Languages

English, Finnish, Swedish

Assistant

Karoliina Kivelä

Johanna Haltia-Tapio

Specialist Partner Employment

Languages

English, Finnish, Swedish

Assistant

Karoliina Kivelä

Johanna co-heads Hannes Snellman’s Employment Law Practice. She has more than 20 years of experience in advising both domestic and international clients across a broad range of industries, and she is the trusted advisor of companies whenever they need support in demanding questions relating to employment law.

Johanna provides frequent boardroom advise to listed companies on terms of assignment or terminations of executive management, including incentive and retention arrangements, pensions, and benefits. Johanna’s vast experience covers advisory on matters, such as large restructurings, co-operation proceedings, and transactional employment law, including outsourcings. In her practice, Johanna emphasises the need for understanding the business, specific circumstances, and objectives of the client. Staying focused on real-life, practical solutions ensures that clients receive high-quality advice that allow them to reach their goals. Johanna has in-depth knowledge of negotiating collective bargaining agreements and arrangements of employee participation. She also provides general advice for employers in the Finnish market. Clients value her pragmatic, responsive, and business-minded advice, and she is an appreciated discussion partner in complex employment law matters. Johanna also provides advice in employment law issues related to insolvency and bankruptcy.

Johanna is ranked among the leading Finnish legal experts in the field of employment by all major directories. Johanna is also active in Hannes Snellman’s ESG Group.

Selected References

We further advised the client in the implementation of restructurings and temporary layoffs, changes to terms of employment, and handling of employee claims, also including claims to the Ombudsman for Equality and the Non-Discrimination.

Contacts

Counsel to Plantagen Finland’s bankruptcy estate, supporting the estate administrator in taking over the bankruptcy estate, realization of assets, managing the estate's premises, and general matters related to the bankruptcy process.

Contacts

Parties

NYAB AB, Dovre Group Plc

Transaction

NYAB AB's acquisition of Dovre Group Plc’s Norwegian consulting business and global project personnel business.

Deal Value

EUR 34 million

Role

Counsel to NYAB AB

Contacts

Counsel to a Nordic client in the banking sector in employment matters related to a reorganisation of their operations.

Contacts

  • Johanna Haltia-Tapio

    Specialist Partner +358 40 552 3478 johanna.haltia-tapio@hannessnellman.com

  • Anna Nyberg

    Senior Associate +358 41 501 9395 anna.nyberg@hannessnellman.com

Counsel to a client in the wholesale sector in an employment matter concerning termination of an employment agreement and the entering into of a mutual termination agreement.

Contacts

  • Johanna Haltia-Tapio

    Specialist Partner +358 40 552 3478 johanna.haltia-tapio@hannessnellman.com

  • Anna Nyberg

    Senior Associate +358 41 501 9395 anna.nyberg@hannessnellman.com

Parties

Sampo plc and Topdanmark A/S

Transaction

Sampo plc's recommended public exchange offer for the shares in Topdanmark A/S

Deal Value

DKK 33 billion

Role

Counsel to Sampo plc

Contacts

Parties

Cargotec Corporation and Kalmar Corporation

Transaction

Cargotec’s partial demerger and separation of Kalmar

Deal Value

Approx. EUR 2.0 billion (illustrative carve-out sales)

Role

Counsel to Cargotec Corporation and Kalmar Corporation

Contacts

Counsel to a client in the engineering and construction sector in arrangement of group internal foreign postings. The advice concerned questions within employment, social security, and tax regulations.

Contacts

Counsel to several publicly traded companies in the preparation and implementation of the exit of the former CEO, as well as in the drafting of the terms of assignment of the new CEO.

Contacts

Counsel to a client in the textile industry in questions related to employee cooperation and strikes.

Contacts

Counsel to several publicly traded companies in questions related to arrangement of employee participation both within Finland and cross borders.

Contacts

Assisted client in the automobile industry in a restructuring and related cooperation proceedings.

Contacts

Counsel to a client in the medical sector in the implementation of a restructuring and temporary layoffs.

