Riikka Rannikko

Managing Partner Corporate Advisory, M&A, Capital Markets

Riikka’s expertise is corporate advisory and M&A. She regularly acts for listed and non-listed domestic and foreign companies on a wide range of private and public M&A and corporate and ECM transactions. In addition, she chairs AGMs of multiple Finnish public and private companies and is a trusted adviser in corporate, corporate governance, corporate finance, disclosure, insider, other securities market, compliance, and ESG matters.

Riikka is entrusted with non-executive board memberships in various private companies and charitable organisations. Riikka is also a frequent speaker at university lectures and seminars.

“Having worked with Riikka Rannikko of Hannes Snellman for a few years now, I am impressed. She is always available and delivers, and has the ability to discuss and contribute to a wide range of topics also outside of standard corporate and M&A stuff. From a General Counsel perspective, absolutely fantastic work all the time.”

Commercial, corporate and M&A, Legal 500, 2024

“Riikka Rannikko provides a pragmatic approach and always is available and responsive. She provided us with great and constructive advice and was very focused on securing the best outcome for us.”

Client Choice, 2024

“She also knows most of the other things that in-house lawyers need help with.”

Chambers Global, 2024

“Ability to provide strategic advice based on her legal expertise and vast experience. She can handle contentious situations in a structured, calm and controlled manner.”

IFLR1000, 2023

“Riikka is a solution oriented, pragmatic, and no-nonsense collaborator who listens carefully and quickly understands the commercial context of any issue to be solved.”

M&A, Client Choice, 2021

Rankings

"Riikka Rannikko feels like she is part of our in-house team. Her engagement and attention to detail is on a level of its own.", Capital Markets, Legal 500, 2025
Recognised among "Eminent Practitioners", Corporate/M&A, Chamber Global, 2025
Chambers Europe and Chambers Global, Eminent Practitioner in Corporate/M&A, 2024
Exclusive Winner, M&A category in Finland, Client Choice, 2024
Highly Regarded in Capital Markets: Equity; ranked among Women Leaders, IFLR1000, 2024

