Bokwall Rislund’s competition practice handles high-end mandates for major domestic and international clients, with recent engagements seeing the team advising a state-owned bank and its subsidiary, a real estate search engine, in relation to alleged coordinated anti-competitive behaviour on the part of nine major real estate agents. The team’s expertise in FDI notifications makes it well placed to advise clients on new screening regulations. Practice head Olle Rislund has considerable experience in Nordic and European competition matters, while Amir Mohseni advises leading companies in the dairy, IT, transport, and pharma industries, among others. Emil Fahlen Godo specialises in abuse of dominance and strategic cooperation cases, while Omar El Khatib, promoted to partner in January 2023, offers merger control and FDI notifications expertise.
EU and competition in Sweden
BOKWALL RISLUND
Praxisleiter:
Olle Rislund
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Amir Mohseni; Emil Fahlen Godö; Omar El Khatib
Referenzen
‘Amir Mohseni is second to none in Sweden.’
‘Emil Fahlen Godö is a trustworthy advisor who is both very knowledgeable and very practical.’
‘Amir Mohseni has a profound understanding of business and competition law matters. Having worked within the Competition Authority he also understands how it works and thinks.’
Kernmandanten
Arla Foods
Procter & Gamble
Investor
KF/Coop
If Skadeförsäkring
Apoteket AB
EasyPark
Verdane Capital
Robert Bosch/Bosch Rexroth
Jacobs Douwe Egberts
SCA
Boliden
Northvolt
Getswish
Highlight-Mandate
- Advising Storytel in an ongoing investigation by the Swedish Competition Authority regarding an alleged abuse of a dominant position.
- Represented state-owned bank SBAB and its subsidiary Booli Search Technology (“Booli”) in a successful complaint to the Swedish Competition Authority against the leading real estate agent companies in Sweden regarding collusion and a collective boycott.
- Representing Arla Foods against the Swedish Competition Authority in an ongoing case in the Patent and Market Court of Appeals in the first ever court case regarding a denied leniency application.
Mannheimer Swartling
Mannheimer Swartling’s leading EU and competition team regularly works on high-profile cases for major clients from a variety of sectors, including mining, manufacturing, trading and energy. Stockholm-based practice head Johan Carle has considerable experience working with domestic and European competition authorities. His broad practice covers merger control, cartel, abuse of dominance, state aid and public procurement cases. Fredrik Sjövall is a litigation specialist, while Stefan Perván Lindeborg moves between Sweden and Brussels to advise clients on merger control issues. Brussels-based Andreas Johansson handles merger control mandates, trade defence investigations, and EU litigation. Specialist counsel Jens Agö plays a key role in the Malmö office.
Praxisleiter:
Johan Carle
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Andreas Johansson; Fredrik Sjövall; Jens Agö; Stefan Perván Lindeborg
Referenzen
‘Stefan Perván Lindeborg is a very valuable legal advisor, not only for his in-depth competition law knowledge, but also for his ability to share valuable insights and give hands-on recommendations.’
‘A very strong team with in-depth expert knowledge.’
‘The strength of the team is that it is able to offer the specific skills needed for complex cases.’
Kernmandanten
Volvo Cars
Northvolt
Klarna
Telia
Nasdaq
Swedish Match
Volkswagen
LKAB
E.ON
Lantmännen
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised gas wholesaler Gasum in high-profile arbitration proceedings against Gazprom, involving competition law grounds.
- Represented Nasdaq Nordic in relation to a SCA investigation concerning alleged price-based exclusionary practices. In August 2022, the SCA concluded its investigation with no further measures imposed on Nasdaq.
- Acted as lead counsel to Swedish Match, a global market leader in smoke-free tobacco products, in relation to Philip Morris’ USD 16 billion public acquisition bid.
