Practice areas

Maria advises financial institutions, investors and corporates on cross-border financing and capital markets transactions and related regulatory matters. Key areas of her practice include structured finance and securitisations across a variety of asset classes and industries, including aviation. She also has experience in special situations financing and distressed investments.

Recognitions

* 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

* 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 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