Risto Sipilä

I work as a senior counsel in our International Dispute Resolution group in Helsinki. I also participate in our office's real estate-related assignments.

I specialise in disputes and pre-dispute management. My main area of expertise is construction and real estate law. I represent our clients in commercial disputes in arbitration and litigation proceedings. I also handle construction and real estate development-related contract matters and act as an arbitrator. I am a frequent lecturer on construction and real estate law.

Over the years, I have held various positions of trust in the Finnish judicature, especially in the Finnish Bar Association and the Helsinki Bar Association. I was president of the Finnish Bar Association from 2013 to 2016. I was awarded the honorary title of Lagman by the President of Finland in 2024.

I have represented the Finnish Bar Association in the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) and in the International Bar Association (IBA). Previously, I served as a board member and as a member of the delegation in the Association of Finnish Lawyers. I currently serve as a member of the Finnish Judicial Appointments Board and previously served as a member of the Finnish Judicial Training Board.

Best Lawyers chose me as "The Lawyer of the Year - Construction" and the Helsinki Bar Association named me "Attorney of the Year" in 2018.

I graduated from the University of Helsinki in 1991 and was admitted to the Bar in 1995. I completed my training on the bench in 1993. I am fluent in Finnish and English.