Maria Wasastjerna
Maria Wasastjerna
Maria Wasastjerna has extensive experience in competition law and regulatory matters. She advises Finnish and international companies on all aspects of competition law specialising in regulatory legal and compliance matters as well as in competition litigation and M&A transactions. Prior to joining Hannes Snellman, Maria gained several years of experience as an in-house lawyer in global corporations, most recently as lead counsel for global competition law and policy at Nokia Corporation. Maria also has working experience from the European Commission, the US Federal Trade Commission in Washington, DC, and from a technology start-up.
Maria has a PhD from the University of Helsinki. Based on her doctorate, she has published a timely book on competition, data, and privacy in the digital economy with Kluwer Law International. Maria regularly lectures on competition, compliance, and technology related topics. She is a qualified attorney in Finland and the State of New York (US) and holds LL.M. degrees from the College of Europe and Georgetown Law School.
She is very knowledgeable, but at the same time down to earth and friendly.
Chambers Europe, 2023
References
Parties:
Methode Electronics, Inc., Nordic Lights Group Corporation
Transaction:
Methode Electronics, Inc.'s recommended public cash tender offer for all shares in Nordic Lights Group Corporation
Deal Value:
EUR 132 million
Role:
Counsel to Methode Electronics, Inc.

Johan Aalto

Anniina Järvinen

Marcus Lehtinen

Robert Gordin

Joonas Vartia

Riikka Kuha

Heidi Haanpää

Maria Wasastjerna

Essi Ellman

Päivi Tammilehto

Anna Mäkinen

Hilma Mäkitalo

Simon Mittler

Ingrid Remmelgas

Ville Säteri

Kerttu Pahta

Rebecca Osola

Monika Parkkinen

Karoliina Kaartinen
Parties
A consortium consisting of Security Trading, Fennogens Investments, Corbis, and Bain Capital (buyer), Caverion Oyj (Target)
Transaction
Counsel to the offeror consortium consisting of Security Trading, Fennogens Investments, Corbis, and Bain Capital in the recommended public cash tender offer for all shares in Caverion Oyj.
Deal value
EUR 955 million
Role
Counsel to the offeror consortium consisting of Security Trading, Fennogens Investments, Corbis, and Bain Capital

Mikko Heinonen

Klaus Ilmonen

Anniina Järvinen

Marcus Lehtinen

Aki Salmela

Tuire Kuronen

Riikka Kuha

Heikki Vesikansa

Harri Vehviläinen

Ilmari Mäkimattila

Stefan Stellato

Maria Wasastjerna

Helena Lamminen

Laura Sainio

Tuomas Toivonen
Parties:
Cargotec Corporation, Konecranes Plc
Transaction:
Merger of Cargotec Corporation and Konecranes Plc
Deal value:
Approx. EUR 2.7 billion
Role:
Counsel to Konecranes Plc

Mikko Heinonen

Sonja Siggberg

Peter Forsberg

Mikko Huimala

Markus Bremer

Jenni Heurlin

Johanna Haltia-Tapio

Ingrid Remmelgas

Sini Paajanen

Matias Moberg

Riikka Kuha

Kaisa Himmanen

Agda Vähä-Piikkiö

Linnea Lehtonen

Maria Wasastjerna

Pauliina Sutinen

Jenni Parviainen

Heikki Vesikansa

Khaled Talayhan

Mattias Friberg

Marc Tevell de Falck

Carolina Lefort Ahokanto

Sarah Ek
Parties
Stora Enso Oyj, UPM-Kymmene Group, Metsä Group, Sonoco-Alcore, other sellers (Sellers), Stena Recycling Oy (Buyer), Encore Ympäristöpalvelut Oy (Target)
Transaction
Sale of Encore Ympäristöpalvelut Oy to Stena Recycling Oy
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to Stora Enso Oyj, UPM-Kymmene Group, Metsä Group, Sonoco-Alcore, and other sellers