Contacts

Counsel to a company in the forest industry in questions regarding political strikes and potential layoffs.

Contacts

Counsel to a learning business company in the planning and implementing of a restructuring of the operations of its multi-jurisdictional subsidiary, including coordination of the statutory processes in several jurisdictions.

Contacts

  • Johanna Haltia-Tapio

    Specialist Partner +358 40 552 3478 johanna.haltia-tapio@hannessnellman.com

  • Anna Nyberg

    Senior Associate +358 41 501 9395 anna.nyberg@hannessnellman.com

Counsel to a client in the media sector in the multitude of different type of employment law assignments related to various group companies, including manager agreements, termination agreements, advice related to non-competition obligations and terminations of employment on personal grounds.

Contacts

  • Johanna Haltia-Tapio

    Specialist Partner +358 40 552 3478 johanna.haltia-tapio@hannessnellman.com

  • Anna Nyberg

    Senior Associate +358 41 501 9395 anna.nyberg@hannessnellman.com

Counsel to a publicly traded infra and energy company in relation to their obligations in connection with reduction of workforce and related negotiations.

Contacts

Counsel to a client in the media sector before the Insurance Court and the Pension Appeal Board in precedent-setting matters concerning application of the Finnish pension legislation.

Contacts

Counsel to a multinational company in a merger, including harmonisation of employment policies and practices.

Contacts

Counsel to a client in advertising industry in the terms of termination of several members of management as well as in the recruitment process of a new managing director, including drafting of related agreements.

Contacts

Counsel to a publicly traded company in clothing industry in multiple employment law matters including change negotiations, working hours arrangements, general co-operation with shop stewards, collective bargaining agreements, changes in terms of employment, benefit related matters as well as terminations of employment.

Contacts

  • Johanna Haltia-Tapio

    Specialist Partner +358 40 552 3478 johanna.haltia-tapio@hannessnellman.com

  • Oona Eerola

    Associate +358 40 729 6008 oona.eerola@hannessnellman.com

  • Anna Nyberg

    Senior Associate +358 41 501 9395 anna.nyberg@hannessnellman.com

Counsel to a client in biopharmaceutical industry in various employment law related matters, including e.g. advice related to change negotiations, working hours arrangements, changes in terms of employment, terminations of employment, issues related to family leaves as well as matters related to employee benefit.

Contacts

Counsel to a tech company in a global reorganisation of workforce.

Contacts

Counsel to a tech company in a global reorganisation of workforce.

Contacts

Counsel to a leading Northern European company in the food industry in the process for the departure of the retiring managing director and appointment of the new managing director.

Contacts

Counsel to a company in the food industry in matters related to subcontracting, hiring foreign workforce and seasonal workforce.

Contacts

Parties

Accel-KKR, Aico Group, Juuri Partners

Transaction

Accel-KKR’s majority equity investment in Aico Group

Deal Value

Value not public

Role

Counsel to Accel-KKR, a global technology-focused investment firm

Contacts

Counsel to a global client in the telecoms industry in a global reorganisation of workforce as well as in varying day-to-day employment law matters, such as contract amendments and analysis related to post-contractual restrictive covenants.

Contacts

The assistance included preparation of and support during the change negotiation process with the employees in Finland, drafting of related documents as well as mutual separation agreements.

Contacts

Parties:

Uponor Corporation (target), Georg Fischer Ltd (buyer)

Transaction: 

Counsel to Uponor Corporation in the recommended public cash tender offer by Georg Fischer Ltd to purchase all of the issued and outstanding shares of Uponor Corporation. 

Value:

EUR 2.1 billion

Role:

Counsel to Uponor Corporation

Contacts

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

Contacts

Parties

The German State (Buyer), Fortum Oyj (Seller), Uniper SE (Target)

Transaction 

Fortum Oyj’s arrangements related to stabilisation of its German subsidiary Uniper SE. The package will ensure multi-billion funding for Uniper, sale of Fortum’s shareholding in Uniper to the German State for approximately EUR 0.5 billion as well as repayment of Fortum’s EUR 4 billion receivables from Uniper and release of EUR 4 billion parent company guarantees.

