Mikko Heinonen

Partner Corporate Advisory, Capital Markets, M&A

Mikko’s practice focuses on various forms of corporate transactions, mergers and acquisitions, finance advisory, and securities regulation. He frequently provides advice regarding transactional matters, governance, and financing issues to corporations, financial sponsors, and their boards. Mikko has also advised many industrial and technology companies in equity financing and restructuring situations and has considerable experience in public takeovers, mergers and cross-border transactions, including some of the largest transactions in the Nordic market.

Mikko is a frequent speaker at university lectures and seminars. Mikko is also entrusted with non-executive board memberships in various companies and charitable organisations. He currently serves as the chairman of the Turku University Foundation and is active in Hannes Snellman’s ESG Group.

Mikko is also qualified to practice in the State of New York.

“We use him for challenging work as he is one of the most reliable advocates on the Finnish market.”

Corporate/M&A, Chambers Global, 2025

“Mikko Heinonen is a very experienced partner with the ability to make decisions on tough questions and guide customers.”

Corporate / M&A | Chambers Global, 2024

Rankings

Recognised as a key lawyer, Capital Markets, Legal 500, 2025
"Mikko Heinonen has great business understanding, a service mindset and can make difficult judgement calls.", Capital Markets, Legal 500, 2025
Hall of Fame, Commercial, corporate and M&A, Legal 500, 2025
Ranked Band 1 in Corporate/M&A in Chambers Europe, 2025
"We use him for challenging work as he is one of the most reliable advocates on the Finnish market.", Corporate/M&A, Chambers Global, 2025

Recommended by clients and peers, Who’s Who Legal: M&A and Governance, 2024
Recognised as a Market Leader in the practice areas of Capital Markets: Equity and M&A and the industry sectors of Industrials and Manufacturing and Technology and Telecommunications, IFLR1000, 2024
Hall of Fame, Commercial, corporate and M&A, Legal 500, 2024
Ranked in Corporate/M&A in Chambers Europe, 2024
“Mikko Heinonen is a very experienced partner with the ability to make decisions on tough questions and guide customers.” Chambers Global, 2024
"Very good legal knowledge, seniority, strong negotiation skills, strong project management, strong communication. Extremely broad knowledge. On my speed dial and my go-to external lawyer. He is a brilliant attorney that every company should have onboard during a public tender offer. Precise and accurate advice on matters with a very strategic and tactical approach.", IFLR1000, 2022
'One client describes him as "a solid and experienced legal adviser."', Corporate and M&A, Chambers Global 2022
Hall of Fame, Commercial, corporate and M&A, Legal 500, 2022
Clients say: "Excellent. Deep knowledge and excellent collaboration skills.", "Professional, shows good judgement. Easy to work with. Always available.", IFLR1000, Financial and corporate, 2021
Ranked in Band 1 in Corporate/M&A in the 2021 edition of Chambers Global and Chambers Europe
"Mikko Heinonen is not only a great lawyer but also has excellent business acumen and can look at a transaction both in detail but more importantly also from a helicopter view w/o always including subject matter experts.", Commercial, corporate and M&A, Legal 500, 2020
"Mikko Heinonen – excellent overall commercial and governance advice.", Commercial, corporate and M&A, Legal 500, 2020
'Clients hail Mikko Heinonen as "one of the best lawyers in Helsinki," and endorse him for being "extremely knowledgeable." He receives further praise for being "very pragmatic, a good thinker and getting things done efficiently."', Corporate and M&A, Chambers Global and Chambers Europe 2020
Ranked in Band 1 in Corporate/M&A in the 2019 & 2020 editions of Chambers Global and Chambers Europe
Mikko is ranked as a Market leader in Capital Markets and M&A in the 2019-2021 editions of IFLR1000
"Clients enthuse that 'he is very analytical.' Another source adds that 'he is well connected and aware of developments in the local market.'", Corporate and M&A, Chambers Global 2018 and Chambers Europe 2018
"Managing Partner Mikko Heinonen 'is absolutely splendid; his approach to people and problems is impressive,' according to clients, who also describe him as 'client and solution-oriented.'", Corporate and M&A, Chambers Global 2017 and Chambers Europe 2017
Leading individual, Commercial, corporate and M&A, Legal 500, 2015-2021
"Mikko Heinonen is 'a top-notch, pragmatic but firm lawyer who is very nice to work with,' " Corporate and M&A, Chambers Global 2016 and Chambers Europe 2016
'Clients describe managing partner Mikko Heinonen as "an excellent partner. He always keeps focused on our priorities." Other interviewees report: "We are so impressed with him. He is strategic and gives us real business advice. He is very helpful."', Capital Markets, Chambers Europe 2015
"... 'He is splendid – a top choice for leading transactions,' say clients. He has notable experience of public M&A mandates", Corporate/M&A, Chambers Global 2015 and Chambers Europe 2015
Ranked as "Lawyer of the Year" in Venture Capital Law (Helsinki, 2015) by Best Lawyers®
"...Mikko Heinonen is an esteemed presence in the field, noted for his 'solution-oriented' approach to major transactions. A member of the New York Bar, he is a particularly popular choice on international matters.", Corporate/M&A, Chambers Global 2014
Ranked among the best lawyers in the 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 editions (Helsinki: Capital Markets, Corporate Governance & Compliance Practice, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions, Private Equity and Venture Capital) of Best Lawyers®
'Mikko Heinonen is highly reputed amongst interviewees who describe him as hardworking and experienced', Corporate/M&A, Chambers Global 2013 and Chambers Europe 2013
"...‘good advice as well as the ability to manage a team while keeping to deadlines’.", Corporate and M&A, Legal 500, 2013
'Peers describe him as "an excellent lawyer, with a very good approach to clients and work."', Capital Markets, Chambers Europe 2012
'...peers recommend Mikko Heinonen as "very knowledgeable in a large range of corporate matters."', Corporate/M&A, Chambers Global 2012
’Mikko Heinonen is praised for his innovative and service-minded approach and reputed for having broad knowledge in public M&A and capital markets.’, Capital Markets and Corporate/M&A, Chambers Europe 2011
Ranked as a Highly regarded lawyer in Capital Markets and Corporate and M&A in the 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 editions of IFLR1000
'Mikko Heinonen is also praised by clients for his communication skills. "Mikko Heinonen is one lawyer that really stands out; I like him a lot, he is very client-orientated," says one.', IFLR1000, 2011
"I work with Mikko Heinonen and several other partners," says one client, "and it's always above all expectations." The client adds: "They focus on the client needs rather than just responding to questions...", '"Heinonen is easy to approach and very client-focused," says one client.', Banking, Mergers and acquisitions, IFLR 1000, 2010
'Mikko Heinonen is “a highly visible and respected lawyer”...and is also described by peers as “an efficient lawyer for all corporate matters.”', Chambers Europe 2009
'Mikko Heinonen is an “absolute star” regarded by one source as “one of the brightest people in the legal profession.” He “works incredibly hard for his clients” and is “highly reliable,” and clients say they “never have to worry about anything” when instructing him.', Chambers Europe 2008
‘The “intelligent and reliable” Mikko Heinonen is active in a range of transactions and counts financing as a specialism.’, Corporate/M&A, Chambers Global 2008

