Practice areas

Maria advises financial institutions, investors and corporates on cross-border financing and capital markets transactions and related regulatory matters. She helps clients optimise their funding and capital strategy and diversify funding sources to public and private debt and equity. Key areas of her practice include structured finance and securitisations across a variety of asset classes and industries. She also has experience in special situations financing and distressed investments.

Recognitions

* Ranked as Up and Coming in Banking & Finance by Chambers Global 2026.
* Recognised as Rising star partner by IFLR1000 in 2025.
* Recognised as Next Generation Partner in Banking & Finance and Capital markets by The Legal 500 since 2023.
* Recommended in Banking & Finance and Capital markets by The Legal 500 since 2020.
* Ranked as excellent by Leaders League Banking & Finance 2022.
* Winner of the country award for Finland across practice areas in the Euromoney Legal Media Group Europe Rising Star Awards in 2019.
* Shortlisted for the Banking and finance practice area award in the Euromoney Legal Media Group Europe Rising Star Awards in 2019.
* Recommended as “Rising Star” in Banking and finance by the Euromoney Legal Media Group Rising Stars Guide since 2018.

Career and qualifications

Waselius Attorneys 2012-; Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP (2015); Law Office Heinonen & Mörä (2009–2012)
In 2015, Maria was with Cravath, Swaine & Moore in London as a Foreign Associate working on equity and debt capital markets transactions.

Education: University of Helsinki, LL.M. 2012

Selected experience

* Advised Castlelake on EUR 125 million asset-based financing;
* Advised Hoist Finance on its acquisition of an unsecured consumer credit portfolio from Lowell Group;
* Advised THEON on its investment in Varjo;
* Advised Gilead 2025-1 Aviation Limited and Gilead Aviation (Warehouse) LLC on the $600 million issuance of a public ABS securitisation of aircraft leases;
* Advised LocalTapiola Finance on the EUR 575 million public securitisation of a portfolio of auto HP contracts;
* Sale by Dovre Group of Project Personnel and Norwegian consulting businesses to NYAB;
* Advising Pliant in the strategic partnership with VVRB expanding refinancing capacity to EUR 200 million;
* Advised Santander Consumer Finance in the EUR 420 million public securitisation of a portfolio of auto HP contracts;
* Advised the lenders and the initial purchasers in the USD 6.1 billion refinancing of Howden Group with combined notes and loans;
* Advised LocalTapiola Finance in the EUR 490.2 million public securitisation of a portfolio of auto HP contracts;
* Advised the financing provider in the SEK 11.5 billion sale of non-performing loan portfolios by Intrum to Cerberus;
* Advised Santander Consumer Finance in the EUR 450 million public securitisation of a portfolio of auto HP contracts;
* Advised LocalTapiola Finance in the EUR 543.3 million public securitisation of a portfolio of auto HP contracts;
* Refinancing of CABB Chemicals with EUR 670 million Senior Notes offering
* Advised Winance in connection with a convertible note facility to Valoe Corporation;
* Advised LocalTapiola Finance in the EUR 462,5 million public securitisation of a portfolio of auto HP contracts
* Advised AMC in connection with the voluntary public cash tender offer by Netflix for all shares in Next Games Corporation;
* Advised LocalTapiola Finance in the EUR 623 million public securitisation of a portfolio of auto HP contracts;
* Advised Enersize in connection with a rights offering and private placement issue ;
* Advised Nomad Foods in the issuance of EUR 750 million and tack-on issuance of EUR 50 million 2.50% senior secured notes;
* Advised LocalTapiola Finance in the private securitisation of a portfolio of auto HP contracts;
* Advised LocalTapiola Finance in the EUR 592 million inaugural public securitisation of a portfolio of auto HP contracts;
* Advised Otso Gold and its subsidiary in the securing of USD 11 million financing from Brunswick Gold;
* Sale and leaseback of Airbus A350-941 Aircraft;
* Advised LocalTapiola Finance in the private securitisation of a portfolio of auto HP contracts;
* Advised Santander in an EUR 650 million STS labelled securitisation of auto portfolio;
* Sale and leaseback of Airbus A350 Aircraft;
* Advised Winance in connection with a convertible note facility to Valoe Corporation;
* Acquisition of Automatia Pankkiautomaatit Oy by Loomis AB;
* Acted for Otso Gold Oy (former Nordic Gold Oy) in bankruptcy proceedings before the District Court of Oulu;
* Purchase of three Embraer E190 aircraft;
* Advised AMC Networks in connection with the rights offering of Next Games;
* Advised Santander in an EUR 799 million STS labelled securitisation of auto loans;
* Refinancing of CABB Chemicals with EUR 640 million Senior Secured and Unsecured Notes offering;
* Lease of aircraft engines;
* EUR 930 million refinancing of Technopolis;
* Acquisition of Bella Boats by Nimbus Boats;
* Acquisition of Verifone Systems Inc. by Francisco Partners and BCI;
* Acquisition of Solita by Apax;
* Fingrid Oyj EMTN Debt Issuance Programme listed on the LSE;
* Acquisition of Digita Oy by Digital Colony;
* Joint venture between Firesteel Resources Inc. and Nordic Mines AB;
* Acquisition of Skaala by IFN Group;
* Financing of My Lender;
* Neste Corporation EUR 400 million notes listed on NASDAQ Helsinki;
* Refinancing of Nomad Foods by Offering of Senior Secured Notes and Senior Credit Facilities;
* Offering of Senior Notes by Nets Group;
* Advised Eurex Clearing AG in connection with its admission as a clearing house pursuant to the EMIR;

