Mikko Huimala
Mikko Huimala
Mikko Huimala has over 20 years of experience in competition and regulatory law matters. He advises Finnish and international companies on all aspects of competition law, including merger control, compliance, investigations, proceedings before the competition authorities and courts, and state aid. He also advises companies in a range of regulatory issues relating to regulated markets, such as energy and telecoms, sanctions, and internal market issues as well as foreign direct investment (FDI) screening.
Mikko Huimala has consistently advised numerous major Finnish corporations in several leading merger control, competition law advisory and state aid cases in Finland during the past years, including litigation before the Market Court. He advises companies in a number of industries, such as retail, media, logistics and transport, pulp and paper, heavy industries and energy.
Prior to joining private practice in 2006, Mikko gained several years of experience of working in the Finnish competition authority focusing on investigating competition law infringement cases as well as actively participating in the networks of competition authorities.
Mikko has a post-graduate diploma in competition law economics from King’s College London. He has co-authored an in-depth textbook on EU and Finnish competition law (2012) and published several articles on competition law. He is also a frequent lecturer on topics relating to competition and state aid law. Mikko is the former president of the Finnish Competition Law Association. He is rated highly in the leading international rankings for his work in the field of EU and competition law, and was selected as the exclusive winner by Client Choice in 2021 for the competition law category in Finland.
“It is always pleasant when he is involved.”
Chambers Europe, 2024
References
Parties
Haveli Investments, M-Files Corporation
Transaction
Haveli Investments' majority recapitalisation of M-Files Corporation, a leading platform for knowledge work automation.
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to Haveli Investments
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
Trelleborg AB, BP-Tech Group Oy
Transaction
Trelleborg AB acquires BP-Tech Group Oy
Deal value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to Trelleborg AB
Parties
YIT Oyj (Seller), Renta Oy (Buyer), YIT Kalusto Oy (Target)
Transaction
Sale of fleet and equipment business and related arrangements
Deal Value
EUR 37 million
Role
Counsel to YIT
Parties:
Prime Minister’s Office, Finnair Plc
Transaction:
Hannes Snellman acted as counsel to the Prime Minister’s Office in the rights offering of Finnair Plc, the Finnish airline with the State of Finland being the majority owner. Hannes Snellman advised, among other, on the share subscription made by the State of Finland by way of offsetting, in part, a capital loan provided by the State of Finland to Finnair, and related state-aid law matters. The rights offering of EUR 570 million is one of the largest rights offerings in Finland in recent years.
Deal value:
Approximately EUR 570 million
Role:
Counsel to Prime Minister’s Office
Parties
If Livförsäkring AB (Buyer), Mandatum Life (Seller)
Transaction
If Livförsäkring AB's acquisition of a life insurance portfolio from Mandatum Life
Deal Value
EUR 17.5 million
Role
Counsel to If Livförsäkring AB
Parties:
Otava Ltd, Alma Media Corporation
Transaction:
Otava Ltd's mandatory public tender offer for Alma Media Corporation
Deal value:
EUR 523.7 million
Role:
Counsel to Otava Ltd
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
Parties
State of Finland and its Defence Forces
Transaction
Counsel to the State of Finland and its Defence Forces in the project to procure a fighter aircraft system to replace its current fleet of 64 F/A-18 Hornet aircraft.
Deal value
EUR 10 billion
Role
Counsel to the State of Finland and its Defence Forces.
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
Parties:
Duunitori Oy and its owners (seller), Intera Partners (buyer)
Transaction:
Counsel to Duunitori Oy and its owners in the sale of majority of Duunitori’s share capital to Intera Partners
Deal Value:
Value not public
Role:
Counsel to Duunitori Oy
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
Parties
Digital 9 Infrastructure plc (Buyer), Pontos Oy, Taaleri Datacenter Ky, other sellers (Sellers), Ficolo Oy (Target)
Transaction
Sale of Ficolo Oy to Digital 9 Infrastructure plc
Deal Value
EUR 135 million
Role
Counsel to Pontos Oy, Taaleri Datacenter Ky, and other sellers
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
Parties
IK Partners (Buyer), Intera Fund II Ky, Intera Fund III Ky, management and other minority shareholders (Sellers), Renta Group Oy (Target)
Transaction
Intera Partners’ sale of Renta Group Oy to IK Partners
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to Intera Partners
Parties
Anora Group Plc (Altia Plc, Arcus ASA) and Galatea AB
Transaction
Required pre-closing divestment of Altia’s brands Skåne Akvavit, Hallands Fläder, and Brøndums and cognac brand Grönstedts (along with Arcus’s aquavit brand Akevitt Spesial and spirits brands S.P.R.T. and Dworek) to Galatea AB. The divestment to a suitable buyer was required by the Finnish, Norwegian, and Swedish competition authorities as a condition to their approval of the merger between Altia and Arcus to form Anora Group.
Deal value
Not public
Role
Lead counsel to Altia Plc (Anora Group Plc)
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
Virala Acquisition Company Plc, Purmo Group Ltd
Transaction
Virala Acquisition Company Plc's merger with Purmo Group Ltd.