Commercial, Corporate and M&A, Legal 500, 2024
Recommended by clients and peers, M&A and Governance, Who’s Who Legal, 2024
Recognised as Highly Regarded and ranked among Women Leaders in Capital Markets: Equity, IFLR1000, 2024
"Having worked with Riikka Rannikko of Hannes Snellman for a few years now, I am impressed. She is always available and delivers, and has the ability to discuss and contribute to a wide range of topics also outside of standard corporate and M&A stuff. From a General Counsel perspective, absolutely fantastic work all the time.", Commercial, corporate and M&A, Legal 500, 2024
“Riikka Rannikko is extremely experienced and knows the M&A side of things extremely well.” Chambers Europe, 2024
“She also knows most of the other things that in-house lawyers need help with.” Chambers Global, 2024
Ranked as exclusive winner of the 2024 Client Choice M&A category in Finland. Clients have described Riikka as follows: 'Riikka Rannikko provides a pragmatic approach and always is available and responsive.', 'Riikka is always persistent and committed in pursuing her client's interests.', 'Riikka has in-depth knowledge of M&A and is very professional.', 'Riikka Rannikko provided us with great and constructive advice and was very focused on securing the best outcome for us.'
"Ability to provide strategic advice based on her legal expertise and vast experience. In addition to the big picture, she is amazingly well aware of every detail of the matter. She is highly competent, accountable and highly solution-orientated. Despite having the demanding position of managing partner, Riikka is able to spend just the right amount of time on our business. She can be depended on to give you a straight answer in a timely manner. Riikka knows our business from years ago and takes the effort to keep current with our affairs. Very solid and structured approach to solving issues. Riikka Rannikko is a well-known corporate law and M&A expert in Finland. She is very knowledgeable, responsive, precise and pleasant to work with. She can handle contentious situations in a structured, calm and controlled manner.", IFLR1000, 2023
"Riikka Rannikko’s ability to handle matters relating to various practice areas is excellent. This really makes a difference. Riikka Rannikko is excellent. Knowledgeable, easy to work with, hands on. Could not expect more from her.", Commercial, corporate and M&A, Legal 500, 2023
Ranked as exclusive winner of the 2022 Client Choice M&A category in Finland
"Riikka Rannikko is able to find solutions while structuring M&A deals", "Riikka is an M&A star!", "Riikka is fantastically responsive and consistently helpful", "any time I need Riikka, she is always available to help quickly and with highest level of professionalism", M&A, Client Choice, 2022
"Very good, thorough and able to bring up legal risks and challenges in a very constructive manner. She is accountable, pragmatic and solution-oriented.", IFLR1000, 2022
"Riikka Rannikko is a highly appreciated practitioner who is very reliable and solution-oriented.", Commercial, corporate and M&A, Legal 500, 2022
"Riikka Rannikko stands out clearly. She has exceptionally wide knowledge of different practice areas and can give advice on a general level without gathering eg 5 partners to the same meeting. Her availability and engagement is on very high level and she can be approached usually within a couple of hours. Her approach is pragmatic so any next steps to be identified is very easy.", Commercial, corporate and M&A, Legal 500, 2022
'Clients describe her as "pragmatic, very knowledgeable and pleasant to work with."', Corporate/M&A, Chambers Global 2022
Ranked as 2021 exclusive winner of Client Choice’s M&A category in Finland
"Riikka is a solution oriented, pragmatic, and no-nonsense collaborator who listens carefully and quickly understands the commercial context of any issue to be solved.", M&A, Client Choice, 2021
"Riikka never lets a client down and you can trust that she gets things done in time and as agreed. She gets deserved respect from both principals and counterparties as her advice is fair and balanced in the most complex of situations.", M&A, Client Choice, 2021
"Riikka, approaches new cases diligently first wanting to get the facts right by asking insightful questions. She does not limit her fact finding to the obvious, easy questions but covers also aspects related to right timing, involved persons, strategic goals, possible controversial drivers etc.", M&A, Client Choice, 2021
"Riikka does not only have a bright mind and a well-rounded character, but she is a true team player who not only praises her team members but makes miracles happen with the help of her team.", M&A, Client Choice, 2021
Clients hail Riikka Rannikko as being "very structured and in control, with a pleasant way of presenting controversial matters where emotions are involved.", Corporate/M&A, Chambers Global and Chambers Europe, 2021
'Sources hail her as a "great project leader," adding: "She is responsive, very responsible and gets the things done, while keeping a strategic partner role in the mandate."', Corporate/M&A, Chambers Global and Chambers Europe 2020
"Excellent legal knowledge, high negotiation skills. Well structured and always on top of things. Well trusted.", IFLR1000, 2020
Ranked as 2019 exclusive winner of Client Choice’s M&A category in Finland
“She combines experience, hard work, and a no-nonsense attitude in a way which truly creates added value”, M&A, Client Choice, 2019
“Riikka can bring the focus back to the issue at hand when negotiations around her are getting lost in emotions or irrelevant issues”, M&A, Client Choice, 2019
“She drives projects with a clear focus and has the client’s best interests in mind”, M&A, Client Choice, 2019
“Riikka Rannikko represents a balanced combination of excellent legal expertise, strong commercial abilities, and compelling social skills”, M&A Client Choice, 2019
According to Clients, Riikka has 'excellent expertise and a very proactive approach.' One client states she is constructive and has the "ability to listen and act independently within the agreed limits." Corporate/M&A, Chambers Global 2019
"Riikka Rannikko has ‘strong knowledge’ in corporate governance", Commercial, corporate and M&A, Legal 500, 2018
"Riikka Rannikko...is noted as 'a true expert in the field of disclosure requirements.' Clients appreciate her dedication: 'She is very pragmatic, she works extremely hard and provides excellent advice.'", Corporate and M&A, Chambers Global 2018 and Chambers Europe 2018
"Clients profess that Riikka Rannikko is 'extremely talented, very responsive and always down to earth with her advice.'", Corporate and M&A, Chambers Global 2017 and Chambers Europe 2017
Ranked among the Highly regarded lawyers in Capital Markets, IFLR1000, 2017-2021
Ranked in Corporate/M&A, Chambers Global 2015-2022
Ranked in Capital Markets, Chambers Europe 2015 and in Corporate/M&A Chambers Europe 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018
Ranked among the best lawyers in the 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 editions (Helsinki: Capital Markets, Corporate Governance & Compliance Practice, Corporate, Mergers and Acquisitions Law) of Best Lawyers®
'Riikka Rannikko moves up the rankings thanks to glowing praise from sources and a strong caseload. Clients particularly appreciate her strong negotiation skills.', Corporate/M&A, Chambers Global 2013 and Chambers Europe 2013
Key individual in Capital Markets, Chambers Europe 2013
"...‘good advice as well as the ability to manage a team while keeping to deadlines’.", Corporate and M&A, Legal 500, 2013
'..."She's really precise, gets straight to the point, and always looks after the interests of her client." Another says: "If she has read the documents you don't need to scrutinise them yourself."', Capital Markets, Chambers Europe 2012
Ranked in Capital Markets and Corporate/M&A, Chambers Europe 2011
Up-and-coming laywer in Corporate/M&A, Chambers Global and Chambers Europe 2010
According to the Chambers Global and Chambers Europe 2008 Editions '‘Riikka Rannikko is recognised as a “talented” young lawyer by both peers and clients. She is rated for her “thorough and uncomplicated approach.”'

