Johan Aalto
Johan Aalto
Johan Aalto specialises in mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and capital markets, with an emphasis on public takeovers. During the last few years, Johan has been involved in some of the largest and most complex transactions in Finland. He also focuses on corporate governance issues and acts as the chairman of general meetings of several listed companies in Finland.
Johan has been awarded the honorary title Lagman by the President of the Republic of Finland.
One of the best-known M&A attorneys in Finland.
Chambers Global 2021
References
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

Johan Aalto

Sonja Siggberg

Jon Termonen

Marcus Lehtinen

Sofi Lehtinen

Claes Backström

Samuel Åkerlund

Satu Kokko

Oliver Vesterlund

Viola Karjalainen

Heidi Haanpää

Mikko Huimala

Annika Grönholm

Panu Siitonen

Hilma Mäkitalo-Saarinen

Wilhelm Sanmark

Ingrid Remmelgas

Karoliina Kaartinen

Monika Parkkinen

Hanna-Mari Mudi
Parties:
Methode Electronics, Inc., Nordic Lights Group Corporation
Transaction:
Methode Electronics, Inc.'s recommended public cash tender offer for all shares in Nordic Lights Group Corporation
Deal Value:
EUR 132 million
Role:
Counsel to Methode Electronics, Inc.

Johan Aalto

Anniina Järvinen

Marcus Lehtinen

Robert Gordin

Joonas Vartia

Riikka Kuha

Heidi Haanpää

Essi Ellman

Päivi Tammilehto

Anna Mäkinen

Hilma Mäkitalo-Saarinen

Simon Mittler

Ingrid Remmelgas

Ville Säteri

Kerttu Pahta

Rebecca Osola

Monika Parkkinen

Karoliina Kaartinen
Parties:
Ahlström Capital BV and Nidoco AB (buyers), Ahlstrom-Munksjö (seller), Decor Solutions business area (target)
Transaction:
The buying consortium comprising Ahlström Capital BV and Nidoco AB, in the investment in the majority share of Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s Decor Solutions business area.
Deal Value:
Value not public
Role:
Counsel to the buying consortium (Ahlström Capital BV and Nidoco AB)

Johanna Wärnberg

Johan Aalto

Mikael Lustig

Antti Nyberg (Alanko)

Pauliina Sutinen

Matias Moberg

Panu Siitonen

Anniina Somppi

Peter Forsberg

Lars Lundgren

Essi Ellman

Sofia Saarelainen

Anna Nordin Pettersson

Alexander Lindqvist
Parties
Valmet Corporation, Alfa Laval AB, Neles Corporation
Transaction
Counsel to Valmet Corporation in the EUR 1.73 bn public tender offer dated 13 July 2020 by Alfa Laval AB for all shares in Neles Corporation and the subsequent increase by Valmet of its shareholding in Neles to 29.5 %. Alfa Laval decided not to complete its offer on 3 November 2020.
Deal Value
EUR 1.73 billion
Role
Counsel to Valmet Corporation

Johan Aalto

Antti Kuha

Antti Nyberg (Alanko)

Helena Lamminen

Jenni Heurlin
Parties
Valmet Oyj (Buyer), Solidium Oyj (Seller)
Transaction
Counsel to Valmet Oyj in the acquisition of future Neles Corporation from Solidium Oy, representing 14.88% of all Neles’ shares and votes.
Deal Value
EUR 179 million
Role
Counsel to Valmet Oyj

Johan Aalto
Parties
Enersense International Oyj, Empower Group, Empower Oyj
Transaction
Enersense International’s acquisition of the entire share capital of Empower, the Finnish energy and construction services supplier.
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to Empower Oyj and the sellers

Johan Aalto
Parties
Ramirent Plc, Loxam S.A.S.
Transaction
Recommended public cash tender offer for Ramirent Plc by Loxam S.A.S.
Deal Value
EUR 970 million
Role
Counsel to Ramirent Plc

