Osborne Clarke, the international legal practice with its roots in Bristol, has continued its expansion with the opening of its first office in Sweden.
The team in Stockholm aims to be the go-to law firm for assisting Nordic and international businesses in fast-growth sectors.
The launch forms a key part of the Osborne Clarke’s expansion strategy to strengthen and grow its presence in European jurisdictions and takes its international spread to 25 offices. 
The firm now has a presence in the major European and Asian economies that are particularly relevant to its clients.
The Stockholm office offers a full spectrum of transactional, advisory and litigation services and will also link to the firm’s expertise across its offices in Silicon Valley and globally.
The office has been launched with transactional services specialist Fredrik von Baumgarten, who has expertise across mergers and acquisitions, private equity sponsored transactions and general transaction advisory services, and Henrik Bergström, who has broad experience in media, technology and communications, advising leading national, Nordic and international clients in the sector.
They will be joined by additional partners and their teams at a later date.
Fredrik’s clients include Nordic and international private equity investors and investment banks. Prior to founding Baumgarten Byström Rooth & Partners, he was a partner at Hannes Snellman and at Vinge in Stockholm, and served as managing partner at both firms.
Henrik previously headed the commercial group and was co-head of the tech and communications group at Bird and Bird in Sweden. He has significant experience of commercial and transactional work, assisting and representing clients within the core sectors of Osborne Clarke.
Osborne Clarke International CEO Simon Beswick said: “Not only is Sweden the third most active M&A market in Europe and growing faster than most other European economies, it’s a key market for many of our core sector clients.
“Having a presence in Stockholm will strategically position our business so we can support our clients on the ground and in a market that presents exciting opportunities for them.”
Fredrik von Baumgarten added: “There is an exciting market opportunity for Osborne Clarke to offer a fresh, new, innovative brand with quality lawyers and a sector specific service. I have a history of building successful teams and look forward to be part of Osborne Clarke and working closely with Henrik and our other partners in bringing these skills to bear with the rest of the new Swedish team.”
Henrik Bergström said there was a big opportunity for Osborne Clarke in the region.
“Both Fredrik and I look forward to working closely with the wider international Osborne Clarke team as well as building and growing the Swedish offering,” he said.
Osborne Clarke also recently expanded in Asia by entering mainland China and admitting new Shanghai-based firm Zhang Yu & Partners to its international network. The firm now has four offices across Asia, which also includes an association with OC Queen Street in Singapore, an association with Koh Vass & Co in Hong Kong and the firm’s close working relationship with BTG Legal in India.
The firm, which was recently named by the Financial Times as a mid-market ‘standout performer’, employs around 700 lawyers and more than 225 expert partners in its offices around the world.
