Wikborg Rein

Wikborg Rein
Name	Wikborg Rein
Founded	1923
Headquarters	Oslo, Norway
Offices	14
Num attorneys	400+
Practice areas	International Arbitration; Energy; Shipping; Insurance; Corporate; Banking
Key people	Kjell-Børge Freiberg; Børge Dideriksen

Wikborg Rein is a Norwegian law firm founded in 1923 and headquartered in Oslo. It is one of the largest firms in Norway and has developed an international practice focused on maritime law, energy law, and international arbitration. The firm serves clients in sectors such as shipping industry, oil and gas industry, renewable energy, and insurance industry.

History

Founded in 1923 in Oslo, the firm grew through landmark engagements in the shipping industry during the interwar period and post‑World War II reconstruction linked to the Norwegian merchant fleet. During the late 20th century the firm expanded its international footprint amid the North Sea oil exploration boom and represented clients in disputes connected to the Statfjord field and other Norwegian continental shelf developments. In the 21st century the firm established presence in key commercial centers to handle matters arising from European Union regulatory frameworks, United Nations Commission on International Trade Law, and cross‑border international arbitration proceedings.

Practice Areas

The firm’s core practice areas include shipping law, maritime arbitration, offshore energy, petroleum law, renewable energy law, insurance law, reinsurance, banking law, corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, tax law, competition law, EU law, employment law, intellectual property law, construction law, and infrastructure projects. It maintains dedicated teams for international arbitration before tribunals such as ICC Court of Arbitration, London Court of International Arbitration, and Stockholm Chamber of Commerce panels, and for contentious matters in courts like the Supreme Court of Norway and commercial courts in England and Wales.

Organizational Structure

The firm operates as a partner‑led partnership with practice groups organized by sector and dispute resolution specialization. Leadership has included managing partners and executive committees responsible for strategy, risk, and compliance with regulations in jurisdictions including Norway, United Kingdom, Singapore, and United States. Governance integrates committees for pro bono work linked to organizations such as Amnesty International and standards for professional responsibility in line with rules from national bar associations like the Norwegian Bar Association and regulatory frameworks tied to the European Economic Area.

Notable Cases and Clients

The firm has acted for major players in the shipping industry and represented interests in disputes arising from collisions, salvage, and charterparty claims before admiralty courts and arbitration panels such as LMAA. It has advised energy companies on transactions and disputes involving operators of North Sea fields and on project development for owners of offshore wind farms. Clients have included global insurers in reinsurance disputes, banks in syndicated loan arrangements, and multinational corporations in cross‑border mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures. The firm has also appeared in high‑value arbitration against state‑owned entities and sovereign wealth investors including transactions connected to entities similar to Statoil and government‑related infrastructure projects.

Offices and Global Presence

Headquartered in Oslo, the firm maintains offices in major international commercial hubs to serve clients across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, with established locations in cities aligned with maritime and energy markets such as London, Singapore, New York, and regional Norwegian centers like Bergen and Trondheim. Its global network supports coordination with local counsel in jurisdictions including Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, and Australia for transactional work and arbitration proceedings under rules from institutions like ICC Court of Arbitration and LCIA.

Awards and Recognition

The firm has received industry recognition from legal directories and rankings including Chambers and Partners, The Legal 500, and IFLR1000 for strength in shipping law, energy law, and international arbitration. Individual partners and teams have been shortlisted for honors such as Norwegian Law Firm of the Year and sector awards presented at forums like the Maritime London Awards and Energy Institute conferences, reflecting market reputation in sectors tied to the North Sea and global maritime commerce.

Category:Law firms of Norway Category:Organisations based in Oslo