Advokatfirman Vinge
Fielding partners across Sweden as well as in Brussels, Advokatfirman Vinge’s EU and competition practice has considerable experience of acting before the European Commission and EU Courts as well as in domestic proceedings. Stockholm-based practice head Marcus Glader’s broad expertise includes high-profile abuse of dominance cases and competition litigation. He is particularly well known for his track record in high-tech industries and for working at the intersection of competition and IP law. Sebastian Örndahl, who was promoted to partner in May 2023, has merger control experience in the telecoms, tech, and pharmaceuticals sectors and has recently advised a number of private equity firms. With experience in merger cases and cartel investigations as well as in horizontal and vertical co-operation and state aid matters, Anna Palmérus leads the Gothenburg team. Pär Remnelid, practice head in Malmö, leverages his experience at the Swedish Competition Authority. Chief economist Jakob Jeanrond, one of four in the team, plays a key role. Former practice head Johan Karlsson moved to Kastell Advokatbyrå AB in June 2023.
Praxisleiter:
Marcus Glader; Anna Palmérus; Pär Remnelid
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Sebastian Örndahl
Referenzen
‘Marcus Glader and his support team are very knowledgeable and solution focused.’
‘Marcus Glader is a true competition law rock star. He navigates across cultures and is able to make himself understood and heard in the most complex situations.’
‘The team is experienced and proactively brings forward important aspects to consider during merger filings.’
Kernmandanten
EQT
SJ
Tele2
HMD and Opera
Procuritas
Stockholm Exergi
Schibsted
Fidelio
Fortum
Rexel
Bilia AB (publ)
Södra ek. för.
LKAB
Highlight-Mandate
- Represented EQT in connection with several acquisitions and investments worldwide.
- Representing HMD Global and Opera, respectively, in proceedings before the EU Court of Justice in Luxembourg, regarding the European Commission’s infringement decision against Google Android.
- Successfully represented SJ, the state-owned incumbent operator of railway passenger transport services in Sweden, before the General Court at the CJEU.
Advokatfirman Cederquist KB
Advokatfirman Cederquist KB’s Stockholm-based EU & competition team is increasingly instructed in relation to contentious matters, including cartel investigations and abuse of dominance cases, adding to its established reputation for merger control work. Practice head Fredrik Lindblom often advises industrial and private equity clients on M&A matters, as well as defending clients in domestic and European cartel investigation and abuse of dominance cases. Elsa Arbrandt has notable experience in cartel, vertical restraints, and abuse of dominance mandates, while Sanna Frånlund focuses on M&A and state aid matters.
Praxisleiter:
Fredrik Lindblom
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Elsa Arbrandt; Sanna Frånlund
Referenzen
‘Fredrik Lindblom has a wide understanding of Nordic antitrust law and procedures. He is very easy to work with.’
‘Fredrik Lindblom and Sanna Frånlund are both excellent advisors in competition law issues.’
‘Fredrik Lindblom has consistently demonstrated deep and broad knowledge of competition law and his ability to think critically and to offer practical solutions is often instrumental in guiding clients through complex legal challenges. He is a reliable partner in strategising and problem-solving and provides tailored legal advice.’
Kernmandanten
Kronans Apotek
Mathem
Billerud AB
Cloetta
Orkla
Spendrups
Samhall AB (publ)
Axel Johnson AB
Apollo Global Management
Haypp Group
Budbee Holding AB
Uponor Oyj
Bonava AB (publ)
CDON AB (publ)
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised the Lithuanian pharmacy company Euroapotheca in relation to the joint venture with the Finnish company Oriola of the third and fourth largest pharmacy chains in Sweden (Kronans Apotek and Apoteksgruppen), with a combined turnover of SEK 12,000 million.
- Advising Samhall in relation to the Swedish Competition Authority’s fourth investigation of alleged predatory pricing in the context of the prohibition of public sales activities.
- Advising an FMCG manufacturer/supplier in relation to the Swedish Competition Authority’s lengthy investigation into alleged vertical restrictions in the supplier’s commercial terms, negotiating a unique set of commitments with the Authority to conclude the investigation.
Advokatfirman Delphi
Advokatfirman Delphi’s widely experienced team has a particularly strong reputation for its competition litigation expertise and continues to act in several high-profile cases. Elisabeth Eklund leads the practice and she boasts considerable experience in abuse of dominance and cartel cases as well as in regulatory matters. Litigator Henrik Bengtsson continues to play a leading role in the practice’s representation of major tech clients. Karin Roberts, who was promoted to partner in January 2024, has a broad practice, covering anti-competitive behaviour, abuse of dominance, merger control and competition neutrality matters.