Tuire Kuronen

Susanna Purovirta

Joonas Vartia

Maria Wasastjerna

Päivi Tammilehto

Lauri Putkonen

Klaus Metsä-Simola

Milla Männistö

Anna Mäkinen

Wilhelm Sanmark

Panu Vikberg

Marta Kauppinen
Parties:
Esperi Care (target), Danske Bank, SEB, and Ilmarinen (majority owners), Triton (buyer)
Transaction:
Counsel to Esperi Care and its majority owners Danske Bank, SEB, and Ilmarinen in the acquisition of the majority of Esperi Care’s shares by Triton Smaller Mid Cap Fund II advised by Triton.
Deal Value:
Value not public.
Role:
Counsel to Esperi Care and its majority owners

Sten Olsson

Antti Nyberg (Alanko)

Annika Schauman

Tuomas Toivonen

Matias Moberg

Emmi Kantola

Heikki Vesikansa

Stefan Stellato

Maria Wasastjerna

Lauri Putkonen

Jenni Heurlin
Parties:
Ahlström Capital BV and Nidoco AB (buyers), Ahlstrom-Munksjö (seller), Decor Solutions business area (target)
Transaction:
The buying consortium comprising Ahlström Capital BV and Nidoco AB, in the investment in the majority share of Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s Decor Solutions business area.
Deal Value:
Value not public
Role:
Counsel to the buying consortium (Ahlström Capital BV and Nidoco AB)

Johanna Wärnberg

Johan Aalto

Mikael Lustig

Antti Nyberg (Alanko)

Pauliina Sutinen

Matias Moberg

Panu Siitonen

Anniina Jaatinen

Peter Forsberg

Lars Lundgren

Maria Wasastjerna

Essi Ellman

Sofia Saarelainen

Anna Nordin Pettersson

Alexander Lindqvist
Parties
PPG Industries, Inc. (Bidder), Tikkurila Oyj (Target)
Transaction
Recommended public cash tender offer for all of the shares in Tikkurila by PPG Industries, Inc.
Deal Value
EUR 1.5 billion
Role
Counsel to Tikkurila Oyj

Mikko Heinonen

Klaus Ilmonen

Anniina Järvinen

Kaisa Himmanen

Agda Vähä-Piikkiö

Maria Wasastjerna

Jenni Heurlin

Laura Sainio

Meri Dahlqvist

Johanna Haltia-Tapio

Elisabeth Vestin

Satu Kokko
Parties
Valmet Corporation, Alfa Laval AB, Neles Corporation
Transaction
Counsel to Valmet Corporation in the EUR 1.73 bn public tender offer dated 13 July 2020 by Alfa Laval AB for all shares in Neles Corporation and the subsequent increase by Valmet of its shareholding in Neles to 29.5 %. Alfa Laval decided not to complete its offer on 3 November 2020.
Deal Value
EUR 1.73 billion
Role
Counsel to Valmet Corporation

Johan Aalto

Antti Kuha

Maria Wasastjerna

Antti Nyberg (Alanko)

Helena Lamminen

Jenni Heurlin
Counsel to Altia in competition law risk assessment and compliance review.

Maria Wasastjerna

Jenni Heurlin

Meri Dahlqvist
Counsel to Nordea Life in a competition law compliance matter.

Maria Wasastjerna

Helena Lamminen
Parties
Ahlstrom-Munksjö Oyj (target), a consortium consisting of Ahlström Capital, Bain Capital Private Equity, Viknum and Belgrano Inversiones (buyer)
Transaction
Recommended public cash tender offer for all shares in Ahlstrom-Munksjö Oyj by Spa Holdings 3 Oy
Deal value
Approximately EUR 2.1 billion
Role
Counsel to the consortium

Johan Aalto

Sonja Siggberg

Mattias Friberg

Antti Kuha

Annemari Rosi

Khaled Talayhan

Robert Gordin

Heikki Vesikansa

Stefan Stellato

Harri Vehviläinen

Maria Wasastjerna

Helena Lamminen

Laura Sainio

Antti Nyberg (Alanko)

Marc Tevell de Falck
Counsel to CBRE in competition and compliance related matters.