Deal value 

Approx. EUR 4.5 billion

Role 

Finnish counsel to Fortum Oyj

Contacts

  • Mikko Heinonen

    Partner +358 40 527 8818 mikko.heinonen@hannessnellman.com

  • Antti Nyberg

    Partner +358 40 838 9375 antti.nyberg@hannessnellman.com

  • Sonja Siggberg

    Partner +358 40 837 6967 sonja.siggberg@hannessnellman.com

  • Klaus Ilmonen

    Partner, Doctor of Laws +358 40 831 1868 klaus.ilmonen@hannessnellman.com

  • Markus Bremer

    Partner +358 40 716 9676 markus.bremer@hannessnellman.com

  • Mikko Huimala

    Partner +358 44 530 0753 mikko.huimala@hannessnellman.com

  • Jan Lilius

    Specialist Partner +358 40 556 6782 jan.lilius@hannessnellman.com

  • Mikko Tavast

    Counsel +358 44 384 4967 mikko.tavast@hannessnellman.com

  • Johanna Haltia-Tapio

    Specialist Partner +358 40 552 3478 johanna.haltia-tapio@hannessnellman.com

  • Matias Moberg

    Partner +358 40 867 4634 matias.moberg@hannessnellman.com

  • Robert Gordin

    Senior Associate +358 44 079 9799 robert.gordin@hannessnellman.com

  • Sofi Lehtinen

    Associate +358 40 620 7199 sofi.lehtinen@hannessnellman.com

We advised the client in setting up operations in the Finnish Lapland and preparing feasible employment models and work permits for a staff consisting of up to 200 noncitizens.

Contacts

Parties:

Applied Materials Inc. (buyer), Picosun Oy (target)

Transaction:

The acquisition of Picosun Oy, an innovator in atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology, primarily for specialty semiconductors.

Deal Value:

Value not public

Role:

Finnish counsel to Applied Materials Inc.

Contacts

Parties:

Gasgrid Finland Oy, Excelerate Energy

Transaction:

Gasgrid Finland Oy's chartering of an LNG Floating Storage and Regasification Unit from Excelerate Energy.

Deal Value:

EUR 460 million

Role:

Counsel to Gasgrid Finland Oy

Contacts

Parties

Basware Corporation (target), a consortium consisting of Accel-KKR, Long Path Partners, and Briarwood Chase Management (buyer)

Transaction

Counsel to the offeror consortium of Accel-KKR, Long Path Partners, and Briarwood Chase Management in the tender offer for all outstanding securities in Basware Corporation.