Praxisleiter:
Elisabeth Eklund
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Henrik Bengtsson; Karin Roberts
Referenzen
‘Karin Roberts is highly knowledgeable and professional. She is a pleasure to work with.’
‘The team is very competent and professional.’
‘They have broad expertise with specialists in numerous relevant areas, providing a one-stop shop.’
Kernmandanten
Södra Skogsägarna ekonomisk förening (Södra)
Google LLC/Google Sweden AB/Alphabet Inc.
Polarbröd AB/Polarbrödsgruppen AB
Huawei Technologies Sweden AB (Huawei)
A Flygbränslehantering AB
Dagligvaruleverantörernas förbund (DLF)
NTM AB
GS1 Sweden AB (GS1)
Addnode AB
Seafood Business for Ocean Stewardship (SeaBOS)
Energiföretagen
Nextory AB
Highlight-Mandate
- Successfully assisted Södra in relation to the Commission’s Wood Pulp antitrust investigation, which concluded on 15 June 2023.
- Defending Google against the Swedish price comparison company Pricerunner. The case is a follow-on case where the plaintiff claims to have suffered damages due to Google’s alleged abuse of dominance.
- Successfully assisted Polarbröd in relation to an antitrust investigation carried out by the SCA, which was closed on 12 July 2023.
Kastell Advokatbyrå AB
Kastell Advokatbyrå AB’s EU and competition law team advises clients on a wide range of matters, including merger notifications, abuse of dominance complaints, and cartel investigations. Founding partner Erik Söderlind has considerable experience representing clients before both Swedish and European competition authorities. Pamela Hansson is a key port of call for a number of the firm's major clients, who turn to her for her experience of handling antitrust and state aid cases while working at the European Commission. She also has experience in high-profile disputes concerning fines and damages. Having joined the firm in June 2023 from Advokatfirman Vinge, Johan Karlsson brings expertise in a broad range of matters, including state aid and compliance matters. The three partners jointly lead the team in Stockholm. Other key names to note include Malin Persson, who focuses on EU and state aid cases.
Praxisleiter:
Erik Söderlind; Pamela Hansson; Johan Karlsson
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Malin Persson
Referenzen
‘Johan Karlsson and Erik Söderlind stand out among competition law practitioners in Sweden. Both provide well-thought-out and practical advice and can handle every aspect of very complex matters.’
‘Erik Söderlind is extremely competent and has an ability to see issues and situations from a client’s perspective and handle matters in a pragmatic way. He offers excellent client service and always responds quickly with relevant advice. He is clearly one of Sweden’s top lawyers in his field.’
‘Pamela Hansson stands out as an expert competition lawyer. Her ability to provide concise and assertive advice, while at the same time demonstrating an interest in the client’s point of view and being open to discussing both matters of law and strategy, is invaluable. She also understands and acknowledges a client’s broader commercial interests. She is highly recommended.’
Kernmandanten
SJ AB
Stockholm Exergi AB
ERA Sweden
Sodastream
Highlight-Mandate
Roschier
Roschier’s EU and competition practice is experienced in a wide range of matters, including EU phase I and II mergers, abuse of dominance cases, and cartel investigations. Practice head Kristian Hugmark has experience in a wide range of sectors, including media, retail, food and beverages, insurance, pharma and telecoms, among others. Emma Johansson’s practice covers merger and FDI control work as well as antitrust investigations and litigation. Jacob Giesecke and Giada Maglione also stand out for their respective contributions.
Praxisleiter:
Kristian Hugmark
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Emma Johansson; Jacob Giesecke; Giada Maglione
Referenzen
‘Kristian Hugmark is extremely responsive, reachable, humble and capable.’
‘Kristian is quick to respond, clearly ambitious to deliver and also very quick to understand questions. He can be relied on for quality on-time delivery and for providing a good and balanced dialogue with high integrity and competence.’
‘This team is efficient, professional and knowledgeable.’
