Bird & Bird LLP

Technology & Communications; Commercial

Sakari Halonen is a partner and co-head of Bird & Bird's Nordic Tech & Comms group based in Helsinki. He predominantly advises clients in complex cross-border IT outsourcing transactions as well as in IT contracting in general. He also leads Bird & Bird's Finnish Commercial group.

His ability to quickly get to the core of the problem, focus on the key issues, and find win-win solutions is the essential element valued by his clients. In addition to advising numerous global IT service providers, Sakari also acts for the customer-side in various industry sectors, including financial services, aviation, defence and automotive.

Sakari is also frequently engaged in M&A transactions, with a particular focus on technology-related transactions and the technology aspects of M&A in general. In addition, as an arbitrator, he is also involved in IT-related dispute resolution processes.

During his 20 year career, Sakari has built an in-depth knowledge of the various aspects and pitfalls in IT outsourcing, which enables his clients to succeed in their projects and businesses. Having worked with both customers and suppliers, he knows the ins and outs of both technical and commercial drivers creating value for his clients.

Prior to joining Bird & Bird, he was a partner in another notable law firm in Finland, establishing its technology and outsourcing practices. His legal career began in 2000 when he joined Fennica Attorneys as an associate, the Finnish law firm that subsequently became part of Bird & Bird.

Sakari authored, together with Bird & Bird's of counsel Pekka Takki, the third edition of the leading Finnish textbook on IT law, IT Contracts – Practical Guide (in Finnish IT-sopimukset – Käytännön käsikirja, Alma Talent, 2017), which is widely used as a textbook in law faculties of Finnish universities as well as other educational institutions.

Finnish, English, Swedish

Member of the Finnish Bar Association

Member of the Finnish IT Law Association

LL.M., University of Helsinki 2000