Johan Aalto

Heidi Haanpää
Parties
Commonwealth Bank (Seller), Colonial First State Global Asset Management (Target), Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation (Buyer)
Transaction
Commonwealth Bank's sale of its global asset management business, Colonial First State Global Asset Management (CFSGAM), to Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation
Deal Value
AUD 4.1 billion
Role
Counsel to Commonwealth Bank

Johan Aalto

Jari Tukiainen
Parties
Ahlstrom-Munksjö (Buyer), Expera Specialty Solutions (Target), KPS Capital Partners (Seller)
Transaction
Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s acquisition of Expera Specialty Solutions, a U.S.-based specialty paper producer
Deal Value
USD 615 million
Role
Counsel to Ahlstrom-Munksjö

Sonja Siggberg

Fredrik Olsson

Johan Aalto

Antti Kuha

Anniina Järvinen

Albert Danielsson

Agda Vähä-Piikkiö

Carolina H. Wahlby
Parties
NDX Intressenter (Buyer), Nordax Group AB (Target)
Transaction
NDX Intressenter’s mandatory bid for all shares in Nordax Group AB
Deal Value
Offer value SEK 6.657 million
Role
Counsel to NDX Intressenter

Johan Aalto

Christoffer Saidac

Peter Forsberg
Parties
Sampo plc (Buyer), 19.9% of the shares in Saxo Bank Group (Target)
Transaction
Sampo plc’s Acquisition of 19.9% of Shares in Saxo Bank Group
Deal Value
EUR 265 million
Role
Counsel to Sampo plc

Johan Aalto

Mikko Heinonen

Panu Siitonen
Parties
Ahlström Capital (Buyer), Oy GW Sohlberg Ab (Seller), 39% of shares in Detection Technology and 18% of shares in Glaston (Targets)
Transaction
Ahlström Capital’s acquisition of shares in Detection Technology and Glaston from Oy GW Sohlberg Ab
Deal Value
Approx. EUR 110 million
Role
Counsel to Oy GW Sohlberg Ab

Johan Aalto

Heikki Vesikansa
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

Johan Aalto

Sonja Siggberg

Antti Kuha

Heikki Vesikansa

Janne Veneranta

Johanna Haltia-Tapio

Annemari Rosi

Stefan Stellato
Parties
Sampo plc (Buyer), Topdanmark A/S (Target)
Transaction
Sampo plc’s mandatory public cash offer for all outstanding shares in Topdanmark A/S
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to Sampo plc

Johan Aalto

Sonja Siggberg
Parties
National Silicon Industry Group (Offeror), Okmetic Oyj (Target)
Transaction
Voluntary recommended public tender offer by National Silicon Industry Group for all shares and option rights in Okmetic Oyj
Deal Value
Approximately EUR 170 million
Role
Counsel to Okmetic Oyj

Johan Aalto

Heidi Haanpää
Parties
Adven Group (Target), EQT (Seller), AMP Capital, Infracapital (Buyers)
Transaction
EQT Infrastructure Limited’s sale of Adven Group to a consortium comprising of AMP Capital Investors and Infracapital Partners II
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to EQT

Johan Aalto

Heikki Vesikansa

Marta Kauppinen
Parties
Metso Oyj (Seller) and Valmet Oyj (Buyer)
Transaction
Valmet Oyj’s acquisition of the process automation systems business from Metso Oyj
Deal Value
EUR 340 million
Role
Counsel to Valmet Oyj

