Osborne Clarke grows Swedish Team with new Partner to support focus on Digitalisation and the needs of its Technology, Media and Communication clients

International law firm Osborne Clarke appoints new Partner Mikael Nelson who will join its Stockholm-based team at the start of 2021.   

An experienced corporate commercial lawyer, focusing on venture capital, technology transactions and employment work, Mikael brings a wealth of experience advising Technology, Media and Communication ("TMC") and other clients from venture capital funds, global technology companies, international corporates through to emerging tech companies.

Joining from the specialist TMC boutique, Time Danowsky, Mikael previously headed up their corporate commercial team and undertook various leadership responsibilities. Prior to that, he was General Counsel at Sodexo and a managing associate at Linklater's for many years.

Mikael will work closely with the Swedish team's founding Partner Henrik Bergstrom, targeting fast-growth technology, media and communications clients, PE/VC funds and advising clients across the firm's other key sectors on their digitalisation. The goal is to build a leading practise for TMC and Financial Services sector deals in the Nordics.

Henrik Bergström, Managing Partner at Osborne Clarke in Sweden, commented: "Although we are one of the newer firms in Sweden operating in the wider Nordic region, our future-focused approach combined with the capabilities across our wider international network equally appeals to international clients coming into the market, established Swedish companies transforming their business models and emerging TMC and FS clients. We have been exceedingly busy during 2020 and it will be great to have Mikael join the team to support our growth and help shape our future. He brings a wealth of sector experience having worked at international law firms, in house and, most recently, starting a new firm. "

Simon Beswick, International CEO at Osborne Clarke, commented: "Sweden and the Nordics are home to a number of world's biggest unicorns and it's one of the fastest growing European economies. As many of our clients are facing huge transformational change over the next five years, we want to ensure our people are supporting them on the ground and in the markets that are the most important for their businesses as they evolve.

"The Swedish team has done a great job during the last 12 months and we feel the time is right now to invest in growing our Swedish business with a new Partner. We are delighted to have Mikael join us and we hope to grow the business further over the coming years. We aim to be the leading sector focused law firm for TMC and FS clients in the Nordics." added Beswick.

 Located in Stockholm, Osborne Clarke's Swedish office offer a full range of transactional and advisory services from a Partner led team focusing on the digital, economic, environmental and political challenges that are shaping international business and represent clients (and those that invest in them) from a range of industry sectors. The team works closely with colleagues globally, providing a seamless cross-border service, and takes a client-centred approach, providing practical legal solutions and focusing on helping clients achieve their business objectives.

Mikael's appointment coincides with further hires across Osborne Clarke's international business. Top-ranked French lawyer Nassim Ghalimi has joined with his team and will head up restructuring and insolvency in Paris. And in the UK, the firm welcomes two technology and life science focused Venture Capital Partners - Rob Hayes and Justin Starling – and their team from Penningtons Manches Cooper (PMC) – associate director Elizabeth Yell, senior associate Chris Voelker, associate Magnus Williams and paralegal Fern Tawera. The team will be based in Osborne Clarke's Reading office.