What the team is known for
Well-regarded team particularly active in the private equity sphere. Advises on M&A across a range of industries such as energy, manufacturing, IT and retail. Public M&A is another area of expertise, with experience in public tender offers and intra-group mergers. 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 client describes the team as "very responsive and knowledgeable" and adds that "you always feel comfortable with the work and advice."

Work highlights
Acted for Teradyne on its EUR121 million acquisition of Mobile Industrial Robots.

Notable practitioners
Jacob Hjortshøj is a highly regarded corporate lawyer, particularly assisting private equity clients with acquisitions. One source refers to him as a "skilled and experienced lawyer with a commercial view."

Ole Nørgaard offers expertise regarding cross-border corporate transactions, both acquisitions and sales. Clients describe him as "an extremely capable and effective M&A practitioner" and also highlight his "business understanding and responsiveness."

Steen Jensen specialises in capital market transactions, assisting co-ordinators with listing companies on the Danish stock exchange. Interviewees describe him as "technically good."

Chambers and Partners Europe, Corporate/M&A

What the team is known for
Well-regarded team particularly active in the private equity sphere. Advises on M&A across a range of industries such as energy, manufacturing, IT and retail. Public M&A is another area of expertise, with experience in public tender offers and intra-group mergers. Acts for a notable client base on issues which frequently involve international elements.

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
  Genmab Nasdaq IPO
  Maersk Drilling Nasdaq Copenhagen IPO
  Nord Stream 2
  Teradyne €121 million acquisition of Mobile Industrial Robots
  Total $7.45 billion acquisition of Maersk Oil & Gas
  Total acquisition of Chevron Denmark
  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

Bech-Bruun has notable expertise in domestic and cross-border M&A transactions and also assists with the structuring of corporate entities and subsidiaries, and handles the financial analysis of M&A and financing options. Jacob Hjortshøj has experience in business transfers and private equity, Søren Kamp Nørbæk is a key name for shareholders’ agreements and disputes arising from commercial contracts, and practice head Steen Rode assists with the drafting and negotiation of transactional documents. Clients include energy companies, private equity funds, financial institutions, real estate companies and steel manufacturers.

Legal 500, Commercial, Corporate and M&A