PRACTICE AND EXPERIENCE
Petra’s fields of expertise include both domestic and international commercial arbitration and litigation.
Petra advises clients in business disputes relating to e.g. construction and engineering, distributorship and service contracts, investment disputes, telecommunications, and IPR rights. She regularly represents Finnish and foreign companies in international arbitrations conducted under the Finnish Arbitration Act and the Arbitration Rules of the Central Chamber of Commerce of Finland, as well as under the rules of major international arbitration institutes such as the ICC, the SCC and ICSID. Petra also regularly acts as an arbitrator under various institutional rules as well as in ad hoc arbitrations.
CAREER AND EDUCATION
- Partner, Lindfors & Co Attorneys at Law Ltd, 2010 –
- Partner, Head of International Arbitration, Hannes Snellman Attorneys Ltd, 2008–2010
- Associate and Senior Associate, Hannes Snellman Attorneys Ltd, 2000–2008
- Customs Secretary, National Board of Customs, 1996–2000
- Master of Laws, University of Helsinki, 1996
LANGUAGES
- Finnish, English
POSITIONS OF TRUST
- Arbitration Institute of the Finland Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the Board 4/2018–12/2021, member of the Board 2012–2018
- Finnish Arbitration Association, member of the board 2012–2024
RANKINGS
- Chambers Global and Europe 2025: Band 1 and one of the Most in Demand Arbitrators in Finland. The market-leading Petra Kansanaho regularly acts on high-value construction disputes, often acting for employers. She is also a highly regarded arbitrator.
- Legal 500 EMEA 2024: Member of the Legal 500 Hall of Fame.
- Lexology Index (formerly Who’s Who Legal) Arbitration Report 2025: Thought Leader in the category Commercial Litigation and recommend in Arbitration, Commercial Litigation and Construction.
- Chambers Global 2024: Band 1 and one of the Most in Demand Arbitrators in Finland in: “The market-leading Petra Kiurunen regularly acts in high-value construction disputes, often acting for employers. She is also a highly regarded arbitrator.”
- Who’s Who Legal: Construction 2024
- Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration 2024
- Who’s Who Legal: Thought Leader in Commercial Litigation 2023
- Who’s Who Legal: Global Leader in Arbitration 2023
- Who’s Who Legal: Construction 2023
- Legal 500 EMEA 2023: Leading Individual: “Petra Kiurunen […]heads up the firm’s international arbitration group and has notable expertise in acting in construction, engineering, telecoms and IP claims.”
- Chambers Global 2023: Band 1 and one of the Most in Demand Arbitrators in Finland: ”Petra Kiurunen is a highly regarded arbitrator. She also has notable expertise in construction and contractual disputes.”
- Who’s Who Legal: Thought Leader in Commercial Litigation 2022
- Who’s Who Legal: Global Leader in Arbitration 2022
- Who’s Who Legal: Construction 2022
- Legal 500 EMEA 2022
- Chambers Global 2022: Band 1 and in the Spotlight Table of Most in Demand Arbitrators in Finland
- Benchmark Litigation 2021: Litigation Star
- Who’s Who Legal: Thought Leader in Litigation 2021
- Who’s Who Legal: Global Leader in Arbitration 2021
- Who’s Who Legal: Construction 2021
- Chambers Global 2021: Band 1 and in the Spotlight Table ranking in Dispute Resolution: Most in Demand Arbitrators in Finland: ”Seen as ”one of the best” arbitrators in the market, Petra Kiurunen is commended by sources for being ”very responsive and fast.” She has a notable expertise in construction disputes and is also well placed to act on bankruptcy proceedings.”
- Chambers Global 2020: Band 1, “Sources regard Petra Kiurunen as “extremely diligent,” with one interviewee adding: “She is the most hard-working lawyer I have ever seen.” Kiurunen is noted for her expertise in handling construction disputes. She is also a well-regarded arbitrator.”
- Benchmark Litigation 2020: Dispute Resolution Star
- Legal 500 EMEA 2020
- Legal 500 EMEA 2019
- Chambers Global 2019: Band 1, “Petra Kiurunen has considerable experience in both domestic and international cases, focusing on disputes related to construction and infrastructure projects. Sources commend her as a “very talented arbitrator and litigator.””
