advice included general guidance related to the restructuring, preparation of documentation relating to the co-operation proceedings and drafting of termination agreements.
Counsel to a large multinational group of companies in the metal industry, its local management and key employees in a police investigation regarding work safety offence and involuntary manslaughter. After two years of investigations including several interrogations and a comprehensive written statement written by us no charges we pressed.
Counsel to a major investment company, in a delicate and strategically challenging matter regarding a prominent manager whose inappropriate behaviour had become intolerable. With our help the client was able to sign a termination of an employment contract without any legal battles or PR risk.
Counsel to a large domestic group on several related strategic disputes against former employees, supported by their union, involving precedential questions relating to transfer of business issues under Finnish and EU law. The judgments of the District Court were in favour of the client in all respects. The Court of Appeals upheld the District Court’s judgment in favour of our client.
Counsel to a Finnish subsidiary of a global public listed company in the pharma sector, in the integration process following an acquisition of another global public listed company in the same sector. Our advice has included both advice relating to the combination and restructuring of the operations, co-operation proceedings relating to reduction of workforce as well as ongoing employment and management related guidance.
Counsel to a leading biotechnology company in a strategic dispute against a former partner and manager. The matter related to non-competition, non-solicitation, and non-disclosure obligations of the former partner and manager. We were able to prevent the former partner and manager from entering in the service of a direct competitor of our client by getting injunctive relief from the District Court.
Counsel to a government owned company with regard to the termination of the former CEO, the recruitment process of the new CEO as well as other amendments related to the management of the company. In addition, we have supported the client in other general employment law matters.
Counsel to the Finnish subsidiaries of a multinational professional services company in a restructuring process and relating co-operation proceedings, involving in total 1,200 employees.
Parties
Outotec Oyj, Metso Corporation
Transaction
The combination of Outotec and Metso Minerals through a demerger
Deal Value
EUR 3.9 billion (illustrative combined sales)
Role
Counsel to Outotec Oyj
Parties
Peab AB (Buyer), YIT Corporation (Seller), YIT’s Nordic paving and mineral aggregates businesses (Targets)
Transaction
YIT’s sale of its Nordic paving and mineral aggregates businesses in Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark to Peab
Deal Value
EUR 280 million
Role
Counsel to YIT Corporation
Parties
Fazer Food Services, Compass Group PLC
Transaction
Fazer Group in its divestment of Fazer Food Services to Compass Group PLC
Deal Value
EUR 475 million
Role
Counsel to Fazer Group
Parties
Nordic Healthcare Group Oy, Vaaka Partners Oy
Transaction
Vaaka Partner's investment in Nordic Healthcare Group
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to Vaaka Partners
Parties
Nexit Ventures (Seller), Ekahau, Inc. (Target), Ookla (Buyer)
Transaction
Nexit Ventures' sale of shares of Ekahau to Ookla
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel for Nexit Ventures and Ekahau, Inc.
Parties
Elementis plc (Buyer), Mondo Minerals B.V. (Target)
Transaction
A proposed acquisition of Mondo Minerals B.V. by Elementis plc
Deal Value
USD 600 million
Role
Counsel to Elementis plc
Parties
IVG Polar Oy (Seller), Goldman Sachs and Cromwell Property Group (Buyers)
Transaction
IVG Polar Oy's divestment of an office portfolio with a lettable space of 132,000m² to Goldman Sachs and Cromwell Property Group
Orion Corporation's divestment of the diagnostics business unit Orion Diagnostica Oy to a private equity fund managed by Axcel Management A/S
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to Orion Corporation
Parties
OP Financial Group (Seller), Vienna Insurance Group (Buyer), Seesam Insurance AS (Target)
Transaction
OP Financial Group's sale of the non-life insurance company Seesam Insurance AS (Seesam), including its Latvian and Lithuanian branches, to Vienna Insurance Group (VIG)
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to OP Financial Group
Parties
Lemminkäinen Corporation and YIT Corporation
Transaction
The combination of Lemminkäinen Corporation and YIT Corporation through a statutory merger
Deal Value
EUR 771 million
Role
Counsel to Lemminkäinen
Parties
Quattro Mikenti Group Oy sale of shares to Adelis Equity Partners Fund I AB
Transaction
Sale of a majority of shares in Quattro Mikenti Group Oy to Adelis Equity Partners Fund I AB by Henri Juva and other sellers
Sentica’s portfolio company Trust Kapital's acquisition of Enfo Zender, Enfo Oyj’s information logistics subsidiary
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to Trust Kapital
Parties
Ahlstrom Oyj, Munksjö Oyj
Transaction
The combination of Ahlstrom and Munksjö through a merger
Deal Value