Memberships and Positions of Trust

Member of the Finnish Bar Association
Member of the International Bar Association
Chair of the Finnish Scout Foundation Advisory Board 2023–
Member of the Finnish Audit Board, 2019–2024
Chair of the working group revising the Finnish Corporate Governance Code, 2015

Professional Background

Managing Partner, Hannes Snellman, 2019–2025
Partner, Hannes Snellman, 2006–
Senior Associate, Hannes Snellman, 2002–2006
Visiting lawyer, Allen & Overy, London, 1999–2000
Associate, Hannes Snellman, 1998–2002

Education

LL.M., University of Cambridge, 2002
Master of Laws, University of Turku, 1998

Publications

Yrityksen toimintaan liittyvät poikkeamat ja tutkinnat: Mitä tekee hallitus? Boardview Magazine 1/2023 (available in Finnish here) (co-author with Partners Mikko Heinonen and Klaus Ilmonen)
Hallituksen rooli on keskiössä poikkeusolojen yritysjärjestelyissä. Boardview Magazine 2/2022 (available in Finnish here) (co-author with Partners Mikko Heinonen and Klaus Ilmonen)

Practices

Industries

Languages

Assistant

Riikka Rannikko

Practices

Industries

Languages

Assistant

Selected References

Counsel to Faron Pharmaceuticals Ltd in its public share offering of EUR 30.7 million, 2024

Parties

Transaction

Deal Value

Role

Counsel to the Prime Minister’s Office in the rights offering of Finnair Plc, 2023

Counsel to Sanoma Corporation in its issue and listing of EUR 150 million hybrid capital securities, 2023

Parties:

Transaction:

Value:

Role:

Counsel to Paulig in the divestment of Gold&Green to Valio, 2022

Parties

Transaction

Deal Value

Role

Counsel to Enersense International Oyj in its equity investment in and primary partnership arrangement with P2X Solutions Oy, 2021

Parties

Transaction

Deal Value

Role

Counsel to Enersense International Oyj in acquisition of onshore windfarm developer Megatuuli Oy, 2021

Parties

Transaction

Deal Value

Role

Counsel to Altia Plc (Anora Group Plc) in the required pre-closing divestment of certain brands of Altia and Arcus to Galatea AB, 2021

Parties

Transaction

Deal value

Role

Counsel to the State of Finland in the EUR 400 million hybrid loan arrangement with Finnair Plc, 2021

Parties

Transaction

Deal Value

Role

Counsel to Sanoma in its divestment of Oikotie to Schibsted, 2020

Parties

Transaction

Deal value

Role

Core team

Counsel to Sanoma Group in its acquisition of Alma Media’s regional news media business (shares in Alma Media Kustannus Oy and Alma Manu Oy), 2020

Parties

Transaction

Deal Value

Role

Rankings

Memberships and Positions of Trust

Professional Background

Education

Publications