Littler Adds Oslo-Based Homble Olsby, Marking Firm’s Entry Into Scandinavia
Homble Olsby, a boutique Norwegian labor and employment law firm comprised of 12 attorneys, is joining Littler‘s global platform. The expansion, Littler’s first into the Nordic region, brings the firm’s presence in Europe to seven countries, and follows recent openings in Belgium, the Netherlands and Italy.
Inn a release, the firm said Norway is widely viewed as a desirable place to do business and ranked seventh out of 190 countries in the World Bank’s 2019 “Doing Business” Report, and third out of 180 on Transparency International’s most recent Corruption Perceptions Index. Littler’s move into the country is part of a global expansion strategy that includes combining with the top firms focused on labor and employment law in significant international markets. The firm now has more than 1,500 attorneys across 85 offices and 20 countries.
“Norway has a strong, globally-focused economy and one of the highest per-capita GDPs in the world,” said Tom Bender and Jeremy Roth, co-managing directors of Littler, in a joint statement. “Homble Olsby, which is one of Norway’s largest employment practices with a strong reputation for client service, will be a great addition and will coordinate our work throughout the Nordic region, including Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden.”
Ranked by both Legal 500 and Chamber & Partners, Homble Olsby has a broad labor and employment law offering, including employment and human resources law, pensions law, GDPR and related areas.
“Littler’s global platform is very impressive and we are excited to be joining forces with the world’s leading labor and employment powerhouse,” Ole Kristian Olsby said in a statement. “The firm’s innovative approach to delivering legal services will benefit Homble Olsby’s existing and future clients – and we’re excited to be part of Littler’s expanding footprint.”
Homble Olsby was founded in 2007 by partners Runar Homble and Ole Kristian Olsby, later joined by Trond Erik Solheim, Tore Lerheim, Anders Reiremo and Merete Furesund, all of whom have careers in labor and employment law negotiations and litigation. They also advise on commercial and contract law matters, both as legal and strategic advisors. The partners are individually recognized in national and international rankings, Littler said in a release.
“We are excited to add our first Nordic global practice,” said Stephan Swinkels, a Netherlands-based Littler shareholder who helps lead the development and integration of the firm’s global practice. “I have encountered Homble Olsby several times in recent years and have had a very positive experience with the work they do domestically and with clients around the world.”
“Norway has been on our radar for some time as a strategic market,” said Peter Susser, Littler’s Global Practice Leader and chair of Littler’s International Employment Law practice. “Having already made great connections with Runar and Ole Kristian and their colleagues, we know Homble Olsby will nicely complement our existing collection of European and global offices, as they are well-regarded for their impressive work and exceptional service throughout the Nordic region.”
