Thomas Holst Laursen
Attorney-at-Law
Partner
Plesner's Corporate Finance team handles some of the largest and most complex corporate transactions within capital markets and M&A (sales, buy-side, cross-border, partnering/minority, JVs, carve-out, etc.). The team provides an integrated multi-disciplinary powerhouse to international and national players in M&A and capital markets (both takeovers of listed companies and IPOs, etc.).
With more than 25 years of experience, Thomas is one of the most experienced transaction lawyers in the market, having handled several of the largest and most complex transactions in the Danish market (including the Novonesis merger, SAS restructuring and acquisition, and Simcorp) and the market's recent IPOs (Netcompany and Gubra).
With transactions worth more than EUR 61 billion and 144 transactions (source: MergerMarket), Thomas is one of the highest ranked and recognised transaction lawyers in the market in both numbers and value. Thomas concentrates on M&A and capital markets transactions.
Thomas leads the market in all recognised rankings of Danish transactional lawyers (Chambers, Legal500, Lexology, etc..). According to research by Chambers Global: "Thomas Holst Laursen is the strongest commercial lawyer of his generation. He has the highest level of legal expertise combined with truly insightful, strategic and commercial insights." (2026)
Thomas mainly focuses on assisting corporate clients and foundations. Thomas' experience includes M&A mandates, cross-border M&A, take-private transactions, IPOs, ABBs, rights issues, and JV/merger transactions.
Thomas has a Master’s degree in Law from the University of Copenhagen and from Cambridge University.
Almost all the matters that Thomas is involved in require a multi-disciplinary team approach and project leadership. Clients continuously seek him and the team for their ability to provide a clear set of priorities, clear communication, and a deep commercial understanding of the client's needs.
Selected cases
- Advised Novozymes on the largest Danish merger with Chr. Hansen Holding
- Advised the Danish State on the restructuring of and sale and investment in SAS
- Advised Deutsche Börse on the public takeover offer to SimCorp's shareholders
- Advised Macquarie and the consortium on the public takeover offer to TDC shareholders
- Advised Zealand Pharma on licensing transaction to F Hoffmann-La Roche
- Advised Netcompany Group on acquisition of Skandinavisk Data Center (SDC)
- Advised the Danish State on the acquisition of Copenhagen Airports
- Advised on the equity financing in respect of DSV's acquisition of Schenker from Deutsche Bahn
- Advised Demant on sale of Oticon Medical's cochlear implant business to Cochlear
- Advised EQT Partners on the combination of Sivantos with Widex leading to WS Audiology
- Advised Zealand Pharma, Netcompany and Gubra on their IPOs
- Advised Ørsted on private placement of new shares to Goldman Sachs, etc.
- Advised the Danish State on the IPO of Ørsted
- Advised LEO Foundation and LEO Pharma on the partial sale to Nordic Capital
- Advised on the sale of Evosep, Santaris Pharma, Symphogen, and multiple other life science companies
- Advised founders on sales on 7N, Mono Solutions, Secure Device, and multiple other founder exits
Ratings
Thomas Holst Laursen has been inducted into the Legal 500 Hall of Fame as regards Commercial, Corporate and M&A. He is recommended as regards Commercial, Corporate and M&A. Further, he is recommended and listed as a Leading Partner as regards Capital Markets.
"Thomas Holst Laursen, my trusted advisor, always looked after my best interests. Very experienced from decades of work in the area. Patient with me as the inexperienced owner. Excellent teacher and guide. Solid at all stages of the transaction. Great at delegating less important tasks to his loyal team"
"Thomas Holst Laursen is an industry leader and very knowledgeable within this field"
"Thomas Holst Laursen is always available and has great expertise"
"Thomas Holst Laursen and his team are absolutely fantastic to work with. Professional, funny, and very likeable. He is always present and deeply involved in the work, even as the top partner. Thomas' team eludes professionalism"
"Thomas Holst Laursen, my trusted advisor, always looked after my best interests. Very experienced from decades of work in the area. Patient with me as the inexperienced owner. Excellent teacher and guide. Solid at all stages of the transaction. Great at delegating less important tasks to his loyal team"
"Thomas Holst Laursen is an industry leader and very knowledgeable within this field"
"Thomas Holst Laursen is always available and has great expertise"
"Thomas Holst Laursen and his team are absolutely fantastic to work with. Professional, funny, and very likeable. He is always present and deeply involved in the work, even as the top partner. Thomas' team eludes professionalism"
2026
Legal 500
Thomas Holst Laursen is ranked as a leading individual (Band 1) as regards Corporate/M&A by Chambers Global and Chambers Europe.
"Thomas Holst Laursen is the strongest commercial lawyer of his generation. He has the highest level of legal expertise combined with truly insightful, strategic and commercial insights"
"Thomas Holst Laursen is top notch"
"Thomas is responsive and pragmatic. He wants deals to be made rather than fall apart; he's result-oriented. He helps us sleep at night"
"Thomas Holst Laursen is the strongest commercial lawyer of his generation. He has the highest level of legal expertise combined with truly insightful, strategic and commercial insights"
"Thomas Holst Laursen is top notch"
"Thomas is responsive and pragmatic. He wants deals to be made rather than fall apart; he's result-oriented. He helps us sleep at night"
2026
Chambers Global
Thomas Holst Laursen is listed as a Global Elite Thought Leader as regards Healthcare & Life Sciences - Transactional. In addition, he is listed as a Thought Leader as regards Capital Markets - Debt & Equity. Further, he is Recommended as regards M&A and Corporate Governance.
most recent
Lexology Index
Thomas Holst Laursen is recommended and has been inducted into the Legal 500 Hall of Fame as regards Commercial, Corporate and M&A. Further, Thomas Holst Laursen is recommended and listed as a Leading Partner as regards Capital Markets. In addition, he is recommended as regards Insolvency.
