About Me

I am a partner in our Helsinki office and the head of our Finnish Dispute Resolution group and the co-head of our international Trade Secret group. I have a lot of experience in demanding litigations and arbitrations and trade secret matters.

I work with a broad range of company litigations, arbitrations and white-collar crimes. I also act as an arbitrator, as nominated by parties in disputes, or by the arbitration institutes. I advise our leading domestic and international clients on a broad range of contentious and non-contentious matters in several sectors.

From the beginning of this millennium I have specialised in matters related to trade secret protection. I am the author of 'Trade Secrets and Non-Disclosure Agreements', Finland's only legal handbook on the subject. A new, totally updated third edition of the handbook came out in 2019. In trade secret matters I have worked as a member of a task force preparing Finland first trade secret law, and as a member of the ICC's Task Force on Confidentiality Agreements, which created an international Model Confidentiality Agreement. I have also advised multiple companies in trade secret matters and represented clients in court in trade secret violation cases.

I have written many articles and I regularly lecture at legal seminars on dispute resolution, trade secrets and contract law.

In addition to dispute resolution, I am especially active in contractual matters such as distribution, purchase and sale, co-operation, joint ventures, leasing, employment, intellectual property, IT and non-disclosure agreements.
Education

Studied

  • Master of Laws, University of Helsinki 1993

Admissions

  • Attorney-at-law, the Finnish Bar Association 1997
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Testimonials

'Tom Vapaavuori genuinely wants the client to achieve the best possible result in a cost-effective way in the event of a dispute. He presents reasoned opinions and recommendations and does not sugar-coat matters. This, combined with his extensive experience and professionalism, means that the client can have real confidence in him.'

Legal 500 EMEA 2024 - Dispute Resolution

'Tom is clever, astute and all-round excellent. His analysis and insightful assessment of the situation, options and potential outcomes were instrumental in leading us through a long and difficult process.'

Chambers Europe 2023 - Dispute resolution

'Clients value his extensive experience in court proceedings.'

Chambers Europe 2018 - Dispute resolution

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