(January 23, 2019) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, is pleased to announce that Homble Olsby, a boutique Norwegian labor and employment law firm comprised of 12 attorneys, is joining its 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.
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 extensive 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.
“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.”
Littler’s international operations span three continents – North America, South America and Europe. The firm’s global capabilities also include U.S.-based attorneys with exceptional international experience, who are dually licensed practitioners in Australia, Brazil, China, Japan, Russia and South Africa.
About Littler
Littler is the largest global employment and labor law practice, with more than 1,500 attorneys in over 80 offices worldwide. Littler represents management in all aspects of employment and labor law and serves as a single-source solution provider to the global employer community. Consistently recognized in the industry as a leading and innovative law practice, Littler has been litigating, mediating and negotiating some of the most influential employment law cases and labor contracts on record for over 75 years. Littler Global is the collective trade name for an international legal practice, the practicing member entities of which are separate and distinct professional firms.
About Homble Olsby
Homble Olsby is a labor and employment law boutique in Norway. Founded in 2007, the firm covers all areas of employment and human resources law, pensions law and related areas, making up one of the largest employment practices in all of Norway. Homble Olsby and its partners have been recognized in Chambers & Partners and Legal 500. For more information visit: https://homble-olsby.no/en/.
