Patrik Lindfors

PRACTICE AND EXPERIENCE

Patrik is the founding partner of Lindfors & Co with unique experience of dispute resolution and avoidance during his more than 30-year long career as counsel and arbitrator. He has extensive experience as counsel in domestic and international arbitral proceedings as well as in commercial and white-collar litigations. He is also regularly engaged in intellectual property rights, insurance and M&A disputes. Patrik serves on a frequent basis as an arbitrator or chair in both domestic and international arbitrations. He has been very highly ranked for more than two decades and is well-known for his pragmatical no-nonsense approach and hands-on advice.

CAREER AND EDUCATION

• Senior Partner, Lindfors & Co Attorneys at Law Ltd, 2008 –
• Head of the Dispute Resolution Group, Hannes Snellman Attorneys Ltd, 2001–2006
• Partner, Hannes Snellman Attorneys Ltd, 1999–2008
• Associate Lawyer and Senior Associate, Hannes Snellman Attorneys Ltd, 1994–1999
• Trainee Judge, District Court of Loviisa, 1993–1994
• Associate Lawyer, Peltonen, Örndahl, Ruokonen & Itäinen Attorneys at Law, 1992–1993
• Visiting lawyer, Rechtsanwaltskanzlei Wiedemann und Hintermeyer, Nuremberg, Germany, summer 1992
• Visiting lawyer, Memery Crystal, London, U.K., summer 1993
• Master of Economic Sciences, Swedish School of Economics and Business Administration in Helsinki, 1995
• Master of Laws, University of Helsinki, 1992

LANGUAGES

• Swedish, Finnish, English, German

POSITIONS OF TRUST

• Finnish Bar Association’s Committee for Ethics, member 2001–2004
• Finnish Bar Association’s Legal Opinions Committee for Commercial and Civil Litigation, chair 2001–2007
• International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, member of the ICSID Panel of Conciliators, 2019 –