- Legal 500 EMEA 2018
- Chambers Global 2018: Band 1, “Petra Kiurunen is described by one market source as a “strong lawyer” who is “very impressive” in court. Her expertise primarily lies in disputes arising from construction and infrastructure projects. She has considerable experience in both domestic and international cases.”
- Who’s Who Legal: Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration 2017, “Petra Kiurunen is highly sought after and has a distinguished record of representing both domestic and international clients in disputes. She is active in numerous industry sectors including construction, finance and telecoms”.
- Who’s Who Legal: Litigation 2017: Thought Leader in Europe.
- Legal 500 EMEA 2017, Petra Kiurunen“provides ‘strong and accurate advice’”
- Best Lawyers’ 2015 Helsinki Litigation ”Lawyer of the Year”
- Chambers Global 2014: ”Petra Kiurunenis an ”experienced and effective” dispute resolution lawyer who ”picks things up quickly and is smart in negotiations,” according to sources. Her stellar reputation has grown recently thanks to her prominence in high-profile cases across the field, particularly in substantial arbitrations and construction-related litigations.”
- Legal 500 2014, ”Petra Kiurunen ‘was born to be a litigator’.”
- Guide to the World’s Leading Experts in Commercial Arbitration 2013
- Chambers Global 2013, ”Interviewees consider Petra Kiurunen to be a talented second-in-command, saying she is ”an excellent litigator.” She is particularly strong in construction cases.”
- Best Lawyers 2012 in the practice area of Litigation
- Legal 500 EMEA 2012, ”Excellent”
- Experts in Commercial Arbitration 2012
- Guide to the World’s Leading Women in Business Law: one of the outstanding practitioners
- Chambers Global 2012, Petra Kiurunen is ”a very strong player in international arbitration.”
- Chambers Global 2011, ”She wins praise as a high-quality arbitrator on many large-scale international cases. Clients speak admiringly of her approach: “She is extremely efficient, client-oriented and really knows our business”
- PLC Cross-border Dispute Resolution Handbook 2011: Recommended and endorsed
- Chambers Global 2010, ”Sources describe her ’as “an excellent younger partner, definitely worthy of mention”,
- Chambers Europe 2011, ‘Commended for her expertise in international arbitration in particular. Interviewees say: “She gives her whole attention to clients; she is always responsive and extremely knowledgeable.”
- Guide to the World’s Leading Experts in Commercial Arbitration 2009
- PLCWhich Lawyer? Yearbook 2009, ’Described by a client as a ”very skilful attorney” in the business conflicts field and head of the firm’s international arbitration practice. She arbitrates domestic and international matters; she handles contentious construction, investment, telecoms and IP matters”,
- Chambers Global 2009 and Chambers Europe 2009, ’...“someone who’s definitely on the way up.”’
PUBLICATIONS
- Author of the Scandinavian part of Paul G. Karlsgodt (ed.): World Class Actions” (Oxford University Press 2011)
- Country chapter ”Finland” in the Global Arbitration Review’s “Getting the Deal Through – Arbitration 2008” (2008, co-author).
- Published several articles and case comments in domestic and international legal journals, mainly in the field of international arbitration and construction and consultancy disputes. By way of example:
- “The New Finnish Act on Class Actions”, International Litigation News, May 2007 (International Bar Association 2007)
- “Arbitration of Corporate Disputes in Finland”, International Litigation News, December 2007 (International Bar Association 2007)
- “An outlook into Arbitration in Finland”, Romanian Review of Arbitration, April–June 2009 (Camera de Comertsi Industrie a Romanie, 2009)
- “The Supreme Court of Finland Clarified International Jurisdiction – Forum Connexitatis”, International Litigation News, September 2008 (International Bar Association 2008)
- Corporate Guide to International Arbitration: ”Nordic Perspectives on Construction Arbitration”, December 2008 (Cyworks Plc, 2009)
- “The Finnish Supreme Court Set High Threshold for Setting Aside”, Arbitration Committee Newsletter, March 2098 (International Bar Association 2009)
- Stockholm International Arbitration Review: “Finality of arbitral awards – common grounds?” (2009)