Krogerus Half-Year Highlights H2/2025
Welcome to the half-yearly review of Krogerus' highlights! In this newsletter, we will share recent case highlights, firm news and insights.
Foreword
2025 has been a year of increased optimism and a year of hard work together with our highly valued clients. The pace of change in the world shows no signs of slowing down, which makes deepening strategic relationships the most prolific way of assuring value creation and efficient collaboration.
We see a momentum building up for 2026 and conditions for companies to invest, transact and transform themselves become more stable and appealing, hopefully helping to shape a better and more resilient future economy.
At Krogerus we will continue to focus on providing strategic support and tailored solutions for our clients' evolving needs. Through our client work, we remain committed to building a momentum for positive change in the Finnish economy.
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all our clients and stakeholders for their continued trust and collaboration over the past year. Wishing you all a peaceful and joyous holiday season!
Mårten Knuts
Managing Partner
What to expect in data, AI and cyber in 2026
Data-driven decision-making, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity have taken an even more central role than before in companies' business operations. In 2026 and the coming years, the pace of technological advancements is only expected to accelerate, bringing new opportunities as well as risks and vulnerabilities. We sat down with our Technology, Data & IP practice's Partners Kalle Hynönen and Pessi Honkasalo to discuss what to expect in 2026 in terms of data, AI and cyber trends and regulations.
1. What trends or new developments do you expect to see within data, AI and cyber in 2026 and what will be their implications on companies' operations?
- Agentic AI and "digital colleagues" become mainstream: Independent software programs or systems that use artificial intelligence to perform tasks without constant human supervision will become one of the next breakthroughs in artificial intelligence. However, the independence of AI agents raises challenging legal questions. Who is responsible for the tasks performed and decisions made by an AI system? What about any damage that may be caused?
- A shift from pilots to AI-native products and domain-specific AI: This represents a fundamental change in how companies create value and organise work, as AI becomes a core operating capability. Success will depend on access to high-quality, well-governed data embedded across products, platforms, processes, customer interactions, and decision-making.
- AI-driven cyber defence and AI-enhanced attacks: The rapid development of AI is creating new cyber threats, as attackers can leverage AI to automate cyberattacks and identify vulnerabilities across systems. At the same AI can be used to better protect critical assets.
- A push towards better third-party risk management and contractual discipline: Companies will need to better manage and contractually allocate risks arising from their reliance on external data, AI and technology providers.
2. What regulatory changes related to data, AI and cyber are expected in 2026?
"The EU Data Act becomes fully applicable and the requirement of "access by design" enters into force for products placed on the market after 12 September 2026. The Data Act requires device manufacturers to design their devices so that users can access the data they produce", says Kalle.
"2026 will also be the big compliance year for the AI Act – with some uncertainty – since most requirements for high-risk AI systems are set to apply from 2 August 2026. However, the European Commission has now proposed a Digital Omnibus package that could, among other things, delay high-risk AI obligations to December 2027. In parallel, GDPR enforcement continues to develop, and the Digital Omnibus proposals, if adopted, include changes affecting data-related requirements", continues Pessi.
3. How can companies best prepare for these changes?
"Build an integrated data, AI and cyber strategy. Set up an AI system inventory and classification, along with internal policies and standards, that define, for example, which AI tools the organisation uses and for what purposes, so implementation can be planned, controlled and evidence-based", says Pessi and continues: "It is also important to strengthen cyber resilience against AI-enabled threats. Attackers can use AI to automate vulnerability discovery and accelerate certain types of attacks, which further increases the importance of AI-assisted cyber defence."
"Companies should also align their operations and processes with emerging data sharing expectations, not only to comply with EU's data regulations, but also to ensure competitive advantage, long-term value creation and participation in value networks and ecosystems that depend on data exchange. Data sharing practices have also become a signal of corporate integrity, since stakeholders increasingly assess companies based on their data sharing and data protection policies", concludes Kalle.
Contact our Technology, Data & IP practice to continue discussions on the legal and regulatory considerations around data, AI and cyber.