"Thomas Holst Laursen is a very pragmatic, solution-oriented lawyer"
"Thomas Holst Laursen - exceptionally good within public M&A, in particular. Pragmatic and solution-focused. Very hands-on and always available"
"Great depth of the teams around Janus Jepsen and Thomas Holst Laursen in capital markets law. Very responsive on all levels"
"Thomas Holst Laursen is very commercially oriented with a clear focus on problem-solving. He gives clear, unbiased and salient advice"
"Thomas Holst Laursen possesses strong strategic understanding which is reflected in his advice. He is good at navigating complex stakeholder landscapes, yet always gives his honest opinion, even when it may not be the most popular which is something that I value highly"
"Thomas Holst Laursen is one of the best negotiators in the Nordics. He had no problem standing firm against a room full of US lawyers"
"Thomas Holst Laursen is a very pragmatic, solution-oriented lawyer"
"Thomas Holst Laursen - exceptionally good within public M&A, in particular. Pragmatic and solution-focused. Very hands-on and always available"
"Great depth of the teams around Janus Jepsen and Thomas Holst Laursen in capital markets law. Very responsive on all levels"
"Thomas Holst Laursen is very commercially oriented with a clear focus on problem-solving. He gives clear, unbiased and salient advice"
"Thomas Holst Laursen possesses strong strategic understanding which is reflected in his advice. He is good at navigating complex stakeholder landscapes, yet always gives his honest opinion, even when it may not be the most popular which is something that I value highly"
"Thomas Holst Laursen is one of the best negotiators in the Nordics. He had no problem standing firm against a room full of US lawyers"
2025
Legal 500 - Hall of Fame
Thomas Holst Laursen is ranked as a leading individual (Band 1) as regards Corporate/M&A by Chambers Global and Chambers Europe.
"Thomas Holst Laursen is a top-notch lawyer"
"Thomas Holst Laursen is an amazing lawyer"
"Thomas is a very skilled lawyer who is pragmatic; he knows where to pick a fight and where not to"
"Thomas not only is an excellent legal adviser but also helps with key deal-making elements"
"He is one of the few lawyers in Denmark who understands the commercial aspects of a deal without compromising on the quality of the legal advice"
"Thomas Holst Laursen is a top-notch lawyer"
"Thomas Holst Laursen is an amazing lawyer"
"Thomas is a very skilled lawyer who is pragmatic; he knows where to pick a fight and where not to"
"Thomas not only is an excellent legal adviser but also helps with key deal-making elements"
"He is one of the few lawyers in Denmark who understands the commercial aspects of a deal without compromising on the quality of the legal advice"
2025
Chambers Global
Thomas Holst Laursen is listed as a Leading Lawyer (Market Leader) as regards Capital Markets: Equity, Private Equity Funds, Private Equity and M&A.
2025
IFLR1000
Thomas Holst Laursen is listed as a Leading Lawyer (Market Leader) as regards Capital Markets: Equity, Private Equity Funds, Private Equity and M&A.
"He is sharp and analytical – but with a sound pragmatic approach" (2023)
"Very strong overall, very commercial, to the point, tells it like it is and does not hold back in negotiations" (2023)
"Very pleasant and knowledgeable. Probably the best lawyer of his generation" (2023)
"Bright, engaging, commercially aware and always professional and collegiate in manner" (2023)
"He is sharp and analytical – but with a sound pragmatic approach" (2023)
"Very strong overall, very commercial, to the point, tells it like it is and does not hold back in negotiations" (2023)
"Very pleasant and knowledgeable. Probably the best lawyer of his generation" (2023)
"Bright, engaging, commercially aware and always professional and collegiate in manner" (2023)
2017 - 2024
IFLR1000
Thomas Holst Laursen is recommended and has been inducted into the Legal 500 Hall of Fame as regards Commercial, Corporate and M&A. Further, he is recommended and listed as a leading individual as regards Capital Markets.
"Thomas Holst Laursen is the natural leader of the firm and is truly a pleasure to work with"
"Thomas Holst Laursen has superb knowledge and a practical pragmatic approach"
"Thomas Holst Laursen is the natural leader of the firm and is truly a pleasure to work with"
"Thomas Holst Laursen has superb knowledge and a practical pragmatic approach"
2024
Legal 500
Thomas Holst Laursen is ranked as a leading individual as regards Corporate/M&A by Chambers Global and Chambers Europe.
"Thomas has a great approach and is very commercial and knowledgeable"
"He has strong negotiation skills and a deep knowledge in the nature of transactions"
"Thomas has a great approach and is very commercial and knowledgeable"
"He has strong negotiation skills and a deep knowledge in the nature of transactions"
2024
Chambers Global