Maria Wasastjerna

Laura Sainio
Parties
Valmet Oyj (Buyer), Solidium Oyj (Seller)
Transaction
Counsel to Valmet Oyj in the acquisition of future Neles Corporation from Solidium Oy, representing 14.88% of all Neles’ shares and votes.
Deal Value
EUR 179 million
Role
Counsel to Valmet Oyj

Johan Aalto

Maria Wasastjerna
Comprehensive advice on the state aid law for the Prime Minister’s Office concerning the recapitalisation (rights offering) of the state-controlled airline Finnair Plc, including advise on the notification procedure before the European Commission. The rights offering of 500 MEUR is one of the largest rights offerings in Finland in recent years. The Commission’s decision in the case lead to amendments to the COVID-19 related State Aid Temporary Framework.

Mikko Huimala

Klaus Ilmonen

Maria Wasastjerna

Meri Dahlqvist

Jenni Heurlin

Antti Kuha

Tommi Kovero

Satu Kokko
Series of compliance trainings for Nordea in the area of competition law and compliance.

Maria Wasastjerna

Helena Lamminen
Parties
Outotec Oyj, Metso Corporation
Transaction
The combination of Outotec and Metso Minerals through a demerger
Deal Value
EUR 3.9 billion (illustrative combined sales)
Role
Counsel to Outotec Oyj

