Greetings from Alumni: Peppi Manninen, Legal Counsel, CapMan

In the first part of this spring’s Greetings from Alumni series, we interviewed Peppi Manninen, who now works as a legal counsel at CapMan. During her time at Hannes Snellman between 2019 and 2022, Peppi worked in the positions of a trainee and associate in our M&A Team.

Hi Peppi, how are you? How has 2025 started for you?

Hi! I’m doing great, thank you for asking. A new year always brings a chance to reflect on the past and embrace new challenges ahead. I’ve just returned from a relaxing holiday in Egypt, which was a fantastic way to recharge and enjoy some much-needed sunshine after a busy year-end. At work, we have some interesting projects in the pipeline, which I really look forward to.

You work as a legal counsel at CapMan. Can you tell us a bit about your main responsibilities?

Certainly! CapMan is a leading Nordic private assets management and investment company, with funds focused on real estate, infrastructure, natural capital, and unlisted companies. As a legal counsel, I support our investment teams across a wide range of legal matters throughout the entire lifecycle of CapMan funds. I contribute to fundraising projects and formation of new funds including document drafting and review, negotiations, as well as investor onboarding. During the holding period of an investment, I help interpret fund documents and support internal decision-making processes. In addition, I work with general corporate law matters, corporate governance, and data protection. The diversity of our investment strategies and tasks ensures that no two days are the same, keeping the learning curve steep.

During your time at Hannes Snellman, you worked in our M&A Team first as a trainee and later as an associate. How was working in the team and what was the most valuable thing you learned during your time at Hannes Snellman?

Working in the M&A Team at Hannes Snellman was a truly rewarding experience that provided an excellent foundation for my career. The team was highly professional yet had such a great and supportive atmosphere, making it an enjoyable place to grow and learn both during and after graduation. One of the most valuable lessons I learned was the importance of strong project management, coordination, and communication skills. Sometimes deals move quickly and you need to be prepared to adapt and deliver even under tight deadlines. This proactive attitude and a problem-solving mindset are probably something shared by all (past and present) M&A lawyers — and something I find really useful also in an in-house role!

What career advice would you now give to yourself if this were your first day at law school?

I would probably tell myself to stay curious and open-minded about different career paths. The legal profession offers so many opportunities beyond the traditional lawyer roles, and your time at law school is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience across various fields and industries. Also, I would remind myself that career development is not a linear journey but sometimes the best opportunities come from unexpected directions. And lastly, don’t stress too much and make sure to enjoy all the great parties and extracurricular activities that law school has to offer. 😊

What is your favourite memory from your time at Hannes Snellman?

It is impossible to name just one, but like many alumni before me, I have to say it’s the people and the strong team spirit. Whether it was working intensively with a project, celebrating closings, or just enjoying coffee breaks at “Cafe Courtyard”, there was always a strong sense of support and teamwork. The people truly made my time at Hannes special, and I am grateful for the friendships and professional relationships that continue to this day.

Hannes Snellman is cooperating with Päätös, a podcast focused on decision-making. Inspired by the podcast, we would like to conclude this interview by asking you about decision-making — what would you say is the most significant decision you have made when it comes to your professional life?

The most significant decision I’ve made in my professional life must have been transitioning from law firm work to an in-house role at CapMan. Moving from a deal-driven environment to a broader corporate counsel role meant shifting from working within a large team to assuming a more independent role. While it was a step outside my comfort zone, the experience has been incredibly insightful. I've gained a deeper understanding of the private assets business and had the opportunity to collaborate closely with our various teams and investment strategies.