Hannes Snellman has a strong capital markets practice. We advise issuers, financial advisers, and other market participants in connection with IPOs, public tender offers, share issues, securities offerings, private placements, debt instruments, share buy-backs, and regulatory matters.
Our capital markets practice has gained recognition working as lead counsel in numerous international transactions, drawing on the experience and qualifications of some of our partners who have practised in London and New York. This allows us to amalgamate local requirements with international standards. With an emphasis on a multi-disciplinary approach our capital markets team work closely together with tax, competition, and sector experts.
References
Parties
Citycon Oyj
Transaction
Citycon Oyj's EUR 48.2 million directed share issue
Hannes Snellman acted as counsel to Faron Pharmaceuticals Ltd in its public share offering of EUR 30.7 million and the preceding issuance of convertible capital loans in the total amount of EUR 3.2 million and a private placement of EUR 4.8 million. Faron Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing treatment of cancers via novel immunotherapies. Faron’s shares are listed on Nasdaq First North Growth Market Finland and as depositary interests, representing entitlements to shares, on AIM in the United Kingdom. The offering consisted of a public offering to private individuals and legal entities in Finland and an institutional offering to institutional investors internationally, and a separate open offer to qualifying holders of depositary interests in the United Kingdom and elsewhere and a retail offer to retail investors in the United Kingdom.
Counsel to YIT Oyj in the issue of EUR 100 million senior secured green notes due 2027 and in the consent solicitation in relation to EUR 100 million green notes due 2026.
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.
Hannes Snellman advises NYAB Plc on its re-domiciliation and transfer of listing from Finland to Sweden. The re-domiciliation to Sweden is planned to be executed as a cross-border conversion, pursuant to the so-called EU Mobility Directive, whereby NYAB Plc, without being dissolved or liquidated, would be converted from a Finnish to a Swedish public limited liability company with its registered office in Sweden.
Counsel to Terveystalo Plc, a healthcare service provider listed on Nasdaq Helsinki, in the issue and listing of senior unsecured sustainability-linked notes.
Counsel to Sanoma Corporation, a K12 learning service provider and cross-media company listed on Nasdaq Helsinki, in the issuance and listing of hybrid capital securities in the amount of EUR 150 million. Nordea Bank Abp acted as lead manager in the issue of the capital securities.
Counsel to Citycon Oyj in its tender offers of outstanding notes due 2024 of Citycon Treasury B.V. and capital securities issued by it in November 2019 and June 2021.
Citycon Oyj’s repurchase of a total amount of 9,500,000 own shares for a total purchase price of EUR 65.8 million as a result of a market based reverse accelerated bookbuild process
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.
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
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.
Faron Pharmaceuticals Ltd's IPO and listing on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange as well as the preceding fundraising of approx. GBP 10 million
"Hannes Snellman has an extremely strong team with an outstanding understanding of both our needs and the capital markets, as well as the ability to deliver under time pressure."
Ranked Tier 2
"Team is both competent and fast in execution."
"Clear in communication, firm opinions. Provide the necessary support needed in complex situations."
"Very experienced team, one of the market leaders."
"They are thorough, fast and accurate with good judgment and good relationships with other counsel. Very respected office."
"They come up with creative solutions where others are stuck, and don’t get phased by new situations. Solution-oriented, commercial, and fast."
"The team is very knowledgeable and with wide resources. Everything is just so smooth and professional."
Ranked in Band 2
Capital Markets
"High level of enthusiasm for engaging and seeing where they can assist. Really responsive without being overbearing. Good mixture of legal analysis and common sense helping to move through issues at an effective rate."
"Extensive legal expertise, fit for large-scale transactions, ability to work in fast-phased projects and deliver on time."
"Practical and to-the-point advice."
"Hannes Snellman are quick, reliable and very easy to work with. Each individual on the team is knowledgeable and I feel we get very good value for money."
"Overall capabilities in conducting complicated projects."
Debt
"Short response time and delivers quality."
Equity
"Provided solid, competent advice in a professional and timely manner and without complicating the process."
"Always available, great coordination and communication. Good knowledge of the substance."
'Klaus Ilmonen is described as a "very well-respected, skilful and experienced capital markets lawyer." His expertise covers rights offerings and listings, where he advises corporates and state entities.'
'Sonja Siggberg advises on a variety of capital markets transactions including accelerated bookbuilding and notes issuances. Clients also benefit from her expertise in M&A projects including public tender offers. "She is technically good," remark interviewees.'