Approx. EUR 1,2 billion
Role
Lead counsel to Ahlstrom
Parties
Powerflute Oyj (Target), Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC (Bidder)
Transaction
Recommended cash offer for Powerflute Oyj by Nordic Packaging and Container (Finland) Holdings Oy an affiliate of Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC
Deal Value
GBP 268 million
Role
Counsel to Powerflute Oyj
Parties
Sentica Partners and a number of private individuals (Sellers), Humana AB (Buyer), Arjessa Oy (Target)
Transaction
Sentica Partners and a number of private individuals sold the leading Finnish psychosocial care provider to Humana AB
Deal Value
EUR 32 million (EV)
Role
Counsel to Humana AB
Parties
Telia Company (Seller), Marginalen AB and Marginalen Bank Bankaktiebolag (Buyers), Sergel Group (Target)
Transaction
Telia Company's divestment of the Sergel Group to Marginalen AB and Marginalen Bank Bankaktiebolag
Deal Value
SEK 2,070 million (approx. EUR 222 million)
Role
Counsel to Telia Company
Parties
Cor Group Oy, Industry Investment, Norvestia Plc and acting management (Sellers), EQT MidMarket Limited Partnership (Buyer), Touhula Varhaiskasvatus Oy (Target)
Transaction
Cor Group Oy, Industry Investment, Norvestia Plc and acting management sold the leading Finnish private day care provider Touhula Varhaiskasvatus Oy to EQT MidMarket Limited Partnership.
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to EQT
Parties
State of Finland (Seller), Patria Oyj (Target), Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS (Buyer)
Transaction
The Finnish government's sale of 49.9% of its shares in Patria Oyj to Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS
Deal Value
EUR 272 million
Role
Counsel to Patria and its shareholder
Parties
Veolia, Neste and Borealis
Transaction
A transaction creating a JV with Neste and Borealis to build a new combined heat and power plant and produce and supply steam and other utilities to Neste's refinery and Borealis' petrochemical plant in Porvoo, Finland
“The team has a good understanding of the customer's needs and challenges.”
“Hannes Snellman provides a high-quality service with quick delivery.”
"Won an important court case for us. Also, supported us in a complicated M&A situation. Works efficiently and with high quality."
"Anders Bygglin and Johanan Haltia-Tapio are excellent."
"Hannes Snellman arecollaborative andprovidefast and precise responses."
"Labour law experience, practical advice, gets job done."
"They have fresh ideas how to help clients, they invite to discussion forums and ask how your business is doing also outside of actual assignment work. A big plus!"
"A market source asserts:'HannesSnellmanare professional, quick and get solutions.'"
‘Johanna Haltia-Tapio is very pragmatic, responsive and provides business-minded advice.’
‘Johanna Haltia-Tapio is our go-to partner in any HR / employment law related questions. She is fast, has vast knowledge and is able to balance both the legal aspects of any case and the human aspect.’
‘The team is responsive, experienced and creative in the solution considerations.’
‘Sublime service from the Employment team and their partner Anders Bygglin in particular. Anders has very in-depth knowledge of litigation in his field and great understanding of the Finnish Employment legislation. They handled a very complex Employment dispute for my company and excelled in it.’
Clients praise the lawyers’ “good service, quick answers and clear advice,” before adding: “They are easy to deal with.”
‘A strong team of experts in all relevant areas.’
‘They are 100% professionals knowing the subject and its cases thoroughly in Finland and also in other Nordic countries. The service level is exceptional – response times are really quick.’
‘They have thorough knowledge and competence. They are great people to work with. Their suggestions are well grounded and take into notice the customer’s situation. Their response time is exceptionally short.’
'One client praises the team's "flawless execution and good level of responsiveness."'
'"They work diligently and they do very clever and technical work - that is their strength."'
'The team stands out for being a "service-oriented practice"'
'Clients highlight the team for its "quality of advice, speed of response and solution-orientation."'
'Another interviewee describes the practice as "reliable and steady."'
'The ‘excellent’ service from Hannes Snellman’s employment team includes ‘quality advice and rapid response times’'.
'Clients praise the "solution-oriented" team's "quality of output and speed of response."
‘A second source adds that the lawyers are "easily reachable and very flexible."'
'One client was particularly impressed by the lawyers' outlook, saying: "I liked their attitude. They were really client-oriented."'
'Respected practice noted for its expertise in the employment aspects of major M&A transactions. "The firm has good specialists and a good reputation. You can rely on them and they're easy to work with."’
'The team is known for broad practice covering outsourcing, restructuring, M&A transactions and disputes. "The lawyers are business-minded, practical and pragmatic, and have a good understanding of what we want to achieve." "The team is fast, accurate and has in-depth knowledge. We involve it in all our important work."'