Mikko Huimala
Mikko Huimala
Mikko Huimala has extensive experience in competition law matters. He advises Finnish and international companies on all aspects of competition law, including merger control, compliance, proceedings before the competition authorities and courts, and state aid.
Mikko Huimala has advised numerous major Finnish corporations in several leading merger control cases in Finland during the past years, including litigation before the Market Court.
Prior to joining private practice in 2006, Mikko gained several years of experience of investigating cartel and other competition law infringement cases in the national competition authority and the networks of competition authorities.
Mikko has a post-graduate diploma in competition law economics from King’s College London. He has co-authored an in-depth textbook on EU and Finnish competition law (2012) and published several articles on competition law. Mikko is the former president of the Finnish Competition Law Association. He is ranked in Chambers Europe and Best Lawyers for his work in the field of EU and competition law.
Superb. Analytical but very practical at the same time. Easy to work with.
EU & Competition | Legal 500, 2020
References
Parties
The State of Finland, Finnair Plc
Transaction
Counsel to the State of Finland in the hybrid loan arrangement with Finnair Plc
Deal Value
Up to EUR 400 million
Role
Counsel to the State of Finland (Prime Minister’s Office)

Riikka Rannikko

Markus Bremer

Mikko Huimala

Klaus Ilmonen

Heikki Majamaa

Mikko Tavast

Meri Vanhanen
Parties
AMF Pensionsförsäkring AB (Buyer), Keva (Seller), Caruna (Target)
Transaction
AMF Pensionsförsäkring AB’s acquisition of a 12.5% minority stake in Caruna from Keva
Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to AMF Pensionsförsäkring AB
Team
Rabbe Sittnikow, Erik Stenman, Jussi Ekonen, Janna Pihanurmi, Aaron Fagerholm, Noora Britschgi, Pauliina Sutinen, Janne Veneranta, Susanna Hernberg, Beata-Maria Pippingsköld, Laura Sainio, and Mikko Huimala.

Rabbe Sittnikow

Erik Stenman

Jussi Ekonen

Janna Pihanurmi

Aaron Fagerholm

Noora Britschgi

Pauliina Sutinen

Janne Veneranta

Susanna Hernberg

Beata-Maria Pippingsköld

Laura Sainio

Mikko Huimala
Parties
Oy Linde Gas Ab (Buyer), Neste Markkinointi Oy (Seller), Neste’s cylinder gas business and stake in Oy Innogas Ab (Targets)
Transaction
Oy Linde Gas Ab’s acquisition of Neste Markkinointi Oy’s cylinder gas business and Neste Markkinointi Oy's stake in Oy Innogas Ab, a provider of LPG cylinder filling, requalification and logistics services.
Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to Oy Linde Gas Ab

Rabbe Sittnikow

Jesper Kostiainen

Janna Pihanurmi

Mikko Huimala

Laura Sainio

Jesper Nevalainen

Jenni Parviainen

Viivi Rousku

Johanna Haltia-Tapio

Klaus Metsä-Simola

Noora Britschgi
Parties
Telia Finland (Seller) and AddSecure (Buyer)
Transaction
Telia Finland’s divestment of Telia Alerta business to AddSecure
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to Seller/Telia Finland

Tuire Kuronen

Johannes Husa

Agda Vähä-Piikkiö

Riikka Kuha

Emma Swahne

Anton Pirinen

Mikko Huimala

Helena Lamminen

Marta Kauppinen

Outi Jousi

Eeva Tiainen
Parties
Altia Plc, Arcus ASA
Transaction
Merger of Altia Plc and Arcus ASA to form Anora Group
Deal value
Not public
Role
Lead counsel to Altia Plc

Sonja Siggberg

Klaus Ilmonen

Anniina Järvinen

Maisa Cederström

Henrik Hautamäki

Anton Karlais

Robert Gordin

Kaisa Himmanen

Ebba Almén

Mikko Huimala

Lauri Putkonen

Essi Ellman

Jenni Heurlin

Peter Forsberg

Johan Holmquist

Sarah Ek

David Olander

Frida Svensson

Heikki Vesikansa

Harri Vehviläinen

Isabella Kartila

Markus Bremer

Tuomas Toivonen

Sami Niemi

Aina Renström

Johanna Haltia-Tapio

Risto Ojakoski

Jenny Lundberg

Josephine Lindgren

Panu Siitonen

Sarita Schröder
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

Henrik Hautamäki

Sonja Siggberg

Outi Raitasuo

David Olander

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

Peppi Manninen
Parties
Sanoma Media Finland Oy (Seller), Schibsted (buyer), Oikotie Ltd (target)
Transaction
The sale of Sanoma’s online classifieds business Oikotie to Schibsted
Deal value
EUR 185 million
Role
Counsel to Sanoma Group
Core team
Riikka Rannikko, Jesper Nevalainen, Mikko Huimala, Agda Vähä-Piikkö, Jenni Heurlin, Anton Pirinen

Riikka Rannikko

Jesper Nevalainen

Mikko Huimala

Agda Vähä-Piikkiö

Jenni Heurlin

Anton Pirinen
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 Vanhanen

Jenni Heurlin

Antti Kuha

Tommi Kovero

Satu Kokko
Parties
Sanoma Group (Buyer), Alma Media Corporation (Seller), Alma Media Kustannus Oy and Alma Manu Oy (Targets)
Transaction
Sanoma Group’s acquisition of Alma Media’s regional news media business
Deal Value
EUR 115 million (announced enterprise value)
Role
Counsel to Sanoma Group

