Our History
Established in 1875, Wiersholm has a long tradition of advising clients through times of significant change in both society and business. Over the past 150 years, these changes have included industrialization, the establishment of the rule of law, globalization, and rapid technological progress. Today, we continue to support our clients as they navigate new challenges, such as digital transformation and the green transition, building on a history shaped by legal expertise, practical experience, and a focus on trust and integrity.
A leading law firm with historical roots
Wiersholm traces its roots back to 1875, when Supreme Court Lawyer Carl Unger established his own law firm in what was then Christiania. There is a long and unbroken line from today’s Wiersholm back to Carl Unger, Henrich Steffens, Kristen Nygaard, Gunnar Mellbye and the other partners in the original firms that later became Wiersholm. All the partners were prominent figures in the Norwegian legal profession at the time, some of them indisputably among the best.
The establishment of today’s Wiersholm
Today’s Wiersholm was founded on 16 August 1990 by all the former partners of the three law firms (i) Wiersholm, Bachke & Helliesen, (ii) Mellbye, Schjoldager, Sejersted, Tenden and (iii) Bech, Hirsch & co. The firm then took the name Wiersholm, Mellbye and Bech.
Mellbye, Scholdager, Sejersted, Tenden The firm’s history began in 1875 with the establishment of a law practice in Christiania. Over the generations, the practice grew with new partners and developed into a recognized firm with strong expertise in both civil and criminal law. The firm also played an important role in legal life through cases before the Supreme Court, participation in legislative committees and work as public prosecutors and Supreme Court justices. In the late 1980s, the firm took its final name, and at the time of the 1991 merger, it had 10 active partners.
Wiersholm, Bachke & Helliesen The firm, originating in 1898, played a central role in Norwegian business and legal life throughout the 20th century. In the 1920s, it contributed to the establishment and reconstruction of major industrial enterprises, including A/S Store Norske and A/S Sydvaranger, which were rebuilt after the devastation of World War II. After the war, the firm continued to combine a broad range of legal services with close ties to Norwegian industry and banking. When the oil era began in the 1960s, the firm advised Phillips Petroleum who made the first major oil discovery on the
Norwegian continental shelf, Ekofisk in 1969, leading to the development of Norwegian petroleum law. In the 1970s and 80s, the firm increasingly focused on finance, corporate law and international transactions, and at the time of the 1991 merger, it had 13 partners.
Bech, Hirsch & Co Bech, Hirsch & Co. was established in 1986 through the merger of the firms of Trygve Hirsch (est. 1946) and Arne Bech (est. 1951). Hirsch was a renowned business and tax lawyer with extensive corporate board experience, and built a solid business law practice. Bech, in turn, was a leading litigator in construction law and maritime law, with more than 30 Supreme Court cases and a key role in the revision of the Maritime Code. Together, they created a firm with strong professional breadth, and at the time of the 1991 merger that formed Wiersholm, Mellbye & Bech, the firm had five partners.
The merger took place in connection with significant changes in the ownership structure of Norwegian business and industry. Mergers and acquisitions led to larger entities that gradually became more professional users of legal services. The Norwegian economy became more internationalised through increasing foreign investments in Norway and Norwegian investments abroad. Norway’s approximation to the EU led to changes in Norwegian legislation. All of these changes meant that Norwegian law firms had to increase significantly in size and possess cutting-edge expertise in several industry sectors in order to compete with law firms in other parts of Europe and in the US.
In 2012, we shortened our name to Wiersholm, and in 2015 the firm moved into our current headquarters at Dokkveien 1 at Aker Brygge in Oslo. In 2022, we expanded by opening an office at Brattørkaia in Trondheim.
The Firm’s Leaders from 1990 to Today
Erling Lind was appointed as Wiersholm’s first Managing Partner in the autumn of 1992. He guided the firm through a period of significant transformation in the legal industry. With an exceptional legal background, deep understanding of the evolution of business law, and an unwavering belief in collaboration, he led the firm into a more professionalized organizational model. Lind served as Managing Partner until 1998.
Torill Løken Rambjør became Wiersholm’s first Chief Executive Officer in 1998 following a structural reorganization and held the position until 2000. She initiated a new phase in the firm’s administrative development, steering Wiersholm through an important period marked by growth, internal professionalization, and a strengthened corporate culture.
Paul Bellamy served as Chief Executive Officer from 2001 to 2005. As the firm’s first non-lawyer leader, with a background in the consulting industry, he brought valuable expertise in business development. Bellamy played a key role in implementing new systems and professionalizing support functions, reinforcing the connection between legal excellence and business strategy.
Erik Thyness assumed the role of Managing Partner in 2006 and served until 2012. A highly respected partner and one of Norway’s leading M&A lawyers, Thyness brought a deep understanding of Wiersholm’s core values and a strong commitment to safeguarding the firm’s identity during a period of continued growth.
Nils Thommessen served as Managing Partner from 2012 to 2018, a period characterized by new growth ambitions. With extensive experience in corporate law and transactions, he combined strategic vision with legal authority, setting a clear course for the firm’s future development.
Morten Goller held the position of Managing Partner from 2018 to 2024. He led Wiersholm through a time of rapid change – in client needs, society, and the legal profession as a whole. Recognized as one of Norway’s foremost litigation lawyers, Goller combined legal authority with clear and unifying leadership.
Stephan L. Jervell assumed the role of Managing Partner in 2024. One of Norway’s leading lawyers within EU and competition law, and with long-standing experience as a partner, Jervell brings together deep legal insight, strategic perspective, and strong leadership capabilities.
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