Mikko Huimala
Mikko Huimala
Mikko Huimala has nearly 20 years of 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 consistently advised numerous major Finnish corporations in several leading merger control, competition law advisory and state aid cases in Finland during the past years, including litigation before the Market Court. He advises companies in a number of industries, such as retail, media, logistics and transport, pulp and paper, heavy industries and energy.
Prior to joining private practice in 2006, Mikko gained several years of experience of working in the Finnish competition authority focusing on investigating competition law infringement cases as well as actively participating in 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. He is also a frequent lecturer on topics relating to competition and state aid law. Mikko is the former president of the Finnish Competition Law Association. He is rated highly in the leading international rankings for his work in the field of EU and competition law, and was selected as the exclusive winner by Client Choice in 2021 for the competition law category in Finland.
He is fast and is on the same page with the client from the beginning thinking about the goals and optimal way of achieving those.
Legal 500, 2022
References
Parties:
Gasgrid Finland Oy, Excelerate Energy
Transaction:
Gasgrid Finland Oy's chartering of an LNG Floating Storage and Regasification Unit from Excelerate Energy.
Deal Value:
EUR 460 million
Role:
Counsel to Gasgrid Finland Oy
Rabbe Sittnikow
Janna Pihanurmi
Meri-Katriina Pyhäranta
Santeri Jääskeläinen
Heikki Majamaa
Mikko Huimala
Päivi Tammilehto
Outi Jousi
Annika Juhola
Klaus Metsä-Simola
Jesper Nevalainen
Anniina Hämäläinen
Johanna Haltia-Tapio
Anna Nyberg
Parties
Digital 9 Infrastructure plc (Buyer), Pontos Oy, Taaleri Datacenter Ky, other sellers (Sellers), Ficolo Oy (Target)
Transaction
Sale of Ficolo Oy to Digital 9 Infrastructure plc
Deal Value
EUR 135 million
Role
Counsel to Pontos Oy, Taaleri Datacenter Ky, and other sellers
Tuire Kuronen
Sini Paajanen
Olli-Pekka Veranen
Satu Kokko
Oliver Vesterlund
Joonas Vartia
Jesper Nevalainen
Sami Niemi
Anna Nyberg
Julia Ranta
Mikko Huimala
Lauri Putkonen
Parties
Basware Corporation (target), a consortium consisting of Accel-KKR, Long Path Partners, and Briarwood Chase Management (buyer)
Transaction
Counsel to the offeror consortium of Accel-KKR, Long Path Partners, and Briarwood Chase Management in the tender offer for all outstanding securities in Basware Corporation.
Deal Value
EUR 620 million
Role
Counsel to the consortium
Klaus Ilmonen
Tommi Kovero
Kaisa Himmanen
Aki Salmela
Joonas Vartia
Linnea Lehtonen
Elias Laine
Heikki Vesikansa
Harri Vehviläinen
Sofia Ampuja
Mikko Huimala
Meri Dahlqvist
Susanna Kyllöinen
Markus Bremer
Pauliina Sutinen
Johanna Haltia-Tapio
Anna Nyberg
Outi Jousi
Annika Juhola
Axel Hård af Segerstad
Parties
IK Partners (Buyer), Intera Fund II Ky, Intera Fund III Ky, management and other minority shareholders (Sellers), Renta Group Oy (Target)
Transaction
Intera Partners’ sale of Renta Group Oy to IK Partners
Deal Value
Value not public
Role
Counsel to Intera Partners
Sten Olsson
Olli-Pekka Veranen
Roosa Väre
Mikael Byman
Niclas Ruotsalainen
Antti Nyberg (Alanko)
Sami Niemi
Pauliina Sutinen
Risto Ojakoski
Jesper Nevalainen
Wilhelm Sanmark
Mikko Huimala
Susanna Kyllöinen
Claes Kjellberg
Douglas Essehorn
Alexander Lindqvist
Josephine Lindgren
Olof Östman
Amanda Alexandersson
Parties
Anora Group Plc (Altia Plc, Arcus ASA) and Galatea AB
Transaction
Required pre-closing divestment of Altia’s brands Skåne Akvavit, Hallands Fläder, and Brøndums and cognac brand Grönstedts (along with Arcus’s aquavit brand Akevitt Spesial and spirits brands S.P.R.T. and Dworek) to Galatea AB. The divestment to a suitable buyer was required by the Finnish, Norwegian, and Swedish competition authorities as a condition to their approval of the merger between Altia and Arcus to form Anora Group.
Deal value
Not public
Role
Lead counsel to Altia Plc (Anora Group Plc)
Riikka Rannikko
Sini Paajanen
Robert Gordin
Satu Kokko
Panu Siitonen
Mikko Huimala
Peter Forsberg
Lauri Putkonen
Essi Ellman
Susanna Kyllöinen
Piia Ahonen
Marika Sorsa
Parties
Virala Acquisition Company Plc, Purmo Group Ltd
Transaction
Virala Acquisition Company Plc's merger with Purmo Group Ltd.
Deal Value
EUR 685 million
Role
Counsel to Virala Acquisition Company Plc
Sonja Siggberg
Anniina Järvinen
Elias Laine
Linnea Lehtonen
Tommi Kovero
Outi Raitasuo
Sini Paajanen
Tero Pikkarainen
Oliver Vesterlund
Heikki Vesikansa
Stefan Stellato
Isabella Kartila
Antti Nyberg (Alanko)
Pauliina Sutinen
Axel Hård af Segerstad
Wilhelm Sanmark
Mikko Huimala
Jenni Heurlin
Douglas Essehorn
Emma Andersson
Parties
Valmet, Neles
Transaction
Hannes Snellman acted as lead counsel to Valmet, a leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation, and services for the pulp, paper, and energy industries, in its merger with Neles, one of the leading providers of mission-critical flow control solutions and services for process industries in Finland.