Member

Finnish Bar Association (2016); Finnish Law Association

Recent publications

Maria Lehtimäki is a true powerhouse - she is an exceptional lawyer and does not shy away from a challenge. She is very well-connected with deep knowledge in the market and guides her clients in an excellent way.
– The Legal 500, 2026 (Capital Markets)
Maria Lehtimäki is excellent at getting a response targeted at what the business needs. Very responsive and the firm seems to work well internally to bring other practice areas into deals quickly and efficiently.
– The Legal 500, 2026 (Banking and Finance)
Maria Lehtimäki is an expert in banking and finance, whose client-oriented mindset, solution-driven approach, and exceptional can-do attitude truly set her apart.
– The Legal 500, 2026 (Banking and Finance)
Maria Lehtimaki is an excellent leader of her very efficient, collaborative and solution-driven team.
– The Legal 500, 2026 (Banking and Finance)
She has an unparalleled will to fight the battles for her clients when its needed, but she's also extremely good at focusing on the issues that are important.
– Chambers Global 2026 (Banking & Finance)
Maria is a superb practitioner. She is always available, very personable and solutions-oriented.
– Chambers Global 2026 (Banking & Finance)
She has excellent legal and market expertise, an in-depth familiarity with cross-border financing structures and excellent responsiveness and negotiation skills.
– Chambers Global 2026 (Banking & Finance)
Maria Lehtimäki's business perspective guides the proposals and solutions.
– Chambers Global 2026 (Banking & Finance)
Maria is very responsive and collaborative. She finds practical solutions to problems.
– Chambers Global 2026 (Banking & Finance)
Maria Lehtimäki is an outstanding individual with a particular focus on complex and novel structures. Highly appreciated for always finding commercially viable solutions to legal obstacles.
– The Legal 500, 2025 (Capital Markets)
Maria Lehtimäki is an outstanding legal advisor, always with a positive attitude even in stressful situations. She is a great advisor on novel structures with non-standard legal issues.
– The Legal 500, 2025 (Banking and Finance)
Maria was always available to discuss and help. She also has a deep understanding of finance related legislation and practices.
– IFLR1000, 2024
Maria Lehtimäki provides excellent and timely advice. She is responsive and stays involved in the deal, so there is partner involvement in all key issues. Senior associate Ville-Veikko Vänttinen is also helpful, efficient and proactive. They are both a pleasure to deal with.
– The Legal 500, 2024 (Banking and Finance)
I especially value the level of commitment and service from Maria Lehtimäki who is a standout legal adviser in Finnish securitisations – definitely the market leader.
– The Legal 500, 2024 (Banking and Finance)
Excellent legal knowledge and responsiveness.
– IFLR1000, 2023
Very friendly, reliable, fast, thoroughly.
– IFLR1000, 2023
Maria Lehtimäki is wonderful in the structured finance field and is a pragmatic lawyer with great client relations.
– The Legal 500, 2023 (Capital Markets)
Maria Lehtimäki is a leading individual for securitisation in the Finnish market; she’s technically excellent and pragmatic in her approach, assisting clients to a focused solution and very hard working. Highly recommend Maria Lehtimäki and her team.
– The Legal 500, 2023 (Banking and Finance)
Partner Maria Lehtimäki has a very practical approach to matters.
– The Legal 500, 2023 (Banking and Finance)
“Maria Lehtimäki is thorough, knowledgeable and very business-oriented.
– The Legal 500, 2021 (Capital Markets)
Incredibly competent and hardworking.
– IFLR1000
Positive solutions-oriented attitude and timely delivery.
– IFLR1000
Professional expertise, project management and attentive approach to customer needs.
– IFLR1000
Very knowledgeable and commercial in her approach. Proactive in resolving issues.
– IFLR1000
Maria Lehtimäki is able to clearly explain issues and provide commercial and pragmatic solutions to such problems.
– Chambers Global 2021
Excellent, very responsive and engaged.
– IFLR1000