Tero Kovanen

Partner / Helsinki

About Tero

Tero specialises in commercial dispute resolution with a particular focus on international arbitration and cross-border mandates. He excels in complex disputes consisting of parallel proceedings, and his practice also covers corporate crime defence as well as governmental and regulatory litigation.

Beyond litigation and arbitration, Tero is also a trusted advisor to many boards of directors and members of senior management. They regularly turn to Tero for strategic conflict management and prevention as well as for advice regarding the duties and liabilities of corporate organs and directors.

Tero has strong experience in technically detailed international trade, project delivery, construction and engineering disputes. He is also one of the leading figures in Finland when it comes to disputes in the energy sector. Tero also often advises our clients on disputes related to M&A, financing, corporate law, shareholders’ agreements, joint ventures, product liability, distribution, agency, transport and investment law.

In the field of arbitration, Tero has served as the President and Vice-President of AIJA’s Intentional Arbitration Commission for six years. He has advocated in arbitrations seated in Finland and abroad, and his experience covers arbitration under Finnish and foreign laws as well as all the main arbitration rules. Tero regularly handles enforcement, annulment and setting-aside proceedings, and he also serves as an arbitrator.

Besides Helsinki, Tero has studied law in New York and completed a secondment both at a leading distributor of pharmaceuticals and at our New York office. He is familiar with US law and has special knowledge of AAA-ICDR arbitrations. Tero is also trained and experienced in transformative mediation and ADR.

Rankings

Chambers Europe

  • Dispute Resolution (Up and coming)

Chambers Europe & Global
“Tero had a hands-on and realistic approach to handling disputes.”
“A strong proponent of the clients’ wishes.”
“He can put things in a very clear way.”
“Very clear and easy-to-understand way of presenting complicated situations.”
“Excellent logical approach.” 

  • Dispute Resolution

The Legal 500
Tero Kovanen is the standout performer. Always provides clear advice and recommendations even in complex situations. A great combination of big picture tactical thinking, attention to detail and persuasive argumentation skills.
“Gives practical and prompt answers. Very high availability. All aspects of a case taken into account. Very good strategic and tactical thinking in litigation.” 

Selected References

  • Successfully represented a global provider of power solutions in an ICC arbitration seated in Stockholm.
  • Successfully represented a manufacturer of composite solutions in an M&A dispute under the laws of the State of New York.
  • Advised a top executive of a listed company on environmental crime proceedings before the Finnish Supreme Court.
  • Successfully represented a leading pharmaceuticals company against the Finnish Medicines Agency in a regulatory appeal at the Finnish Supreme Administrative Court.

Career

  • Partner, Borenius, 2021–
  • Senior Associate, Borenius, 2015–2021
  • Associate, Borenius, 2011–2015

Education

  • Bar Admission, 2015, Helsinki, Finland
  • Master of Laws, 2011, University of Helsinki, Finland

Languages

  • Finnish, English