RANKINGS

• Chambers Global and Europe 2025: Ranked again in Band 1 and as one of the Most in Demand Arbitrators in Finland. Patrik Lindfors has outstanding experience in domestic and cross-border arbitration, in addition to his market-leading litigation expertise. He is particularly well versed in insurance-related disputes.”Patrik is the leading dispute resolution practitioner in Finland.” ”Patrik Lindfors is fantastic.” “Patrik Lindfors is very skilled.” “Patrik has the ability to think strategically and is always looking for solutions.”
• Lexology Index (formerly Who’s Who Legal) Arbitration Report 2025: Ranked as Thought Leader in the category Commercial Litigation and recommended in the categories Arbitration and Commercial Litigation.
• Legal 500 EMEA 2024: Member of the Legal 500 Hall of Fame.
• Chambers Global 2024: Ranked again in Band 1 and regarded as one of the Most in Demand Arbitrators in Finland. “Patrik Lindfors has outstanding experience in domestic and cross-border arbitration, in addition to his market-leading litigation expertise. He is particularly well versed in insurance-related disputes.” “Patrik Lindfors shows the way and navigates the whole team through the case. It is masterclass.”
• Who’s Who Legal 2024: Recommended as a Leading Arbitration Lawyer in Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration 2024. Recognized in Who’s Who Legal: Thought Leaders Commercial Litigation 2024.
• Who’s Who Legal 2023: Recognized as a Thought Leader in Who’s Who Legal: Commercial Litigation 2023 and as a Global Leader in Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration 2023.
• The Legal 500 EMEA 2023: Member of the Legal 500 Hall of Fame.
• Chambers Global 2023: Once again ranked in Band 1 and regarded as one of the Most in Demand Arbitrators in Finland. “Stellar disputes lawyer Patrik Lindfors has outstanding experience in domestic and cross-border arbitrations, offering additional experience in litigation pertaining to insurance-related disputes, patent infringement and contractual matters.”
• Chambers Global 2022: Ranked as the only Star Individual in Dispute Resolution in Finland. Patrik is also highlighted as one of the Most in Demand Arbitrators in the country. “Stellar disputes lawyer Patrik Lindfors has outstanding experience in domestic and cross-border arbitrations offering additional experience in litigation pertaining to insurance-related disputes, patent infringement and contractual matters. Clients comment on his ability “to navigate both in details and the big picture, whatever the case at hand requires,” adding that he is an “out-of-the-box, strategic thinker.””
• Who’s Who Legal 2022: Recognized as a Thought Leader in Who’s Who Legal: Commercial Litigation 2022 and as a Global Leader in Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration 2022.
• The Legal 500 EMEA 2022: Member of the Legal 500 Hall of Fame. Recognized as an expert in Finnish, Swedish and US arbitration.
• Chambers Global 2021: Ranked as the only Dispute Resolution Star Individual in Finland in Chambers Global 2021. Spotlight Table ranking in Dispute Resolution: Most in Demand Arbitrators – Finland
  “Patrik Lindfors is hailed as “the best dispute resolution lawyer in Finland” by a client who adds that “his strategic skills are amazing.” He has outstanding experience in domestic and cross-border arbitrations, offering additional experience in litigation pertaining to international sanctions, patent infringement and contractual matters. Interviewees see him as a “creative” litigator with a “big-picture mindset.””
• Benchmark Litigation 2021: Recognized as a Litigation Star.
• Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration 2021: Recommended as a Global Leader.
• The Legal 500 EMEA 2021: Member of the Legal 500 Hall of Fame.
• Benchmark Litigation 2020: Recognized as a Dispute Resolution Star.
• The Legal 500 EMEA 2020: Member of the Legal 500 Hall of Fame.
• Chambers Global 2020: Spotlight Table ranking in Dispute Resolution: Most in Demand Arbitrators – Finland. “Patrik Lindfors enjoys a strong reputation as counsel and arbitrator, acting on domestic and international arbitrations. Lindfors also assists with commercial and white-collar crime litigation. One source describes him as “one of the best known counsels in arbitration and litigation,” and highlights his “in-depth knowledge.””
• Chambers Global 2019: “Patrik Lindfors is a market-leading arbitrator and litigator whom peers highlight as “the number one dispute resolution lawyer in Finland.” Clients also endorse him as an “outstanding professional.” Lindfors has extensive experience in the field of dispute resolution and handles a vast array of commercial and white-collar crime disputes.”
• The Legal 500 EMEA 2019: Listed in the elite “Leading individuals”. He is also a member of the Legal 500 Hall of Fame.
• Chambers Global 2018: “Star practitioner Patrik Lindfors is held in the highest esteem by clients, who enthuse “He is very knowledgeable, fast in responding and a person for cases where you need someone who comes across as strong.” He handles an array of commercial and white-collar crime disputes, and is additionally active as an arbitrator.”
• The Legal 500 EMEA 2018: Listed in the elite “Leading individuals” and described as an “innovative litigator”.
• Chambers Global 2017: Listed as a Star Practitioner in Finland.
• The Legal 500 Hall of Fame: Inducted into the Legal 500 Hall of Fame.
• Who’s Who Legal: Listed both in Who’s Who Legal: Litigation 2017 and Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration 2017. According to Who’s Who Legal “Patrik Lindfors is leading litigation counsel and has significant experience in the Finnish courts. He is a highly regarded and well-respected practitioner.”
• The Legal 500 EMEA 2017: Listed in the Legal 500 EMEA 2017 and described as “highly regarded”
• Chambers Global 2016: “Head of department Patrik Lindfors is described by sources as “just brilliant.” He is highly regarded for his experience across a broad spectrum of disputes matters and is regularly appointed as arbitrator in complex multi-jurisdictional cases. Recent mandates include post-M&A disputes, cases in the energy sector and white-collar crime litigation.”
