Johan Woo Kvandal

Johan heads Schjødt’s Defence, Security & Aerospace practice. He advises clients in the defence, security, technology, energy and critical infrastructure sectors on complex contracts, public procurement, regulatory frameworks and strategic negotiations. His work often concerns matters where legal precision must be combined with commercial judgement, sector insight and an understanding of public-sector decision-making.

Johan has a particular focus on defence procurement, security-related regulation, export control, industrial cooperation, ownership and investment screening, and cross-border partnerships involving governments, prime contractors, suppliers, investors and technology companies. He regularly assists clients in matters where regulation, security, technology and commercial execution are closely connected.

Before joining private practice, Johan served as General Counsel of the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency, Norway’s central organisation for the acquisition, management and sustainment of defence materiel. In that role, he had legal responsibility for major defence acquisition and sustainment programmes representing a substantial part of Norway’s defence investment portfolio.

This gave him first-hand insight into how defence capabilities are planned, procured, negotiated, delivered and managed over time - from operational requirements, government-to-government processes and supplier negotiations to security requirements, export control, industrial cooperation, lifecycle support and contract execution. His background provides clients with a practical understanding of how defence customers assess risk, value, compliance, security of supply and long-term industrial partnerships.

Johan also has significant experience from the energy and critical infrastructure sectors. He held several executive roles at Statnett, Norway’s transmission system operator, ultimately as Vice President. At Statnett, he led legal and commercial strategy in large-scale infrastructure projects, including as project director for NordLink, the 1,400 MW subsea interconnector between Norway and Germany.

This combination of defence, security, energy and technology experience enables Johan to advise clients operating in highly regulated and strategically important markets. He helps clients navigate legal and regulatory complexity, position themselves towards public-sector customers and industrial partners, manage risk and execute transactions, projects and negotiations of strategic importance.

Johan began his legal career at Thommessen and has also served as a Deputy Judge. He holds a Global Executive MBA from INSEAD and a Master of Laws from the University of Tromsø, with executive training in negotiation and project management from Harvard Law School and SKEMA Business School.

He is a frequent speaker on defence, security, technology and critical infrastructure, and has been recognised by Legal 500’s GC Powerlist, Finansavisen’s Legal Review and Assessit’s Top Emerging Leaders.