Deal Value
EUR 685 million
Role
Counsel to Virala Acquisition Company Plc
Parties
Valmet, Neles
Transaction
Hannes Snellman acted as lead counsel to Valmet, a leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation, and services for the pulp, paper, and energy industries, in its merger with Neles, one of the leading providers of mission-critical flow control solutions and services for process industries in Finland.
Deal Value
The combined value of the merging companies is approximately EUR 7 billion.
Role
Lead counsel to Valmet
Parties
Castellum, Kielo, Blackstone Tactical Opportunities, Brunswick Real Estate.
Transaction
Hannes Snellman acted as counsel to Castellum in its acquisition of property company Kielo from Blackstone Tactical Opportunities and Brunswick Real Estate.
Deal Value
EUR 640 million
Role
Counsel to Castellum
Parties
The State of Finland, Finnair Plc
Transaction
Counsel to the State of Finland in the hybrid loan arrangement with Finnair Plc
Deal Value
Up to EUR 400 million
Role
Counsel to the State of Finland (Prime Minister’s Office)
Parties
AMF Pensionsförsäkring AB (Buyer), Keva (Seller), Caruna (Target)
Transaction
AMF Pensionsförsäkring AB’s acquisition of a 12.5% minority stake in Caruna from Keva
Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to AMF Pensionsförsäkring AB
Team
Rabbe Sittnikow, Erik Stenman, Jussi Ekonen, Janna Pihanurmi, Aaron Fagerholm, Noora Britschgi, Pauliina Sutinen, Janne Veneranta, Susanna Hernberg, Beata-Maria Pippingsköld, Laura Sainio, and Mikko Huimala.
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
Mayr-Melnhof Cartonboard International GmbH, Kotkamills Group Oyj
Transaction
Mayr-Melnhof Cartonboard International GmbH's acquisition of Kotkamills Group Oyj
Deal Value
Approx. EUR 425 million
Role
Counsel to Mayr-Melnhof Cartonboard International GmbH
Parties
Telia Finland (Seller) and AddSecure (Buyer)
Transaction
Telia Finland’s divestment of Telia Alerta business to AddSecure
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to Seller/Telia Finland
Parties
Sanoma Media Finland Oy (Seller), Schibsted (buyer), Oikotie Ltd (target)
Transaction
The sale of Sanoma’s online classifieds business Oikotie to Schibsted
Deal value
EUR 185 million
Role
Counsel to Sanoma Group
Core team
Riikka Rannikko, Jesper Nevalainen, Mikko Huimala, Agda Vähä-Piikkö, Jenni Heurlin, Anton Pirinen
Comprehensive advice on the state aid law for the Prime Minister’s Office concerning the recapitalisation (rights offering) of the state-controlled airline Finnair Plc, including advise on the notification procedure before the European Commission. The rights offering of 500 MEUR is one of the largest rights offerings in Finland in recent years. The Commission’s decision in the case lead to amendments to the COVID-19 related State Aid Temporary Framework.
Parties
Sanoma Group (Buyer), Alma Media Corporation (Seller), Alma Media Kustannus Oy and Alma Manu Oy (Targets)
Transaction
Sanoma Group’s acquisition of Alma Media’s regional news media business
Deal Value
EUR 115 million (announced enterprise value)
Role
Counsel to Sanoma Group
Parties
Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Company, Kesko Corporation, Kesko Pension Fund, Kruunuvuoren Satama Oy
Transaction
A series of transactions, whereby Ilmarinen, Kesko, and Kesko Pension Fund, among other things, dissolve their joint ownership of Kruunuvuoren Satama and Ilmarinen acquires all 3,438,885 Kesko A shares held by Kruunuvuoren Satama.
Deal Value
EUR 164 million
Role
Counsel to Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Company, Kesko Corporation, Kesko Pension Fund, and Kruunuvuoren Satama Oy
Parties
Wereldhave N.V. (Seller), Morgan Stanley Real Estate Investing (MSREI) (Buyer)
Transaction
Wereldhave's divestment of the Itis shopping centre to a fund advised by Morgan Stanley Real Estate Investing (MSREI)
Deal Value
Approx. EUR 520 million
Role
Counsel to Wereldhave N.V.
Parties
AtoB@C Shipping AB (Target), Aspo Plc (Bidder) Anders Nilsson (Private Investor)(Seller)
Transaction
Aspo Plc has agreed to acquire AtoB@C Shipping AB from Anders Nilsson (Private investor).
Deal Value
EUR 30 million
Role
Counsel to Aspo Plc
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
Counsel to Kesko Corporation in securing unconditional merger control clearance from the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority for its acquisition of Kalatukku E. Eriksson Ltd., a Finnish fish processor and wholesaler.
Counsel to a Finnish company before the Finnish Market Court in a merger control case subject to special expedited rules.