Mikko Heinonen

Klaus Ilmonen

Markus Bremer

Peter Forsberg

Anna-Maria Tamminen

Heikki Vesikansa

Maria Wasastjerna

Johanna Haltia-Tapio

Elina Toivakainen

Jenni Parviainen

Annemari Rosi

Emmi Kantola

Stefan Stellato

Maria Landtman

Sarah Ek

Nathalie Miskin

Marcus Nyberg

Victor Bjerselius
Rankings
- "She is very knowledgeable, but at the same time down to earth and friendly. Her language and communication skills are great.", Competition/European Law, Chambers Europe 2023
- "The up-and-coming Maria Wasastjerna enters the rankings due to outstanding market recognition, with one client describing her as 'very talented.', Competition/European Law, Chambers Europe 2022
- "Maria Wasastjerna is amazing both as a person and as a competition law adviser." EU and Competition, Legal 500, 2021
- 'Maria Wasastjerna has a unique combination of academic knowledge with extensive global practical experience from a multinational. Maria can identify the essential and solve problems with a very strong business mindset. In addition, she is extremely nice to work with.', EU and Competition, Legal 500, 2020
- Elected as one of the ’30 in their 30s’ Notable Women in Competition in Europe, 2017
Memberships and Positions of Trust
- Member of the Finnish Bar Association’s Professional Committee
- UN Women Finland, Senior Advisor
- European Competition Lawyers Forum (ECLF)
- In House Competition Lawyers’ Association (ICLA)
- Member of the New York Bar
- Member of the Finnish Bar Association
- Member of the Board of FIDE Finland
Publications
- Yritysvastuu laajenee digitaaliseen maailmaan, Suomen itsenäisyyden juhlarahasto Sitran blogi, 2022
- Yritysvastuu & oikeus, Kauppakamari 2022 (co-author)
- Tasa-arvo ja kilpailuoikeus, Finnish Competition Law Yearbook 2020 (co-author)
- Sustainability and competition: Unlocking the potential, Concurrences 4/2020 (co-author)
- Vastuullisuus osana tehokkuuspuolustusta EU:n kilpailuoikeudessa, Defensor Legis 4/2020 (co-author)
- Competition, data and privacy in the digital economy, Wolters Kluwer International 2020
- Lectio Praecursoria, Juridiska Föreningen i Finland JFT 6/2019
- Blurred Lines: The German Facebook case, Finnish Competition Law Yearbook 2019
- The Controversial Competition-Data Protection Interface, European Business Law Review 30/2019
- The role of big data and privacy in merger review, European Competition Journal 14/2018
- Konkurrensrätt, data och integritetsskydd, Juridiska Föreningen i Finland JFT 5/2018
- Parental liability in EU competition law, International In-House Counsel Journal 8/2015
- Interlocking directorates in EU competition law, Europarättslig Tidskrift 4/2012
- Vähemmistöomistusten kilpailuoikeudellisesta merkityksestä, Defensor Legis 3/2012 (co-authored)
- Antitrust review of intellectual property in the US and the EU, ICC Global Antitrust Review 2011
- Predatory pricing in antitrust enforcement, ABA Antitrust Law Section Pricing Newsletter Fall 2011
- Yhdenmukaistettu menettelytapa ja tietojenvaihto, Defensor Legis 4/2009 (co-author)
Education and Professional Background
- Partner, Hannes Snellman, 2019–present
- Lead Counsel Competition Law / Senior Legal Counsel, Nokia Corporation, 2014–2019
- Head of Legal, Kiosked Ltd, 2013–2014
- Secondee Lawyer, Nokia Corporation, 2013
- Secondee Lawyer, GE Healthcare, 2012
- Senior Associate / Associate, Roschier Attorneys, 2008–2013
- International Trainee, U.S. Federal Trade Commission, Washington D.C., 2011
- Stagiaire, European Commission, Brussels, 2008
- Stagiaire, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, Brussels, 2007
- D., University of Helsinki, 2019
- Visiting Academic, University of Oxford, 2018
- M., Fulbright scholar, Georgetown Law School, 2011
- M., College of Europe, Belgium, 2008
- Master of Laws, University of Helsinki, 2006
Recent Speaking Engagements
- Sustainability & Competition, EU Law Summer School, Downing College, Cambridge, August 2022
- Reilun datatalouden iltakoulu, Suomen itsenäisyyden juhlarahasto Sitra, May 2022
- The Winner Takes It All – miten big datan valta vastuuttaa?, Uuden ajan johtajuus -virtuaalitilaisuus, The Ulkopolitist -podcast & Microsoft, March 2022
- EU:n digimarkkinasäädös ja kilpailukykyinen datatalous, KKV-päivä, November 2021
- Alustatalous: uudet oikeudelliset haasteet, University of Helsinki, October 2021
- Governance and Set-Up of Ethics & Compliance, Nordic Business Ethics Event, September 2021
- Sustainability and Competition, Competition Law Nordic Conference, Stockholm, March 2021
- Digital Markets Act and Platform Regulation, IPR University Center, March 2021
- Sustainability and Competition, Competition Law Nordic Conference, Stockholm, March 2021
- Governance and Set-Up of the Ethics & Compliance Function, Nordic Business Ethics Event, September 2021
- Alustatalous: uudet oikeudelliset haasteet, University of Helsinki, October 2021
- EU:n digimarkkinasäädös ja kilpailukykyinen datatalous, KKV-päivä, November 2021
- Bör uppfattningen om konsumentvälfärd moderniseras i den digitala konkurrensrätten?, Juridiska Föreningen r.f. Annual General Meeting, December 2020
- Competition in the Digital Economy, University of Stockholm, November 2020
- Chair of Focus Day at Advanced EU Competition Law Brussels Conference, November 2020
- Kilpailuoikeus digitaalitaloudessa, Aalto University School of Business, November 2020
- Competition Challenges on Digital Markets, Alma Talent Competition Law Seminar, October 2020
- Proposal for New Competition Tool, Big Data & Competition Law Conference, Brussels, October 2020
- The German Facebook Case and Beyond, Annual Conference on EU Data Protection Law, June 2020
- The Interlink Between Privacy and Competition, Ascola Nordic Webinar, June 2020
- Kilpailuoikeus – mitä tulee ottaa huomioon?, Technology Finland Data Seminar, March 2020
- Digital Competition, Competition Law Nordic Conference, Stockholm, Jan 2020
- Sustainability and Competition, FIDE Finland Seminar, Helsinki, Jan 2020
- Competition Law, Technology and IPRs, University of Helsinki Faculty of Law, Jan 2020