• The Legal 500 EMEA 2016: Listed as a Leading Individual and noted that “the experienced Patrik Lindfors is described as ‘Finland’s best litigator’”.
• Chambers Global 2015: “A well-respected figure on the market, department head Patrik Lindfors is also highly regarded by clients: ‘If you need to win an extremely challenging or difficult case, choose him. He is great at strategic thinking and knows exactly what to convey in court.’ Lindfors has long-standing experience of both domestic and international arbitration, as well as litigation concerning both criminal and commercial cases.”
• Best Lawyers 2016: Best Lawyers’ 2016 Helsinki Litigation “Lawyer of the Year”.
• Client Choice Awards 2015: Winner of the Client Choice Award 2015 for the Arbitration & ADR category for Finland.
• Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration 2015: Listed as one of the leading practitioners in the field of arbitration.
• Best Lawyers 2015: Best Lawyers’ 2015 Helsinki Arbitration and Mediation “Lawyer of the Year”.
• Chambers Global 2014: “Patrik Lindfors remains a standout figure at the top end of the Finnish dispute resolution market. Sources offer glowing praise for all aspects of his work: “If I have a very complicated case and it’s very difficult to estimate the outcome I always use him – if you want to win, you use Patrik Lindfors. He is good in litigation and arbitration, and has great strategic thinking.” Lately he has acted on an extensive range of major disputes for Finnish and international clients, including appointments as arbitrator on cases conducted under ICC rules.”
• Best Lawyers 2014: “Best Lawyers’ 2014 Helsinki Litigation “Lawyer of the Year.”
• Chambers Global 2013: Ranked as the only Finnish lawyer as a “Star Individual” under the Dispute Resolution category. “Clients laud Patrik Lindfors for being “resourceful, persevering, and always able to think of the various possible outcomes,” and he stands at the forefront of the Finnish dispute resolution market. Praise is extensive, not only for his legal knowledge but also for his work ethic and cross-border capabilities and for presenting his strategies to clients with clarity and eloquence.”
• The Legal 500 EMEA 2013: Listed as a Leading Lawyer and noted that Patrik is “well established as one of Finland’s best litigators and arbitration lawyers.”
• ILO Client Choice Awards 2013: Exclusive winner of the 2013 ILO Client Choice Award in the category of Arbitration.
• Chambers Global 2012: Described as “the most brilliant external counsel in Finland” and ranked as the only Finnish lawyer as a “Star Individual” under the Dispute Resolution category.
• The Legal 500 EMEA 2012: Patrik Lindfors is widely perceived as a leading litigator, and was sought for an ICC arbitration in Switzerland despite no link to the Finnish jurisdiction. Domestic work includes acting for Pohjola Bank in the country’s largest ever ‘squeeze-out’ litigation following a multibillion-euro takeover involving two Finnish companies. Lindfors is an ‘outstanding personality with great analytical skills’
• Best Lawyers 2012: Best Lawyers’ 2012 Helsinki Arbitration and Mediation “Lawyer of the Year”.
• Chambers Global 2011: Ranked as the only Finnish lawyer as a “Star Individual” under the Dispute Resolution category. “The founder of this dispute resolution boutique, Patrik Lindfors is an undisputed market favourite and is unanimously considered deserving of his stellar reputation. Clients make particular note of his “commercially savvy, strategic approach and thoroughness.” Despite his compact team, many clients prefer to instruct him over many larger operations in the market. His frequent involvement in international arbitration cases, his enviable experience and multilingual capacity make him an excellent choice for successfully handling high-profile disputes.”
• Chambers Europe 2011: “Firm founder Patrik Lindfors is praised by sources for his experience and strong clientele. He is “definitely a leading player in dispute resolution – he has a strong profile in the market and acts on significant cases,” say interviewees. Impressed clients recommend Lindfors’ “extremely strategic way of thinking,” his business-minded approach and his excellent analytical skills.”
• The Legal 500 EMEA 2011: “The ‘multitalented’ Lindfors & Co Attorneys at Law is ‘excellent in all the parameters’. The fledgling firm is having little trouble establishing itself due to the following and reputation of ‘by far the best litigator in Finland’ Patrik Lindfors, former partner at Hannes Snellman Attorneys at Law Ltd. Typical work included advising a Finnish financial services company in the largest litigation concerning squeeze-out proceedings in Finland, subsequent to a multibillion-dollar take-over.”
• Best Lawyers 2010: Included in the Best Lawyers® list for Finland in the practice area of Arbitration and Mediation.
• ILO Client Choice Awards 2010: 2010 ILO Client Choice Award in the category of Arbitration.
• Chambers Europe 2009: The only Finnish lawyer listed as a “Star” under the Dispute Resolution category.
• The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers: Patrik Lindfors has been nominated by peers as being among the world’s pre-eminent commercial litigation and arbitration specialist and listed in International Who’s Who of Commercial Litigation and International Who’s Who of Commercial Arbitration.
• Chambers Global 2007: “Clients and peers are lavish in praise for the “responsive, experienced and completely dependable” litigator Patrik Lindfors, whose “good business judgement and strong strategic thinking” make him “one of the absolute best”.”
• The Legal 500, 2007: Patrik Lindfors is said to “boast a busy caseload of high profile matters, both domestic and international…”
• Chambers Global 2006: “Observers agree that … Patrik Lindfors is “one of the best litigators in Finland”. They go on to say “he is creative, pragmatic, result-driven lawyer, who seeks long-term solutions and boasts excellent presentation skills”.”
• European Legal Experts, 2005: Ranked as leading expert in litigation and arbitration.
• The Legal 500, 2004: Described as “highly regarded for his contentious aptitude”.