Krogerus Half-Year Highlights H1/2025

Welcome to the half-yearly review of Krogerus' highlights! In this newsletter, we will share recent case highlights, firm news and insights.

Foreword

I think the summer and the rest of the year looks quite promising for Finland. Sure, there are uncertainties, but the undercurrent is benign. We also need to be risktakers and think through a growth perspective. Where there is change in the structures of the world, there is equally opportunities.

Finland has great companies, and several fundamentals speak in Finland's favour. Tech, industrial projects, but also defense and even consumer goods are sectors to watch. We have a very skilled workforce, something we at Krogerus are also huge benefiters from. Together we will continue to ensure that our clients have the legal tools and knowledge they need to grasp new opportunities and develop their business.

I would like to thank our clients and stakeholders for the first half of the year, and look forward to the opportunity to continue working together. We all at Krogerus wish you a great summer and relaxing vacation!

Mårten Knuts
Managing Partner

Recent case highlights

During the past six months, we have advised on a broad range of transactions and landmark deals including:

• Apollo on a EUR 242 million agreement to acquire a portfolio of 44 residential properties from Kojamo.
• GRK Infra and the selling shareholders on the EUR 113 million IPO of GRK on the official list of Nasdaq Helsinki.
• Trevian Kasvu LP on its acquisition of Helsinki Arena and the transfer of Helsinki Arena's operations to Live Nation.
• Schibsted Media on its acquisition of Telia Company’s TV & Media business.
• FORCIT on its EUR 200 million investment in the construction of a new TNT production facility.
• Verdane on sale of stake in Lumene Group to Creades.
• Sponsor Capital and the other shareholders on the sale of StaffPoint to MB Funds.
• Swiss Life Asset Managers and Trevian on acquisition of Skanssi Shopping Centre.
• Infranode and its portfolio company MPY Telecom on forming a joint venture with Elisa Oyj.
• Sponsor Capital and other shareholders on VIA equity's growth investment in Saarni Cloud.
• Mandatum Asset Management and Rite Ventures on investment in Takomo.

Appointments and two new partners

During the spring we had a record number of Counsel and Senior Associate appointments reflecting both our consistent growth and our commitment to the continuous development of our experts. We appointed a total of three new counsel and 14 new senior associates as of 1 April 2025. Find out more about the appointments from the article on our website.

In April we also welcomed two new partners: Jasmin Wardi from our Mergers & Acquisitions practice and Kalle Hakkarainen from our Real Estate & Construction practice. They both started their careers at Krogerus as trainees and highlight the meaning of networks and the continuous development of their own expertise on their journey to becoming partners. Get to know Jasmin and Kalle through the interview below!

Get to know Jasmin Wardi

Can you tell us about your career path?

Jasmin: "I joined Krogerus shortly before graduating and was immediately impressed by the culture and caliber of the team. After receiving an offer to continue as an Associate, I quickly found myself drawn to the dynamic and challenging nature of M&A work. While partnership wasn’t a defined goal at the outset, the trajectory became clearer over time. Each stage – from Associate to Senior Associate, then Counsel, and now Partner – has deepened my understanding of the field and solidified my commitment to the firm’s values. It has been rewarding to grow as a professional alongside the growth of Krogerus and our M&A practice, which is now recognized as one of the leading teams in the market."

What have been the key factors behind your professional development?

Jasmin: "Curiosity has always been a driving force – both in developing legal expertise and in understanding how to navigate the nuances of this profession. At the same time, professional relationships have played a crucial role. The networks built over time with colleagues, clients, and others in the industry have provided invaluable support, insight, and opportunities. These relationships are often the foundation for long-term success."

What is the most important lesson you've learned on your way to partnership?

Jasmin: "Becoming a partner is not an individual achievement – it’s a collaborative journey. Growth comes from continuously developing your own expertise while also learning how to work effectively with others. Much of the learning happens through real cases, under the guidance of highly skilled professionals. The willingness to learn and evolve – no matter your seniority – remains essential throughout your career."

Get to know Kalle Hakkarainen

What has your career been like so far?

Kalle: "I started at Krogerus as a trainee in 2015, and immediately after the trainee period, my work continued at Krogerus as a lawyer. A career in a law firm offers continuous development opportunities, and the different titles (Trainee, Associate, Senior Associate, Counsel and Partner) also reflect this career development. However, professional development does not end with the partnership – on the contrary, I believe that the partnership opens up new opportunities for development."

How has Krogerus' growth reflected on your career?

Kalle: "At no point in my career has Krogerus stood still. When I started at Krogerus, we were still a newcomer and challenger among Finland's largest law firms. As the goals have been achieved along the way, the focus has shifted to even more ambitious goals. I think this strong will to grow and move forward has characterised Krogerus throughout my career. This growth has also created space for new opportunities within the firm, which has also enabled my own career path all the way to becoming a partner."

What do you expect from the next five years?

Kalle: "In the coming years, I expect our development and growth to continue and for us to achieve the goals we have set. Personally, I hope to develop into an even better lawyer over the next five years, but I am equally looking forward to following the development of our younger lawyers. I believe that in my new role, I will have even more opportunities than before to coach and spar my younger colleagues into the next leading experts in our field."

Krogerus top-ranked in Chambers Europe Guide 2025: "Krogerus offers superb knowledge and experience in the field"

Chambers and Partners, one of the leading professional legal research companies, ranked us again among Finland's top law firms in the Chambers Europe Guide 2025, highlighting our leading position in complex legal situations. The Europe Guide ranks Europe's top lawyers and law firms based on in-depth research and interviews with law firm clients.

The Chambers Europe Guide 2025 ranked our services in Band 1 or Band 2 in the following categories:

• Banking & Finance,
• Capital Markets,
• Competition/European Law,
• Corporate/M&A,
• Dispute Resolution,
• Energy & Natural Resources,
• Real Estate,
• Restructuring/Insolvency,
• Tax and
• TMT.

The client feedback emphasised our attentiveness to clients' strategic interests. By forming people-centric client relations, we ensure that our clients have the legal tools and knowledge they need to drive their business forward. We are pleased to see clients highlight our people-centric approach also in Chambers Europe's client feedback:

"The team is very commercial. It is always strongly on the client's side and ensures that the client's interests are protected at all times."

"Krogerus has a clear, constructive and creative approach and it is always attentive to the client's strategy and needs."

Read more about Chambers and Partners rankings from the article on our website.

Wishing you a sunny and relaxing summer!
Krogerus