The recently published 2013 edition of IFLR1000, one of the most reputable global ranking publications, gives wide recognition to Avance and its lawyers in all researched categories (M&A, Capital Markets and Banking). Based predominantly on client and competitor feedback, IFLR1000 highlights as follows:
M&A
“Avance is a heavy hitting M&A boutique with a strong partner heavy team. Ulf-Henrik Kull is the big name at the firm and along with Carl-Henrik Wallin, Mathias Lindqvist and Christoffer Charpentier he makes up one of the most formidable teams around.”
”Kull is an absolutely extremely good M&A lawyer… “ says a competitor and… [a client] says that “the quality of skill is very high level and all lawyers have backgrounds in big law firms with high standards… they have a good knowledge base, very straight forward way of working and they analyse the essence of each case.”
Capital Markets
“Although Avance is very much known for its M&A expertise a number of its partners are highly capable in capital markets on the equity and debt side. The most prominent individuals would include Ulf-Henrik Kull for equity work and Elisa Heinonen and Sari Wallgren on the debt side.”
“Peers consistently point out that team highly capable and its recent matters showcase an ability to work on large and cross-border equity deals.”
Banking
“Avance is primarily characterised as an M&A boutique however its finance expertise is headed up by former bank counsel and Hannes Snellman attorney Sari Wallgren. The finance team also includes partners Elisa Heinonen, formerly of Roschier, and Ilkka Perheentupa, who joined from Goldman Sachs.”
”Sari Wallgren has good knowledge on real estate financing; she is pragmatic, finds good solution for banks and is very diligent and good in drafting and communication”. Another banking client says Wallgren “is very good at understanding the whole picture” and “asks all the right questions”. Peers also consider her “a very able lawyer.”