Recent case highlights
During the past six months, we have advised on a broad range of transactions and landmark deals including:
- Nokia on NVIDIA's USD 1.0 billion equity investment into a strategic partnership with Nokia.
- Nilfisk on its strategic review and resulting tender offer by Freudenberg.
- NestAI on Nokia's and Tesi's investment in NestAI.
- Altor on its acquisition of a majority stake in Evac from Bridgepoint
- Cityvarasto on its IPO and listing on Nasdaq First North Finland.
- Finnish Minerals Group on an arrangement whereby Finnish Minerals Group will become the majority owner of IONCOR.
- Axcel on the formation of AGRD Partners, new legal group.
- Aspo on the sale of Leipurin to Lantmännen.
- Qt on its tender offer for IAR.
Pro bono highlight:
We have also served as pro bono adviser to Läpimurtosäätiö, a new Finnish sports support foundation whose purpose is to enable promising young Finnish athletes to make an international breakthrough. In addition to elite sports, the foundation supports actors and organisations whose goal is to create equal opportunities for Finnish children to participate in physical activity, and thereby to make a breakthrough in their own lives.
We have advised on the establishment of the foundation and continue to support the foundation on its day-to-day governance matters.
Our Dispute Resolution practice's growth continued with the appointment of Tatu Jaarinen as Partner
Tatu Jaarinen joined our Dispute Resolution practice during the autumn 2025. He has broad experience in a wide variety of disputes, including energy, construction and ICT. Tatu is highly regarded for effectively protecting clients’ commercial interests at every stage, from early risk management to complex legal proceedings.
Get to know Tatu through the interview below:
What did your first autumn as a Partner at Krogerus look like?
Tatu: "My start at Krogerus has been fast-paced. However, alongside client work, I have had the opportunity to get to know my new colleagues, and I have received a warm and encouraging welcome. The tempo is fast, but after the past months, the saying "be better – stay kind" is 100% true in my daily work."
What trends can be expected in the field of dispute resolution in the near future, and how do you approach these trends?
Tatu: "Dispute resolution always reflects broader social trends, as disputes arise from ongoing activities in society. The underlying trend in dispute resolution in the near future will be that disputes will become increasingly complex. Another significant trend I see is that lawyers will deal with fewer and fewer so-called clear-cut cases. In my view, this is because corporate lawyers and attorneys are becoming increasingly skilled at resolving these types of cases.
From the perspective of a dispute resolution lawyer, this means that the successful handling of disputes that end up in court will increasingly require a carefully implemented process strategy."
What are your expectations for the next five years?
Tatu: "I expect the above-mentioned trends to continue and intensify. From the perspective of daily work, the biggest changes relate to artificial intelligence. It is impossible to predict what AI will affect and how – however, it would be a huge surprise if the changes over the next few years were not significant."
Season's Greetings and a Christmas donation to MIELI Mental Health Finland
For several years, we have had a tradition of making a Christmas donation to MIELI Mental Health Finland, the world’s oldest non-governmental organisation dedicated to mental health. With this year’s Christmas donation, we continue our support for MIELI and its important mission of promoting mental health, providing crisis support and preventing mental health issues. MIELI was originally chosen by the people of Krogerus as the charity for our Christmas donations.
This year's Christmas donation supports MIELI's work for young people. MIELI helps young people in crisis situations who struggle with, for example, depression, anxiety or bullying. With the received Christmas donations, MIELI will provide training to professionals working with young people in schools, youth work and leisure activities, to give them the tools they need to help young people and strengthen their mental health skills. The donations will also be used for MIELI's Sekasin online chat that provides immediate support to those in need.
As another Christmas tradition of ours, the bespoke painting for our Christmas Greeting has been made through our Art Patron collaboration with art gallery Helsinki Contemporary. This year's art was made by artist Leena Nio, who is interested in the possibilities of painting as a means of expression.
We wish you a joyous holiday season and a happy New Year 2026!
Krogerus
Bespoke oil on paper by Leena Nio
Photo: Kalle Nio
Art Patron Krogerus x Helsinki Contemporary