Deal Value

EUR 620 million

Role

Counsel to the consortium

Contacts

  • Klaus Ilmonen

    Partner, Doctor of Laws +358 40 831 1868 klaus.ilmonen@hannessnellman.com

  • Tommi Kovero

    Senior Associate +358 40 523 9292 tommi.kovero@hannessnellman.com

  • Aki Salmela

    Senior Associate +358 50 307 9056 aki.salmela@hannessnellman.com

  • Robert Gordin

    Senior Associate +358 44 079 9799 robert.gordin@hannessnellman.com

  • Linnea Lehtonen

    Senior Associate +358 50 352 4855 linnea.lehtonen@hannessnellman.com

  • Roope Sevón

    Associate +358 44 281 9880 roope.sevon@hannessnellman.com

  • Heikki Vesikansa

    Partner +358 40 844 2117 heikki.vesikansa@hannessnellman.com

  • Harri Vehviläinen

    Specialist Partner +358 40 183 1636 harri.vehvilainen@hannessnellman.com

  • Sofia Ropo

    Senior Associate +358 40 545 2866 sofia.ropo@hannessnellman.com

  • Mikko Huimala

    Partner +358 44 530 0753 mikko.huimala@hannessnellman.com

  • Markus Bremer

    Partner +358 40 716 9676 markus.bremer@hannessnellman.com

  • Pauliina Sutinen

    Senior Associate +358 50 346 5280 pauliina.sutinen@hannessnellman.com

  • Johanna Haltia-Tapio

    Specialist Partner +358 40 552 3478 johanna.haltia-tapio@hannessnellman.com

  • Anna Nyberg

    Senior Associate +358 41 501 9395 anna.nyberg@hannessnellman.com

  • Outi Jousi

    Specialist Partner +358 40 563 7343 outi.jousi@hannessnellman.com

  • Annika Tiitola

    Senior Associate +358 45 679 2850 annika.tiitola@hannessnellman.com

  • Axel Hård af Segerstad

    Associate +358 40 777 3762 axel.hard@hannessnellman.com

Advised Pankaboard in its negotiations with the Paper Workers’ Union and Trade Union Pro to conclude company-specific collective bargaining agreements for its paper workers and salaried employees, respectively.

Contacts

Parties

Tencent (Investor), Vitruvian Partners (Co-Investor), Enfuce Financial Services Oy (Target)

Transaction

Counsel to Tencent in its further investment in Enfuce Financial Services, a leading European Card-as-a-Service (CaaS) platform for modern card issuing and processing, in connection with a EUR 45 million Series C investment round

Deal Value

EUR 45 million

Role

Counsel to Tencent

Contacts

Counsel to several listed companies in the assignment and termination of new members to their top management.

Contacts

We advised the client in arranging employee participation on the board of directors of the combined company (Anora Group Plc) in connection with a cross-border merger between Altia Plc and Arcus ASA, as required by the EU directive 2017/1132.

Contacts

Parties

BlackRock Real Assets (Buyer), Green Horizon Renewables a.s. and other minority investors (Sellers), Mikana portfolio (Target)

Transaction

BlackRock Real Assets’ acquisition of the Mikana portfolio, which consists of an existing operational project of 20 MW and four wind development projects with a capacity of 200 MW, from Green Horizon Renewables a.s. and other minority investors

Deal Value 

Value not public

Role

Counsel to Green Horizon Renewables a.s. and other minority investors

Contacts

Parties

Assemblin, Tom Allen Senera

Transaction

Counsel to Assemblin in its acquisition of Tom Allen Senera, a Finland-based systems supplier of energy solutions to properties.

Deal Value

Value not public

Role

Counsel to Assemblin

Contacts

Parties

Virala Acquisition Company Plc

Transaction

Hannes Snellman acted as legal counsel to Virala Acquisition Company Plc on its IPO and the listing of its Class C shares on the SPAC segment of the regulated market of Nasdaq Helsinki

Deal Value

EUR 107.5 million

Role

Counsel to Virala Acquisition Company Plc

Contacts

Parties

Amazon (Buyer), Umbra (Target)

Transaction

The acquisition of Umbra by Amazon. 

Deal Value

Value not public

Role

Counsel to Umbra

Contacts

Parties 

Oy Linde Gas Ab (Buyer), Neste Markkinointi Oy (Seller), Neste’s cylinder gas business and stake in Oy Innogas Ab (Targets)

Transaction 

Oy Linde Gas Ab’s acquisition of Neste Markkinointi Oy’s cylinder gas business and Neste Markkinointi Oy's stake in Oy Innogas Ab, a provider of LPG cylinder filling, requalification and logistics services.

Value

Value not public

Role 

Counsel to Oy Linde Gas Ab

Contacts

Parties

PPG Industries, Inc. (Bidder), Tikkurila Oyj (Target)

Transaction

Recommended public cash tender offer for all of the shares in Tikkurila by PPG Industries, Inc.