Kernmandanten
Adsecure
Ahlsell
AkzoNobel
Altor
Anders Hedin Invest AB
Arcus
Blackstone
Bonnier, including Bonnier News/ Mariebergs Tidnings AB, SF, Bonnier Growth, Bonnier Books (including BookBeat, Bonnierförlagen, and Adlibris) and other Bonnier owned companies
Brunswick Real Estate
Castellum
Coca-Cola European Partners
CVC Capital Partners
EQT
ETG (E-Traveli Group)
Finnair
Fortum
Hector Rail
Hemnet
IK Investment Partners
Ingka Group
Investcorp
Investor/Patricia
KKR
Mercedes-Benz Återförsäljarförening
Metso Oyj
Middelground
Nokia
Nordea
Outokumpu
PayPal/Tradera
PMI (Philip Morris International)
Rights & Brands
Samsung
Scania
Solör
Stark Group (including subsidiary Beijer Byggmaterial)
Stena Group
Stora Enso
Sumitomo
Telia Group
Triton
Trygg-Hansa/RSA Group
TV4/C More
Unilever
Highlight-Mandate
- Representing the seller (funds managed by CVC Capital Partners) and the target (Etraveli Group) in the USD 1.65 billion sale to Booking Holdings Inc.
- Advised Bonnier News on its public offer to the shareholders of Readly.
- Advised Philip Morris International on its public offer to the shareholders of tobacco company Swedish Match AB and the subsequent divestiture of Swedish Match’s logistics arm, SMD Logistics to R12 to comply with PMI’s commitments vis-à-vis the European Commission.
Cirio Advokatbyrå AB
Particularly active in the energy and infrastructure, life sciences, healthcare, tech and real estate sectors, Cirio Advokatbyrå AB’s EU and competition practice advises domestic clients in relation to a range of issues, including merger control, abuse of dominance, and cartels. Practice head Ulrica Salomon is noted for her experience in multijurisdictional merger notifications. Miranda Hermansson Varli plays a key role in the team, with experience advising on mergers, abuse of dominance, anti-competitive practices, and distribution agreements, among other areas.
Praxisleiter:
Ulrica Salomon
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Miranda Hermansson Varli
Referenzen
‘Ulrica Salomon always meets high demands.’
‘Cirio’s team is always supportive and they understand business realities.’
‘We have a long-term relationship with Cirio. They are always happy to support us and they know our business very well so its easy for us to get fast supoort from them.’
Kernmandanten
BEWI ASA
Bankomat AB
Nalka Invest AB
Skellefteå Airport AB
Biokraft AB
Clear Channel Sverige AB
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised BEWI ASA in its acquisition of Jackon Holding AS.
- Advised Systemair on the divestment of its commercial air conditioning business to Panasonic.
- Advised Lekolar on its acquisition of Panduro.
DLA Piper Sweden
DLA Piper Sweden’s antitrust and competition team in Stockholm handles a high volume of merger control matters as well as antitrust investigations for major international clients, particularly in the tech and automotive sectors. Practice head Erik Brändt Öfverholm is noted for his considerable experience advising on cross-border merger control issues and appearing before Swedish and European competition authorities. Other key figures within the team include Robin Heimdahl, who focuses on merger control, antitrust investigations, and state aid cases.
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Robin Heimdahl
Referenzen
‘Erik Brändt Öfverholm is a go-to lawyer for any competition law questions.’
‘Erik Brändt Övferholm has great knowledge as well as the practical experience that you wish for in a competition law partner.’
‘Erik Brändt Öfverholm is one of the foremost competition lawyers in the country.’
Kernmandanten
Amazon Web Services
Storskogen
Marshall Group (prev. Zound Industries)
Mobility Sweden
St1 Sverige
Vitamin Well
Attendo
BMW
CBRE
Volkswagen (Europcar)
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised a leading micro-mobility company on a probe by the Swedish Competition Authority in 2023.
- Advised an energy company in a three parallel probes by the Swedish Competition Authority in 2023.
- Advised a leading electric car manufacturer on a probe by the Swedish Competition Authority in 2022 and 2023.