Riikka Rannikko

Mikko Huimala

Jesper Nevalainen

Suvi-Tuuli Saarnio

Agda Vähä-Piikkiö

Jenni Heurlin

Carolina Lefort Ahokanto
Parties
Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Company, Kesko Corporation, Kesko Pension Fund, Kruunuvuoren Satama Oy
Transaction
A series of transactions, whereby Ilmarinen, Kesko, and Kesko Pension Fund, among other things, dissolve their joint ownership of Kruunuvuoren Satama and Ilmarinen acquires all 3,438,885 Kesko A shares held by Kruunuvuoren Satama.
Deal Value
EUR 164 million
Role
Counsel to Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Company, Kesko Corporation, Kesko Pension Fund, and Kruunuvuoren Satama Oy

Tuire Kuronen

Klaus Ilmonen

Mikko Heinonen

Heikki Vesikansa

Harri Vehviläinen

Mikko Huimala

Tero Pikkarainen
Parties
Pöyry Plc, ÅF AB
Transaction
ÅF AB and Pöyry Plc have signed an agreement to combine the two companies
Deal Value
EUR 611 million
Role
Counsel to Pöyry Plc

Mikko Heinonen

Klaus Ilmonen

Mattias Friberg

Antti Kuha

Henrik Hautamäki

Anna Sahrakorpi

Mari Pihalehto

Mikko Huimala

Toni Malminen

Khaled Talayhan

Carolina Wahlby

Johanna Haltia-Tapio

Suvi-Tuuli Saarnio

Roosa Väre
Parties
Wereldhave N.V. (Seller), Morgan Stanley Real Estate Investing (MSREI) (Buyer)
Transaction
Wereldhave's divestment of the Itis shopping centre to a fund advised by Morgan Stanley Real Estate Investing (MSREI)
Deal Value
Approx. EUR 520 million
Role
Counsel to Wereldhave N.V.

Tapio Teräkivi

Mikko Huimala

Antti Alanko

Ninja Pyy
Parties
AtoB@C Shipping AB (Target), Aspo Plc (Bidder) Anders Nilsson (Private Investor)(Seller)
Transaction
Aspo Plc has agreed to acquire AtoB@C Shipping AB from Anders Nilsson (Private investor).
Deal Value
EUR 30 million
Role
Counsel to Aspo Plc

Richard Åkerman

Riikka Rannikko

Mikko Huimala

Josephine Lindgren

Sara Soini
Parties
Orion Corporation (Seller), Axcel Management A/S (Buyer), Orion Diagnostica Oy (Target)
Transaction
Orion Corporation's divestment of the diagnostics business unit Orion Diagnostica Oy to a private equity fund managed by Axcel Management A/S
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to Orion Corporation

Riikka Rannikko

Mikko Huimala

Johanna Haltia-Tapio

Antti Alanko
Counsel to Kesko Corporation in securing unconditional merger control clearance from the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority for its acquisition of Kalatukku E. Eriksson Ltd., a Finnish fish processor and wholesaler.

Mikko Huimala

Jenni Heurlin
Rankings
- '"He is heavily involved in many big-ticket cases at the moment," remarks one interviewee. He is particularly well regarded for the breadth of his practice, with sources stressing that "he has extremely wide knowledge on different aspects of competition law," and going on to note: "He applies a business perspective to the legal environment."', Competition/European Law, Chambers Europe, 2021
- 'Superb. Analytical but very practical at the same time. Easy to work with.', EU and Competition, Legal 500, 2020
- 'A client highlights that he is "easy to work with."', Competition/European Law, Chambers Europe, 2020
- 'Mikko stands out for being "very engaged and analytical"' , EU and Competition, Legal 500, 2019
- 'Sources describe him as "a great expert in competition law, who offers a proactive approach."', Competition/European Law, Chambers Europe 2019
- Ranked as one of the world's leading competition lawyers by Who's Who Legal 2019
- 'One client praises his ability to communicate, noting: "He quickly understood the nature of my needs and prepared exactly what I needed, including the legal conclusions, without using too much space for detailed legal complexities." ', Competition/European Law, Chambers Europe 2018
- Ranked in the 2018 edition of Best Lawyers (Competition Law)
- Ranked as notable practitioner in the 2017-2019 editions of Chambers Europe (Competition/European Law)
Memberships and Positions of Trust
- Member of the Finnish Bar Association
- Member of the Finnish Competition Law Association for several years, previously chairman (2016–2018) and vice chairman (2014–2016)
- Member of the Competition Law Expert Working Group of the Finnish Bar Association (2016–2020)
Publications
- Vastuullisuus osana tehokkuuspuolustusta EU:n kilpailuoikeudessa, Defensor Legis 4/2020 (co-author)
- The Public Competition Enforcement Review, 2020
Education and Professional Background
- Partner, Hannes Snellman, 2017
- Partner, Head of Competition & Regulatory, Finland, DLA Piper, 2016–2017
- Post-graduate Diploma in Economics for Competition Law, King’s College London, 2011
- Counsel/Senior Associate/Associate, Castrén & Snellman Attorneys Ltd, 2006–2016
- Senior Research Officer/Research Officer, Finnish Competition Authority, 2003–2006
- Master of Laws, University of Helsinki, 2002