"Very professional and well-organised team. Wide experience on capital market operations."
'Klaus Ilmonen... is recognised by sources for being a "technically very able lawyer with experience in many different types of transactions." He focuses his practice on ECM matters, including IPOs, share listings and rights issues.'
'Sonja Siggberg... "is very proactive, hands-on and always makes me feel like I receive very practical advice which allows me to move forward," says a client. She is well known for her ECM practice, being particularly active in listings.'
One feature of Hannes Snellman’s ECM practice that stands out is its breadth and depth of experience. They have been around the block and as a client you know.
'"They go above and beyond for the client."'
'Another interviewee highlights the team's "experienced IPO lawyers" for their "highly efficient approach, providing relevant advice when needed in a no-fuss manner."'
"Their biggest strength is that they deliver consistently high quality. You can expect everything to be in order, and they are strong across the board."
'Clients report that the team "has a way of helping the client in a broad sense, and also of working seamlessly with other advisers."'
'Sources describe the lawyers as "technically astute," adding: "They were excellent at creating new processes from scratch."'
'Partner Sören Lindström "has extensive transaction experience, a deep knowledge of Swedish takeover regulations and quickly responds to the customer's needs."'
'Hannes Snellman’s ‘efficient’ capital markets department provides ‘in-depth knowledge’ and ‘exceptional value for money.’
‘The "experienced" Sören Lindström offers considerable equity capital markets expertise, advising clients on a broad range of transactions. He recently acted on Solidium's SEK5 billion rights issue.‘
‘Christoffer Saidac assists clients with corporate finance and public M&A mandates. He is well regarded for advising financial institutions on equity capital markets transactions as well as financial regulatory matters.’
'Clients appreciate that the firm has "the ability to see the big picture while solving major challenges in the course of a transaction. They really focus on the main issues in drafting."'
'Other sources agree that the firm has "one of the top teams in Finland" in this area.'
'Sources say that Klaus Ilmonen is "responsive, pragmatic and easy to work with. He is also extremely experienced and knowledgeable so he really ticks all the boxes." One interviewee enthuses: "Klaus is a clear professional in all aspects: technical knowledge, commercial awareness, effectiveness and client service."'
'Sonja Siggberg has notable experience...Sources say that she is "a skilled capital markets lawyer," adding: "She is proactive and has a good, client-friendly approach."'
'One client describes the team as "excellent," adding that "they have been really helpful, practical and pragmatic in their approach to things."'
'Other sources felt the firm was "pivotal in supporting a transaction and did a marvellous job. The team as a whole is high-class."'
'Sources appreciate that "the team stands out for its work with public bids."'
'Market commentators repeatedly compliment Sören Lindström's transactional experience and call him "a go-to for public bids in Sweden."’
'Hannes Snellman delivers "excellent practical advice backed by strong business acumen."'
'"The team has a first-class service, is professional, committed easy to work with and flexible, with a good understanding of the wider project."'
'Multidisciplinary team handling both domestic and international capital markets transactions. Recent mandates include IPOs, public tender offers, share issues, debt issuances and share buy-backs. Advises on governance issues and regulatory compliance.'
'Sören Lindström is recognised for his abilities in equity capital markets, advising clients on a range of mandates. Expertise includes public offers and takeover bids, disposal of shares and IPOs. Recent highlights include advising IP-Only on its EUR63 million public cash offer to the shareholders in Availo. He is also noted for his experience in public M&A and corporate law.'
'Christoffer Saidac is praised by market commentators for his technical abilities on capital market transactions. His expertise focuses on equity transactions and public M&A, advising clients on both domestic and cross-border deals. He recently assisted the board of directors of Connecta with its merger with Acando via a public offering. Sources say: "He is experienced, and when he gets involved, he does a good job."'
'High-rated team with a comprehensive offering and notable experience of cross-border transactions. "Hannes Snellman has the resources to act in complex transactions." "It is a go-to firm for transactions with an international angle."’
'Hannes Snellman leveraged its strong Nordic presence to advise Munksjö Oyj on its listing on Nasdaq OMX Helsinki. The highly regarded Sören Lindström heads the team, which includes fellow equity expert Christoffer Saidac.'
'ECM and public M&A expert Sören Lindström heads the team and is highlighted by sources for his shrewd technical ability.'
'Christoffer Saidac is described by sources as "an extremely skilled lawyer with broad expertise."'
‘Klaus Ilmonen is ‘one of the few experienced lawyers in the Finnish IPO market’.’