Deal Value

EUR 1.5 billion

Role

Counsel to Tikkurila Oyj

Contacts

Parties

Telia Company (Seller), Polhem Infra (Buyer), Telia Carrier (Target)

Transaction

Telia Company’s divestment of Telia Carrier to Polhem Infra

Deal Value

SEK 9,450 million

Role

Finnish counsel to Telia Company

Contacts

Parties

Castellum (Buyer), Lindström Invest (Target)

Transaction

Castellum's acquisition of real estate group Lindström Invest

Deal Value 

EUR 150 million

Role 

Counsel to Castellum AB (publ)

Contacts

Parties:

Cargotec Corporation, Konecranes Plc

Transaction:

The announced, but subsequently abandoned, merger of Cargotec and Konecranes in 2021-2022

Deal value:

Approx. EUR 2.7 billion

Role:

Counsel to Konecranes Plc

Contacts

Parties

Altia Plc, Arcus ASA

Transaction

Merger of Altia Plc and Arcus ASA to form Anora Group

Deal value

Preliminary aggregated annual revenue EUR 640 million

Role

Lead counsel to Altia Plc

Contacts

Parties

State of Finland (Seller), Patria Oyj (Target), Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS (Buyer)

Transaction

The Finnish government's sale of 49.9% of its shares in Patria Oyj to Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS

Deal Value

EUR 272 million

Role

Counsel to Patria and its shareholder

Contacts

Parties

ABB and FIMER S.p.A

Transaction

Sale of ABB's solar inverter business to FIMER S.p.A

Deal Value

Value not public

Role

Finnish Counsel to ABB

Contacts

Parties

ABB and Hitachi

Transaction

Sale of ABB's Power Grids business to Hitachi

Deal Value

Enterprise Value of USD 11 billion for 100% of Power Grids

Role

Finnish Counsel to ABB

Contacts

Counsel to a Finnish subsidiary of a global public listed company in the automobile industry. We advised the company in the co-operation proceedings relating to reduction of workforce as well as the restructuring of its operations. Our advice included general guidance related to the restructuring, preparation of documentation relating to the co-operation proceedings and drafting of termination agreements.

Contacts

Counsel to a major investment company, in a delicate and strategically challenging matter regarding a prominent manager whose inappropriate behaviour had become intolerable. With our help the client was able to sign a termination of an employment contract without any legal battles or PR risk.

Contacts

Counsel to a Finnish subsidiary of a global public listed company in the pharma sector, in the integration process following an acquisition of another global public listed company in the same sector. Our advice has included both advice relating to the combination and restructuring of the operations, co-operation proceedings relating to reduction of workforce as well as ongoing employment and management related guidance.

Contacts

Counsel to a government owned company with regard to the termination of the former CEO, the recruitment process of the new CEO as well as other amendments related to the management of the company. In addition, we have supported the client in other general employment law matters.

Contacts

Counsel to the Finnish subsidiaries of a multinational professional services company in a restructuring process and relating co-operation proceedings, involving in total 1,200 employees.

Contacts

Parties 

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (Buyer), Shareholders of Blueprint Oy (Sellers), Blueprint Genetics Oy (Target)