Memberships and Positions of Trust

Member of the Finnish Bar Association
Member of the New York Bar Association
Member of the International Bar Association

Professional Background

Head of M&A 2024–
Partner, Hannes Snellman, 2003–
Senior Partner, Hannes Snellman, 2020–2023
Managing Partner Helsinki, Hannes Snellman, 2011–2019
Head of M&A or Capital Markets, Hannes Snellman, 2005–2019

Associate, Hannes Snellman, 1997–2003

Education

LL.M., Harvard Law School, New York Bar Exam, 2002
Master of Laws, University of Turku, 1997

Practices

Industries

Languages

Assistant

Mikko Heinonen

Practices

Industries

Languages

Assistant

Selected References

Counsel to Oriola Corporation in connection with the combination of share classes and the related directed share issue, 2025

Counsel to Mandatum plc in the sale of its shares in Saxo Bank A/S for approximately EUR 319 million, 2025

Counsel to Betolar Plc in relation to its EUR 2.2 million directed share issue, 2024

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Counsel to Sampo plc in the recommended public exchange offer for the shares in Topdanmark A/S, 2024

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Counsel to Cargotec in the partial demerger of Cargotec and separation of Kalmar into a new listed company, 2024

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Transaction

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Counsel to YIT Oyj in relation to its substantial financing arrangement, 2024

Transaction

Role

Counsel to YIT in the sale of its fleet and equipment business and related arrangements, 2024

Counsel to YIT Oyj in relation to its EUR 140 million term loan facility agreement, 2023

Counsel to the Prime Minister’s Office in the rights offering of Finnair Plc, 2023

Counsel to Kemppi Group Oy in the placing of 3.4 million shares in Kempower Corporation, 2023

Counsel to Otava Ltd in its mandatory public tender offer for Alma Media Corporation, 2023

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Counsel to Uponor Corporation in the recommended public cash tender offer for all shares in Uponor by Georg Fischer Ltd, 2023

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