Deal Value
The combined value of the merging companies is approximately EUR 7 billion.
Role
Lead counsel to Valmet
Johan Aalto
Klaus Ilmonen
Jon Termonen
Annemari Rosi
Aki Salmela
Sofi Lehtinen
Satu Kokko
Kaisa Himmanen
Mikko Huimala
Meri Dahlqvist
Susanna Kyllöinen
Antti Nyberg (Alanko)
Pauliina Sutinen
Heikki Vesikansa
Jenni Parviainen
Harri Vehviläinen
Parties
Castellum, Kielo, Blackstone Tactical Opportunities, Brunswick Real Estate.
Transaction
Hannes Snellman acted as counsel to Castellum in its acquisition of property company Kielo from Blackstone Tactical Opportunities and Brunswick Real Estate.
Deal Value
EUR 640 million
Role
Counsel to Castellum
Tapio Teräkivi
Heidi Haanpää
Mikael Stabo
Katja Heikkinen
Paavo Romakkaniemi
Julia Ranta
Milla Männistö
Mikael Wood
Andreas Wingren
Alexander Lindqvist
Oliver Vesterlund
Susanna Purovirta
Mikko Huimala
Heikki Majamaa
Ingrid Remmelgas
Jenni Heurlin
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 Dahlqvist
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
Janna Pihanurmi
Noora Britschgi
Pauliina Sutinen
Janne Veneranta
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
Janna Pihanurmi
Mikko Huimala
Laura Sainio
Jesper Nevalainen
Jenni Parviainen
Viivi Vikberg
Johanna Haltia-Tapio
Klaus Metsä-Simola
Noora Britschgi
Parties
Mayr-Melnhof Cartonboard International GmbH, Kotkamills Group Oyj
Transaction
Mayr-Melnhof Cartonboard International GmbH's acquisition of Kotkamills Group Oyj
Deal Value
Approx. EUR 425 million
Role
Counsel to Mayr-Melnhof Cartonboard International GmbH
Sten Olsson
Olli-Pekka Veranen
Roosa Väre
Sami Niemi
Outi Raitasuo
Mikko Huimala
Klaus Metsä-Simola
Laura Sainio
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
Agda Vähä-Piikkiö
Riikka Kuha
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
Preliminary aggregated annual revenue EUR 640 million
Role
Lead counsel to Altia Plc
Sonja Siggberg
Klaus Ilmonen
Anniina Järvinen
Robert Gordin
Kaisa Himmanen
Ebba Almén
Mikko Huimala
Lauri Putkonen
Essi Ellman
Jenni Heurlin
Peter Forsberg
Sarah Ek
Heikki Vesikansa
Harri Vehviläinen
Isabella Kartila
Markus Bremer
Tuomas Toivonen
Sami Niemi
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
Sonja Siggberg
Outi Raitasuo
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
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
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
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
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
Mari Pihalehto
Mikko Huimala
Khaled Talayhan
Carolina Wahlby
Johanna Haltia-Tapio
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 Nyberg (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 Nyberg (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
- "Mikko Huimala is very experienced and knowledgeable. He finds the convincing arguments and has a solution oriented approach to all problems.", EU and Competition, Legal 500, 2022
- "Mikko Huimala is excellent, business minded, great communication skills and capable for quick understanding of the issue to be solved.", EU and Competition, Legal 500, 2022
- "I’m glad to provide my view on Mikko Huimala: in my opinion what makes him to stand out from other competition law partners is his straightforward and pragmatic approach to complex matters. He is fast and is on the same page with the client from the beginning thinking about the goals and optimal way of achieving those. You are able to fully rely on Mikko that every task done is efficiently and the output is impeccable. This all makes him a valuable sparring partner in any competition law matters.", EU and Competition, Legal 500, 2022
- "He is able to easily put matters into the correct context and provide high-quality advice, recognising the client's business goals," Competition/European Law, Chambers Europe, 2022
- Ranked as 2021 exclusive winner of Client Choice’s Competition category in Finland
- "Mikko’s commercial awareness and ability to connect the finer details of law and his client’s business are outstanding. With concise and clear opinions and advice he gives his client clear options and routes forward.", Competition, Client Choice, 2021
- "Mr. Huimala is one best lawyers I have ever worked with: quality of service (including his team), value for money, communication skills, commercial awareness and very pleasant to work with.", Competition, Client Choice, 2021
- "Mikko is fast and is on the same page with the client from the beginning thinking about the goals and optimal way of achieving those.", Competition, Client Choice, 2021
- "Mikko's advice is always on point. He has an amazing grip on various industries enabling him to provide practical industry specific advice with an excellent value for money.", Competition, Client Choice, 2021
- "Mikko Huimala is an outstanding competition law attorney. Moreover he’s a very nice guy, and he takes good care of a client. He gets a grip of the market and the issue at hand quickly and knows how to raise the right questions. His advice is balanced and practical going forward." EU and Competition, Legal 500, 2021
- '"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 2017-2022 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
- The Public Competition Enforcement Review, 2022
- The Public Competition Enforcement Review, 2021
- Vastuullisuus osana tehokkuuspuolustusta EU:n kilpailuoikeudessa, Defensor Legis 4/2020 (co-author)
- The Public Competition Enforcement Review, 2020
Education and Professional Background
- Partner, Co-Head of Competition and Procurement, 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
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