Transaction

The sale of Blueprint Genetics’ entire share capital to Quest Diagnostics

Deal Value 

Value not public 

Role

Counsel to Blueprint Genetics and its owners

Contacts

Rankings

  • Clients say: "Johanna Haltia-Tapio has an excellent service mind set." "... Johanna Haltia-Tapio gives very good legal advice.", Employment, Legal 500, 2025
  • Clients say: "She is very professional and our go-to-person in employment law matters.", "She is always easy to collaborate with, even in very difficult cases. Her calm approach and level of sophistication is very valuable.", Employment, Chambers Europe, 2025
  • Leading Individual, Employment, Legal 500, 2024
  • "[... and] Johanna Haltia-Tapio are both very knowledgeable and focus on the clients’ challenges precisely.", Employment, Legal 500, 2024
  • "Johanna Haltia-Tapio offers very precise and practical advice. Easy to reach, always available.", Employment, Legal 500, 2024
  • “Johanna Haltia-Tapio has solid legal expertise and is an important adviser, especially in relation to change negotiations”, “She has a strong practical approach combined with a strong knowledge base”, Chambers Europe, 2024
  • Ranked as Top Lawyer in Labour, Employment & Benefits, Who's Who Legal, 2023
  • "Johanna Haltia-Tapio is excellent.", Employment, Legal 500, 2023
  • "A client declares: 'Johanna is an experienced labour law specialist and has advised us on many employee contract issues and resolution processes.' A second client reports: 'Johanna is a trusted employment law adviser to whom I turn if I need to discuss my own thinking around a matter, or need in-depth knowledge of a specific aspect of Finnish employment law.', Employment, Chambers Europe, 2022
  • "Johanna Haltia-Tapio is very pragmatic, responsive and provides business-minded advice.", "Johanna Haltia-Tapio is our go-to partner in any HR / employment law related questions. She is fast, has vast knowledge and is able to balance both the legal aspects of any case and the human aspect." Employment, Legal 500, 2021
  • 'Clients praise her commerciality, with one saying: "She is easy to get hold of and quick in her responses," and adding: "She is calm and ready to explain until I understand the situation."', Employment, Chambers Europe, 2021
  • 'One client emphasises that she has "good confidence and lots of experience," while another interviewee highlights that she is "very impressive and knowledgeable and good to co-operate with."', Employment, Chambers Europe 2020
  • 'Johanna Haltia-Tapio is noted for her "pragmatic approach"', Employment, Legal 500, 2019
  • 'Sources note that she is "very creative in finding resolutions on a conflict" and clients particularly praise her "solution-mindedness and ability to think commercially."', Employment, Chambers Europe 2019
  • 'Clients remark that she is "very easy to approach and gives clear answers." ', Employment, Chambers Europe 2018
  • Ranked as notable practitioner in Employment, Chambers Europe 2014-2018
  • Ranked as recommended lawyer in Employment in the 2017 edition of Legal 500
  • 'Clients commend her for her "high level of client services and technical knowledge." ', Employment, Chambers Europe 2017
  • 'A client says: "She's easy to work with. She bears the corporate interest in mind when she advises." ', Employment, Chambers Europe 2016
  • 'Johanna Haltia-Tapio "is very business-minded and provides practical solutions. She is responsive and gives fast, accurate advice." ', Employment, Chambers Europe 2015
  • Ranked among the best lawyers in the 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 editions (Helsinki: Labor and Employment) of Best Lawyers®
  • Ranked as key individual in Employment, Chambers Europe 2013
  • 'Clients value her ability to "give down-to-earth, helpful advice at very short notice."', Chambers Europe 2012
  • ’Johanna Haltia-Tapio earns plaudits for her proactive and straightforward manner. “She is excellent at explaining legal matters well to non-legal people; she provides clear advice.”...’, Chambers Europe 2011

Memberships and Positions of Trust

  • Member of the Finnish Bar Association
  • Member of the Association of Finnish Lawyers
  • Member of the European Employment Lawyers Association (EELA)
  • Member of the Finnish Labour Law Association

Professional Background

  • Specialist Partner, Hannes Snellman, 2018–
  • Senior Counsel, Hannes Snellman, 2011–2018
  • Senior Associate, Hannes Snellman, 2007–2011
  • Associate, Hannes Snellman, 2005–2007
  • Roschier Holmberg Attorneys Ltd, 1999–2005

Education

  • Master of Laws, University of Helsinki, 1999

Publications

  • Co-author of the Finnish Chapter in Lexology In-Depth: Executive Remuneration, 13th Edition, 2024
  • Co-author of the Finnish Chapter in Lexology In-Depth: Executive Remuneration (formerly The Executive Remuneration Review), 12th Edition, 2023
  • Co-author of the Finnish Chapter in The Executive Remuneration Review, 11th Edition, 2022
  • Co-author of the Finnish Chapter in The Executive Remuneration Review, 10th Edition, 2021
  • Co-author of the Finnish Chapter in The Executive Remuneration Review, 9th Edition, 2020
  • Co-author of the Finnish Chapter in The Executive Remuneration Review, 8th Edition, 2019
  • Co-author of the Finland Chapter in The Executive Remuneration Review, 7th Edition, 2018