Rankings
- Leading Individual, EU and Competition, Legal 500, 2024
- "Mikko Huimala and his team are the best, deep knowledge, straightforward approach, no unnecessary “whisking”, ability to provide the risk assessment in very understandable form.", EU and Competition, Legal 500, 2024
- "Mikko Huimala is very pragmatic and solution-driven lawyer who provides pragmatic advice instead of concentrating on disclaimers in the final products. We especially appreciate him being able to make complex competition law concepts more approachable to our non-lawyer colleagues.", EU and Competition, Legal 500, 2024
- “It is always pleasant when he is involved”, “Mikko Huimala is very pleasant and it is easy to find a common understanding with him”, Chambers Europe 2024
- Ranked among the world's leading practitioners in Competition, Who's Who Legal 2023
- "He always provides added value with his excellent attitude. He is efficient and responsive.", Competition/European Law, Chambers Europe, 2023
- "Mikko Huimala is very experienced and knowledgeable. He finds the convincing arguments and has a solution oriented approach to all problems.", EU and Competition, Legal 500, 2022
- "Mikko Huimala is excellent, business minded, great communication skills and capable for quick understanding of the issue to be solved.", EU and Competition, Legal 500, 2022
- "I’m glad to provide my view on Mikko Huimala: in my opinion what makes him to stand out from other competition law partners is his straightforward and pragmatic approach to complex matters. He is fast and is on the same page with the client from the beginning thinking about the goals and optimal way of achieving those. You are able to fully rely on Mikko that every task done is efficiently and the output is impeccable. This all makes him a valuable sparring partner in any competition law matters.", EU and Competition, Legal 500, 2022
- "He is able to easily put matters into the correct context and provide high-quality advice, recognising the client's business goals," Competition/European Law, Chambers Europe, 2022
- Ranked as 2021 exclusive winner of Client Choice’s Competition category in Finland
- "Mikko’s commercial awareness and ability to connect the finer details of law and his client’s business are outstanding. With concise and clear opinions and advice he gives his client clear options and routes forward.", Competition, Client Choice, 2021
- "Mr. Huimala is one best lawyers I have ever worked with: quality of service (including his team), value for money, communication skills, commercial awareness and very pleasant to work with.", Competition, Client Choice, 2021
- "Mikko is fast and is on the same page with the client from the beginning thinking about the goals and optimal way of achieving those.", Competition, Client Choice, 2021
- "Mikko's advice is always on point. He has an amazing grip on various industries enabling him to provide practical industry specific advice with an excellent value for money.", Competition, Client Choice, 2021
- "Mikko Huimala is an outstanding competition law attorney. Moreover he’s a very nice guy, and he takes good care of a client. He gets a grip of the market and the issue at hand quickly and knows how to raise the right questions. His advice is balanced and practical going forward." EU and Competition, Legal 500, 2021
- '"He is heavily involved in many big-ticket cases at the moment," remarks one interviewee. He is particularly well regarded for the breadth of his practice, with sources stressing that "he has extremely wide knowledge on different aspects of competition law," and going on to note: "He applies a business perspective to the legal environment."', Competition/European Law, Chambers Europe, 2021
- 'Superb. Analytical but very practical at the same time. Easy to work with.', EU and Competition, Legal 500, 2020
- 'A client highlights that he is "easy to work with."', Competition/European Law, Chambers Europe, 2020
- 'Mikko stands out for being "very engaged and analytical"' , EU and Competition, Legal 500, 2019
- 'Sources describe him as "a great expert in competition law, who offers a proactive approach."', Competition/European Law, Chambers Europe 2019
- Ranked as one of the world's leading competition lawyers by Who's Who Legal 2019
- 'One client praises his ability to communicate, noting: "He quickly understood the nature of my needs and prepared exactly what I needed, including the legal conclusions, without using too much space for detailed legal complexities." ', Competition/European Law, Chambers Europe 2018
- Ranked in the 2018 edition of Best Lawyers (Competition Law)
- Ranked as notable practitioner in the 2017-2022 editions of Chambers Europe (Competition/European Law)
Memberships and Positions of Trust
- Member of the Finnish Bar Association
- Member of the Finnish Competition Law Association for several years, previously chairman (2016–2018) and vice chairman (2014–2016)
- Member of the Competition Law Expert Working Group of the Finnish Bar Association (2016–2020)
- Member of the American Bar Association
Publications
- Vertikaalisten sääntöjen päivittäminen nykyajan markkinatodellisuuteen, Finnish Competition Law Yearbook 2021 (co-author)
- The Public Competition Enforcement Review, 2022
- The Public Competition Enforcement Review, 2021
- Vastuullisuus osana tehokkuuspuolustusta EU:n kilpailuoikeudessa, Defensor Legis 4/2020 (co-author)
- The Public Competition Enforcement Review, 2020
Education and Professional Background
- Partner, Head of Competition and Regulatory, Hannes Snellman, 2017–
- Partner, Head of Competition & Regulatory, Finland, DLA Piper, 2016–2017
- Post-Graduate Diploma in Economics for Competition Law, King’s College London, 2011
- Counsel/Senior Associate/Associate, Castrén & Snellman Attorneys Ltd, 2006–2016
- Senior Research Officer/Research Officer, Finnish Competition Authority, 2003–2006
- Master of Laws, University of Helsinki, 2002