A career in dispute resolution: Introducing our new Partner Helena Kalmanlehto

Helena Kalmanlehto

Attorney-at-Law Helena Kalmanlehto was appointed as Partner at Lieke, effective as of 1 September 2025. Helena specialises in commercial dispute resolution and conflict management, and she has worked for several years in our dispute resolution team. What sparked Helena’s interest in dispute resolution, and what kinds of matters does she encounter in her work?

From dispute resolution traineeship to partnership

How did your career lead you to become a partner at Lieke?

“I became interested in dispute resolution and practising law as an attorney already during my studies. After graduating, I started working in the dispute resolution team at another leading Finnish law firm. Early on in my career, it was clear to me that dispute resolution, litigation, arbitration and mediation, was my cup of tea. Apart from a year of court training, I have spent my entire career at a law firm working in commercial dispute resolution.

I have been part of Lieke’s dispute resolution team since 2017. Our dispute resolution practice has grown significantly in recent years and has become one of our focus areas. Our dispute resolution team currently consists of a dozen experts and a varying number of trainees. It has been extremely rewarding to be part of Lieke’s remarkable growth journey and to be able to contribute to the development of our dispute resolution team.”

Specialising in commercial dispute resolution

Helena has extensive experience in commercial dispute resolution. Helena represents clients in domestic and international litigation, arbitration, and mediation proceedings, and during her career she has assisted clients in numerous complex and large-scale disputes in a wide range of industries and fields of law. In addition to legal proceedings, Helena advises clients on conflict avoidance and legal risk management in contract drafting and day-to-day claims management. Helena is an experienced negotiator, and she also has in-depth knowledge of alternative dispute resolution. Helena has particularly strong expertise in cases related to real estate, construction, and insolvency situations and the protection of creditors’ rights.

Helena is also involved in developing the field of dispute resolution in different positions of trust: “In addition to my work as an attorney-at-law, I am a member of the Finnish Bar Association’s Legal Expert Team on Civil Process Law, as well as the Finnish Bar Association’s Mediation Committee.”

Large-scale disputes involving a wide range of legal matters in several industries

What kinds of matters do you work with?

“I represent and advise clients in various commercial disputes, for instance in matters related to construction, real estate, energy and infrastructure, supply and project agreements, insolvency, and a variety of damage and liability issues.

A significant part of my work involves conflict avoidance and day-to-day claims management. Most disputes that arise are resolved through high-quality conflict management and negotiation. Resolving disputes in a way that is beneficial to the client at an early stage, without the need for lengthy and costly legal proceedings, is the key competence of a dispute resolution lawyer.”

And when necessary, the dispute will be settled in court or through arbitration.

“I have handled countless complex and large-scale legal proceedings during my career. I can guarantee that we are a tough opponent for anyone.”

Alternative dispute resolution

Helena also has strong expertise in alternative dispute resolution. Helena is a CEDR (The Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution) Accredited Mediator, as well as an accredited mediator of the Finnish Bar Association and a member of the Finnish Bar Association’s Mediation Committee.

“Having worked in dispute resolution for a long time, I have found that it is often more beneficial for the parties to seek a negotiated settlement rather than litigate disputes with uncertain outcomes to the very end. I wanted to deepen my expertise in mediation theory as a dispute resolution method. Mediation is a structured negotiation process.

Lieke’s dispute resolution culture has long been based on the idea that we genuinely strive to find the best solutions for our client in each case – either by seeking the most optimal negotiated settlements or, depending on the case, by pursuing the matter in litigation or arbitration. Private mediation has also become more common in Finland in recent years, and it is an excellent method for commercial disputes, especially in situations where the parties aim to continue their cooperation in the future, but mutual negotiations have not succeeded in resolving the dispute.

The expertise I have acquired naturally supports Lieke’s diverse range of dispute resolution services: we are able to offer our clients the most suitable alternative in each situation and excellent service regardless of the chosen approach. I also accept mediation assignments as a private mediator in commercial disputes.”

Advice for those interested in a career in dispute resolution

If you are interested in a career in dispute resolution, what should you take into consideration? Is court training a must?

“If you are interested in dispute resolution, it is worth keeping in mind that this practice can be pursued with a variety of approaches, and there are many paths to thriving and becoming successful. Court training is a valuable part of dispute resolution lawyer’s basic training, and I encourage it. I have completed my court training in a District Court and in a Court of Appeal in 2013–2014.

In my opinion, dispute resolution lawyers should aim not only to develop their procedural expertise, but also to build deeper substantial understanding of at least one area of law – and, over the course of their careers, preferably in several. This will also help them build their own expert profile outside the limited scope of dispute resolution.”

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