Anu Waaralinna
Partner, Helsinki
Employment, Corporate Investigations & Compliance, Emerging Companies
Contact
Assistant information
Anu Waaralinna is a Helsinki-based Partner and Head of the firm’s Employment and Corporate Investigations & Compliance practices. She is a highly recognized expert in employment law.
Anu has extensive experience in demanding employment-related assignments, and she regularly advises domestic and international companies and employers on a broad range of employment issues of strategic importance. Her practice covers, in particular, boardroom advice, company restructurings and co-operation procedures as well as service and executive employment contract issues. A significant portion of her work is dedicated to internal investigations, compliance and resolving employment disputes.
Anu is a frequent lecturer on topics on employment law, and she has also authored books and articles on the subject.
Recognitions
Anu is ranked as a Star Individual by Chambers Europe within Employment. She has also been awarded with the Best Lawyers – Lawyer of the Year award for Labor and Employment Law in Finland several times. She is recognized as one of the leading experts in the country within labor, employment and benefits also by other international legal directories such as The Legal 500 and Lexology Index. In addition, Lexology Index ranks Anu as a Thought Leader (Global Elite) in Employment & Benefits (2022).
This is what clients say about Anu:
“Anu Waaralinna and Jukka Paloheimo in particular represent solid expertise. There is no problem they can’t help with, and Anu’s network is so extensive that I don’t know anyone else who has anything like it. The goal is always to avoid litigation, but if it comes down to it, this team will handle the case.”
– The Legal 500 2026, Employment
“A particular standout is Anu Waaralinna, who brings a rare combination of qualities to the table. She is intelligent, quick, and razor-sharp in her analysis, yet also approachable and responsive. Her advice is always clear and firm, and she doesn’t shy away from taking a strong position when needed.”
– The Legal 500 2026, Employment
“Partner Anu Waaralinna is Finlands leading expert in employment law. She has an excellent ability to understand the business-critical aspects and to find solutions to complex issues. She is energetic, approachable, and friendly. Her legal recommendations are well-founded and clearly presented.”
– The Legal 500 2026, Employment
“Anu Waaralinna is a highly competent legal professional with energetic and positive hands-on attitude.”
– The Legal 500 2026, Employment
“Collaboration with Anu is great. She understands the client, business, and her ability to solve legal cases is unique. The best of the best.”
– The Legal 500 2026, Employment
“Her expertise and strategic impact are truly exceptional. Anu Waaralinna is not only a top-tier legal professional—she is a thought leader in her field.”
– Chambers Europe 2026, Employment
“She is the best employment and labour law attorney in Finland with a practical and no-nonsense approach to solving the most demanding topics.”
– Chambers Europe 2026, Employment
“Anu is the best in her field.”
– Chambers Europe 2026, Employment
“Anu Waaralinna is one of Finland’s leading employment law experts. She possesses outstanding skills and the ability to understand business more broadly.”
– Chambers Europe 2026, Employment
“She is an extremely experienced, knowledgeable advisor and an absolute hoot to work with. She has remarkable skill and expertise, paired with valuable insights and hands-on experience.”
– Chambers Europe 2025, Employment
“Anu has exceptional versatility in her legal area. With her strong experience, she is able to understand customer challenges in a multidimensional way.”
– Chambers Europe 2025, Employment
“Anu Waaralinna: full of energy, dedicated to clients like no other, available when needed and understands highly complex cases fast.”
– The Legal 500 2025, Employment
“Anu Waaralinna is a stellar professional. A very pragmatic approach, and able to navigate difficult topics and represent the client fully.”
– The Legal 500 2025, Employment
“Anu is the best legal adviser within her expertise area in Finland.”
– Chambers Europe 2024, Employment
“She is probably the best person for the most complex and sophisticated cases.”
– Chambers Europe 2024, Employment
“Anu Waaralinna is a true leader with capabilities to review the business world through the lens of law. She has a remarkable presence and isn’t afraid to challenge and coach the client. Incredibly skilled in employment law.”
– The Legal 500 2024, Employment
“Anu Waaralinna knows employment law inside out and has a very good strategic eye in tackling labour issues.”
– The Legal 500 2024, Employment
Career
Roschier (2017-)
Castrén & Snellman (2002-2017), Partner (2012-2017)
Law Office Attorney’s House ANPR, lawyer (2001-2002)
Rautaruukki Oyj, lawyer (Group Environmental Protection) (1998-2001)
Memberships
Member of the Finnish Bar Association
Member of the IBA
Member of the European Employment Lawyers Association (EELA)
Member of the Finnish Association for Human Resource Management
Member of the Association of Finnish Lawyers
Member of the Labour Law Association
Publications
“Kun joudut irtisanomaan” (“When you have to lay off”), with S. Kurtén, 2nd revised edition, Alma Talent, 2015
Education
University of Lapland, LL.M. (1997)
Languages
English, Finnish, Swedish
The Legal 500Anu knows employment law inside out and has a very good strategic eye in tackling labour issues.