Mannheimer loses M&A/private equity star to its arch-rival Vinge

Swedish firm Vinge has poached one of Mannheimer Swartling’s brightest stars, marking the firm’s first lateral partner hire from its closest rival.

M&A/private equity partner Johan Winnerblad is set to join Vinge once an exit date can be agreed with Mannheimer.

Lateral partner moves are rare in Sweden and virtually unheard of between the country’s two leading law firms.

The only previous example occurred three years ago when Mannheimer took two partners from Vinge.

“It is pleasing and a show of strength that Johan Winnerblad, a young and driven business lawyer, has chosen to continue his successful career as a partner at Vinge,” said the firm’s chairman Carl Wetter.

Winnerblad previously worked in-house at IBM in Sweden, developing an expertise in IT, before joining Mannheimer and developing a successful M&A and private equity practice.

His clients include venture capitalists B/Business Partners, Litorina and Investor Growth Capital.

A spokesperson for Mannheimer said: “We are sad that Winnerblad is leaving.”