What the team is known for
Top-ranked team maintaining a strong position in the private equity sphere. Advises on M&A across a range of industries such as energy, manufacturing, real estate, retail and pharmaceutical. Public M&A is another area of expertise, with experience in MBOs, private placements, public tender offers and other ECM mandates. Acts for a notable client base on issues which frequently involve international elements.

Strengths
Clients appreciate the team's availability and ability to manage transactions: "All the key elements were covered and under control. They were very speedy and responsive 24/7, and they were extremely fast at grasping complex matters."

Another satisfied client states: "Bech-Bruun is in all respects a top-notch firm."

Work highlights
Advised new client Total on the Danish law aspects of its proposed USD7.495 billion acquisition of Maersk Oil.

Notable practitioners
According to one client, Jacob Hjortshøj is the "best in class for M&A tasks." He represents companies as well as private equity funds, financial institutions and investors. He advised Solix Group on its acquisition of Skiold. Another source highlights his "pragmatic" and commercial approach, combined with "a very sharp legal mind."

Ole Nørgaard advised new client Knoll on aspects of its acquisition of Muuto from Maj Invest Equity. Nørgaard's clients laud his "great negotiation skills and approach to legal documentation." He handles a range of mandates for both industrial companies and investment funds.

Steen Jensen has significant expertise in public M&A and equity capital market mandates, including private placements. Clients describe him as "very helpful and thorough," and multiple sources praise his commercial approach.

Chambers and Partners Europe, Corporate/M&A

Chambers and Partners Global, Corporate/M&A

In the Danish market Bech-Bruun is recognised for its strong M&A and projects teams. It also boasts of a very credible banking and restructuring and insolvency offering. 

The M&A and projects teams have strong presences in Aarhus and Copenhagen, and complete several of the market’s biggest transactions, especially within the energy and oil and gas sectors. In projects, geothermal projects, offshore pipelines and wind farm developers often create work for the team.  

A key staffing change during the research period saw partner Søren Meisling retire from the M&A team after over four decades at the firm.

Recent Deal Data highlights 

• Axcel acquisition of majority stake in Phase One
• Energinet DKr1.8 billion acquisition of GasNet
• Maersk Drilling Nasdaq Copenhagen IPO
• Nord Stream 2
• Teradyne €121 million acquisition of Mobile Industrial Roots
• Total $7.45 billion acquisition of Maersk Oil & Gas
• Total acquisition of Chevron’s 12% interest in Danish Underground Consortium
• Vineyard 800MW wind farm

Client feeback

"The firm showed a high understanding of our complex business and our specific needs. They were very flexible and provided good follow-up. They also had a very good understanding of the different stages in the negotiations and provided great sparring in terms of strategy."

IFLR1000, Mergers and acquisitions

Ranked: tier 1

The department at Bech-Bruun consists of 'excellent negotiators', who are 'skillful' and 'have a no-nonsense approach that drives the whole M&A process forward'. The 'outstanding and always available' Steen Rode 'acts quickly when needed' and heads up the practice, which also includes Søren Kamp Nørbæk, who focuses on cross-border transactions. In a recent highlight, Rode advised AEA Investors on its acquisition of Alpha Offshore Services; other notable mandates include Jacob Hjortshøj assisting SolixGroup with its purchase of Skiold, Ole Nørgaard acting for Teradyne on its € 121m acquisition of 100% of the share capital of Mobile Industrial Robots from its shareholders, Claus Aagaard Nielsen advising Nine United Denmark on its $66m sale of 26% of its share capital to Herman Miller, and Simon Milthers, who has 'expert regulatory insights', handling Total's $7.4bn acquisition of Maersk Oil.

Legal 500, Commercial, Corporate and M&A