Niclas Holst Sonne

Professional profile

Niclas Holst Sonne is partner in our Tax practice group.

He has been engaged in tax law since 2004, with a continuous focus on transactions, international tax, taxation of private equity funds and the development of incentive programs.

Niclas has for several years been recognised as a capacity in Denmark within his focus areas, and before joining Gorrissen Federspiel, he was partner and Co-head of EY's Danish Transaction Tax team.

Niclas is often used as a speaker, e.g. in the framework of the Danish Tax Lawyers' Association and Danish Business Angels.

He is furthermore Chairman of the Tax Committee of Active Owners (formerly DVCA) and Nordic representative on the Tax Committee of Invest Europe.

Significant cases
Niclas assists a wide range of corporations, capital and venture funds and institutional investors with both ongoing assistance and in connection with transactions. Over the past years, Niclas has e.g. been involved in the following significant cases:

Tax advice to A.P. Møller Mærsk in connection with the sale of Maersk Supply Services to A.P. Møller Holding A/S (2023).
Tax advice to Chr. Hansen A/S in connection with the merger with Novozymes A/S (2023)
Tax advice to the Geely Group (majority shareholder of Saxo Bank) in connection with the acquisition of 100% of the share capital in Saxo Fintech (2023)
Tax advice to the RiskPoint Group in connection with a partial divestment to Nordic Capital (2022)
Tax advice to JACCAR Holdings SA in connection with the sale of 17 gas carriers (2022)
Advice in connection with the structuring and implementation of a warrant programme for management and employees in Inpay Services A/S (2022)
Tax advice in connection with the merger between Jutlander Bank and Sparekassen Vendsyssel (today Sparekassen Danmark) (2022)
Tax advice to People Ventures in connection with the establishment of People Ventures Fund I (2022)
Tax advice to Novo Nordisk IT in connection with a carve-out and divestment of the group's infrastructure business to Agilitas Private Equity LLP (2022-2023)
Tax advice to IO Biotech Inc. in connection with a restructuring, establishment of a US parent company and listing on the New York Stock Exchange (2021)
Ongoing tax advice to Heartcore Capital, including in connection with the establishment of new foundations (2021-)
Tax advice to A.P. Møller Mærsk in connection with the sale of Maersk Container Industry to China International Marine Containers Ltd. (2021).
In charge of rendering tax advice to Nordic Capital in connection with an investment in Leo Pharma A/S (2021).
In charge of rendering tax advice to EQT in connection with the purchase of Molslinjen A/S from Polaris (2021).
Primary advisor to the Nets Group in connection with the restructuring, implementation and phasing out of incentive programs, including assistance in connection with the entering of a merger agreement with the listed Italian company Nexi SpA (2016-2021).
Rendering of ongoing legal and tax advice to the C Asset Management Group, e.g. in connection with a cross-border merger (2016-2021).
Rendering of ongoing tax advice to Nordic Capital, primarily relating to Danish Bake, and structural advice in connection with various acquisitions and divestments (2017-2021).
In charge of rendering tax advice to PFA in relation to various foreign investments, primarily in real estate (2019-2020).
In charge of rendering tax advice to Aberdeen/Standard Life in connection with various ongoing real estate acquisitions and divestments (2019-2020).
Structural advice rendered to Solstra Capital Partners in connection with divestment of and reinvestment in Bellakvarter (2019-2020) and in connection with the sale of Copenhagen Towers to Niam (2019).
In charge of rendering tax advice to the Singapore-based Temasek in connection with the acquisition of 30% of Haldor Topsøe (2019).
In charge of rendering tax advice to Providence Equity in connection with the purchase of the Down The Drain Group (2019).
In charge of rendering tax advice to Lundbeck in connection with the acquisition of the US listed Alder Biopharmaceuticals (2019).

Career and education

Career

Gorrissen Federspiel Law Firm, Equity Partner, 2021-
EY, Partner and Co-Head of International Tax & Transaction Services (ITTS), 2018-2021
Horten Law Firm, Partner, 2013-2018
Accura Tax, Director, 2012-2013
Accura Law Firm, Attorney-at-Law, 2009-2012
Grant Thornton Denmark, Tax Manager, 2006-2009
DAHL Law Firm, Assistant Attorney, 2005-2006
Plesner Law Firm, Assistant Attorney, 2004-2005

Education

Right of audience before the Danish High Court, 2007
Admitted to the Danish Bar, 2007
Master of Tax Law, Danish School of Public Administration, 2007-2008
Master of Laws, University of Copenhagen, 2004

Ratings

In the 2023 verion of ITR World Tax ranked as Highly Regarded in Denmark in the categories general corporate tax and transaction tax.

Publications

Author or co-author of a number of articles on tax in e.g. the International Tax Review, Skat Udland, Revision & Regnskabsvæsen, Aktionærbladet, Ugeskrift for Skatteret and Magasinet for Dansk Biotek.

Memberships and Activities

Memberships

The Danish Tax Lawyers' Association
Invest Europe
IFA (international Fiscal Association)

Activities

Copenhagen Business School (CBS), Associate Professor, tax law, 2010-2017

Member of the Tax Committee of Active Owners Denmark – today Chairman, since 2013
Invest Europe, Nordic Representative on the Tax Committee since 2020