Hammarskiöld
Hammarskiöld advises clients in a range of sectors - including tech and insurance - on various competition-related matters, including in high-profile cartel investigations heard before the European Commission. Practice head Claes Langenius has over 25 years’ experience advising domestic and international companies on competition matters as well as representing clients before Swedish and European authorities. Sofia Falkner, who was promoted to partner in January 2023, specialises in cartel and abuse of dominance cases.
Praxisleiter:
Claes Langenius
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Sofia Falkner
Referenzen
‘Sofia Falkner is great!’
‘Sofia Falkner is commercial, quick to understand issues and is always a pleasure to collaborate with.’
‘A really professional team that collaborates well.’
Kernmandanten
Scania
Private Equity Fund 1
Trusted Connectivity Alliance
Länsförsäkringar
LBC Borås AB
Highlight-Mandate
- Representing Scania in all stages of the so-called Trucks case, from the on-site inspections by the Commission to the appeal of the General Court judgment in the European Court of Justice.
- Representing one of the parties in a large ongoing cartel investigation by the Swedish Competition Authority.
- Regularly conducting multi-jurisdictional merger filing assessments for a large Swedish Private Equity fund.
Setterwalls
Setterwalls’ EU and competition team handles, inter alia, merger control; abuse of dominance; and anti-competitive behaviour work for domestic clients in a wide range of industries, including shipping, energy, and tech. Practice head Rolf Larsson’s 25 years of experience includes litigating before Swedish and European competition authorities. Angelica Ström is a further key contact, advising public authorities as well as domestic and international companies.
Praxisleiter:
Rolf Larsson
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Angelica Ström
Referenzen
‘Rolf Larsson is a very experienced and to-the-point competition lawyer who is always a pleasure to work with.’
‘Angelica Ström is a highly skilled lawyer with an outstanding ability to quickly comprehend new legal concepts and adapt to evolving legal landscapes. She easily navigates complex and multi-layered legal scenarios. She also demonstrates a genuine interest in each client’s business model and organisation, which allows her to offer legal advice suitable for the specific challenges they face. Last, but not least, she is a very pleasant person with a friendly disposition.’
‘Angelica Stöm is very service-minded and collaborates well with her fellow team members when necessary.’
Kernmandanten
Almega Tjänsteförbunden Städföretagen (Almega)
Norrmejerier Ekonomisk Förening
MKB Fastighets AB
Mönsterås Bostäder AB, Mönsterås kommun, Mönsterås Utvecklings AB and Vattenpalatset i Mönsterås AB
Nordisk Bergteknik AB (publ)
Rejlers Sverige AB
Soya Group AB
Viking Line Abp
Rederi AB Gotland
Walleniusrederierna AB
Highlight-Mandate
- Assisted Almega in a high-profile matter before the Swedish Competition Authority, concerning alleged abusive behaviour by Samhall AB, a government-controlled company with a mandate to employ people with disabilities.
- Represented MKB, the largest housing company in the Malmö region, in connection with a complaint to the Swedish Competition Authority relating to alleged abuse of a dominant position.
- Represented Norrmejerier, a Swedish dairy cooperative located in the north of Sweden, in a competition law matter before the Swedish Competition Authority, concerning allegations of anti-competitive cooperation with a competing firm on the market for transport of frozen food in the North of Sweden.
Snellman
Snellman’s competition practice handles merger control proceedings as well as abuse of dominance and cartel investigations, among other issues. The team is headed up by Peter Forsberg, who has considerable experience advising clients in the financial services, food, pharma and telecoms sectors in relation to Swedish and European competition law matters. Joakim Lavér is a further key team member who is particularly strong on the regulatory side.
Praxisleiter:
Peter Forsberg
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Joakim Lavér
Referenzen
‘Peter Forsberg is one of a kind. He is likeable, pleasant, humble and competent.’
‘An extremely competent team with solid experience within competition law.’
‘They are to-the-point, quick and reliable.’