Johan Aalto

Sten Olsson

Heidi Haanpää

Johanna Haltia-Tapio

Heikki Vesikansa
Rankings
- "One of the best-known M&A attorneys in Finland." Johan Aalto is complimented by clients for his "very good practical understanding of the situation.", Corporate and M&A, Chambers Global and Chambers Europe 2021
- Ranked as a Leading individual in Commercial, Corporate and M&A, Legal 500, 2015-2022
- 'Johan Aalto is described by a client as "a steady hand when you are going through difficult situations."', Corporate and M&A, Chambers Global and Chambers Europe 2020
- Ranked in Band 1 in Corporate/M&A in the 2019 edition of Chambers Global and Chambers Europe
- One client says Johan Aalto is "the number one M&A lawyer in Finland. He stands out in the team as he is old enough and experienced enough to provide the best advice" and another client describes him as "Highly competent! Excellent performance." IFLR1000, 2019
- Ranked as Market leader in Capital Markets and M&A in the 2019-2021 editions of IFLR1000
- "Johan Aalto and Sten Olsson are ‘probably the best M&A lawyers in Finland’ according to one client", Commercial, corporate and M&A, Legal 500, 2018
- "Clients appreciate that he is 'very experienced, solution-driven and easy to deal with.'", Corporate and M&A, Chambers Global 2018 and Chambers Europe 2018
- "Johan Aalto is described by clients as 'a good negotiator with nerves of steel.'", Corporate and M&A, Chambers Global 2017 and Chambers Europe 2017
- "...Very knowledgeable, easy to deal with and fast." Corporate and M&A, Chambers Global 2016 and Chambers Europe 2016
- Ranked as a Highly regarded lawyer in Capital Markets and Corporate and M&A in the 2016, 2017 and 2018 editions of IFLR1000
- Ranked as "Lawyer of the Year" in Mergers and Acquisitions Law (Helsinki, 2016) by Best Lawyers®
- "Commentators agree that Johan Aalto 'is one of the best M&A lawyers in Finland. He is smart, excellent in negotiations and offers great depth of legal expertise' ", Corporate/M&A, Chambers Global 2015 and Chambers Europe 2015
- Ranked as "Lawyer of the Year" in Corporate Law (Helsinki, 2015) by Best Lawyers®
- "Sources deem him a 'very talented' lawyer who exercises 'superb judgement' in major cases.", Corporate/M&A, Chambers Global 2014
- Leading practitioner, Who’s Who Legal, Corporate Governance, 2014
- Ranked among the best lawyers in the 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 editions (Helsinki: Corporate Governance & Compliance, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions and Private Equity) of Best Lawyers®
- 'Senior partner Johan Aalto is one of Finland’s leading transactional lawyers...', Legal 500, 2013
- 'Johan Aalto is a noted force in major Finnish transactions...', Corporate/M&A, Chambers Global 2013 and Chambers Europe 2013
- Winner of the Mergers & Acquisitions category for Finland in the Client Choice Awards - International 2013
- Ranked as "Lawyer of the Year" in Private Equity (Helsinki, 2013) by Best Lawyers®
- Leading lawyer, Corporate/M&A, Chambers Europe 2011
- Ranked as "Lawyer of the Year" in Corporate (Helsinki, 2010) by Best Lawyers®
- Leading lawyer, Capital Markets and M&A, IFLR1000, 2015 edition
- Leading lawyer, Corporate/M&A, Chambers Global and Chambers Europe 2010
- Leading practitioner, The International Who's Who of Business Lawyers, Banking, 2010
- Leading practitioner, The International Who's Who of Business Lawyers, Capital Markets, 2010
- Leading lawyer in Banking and finance, Corporate and M&A as well as in EU and Competition in the Guide to European Legal Experts 2010
- Endorsed in Corporate/M&A, Directors duties and liabilities, Private Equity/venture capital, Finland, PLC Which Lawyer? 2010
Memberships and Positions of Trust
- Member of the committee preparing the first Finnish guidelines on takeovers (the Helsinki Takeover Code), 2007
- Board memberships in several companies
- Member of the Finnish Bar Association, 1991
Education and Professional Background
- Partner, Hannes Snellman, 1994–2009 and 2020–
- Senior Partner, Hannes Snellman, 2009–2020
- Managing Partner, Hannes Snellman, 2005–2009
- Master of Laws, University of Helsinki, 1987