Top Law Firms in Norway 2026 — Complete Rankings & Guide

Norway's Premier Law Firms in 2026

Norway's legal market is characterised by a strong domestic firm ecosystem that competes effectively with international entrants. The country's unique economic profile — dominated by petroleum, maritime, aquaculture, and an increasingly powerful sovereign wealth fund — has shaped law firms with deep expertise in energy, shipping, and cross-border finance. This guide ranks and profiles the top law firms in Norway for 2026.

If you are exploring career opportunities at these firms, browse our Norway legal jobs board and read our complete guide to legal jobs in Norway.

Tier 1: Norway's Elite Firms

Wikborg Rein

Wikborg Rein is arguably Norway's most internationally recognised firm, with offices in Oslo, Bergen, London, Singapore, and Shanghai. The firm's shipping and offshore practice is consistently ranked Band 1 by Chambers and sits at the top of Legal 500 Nordic. Wikborg Rein also excels in energy, real estate, and corporate M&A. The Bergen office is a maritime law powerhouse, while the Oslo headquarters handles the full spectrum of commercial work.

• Key Practices: Shipping & Offshore, Energy & Natural Resources, Corporate M&A, Real Estate
• Headcount: ~220 lawyers
• Culture: International outlook, strong mentorship, significant partner-track investment

Thommessen

Thommessen is one of Norway's largest full-service firms, with approximately 250 lawyers across Oslo, Bergen, and Stavanger. The firm is a market leader in M&A, capital markets, and competition law. Thommessen regularly advises on Norway's largest transactions and has deep connections to the Oslo Stock Exchange (Euronext Oslo). Their energy practice covers the full lifecycle from exploration licensing to decommissioning.

• Key Practices: M&A, Capital Markets, Competition, Energy, TMT
• Headcount: ~250 lawyers
• Culture: Transaction-oriented, high deal volume, strong training programmes

Schjødt

Schjødt has offices in Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, and Ålesund, making it one of the most geographically distributed Norwegian top-tier firms. Known for litigation excellence and corporate work, Schjødt handles many of Norway's highest-profile court cases alongside complex transactional mandates. The firm has strong credentials in TMT, financial services regulation, and restructuring.

• Key Practices: Litigation & Arbitration, Corporate M&A, TMT, Financial Services, Restructuring
• Headcount: ~200 lawyers
• Culture: Litigation heritage, entrepreneurial, strong regional presence

BAHR (Bugge, Arentz-Hansen & Rasmussen)

BAHR is an Oslo-based elite firm that punches well above its relatively compact headcount. The firm is the go-to adviser for many of Norway's largest corporations and financial institutions on their most critical matters — capital markets IPOs, landmark M&A transactions, and high-stakes regulatory investigations. BAHR consistently tops deal league tables on the Oslo Stock Exchange.

• Key Practices: Capital Markets, Corporate M&A, Tax, Competition, Energy
• Headcount: ~100 lawyers
• Culture: Elite, academically rigorous, highly selective recruitment

Hjort

Hjort is Oslo's premier litigation and public law firm, with a reputation for handling the most complex and politically sensitive disputes in Norway. The firm represents the Norwegian state in significant matters and has deep expertise in constitutional law, human rights, and administrative law. Hjort also maintains strong corporate and real estate practices.

• Key Practices: Litigation, Public Law, Real Estate, Corporate, Employment
• Headcount: ~90 lawyers
• Culture: Intellectual, public interest orientation, strong work-life balance

Tier 2: Strong Full-Service Firms

Wiersholm

Wiersholm is a top-tier Oslo-based firm with excellent rankings in corporate M&A, competition law, and white-collar defence. The firm has developed a strong technology and life sciences practice that sets it apart from traditional competitors. Wiersholm is known for a collegial culture and progressive approach to diversity and inclusion.

Selmer

Selmer is a leading Oslo firm with particular strength in real estate, construction, and infrastructure — reflecting Norway's massive public infrastructure investment programme. The firm also handles significant energy, corporate, and restructuring mandates. Selmer merged with the Bergen office of a major competitor in recent years, strengthening its western Norway presence.

Arntzen de Besche

Arntzen de Besche operates from Oslo, Stavanger, and Trondheim. The firm has a strong energy and oil & gas practice anchored by the Stavanger office, alongside full-service capabilities in Oslo. Their public procurement and regulatory practices are highly rated.

Kluge (CMS Kluge)

CMS Kluge is Norway's member of the CMS international network, providing clients with access to a global platform while maintaining deep Norwegian market knowledge. The firm has offices in Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, and Trondheim. Key strengths include energy, TMT, real estate, and employment law.

Simonsen Vogt Wiig

Simonsen Vogt Wiig is one of Norway's largest firms by headcount, with offices in Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, Trondheim, Tromsø, and Kristiansand. The firm covers virtually every practice area and is particularly strong in shipping, insurance, and public sector work. Their geographic reach is unmatched among Norwegian firms.

Specialist and Boutique Firms

• Nordisk Skibsrederforening (Nordisk Defence Club): Specialist maritime P&I and defence association with a high-calibre legal team.
• Grette: Well-regarded mid-size Oslo firm with strong IP, employment, and real estate practices.
• Kvale: Boutique-to-mid-size firm with excellent litigation, employment, and restructuring credentials.
• Ro Sommernes: Specialist tax, transfer pricing, and corporate advisory boutique.
• Sands (formerly Steenstrup Stordrange): Full-service mid-tier firm with offices across Norway and strong regional relationships.

International Firms Operating in Norway

Norway's domestic firms have largely resisted international firm mergers, unlike Sweden and Denmark where combinations are more common. This preserves a uniquely Norwegian legal culture but also means international firms often rely on best-friend or alliance arrangements.

Choosing the Right Firm

When evaluating firms, consider your practice area interest, geographic preference, and career trajectory goals. Oil & gas specialists may thrive in Stavanger with Arntzen de Besche, while capital markets enthusiasts will find BAHR or Thommessen in Oslo ideal. Maritime lawyers should look closely at Wikborg Rein's Bergen office.

Review salary expectations in our Norway legal salary guide, explore internship opportunities, or browse live openings on our Norway jobs board. Foreign-qualified lawyers should also read our guide on practising as a foreign lawyer in Norway.