This new look includes the publication of Q&A transcripts on legal and business challenges, commentary on specific industry or regulatory issues, a deeper analysis of the direction the market is taking, and content related to the soft skills, work ethic and business relationships that General Counsel operates. This new format will not only provide more thought leadership and insight, but will also provide more clarity on what drives legal activities in each market we cover. The largely silent fjord, which is Norway`s legal market, was briefly agitated a few years ago when several shops sprung up in Oslo, including construction shop Glittertind and oil and gas company Michelet & Co. However, this market wave quickly dissipated and the sector is now balanced again. Parallels can be drawn between this troubling stability and Norway`s self-reliant nature and focus on sustainable development, which (combined with its national wealth) reduces dependence on external aid. It`s hard to say that this has a subsequent domino effect on the legal industry and the law firms that operate there. Norske Shell is represented in four locations; Kristiansund, Aukra, Oslo and headquarters in the Stavanger region of Norway. It seems to me that the private and public sectors seem to have a growing appetite for expanding their organizations with in-house legal support. That is what we are seeing, for example, in small communities. I think this is also true in the private sector, where a combination of more local and international regulations combined with higher expectations for compliance and risk management warrants such a development. I also believe that in-house counsel are quite capable of better understanding the business and the risks, and that there can be a cost advantage with less need for external advice and better management of external consultants. With respect to the management of external counsel, I expect to see increased use of alternative fee arrangements such as fixed prices, salary caps and incentive systems, and perhaps also greater integration between external and in-house counsel.
“It`s always a pleasure to work with and talk to each member of the team. They are service-oriented and professional and offer practical advice. The team knows our company inside out and closely follows the evolution of the market. They understand that a decision goes beyond the legal aspects and are always ready to find a practical solution, not just legal advice. Johansen joined Sporveien from Wikborg Rein in 2015. He was appointed Group General Counsel in January 2019 and Group General Counsel in February 2021. The General Counsel has overall responsibility for all legal advice in the group. In addition, Johansen strategically advises dictionaries within the group and on major projects.
“Ingvild Hanssen-Bauer is a brilliant intellectual property lawyer. She provides her clients with excellent legal advice. Christina Wiggen has been promoted to the Group Executive Board as Group Director of Legal, HR, Quality, Compliance and HSE. General Counsel reports to Wiggen, who reports to the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors. Our other levels in the legal team consist of highly qualified senior lawyers with different specializations that meet the legal requirements of groups in a wide range of legal matters. We support the Group with legal and strategic advice at all stages of our company. All lawyers meet the needs of groups in terms of legal advice related to our core business such as contract law, public procurement, negotiation and litigation. We are passionate about intellectual property and technology and provide the best legal services to our clients. After her research trip to Oslo, Amy Ulliott examines why international law firms have not yet invested in the Norwegian legal market and have allowed domestic companies to dominate the space. In the GC Powerlist: Norway 2019, we show the considerable strength of the internal legal market in Norway. Having previously covered Norway as part of the wider region, over the past two years we have covered the jurisdiction individually due to its wealth of domestic legal talent.
“Espen Werring has very good negotiation skills and an excellent understanding of the law. He is efficient and available and he is a very pleasant man in the team. Five law firms – BAHR, Schjødt, Thommessen, Wiersholm and Wikborg Rein – dominate the Norwegian legal market. However, at all levels of the industry, there are a large number of full-service firms covering all aspects of the market, from banking to intellectual property law and everything in between. “The Norwegian legal market is well developed,” says Morten Smørdal, Managing Partner of BAHR, “and it is entirely possible to obtain high-quality legal representation from Norwegian law firms.” “Halvor Manshaus – unique and exceptional – best lawyer I have ever worked with. Comprehensive understanding of legal and procedural strategy, business strategy and negotiations. “Service and client orientation, solid legal knowledge, always available and excellent knowledge of the economy and industry that facilitates the application of the advice we receive. “Knut Andresen is a rising star on the Norwegian scene. He has a dominant presence in court and is able to approach both legal issues and witnesses with insight. The key is a strong legal skill, so you are considered a trustworthy and valuable business partner. For me, this means that the lawyer must really understand the strategies of a modern energy company and be able to adapt to the changing expectations and requirements of the society in which we operate and in which we operate. It also means that the lawyer must be able to work in a team with other disciplines and communicate effectively and directly. It`s really helpful to be curious, for example, looking at how researchers are able to identify potential oil, the risks associated with drilling a well.
The lawyer must look for risks, but at the same time identify other ways and opportunities to achieve business objectives in a compliant and ethical manner. In addition, the lawyer should establish and maintain a relevant network with colleagues from other oil companies, law firms, universities and the public sector. I believe lawyers should be open-minded to take on tasks outside of basic legal work, such as emergency response support, stakeholder management, and human resources on board. It is also very important to preserve the integrity expected of lawyers, for example with regard to confidentiality and the prevention of conflicts of interest. In order to preserve legal privilege and have concerns about possible non-compliance, in-house counsel must be aware of these standards and never compromise. This edition presents a wide range of experiences and perspectives on topics such as the lasting impact of the 2015 oil and gas crash, legal technology, and increasing financial regulation. It identifies the growing importance of internal legal management in the context of savings and efficiency, legislative changes, including the Public Procurement Act, the NIS Directive and the Security Act, and higher expectations for external consultants in all areas, including the type and quality of advice, the end of the billable hour, diversity and inclusion, and cost-effectiveness measures.