Kernmandanten
Anora Group
Oriola
Foodora
Metso
Kingdom of Sweden
Ahlström Capital
KLAR Partners
One Equity Partners
AURELIUS Equity Opportunities
GlaxoSmithKline
Vida
Conaxess Trade Sweden
Kindred Group
Haleon
Savaria Corporation
NEP Group
Adapteo
Equip Capital
Highlight-Mandate
- Acted as lead counsel in Ahlström Capital’s acquisition of Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s decor paper division (now Munksjö), with an annual turnover of approx. EUR 500m.
- Represented Oriola Oyj before the European Commission and the Swedish Competition Authority in the creation of a JV combining Oriola’s pharmacy retail operations in Sweden with that of Euroapotheca, creating the largest retail pharmacy chain (in terms of outlets) in Sweden.
- Advised Power International AS on its acquisition of MediaMarkt Sweden, the Swedish subsidiary of Media-Saturn-Holding GmbH, with an annual turnover of approx. EUR 500m.
Magnusson Sweden
With lawyers based in eight offices across Sweden, Magnusson Sweden’s EU and competition law practice has a strong national presence, representing clients in connection with state aid, antitrust, regulatory and merger control issues, among others. Having joined the firm from Setterwalls in May 2022, practice head Ulf Djurberg brings over 30 years of experience to the team, advising domestic and international clients on a wide range of matters. Morvarid Dorkhan Nilsson regularly handles competition, regulatory and state aid matters.
Praxisleiter:
Ulf Djurberg
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Morvarid Dorkhan Nilsson; Oskar Törngren
Referenzen
‘Ulf Djurberg has a great and justified reputation. He has extensive experience within EU and Competition law, including working with public entities.’
‘Ulf Djurberg is quick at grasping the essential parts of a matter. He frequently handles novel questions within the field and is highly dedicated to his clients and understanding their needs.’
‘Oskar Törngren is a very reliable, humble and skillful lawyer.’
Kernmandanten
Luleå Hamn AB
Highlight-Mandate
- Advises Luleå Hamn AB on the legal aspects of the development of an alternative financing model for the procurement of the construction, financing and operation of new port infrastructure in the port of Luleå.
MAQS Advokatbyrå
MAQS Advokatbyrå’s Gothenburg-based EU and competition law team regularly handles matters for leading domestic clients, including in the construction, pharma, automotive, and healthcare sectors. Practice head Mikael Åström has over 20 years of experience advising clients on the competition aspects of M&A transactions, regulatory compliance, and leniency applications in relation to anti-competitive practices. Cecilia Rossing has now left the firm.
Praxisleiter:
Mikael Åström
Referenzen
‘Mikael Åström is an excellent lawyer with a great commercial understanding and approach. He is always available and gets right to the point in his advice.’
‘Mikael Åström is a truly brilliant lawyer who is also very nice to work with. He is very experienced and is one of the leading competition lawyers in Sweden.’
‘A great team with a lot of skillful lawyers available 24-7.’
Kernmandanten
Infrastructure Logistics (ILAB)
Fonus
Zenuity
SCA Forest
Essity Hygiene and Health
Sia Glass
ESAB / Colfax Corporation
Santa Maria
Perrigo Company Plc
Latour
Nudie Jeans
Liquid Wind
SSG AB
Highlight-Mandate
- Advising Fonus on competition issues relating to commercial market strategy regarding pricing, online platforms and sales, selective networks, and cooperation agreements with competitors/suppliers/distributors.
- Advising Standard Solutions Group AB on various competition law issues, including pricing and vertical relations.
- Advising Infrastructure Logistics on an ongoing basis concerning all legal matters, including merger filings.
Advokatfirman Schjødt
Advokatfirman Schjødt’s Swedish EU and competition practice works closely with the firm’s partner offices in Norway and Denmark to offer a pan-Nordic service, specialising in cross-border merger control matters. Mats Johnsson, who has over 30 years of experience in the field, leads the team in Stockholm. He is noted for representing clients before Swedish and European competition authorities.
Praxisleiter:
Mats Johnsson
Kernmandanten
Jackon Holding AS
Schlumberger Limited
Highlight-Mandate
- Assisted the Jackon group on the merger control aspects of competitor Bewi’s bid for Jackon.
- Assisted Schlumberger Limited on all aspects of its participation in a joint venture together with Aker Solutions and Subsea 7.