Casper Herler

Partner / Helsinki

About Casper

Casper is a strategic adviser to the management of large industrial, natural resources and energy corporations. He provides holistic advice to large strategic projects and industrial investments by combining leading legal expertise with sector knowledge. He also possesses a deep understanding of stakeholder communications, governmental relations and corporate responsibility. Casper has served two terms as Borenius’ Managing Partner, a period during which conversations about topics on the C-suite agenda accumulated, which benefits his clients today.

A selection of Casper’s clients includes industrial clients, refineries and battery plants, datacentres, large infrastructure, energy and renewable projects, real estate investors, retail firms, financial institutions, chemical companies and traders as well as trade associations. Clients also acknowledge him as the leading Finnish mining lawyer, and he advises a significant number of the 50 largest major mining companies in the world.

Before joining Borenius, Casper held the position of Partner at another Finnish law firm. He also worked at the Ministry of the Environment and he currently imparts his knowledge by teaching environmental law at the University of Helsinki. Furthermore, Casper boasts a background in legislative work in the field of environmental and mining law and has served as a specialist counsel at Pöyry Plc. Casper has a doctoral degree in law and he has dissertated on soil and groundwater contamination liability. Notably, from 2021 to 2023, he led the AmCham Finland working group, which was responsible for drafting a model to reform the permit system in Finland.

Rankings

Chambers Europe

  • Energy & Natural Resources

Chambers Europe
“Casper is a thought leader for mining and environmental questions in Finland.”
“Casper often considers out-of-the-box solutions to legal problems.”

“Comprehensive in-depth understanding of national and international mining regulations.”
“Deep knowledge of the sector and relevant legislation.
“Great communication skills.”

  • Real Estate and Construction (Hall of Fame)

IFLR1000

  • Energy & Infrastructure, Project development, Banking, Project finance

IFLR1000
“Very competent in legislation and permitting related to mining and minerals exploration. Can provide support on short notice.”
“Excellent knowledge of our concerns. Good ability to provide innovative solutions.”
“Clear and understandable communication, even if the case is not that easy. Casper will find out all crucial matters that might have any impact on the case. He clearly states to the client what the main factors are affecting the outcome and how all risks can be minimised.” 

  • Environment – Global Elite Thought Leader
  • Mining

Who’s Who Legal: Global Elite Thought Leader
“Casper Herler has a leading reputation for his work assisting clients in complex, mining-related environmental matters.”

Best Lawyers

  • Energy
  • Environment
  • Natural resources

The Lawyer

  • European Managing Partner of the Year 2020

Selected References

  • Advised Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. in a EUR 320 million acquisition of OMG Kokkola Chemicals Oy and its cobalt refinery assets from OM Group, Inc.
  • Advised the Finnish mining industry (FinnMin) in the governmental relations work relating to the preparations of the new Finnish mining act.
  • Advised Nammo Lapua Oy in the acquisition of the Vihtavuori gunpowder factory, which also involved an agreement with the Finnish state concerning environmental issues.

Career

  • Partner, Borenius, 2024–
  • Managing Partner, Borenius, 2016–2024
  • Partner, Borenius, 2010–2016
  • Partner, Hammarström Puhakka Partners, 2009–2010
  • Lawyer, Hammarström Puhakka Partners, 2007–2009
  • Specialist Counsel, Pöyry Environment, 2005–2007
  • Researcher, University of Helsinki, 2002–2007
  • Assistant in Private law, University of Helsinki, 2001–2002
  • Senior Officer, Ministry of the Environment, 2001

Education

  • Bar Admission, 2009, Helsinki, Finland
  • Doctor of Laws, 2008, University of Helsinki, Finland
  • Trained on the bench, 2001, District court of Vaasa, Finland
  • Master of Laws 2000, University of Helsinki, Finland

Languages

  • Swedish, Finnish, English, German