Roschier has launched a dispute resolution practice in Sweden, taking on board rated Mannheimer Swartling litigation partner Claes Lundblad to head up the new group.

The hire marks the Finnish firm's debut in the dispute resolution and arbitration field in Sweden, with the 50-lawyer Stockholm branch having previously concentrated largely on transactional work.

Lundblad, who had been a partner with Mannheimer since 1977, focuses on areas including product liability, maritime and transport law.

Commenting on the appointment, Roschier local managing partner Axel Calissendorff said: "Having already established a strong transactional practice in Sweden, the timing was right to move on to dispute resolution. The recruitment of Lundblad, who is considered perhaps the foremost practitioner in Sweden in this field, gives us a great opportunity to quickly establish a leading local practice in this area as well."

Roschier opened in Stockholm in 2005, when corporate veteran Calissendorff switched from Mannheimer to launch the practice.

In March, the firm bagged a lead role alongside magic circle heavyweight Clifford Chance on a SEK27.9bn (£2.35bn) deal that saw automotive Volkswagen increase its stake in Swedish lorry maker Scania from 38% to just under 69%.

Meanwhile, Mannheimer has represented RES Skandinavien in the development of the largest onshore wind-farm in Sweden to date, which will power around 45,000 homes and is worth approximately SEK1.7bn (£140m). HgCapital has acquired a 75% stake in the wind farm, with the remaining 25% retained by RES.