Johanna Haltia-Tapio
Johanna Haltia-Tapio
Johanna co-heads our firm’s employment law practice in Helsinki. She has more than 20 years of experience in advising both domestic and international clients across a broad range of industries. Johanna is the trusted advisor of companies whenever they need support in demanding questions relating to employment law. She is also active in Hannes Snellman’s ESG Group.
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. She has in-depth knowledge of negotiating collective bargaining agreements and arrangements of employee participation and provides general advice for employers in the Finnish market. Johanna also provides advice in employment law issues related to insolvency and bankruptcy.
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’s clients value her pragmatic, responsive, and business-minded advice, and she is an appreciated discussion partner in complex employment law matters.
She has a strong practical approach combined with a strong knowledge base.
Chambers Europe 2024
References
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
Value not public
Role
Counsel to NYAB AB
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
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
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
Counsel to a company in the forest industry in questions regarding political strikes and potential layoffs.
Counsel to a client in the medical sector in the implementation of a restructuring and temporary layoffs.
Assisted client in the automobile industry in a restructuring and related cooperation proceedings.
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.
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.
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.
Counsel to a tech company in a global reorganisation of workforce.
Counsel to several publicly traded companies in questions related to arrangement of employee participation both within Finland and cross borders.
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.
Counsel to a client in the textile industry in questions related to employee cooperation and strikes.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
Counsel to a tech company in a global reorganisation of workforce.
Counsel to a company in the food industry in matters related to subcontracting, hiring foreign workforce and seasonal workforce.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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
Counsel to a publicly traded infra and energy company in relation to their obligations in connection with reduction of workforce and related negotiations.
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
Counsel to a multinational company in a merger, including harmonisation of employment policies and practices.
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.
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
Counsel to several listed companies in the assignment and termination of new members to their top management.
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
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
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
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
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.
Parties
Amazon (Buyer), Umbra (Target)
Transaction
The acquisition of Umbra by Amazon.
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to Umbra
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Counsel to Pankaboard Oyj in the outsourcing of steam production to Adven Oy
Parties
Outotec Oyj, Metso Corporation
Transaction
The combination of Outotec and Metso Minerals through a demerger
Deal Value
EUR 3.9 billion (illustrative combined sales)
Role
Counsel to Outotec Oyj
Parties
Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. (Buyer), shareholders of Pro Farm Technologies Oy (Sellers), Pro Farm Technologies Oy (Target)
Transaction
Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc., an international leader in sustainable bioprotection and plant health solutions, acquired Pro Farm Technologies Oy, a Finnish agriculture technology company supplying nutrient and biostimulant technology and products
Deal Value
USD 31.8 million
Role
Counsel to Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc.
Parties
Peab AB (Buyer), YIT Corporation (Seller), YIT’s Nordic paving and mineral aggregates businesses (Targets)
Transaction
YIT’s sale of its Nordic paving and mineral aggregates businesses in Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark to Peab
Deal Value
EUR 280 million
Role
Counsel to YIT Corporation
Counsel to CEMEX in its sale of assets in the Baltics and Nordics to the German building materials group SCHWENK, 2019
Parties
Fazer Food Services, Compass Group PLC
Transaction
Fazer Group in its divestment of Fazer Food Services to Compass Group PLC
Deal Value
EUR 475 million
Role
Counsel to Fazer Group
Counsel in strategic public procurement to Finavia Oyj, which maintains and developes all Finnish airports.
Parties
Nordic Healthcare Group Oy, Vaaka Partners Oy
Transaction
Vaaka Partner's investment in Nordic Healthcare Group
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to Vaaka Partners
Parties
Nexit Ventures (Seller), Ekahau, Inc. (Target), Ookla (Buyer)
Transaction
Nexit Ventures' sale of shares of Ekahau to Ookla
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel for Nexit Ventures and Ekahau, Inc.
Parties
IVG Polar Oy (Seller), Goldman Sachs and Cromwell Property Group (Buyers)
Transaction
IVG Polar Oy's divestment of an office portfolio with a lettable space of 132,000m² to Goldman Sachs and Cromwell Property Group
Deal Value
EUR 108.5 million
Role
Counsel to IVG Polar Oy
Parties
Orion Corporation (Seller), Axcel Management A/S (Buyer), Orion Diagnostica Oy (Target)
Transaction
Orion Corporation's divestment of the diagnostics business unit Orion Diagnostica Oy to a private equity fund managed by Axcel Management A/S
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to Orion Corporation
Parties
OP Financial Group (Seller), Vienna Insurance Group (Buyer), Seesam Insurance AS (Target)
Transaction
OP Financial Group's sale of the non-life insurance company Seesam Insurance AS (Seesam), including its Latvian and Lithuanian branches, to Vienna Insurance Group (VIG)
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to OP Financial Group
Parties
Vaaka Partners (Buyer), management and minority shareholders (Sellers), Smoothie Heaven Oy (Target)
Transaction
Vaaka Partners acquired majority of shares in Smoothie Heaven Oy, a juice and smoothie bar company known as Jungle Juice Bar, from management and minority shareholders
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to Vaaka Partners
Parties
Wise Group (Buyer), Management and minority shareholders (Sellers), Sito Oy (Target)
Transaction
Combination of Wise Group and Sito Oy
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to Wise Group
Parties
Lemminkäinen Corporation and YIT Corporation
Transaction
The combination of Lemminkäinen Corporation and YIT Corporation through a statutory merger
Deal Value
EUR 771 million
Role
Counsel to Lemminkäinen
Parties
Terveystalo, Diacor
Transaction
Terveystalo's acquisition of Diacor
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to Terveystalo
Parties
Trust Kapital (Buyer); Enfo Oyj (Seller); Enfo Zender (Target)
Transaction
Sentica’s portfolio company Trust Kapital's acquisition of Enfo Zender, Enfo Oyj’s information logistics subsidiary
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to Trust Kapital
Parties
Intera Fund III Ky (Buyer), Management and minority shareholders (Sellers), Wise Group Finland Oy (Target)s
Transaction
Intera’s acquisition of majority ownership in Wise Group Finland Oy from the management and minority shareholders
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to Intera
Parties
Hartwall Capital Oy Ab (Buyer), SUEZ Suomi Oy (Target)
Transaction
Hartwall Capital Oy Ab's acquisition of SUEZ Suomi Oy, comprising the Finnish operations of SUEZ Group
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to Hartwall Capital Oy Ab
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
Parties
Sentica Partners and a number of private individuals (Sellers), Humana AB (Buyer), Arjessa Oy (Target)
Transaction
Sentica Partners and a number of private individuals sold the leading Finnish psychosocial care provider to Humana AB
Deal Value
EUR 32 million (EV)
Role
Counsel to Humana AB
Parties
Cor Group Oy, Industry Investment, Norvestia Plc and acting management (Sellers), EQT MidMarket Limited Partnership (Buyer), Touhula Varhaiskasvatus Oy (Target)
Transaction
Cor Group Oy, Industry Investment, Norvestia Plc and acting management sold the leading Finnish private day care provider Touhula Varhaiskasvatus Oy to EQT MidMarket Limited Partnership.
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to EQT