Press Release

The Chambers Global Guide ranks law firms and lawyers in more than 200 jurisdictions in selected disciplines. All subject areas are part of Chambers Europe being published in March.

SVW is ranked within Banking and Finance, Corporate M&A, Oil and Gas, Dispute Resolution and International & Cross Border Capabilities. Several of our lawyers climb as well as defend last year’s placements and the Chambers Global Guide writes as follows:

Banking and Finance
Robust banking and finance practice with a strong reputation in loan and refinancing mandates in the shipping sector. Acts for borrowers and lenders on bilateral and syndicated facilities. Has additional knowledge in project, aviation and acquisition finance transactions.

Halvor Klingenberg and Peter Aall Simonsen have been ranked within Banking and Finance:

Halvor Klingenberg frequently handles acquisition finance mandates, as well as project finance deals. One client praises his knowledge and work ethic, adding: «He is especially good at finding workable solutions and bringing the process forward.»

Peter Aall Simonsen is noted for his experience in ship finance mandates and project finance matters connected to the renewable energy sphere. He regularly advises lenders on bilateral and syndicate loans as well as refinancing mandates. «He is pragmatic and finds solutions,» according to one client, who also describes him as «very hands-on.»

Corporate M&A
Assists clients with private and public M&A mandates, including auction processes and public-to-private transactions. Has notable experience acting for private equity and investment funds, as well as industrial companies. Particular expertise concerning deals in the energy and TMT sectors.

Amund Fougner Bugge and Christoffer Bjerknes have been ranked within Corporate M&A:

Amund Fougner Bugge (Capital Markets: Equity)«has extensive knowledge and experience in capital markets, especially in stock exchange-related transactions.»He has particular strength in IPOs, private placements and rights issues. Another client describes him as «responsive and efficient.»

Christoffer Bjerknes continues to progress in the rankings. One client highlights his «strong interpersonal skills,» adding that he is an «excellent negotiator who is pragmatic, effective and hard-working.» He often acts on corporate and M&A mandates involving private equity and venture capital investment.

Dispute Resolution
Particularly assists clients with contractual disputes. Also represents clients in contentious procurement and construction cases, as well as post-transactional disputes. Popular with clients from the transport industry. Handles litigation concerning regulatory issues.

Christian Reusch and Tage Brigt A. Skoghøy have been ranked within Dispute Resolution:

Described by one client as a «strong communicator,» Christian Reusch assists public and private clients with contractual and public procurement disputes. Another client highlights his litigation strength, saying: «His performance in court and delivery on that front is strong.»

Tage Brigt Skoghøy particularly assists clients with construction litigation and damages claims. He also advises on contractual and regulatory disputes. One client reports: «He is efficient and highly skilled, gives excellent and usable strategic advice that we can trust, and regularly delivers on time.»

Energy: Oil & Gas
Highly regarded practice, well known for its expertise in international oil and gas projects, particularly in emerging markets. Frequently acts for domestic and foreign governmental bodies and state enterprises. Advises on regulatory frameworks and compliance in connection with exploration, taxation and governance matters. Also offers experience in domestic and cross-border transactions and contractual agreements, as well as dispute resolution mandates concerning offshore construction projects and rig matters.

Bjørn-Erik Leerberg is ranked within Oil and Gas:

Bjørn-Erik Leerberg ‘s international experience. He often assists foreign and domestic public sector clients with regulatory matters. He also has experience advising private sector clients on petroleum law regulations and corporate transactions.

International & Cross-Border Capabilities
Simonsen Vogt Wiig is an active firm internationally, frequently advising on cross-border issues across M&A, disputes, regulatory matters and financing. The firm is well known for having a high proportion of companies based in foreign jurisdictions as well as states among its clients, typically acting on matters involving the TMT and energy sectors. The firm is also active in international shipping, with an office in Singapore helping to build relationships with clients in the Asian markets in need of advice on maritime law issues.

The firm also has an exceptional reputation for its long history of working on the development of regulatory frameworks for overseas oil and gas exploration in emerging economies and international law issues related to the oil industry. It has been particularly active in North and West Africa during recent years, working with overseas governments and energy companies to apply industry expertise to project development in countries such as Mozambique.

«Some of the work has been high-value and involved novel issues throwing up odd aspects of Irish and Norwegian law, but it was handled very smoothly and capably,» an interviewee reports.