People
Ranking and references
“His understanding of both the legal framework and the business context is excellent, and his communication is consistently clear, structured and reassuring.” – Chambers & Partners
“Karl combines professionalism and calm authority with clear, practical guidance.” – Chambers & Partners
”Karl Björlin – very theoretically skilled. Responsive.” – Legal 500
“Karl is very plugged into the community.“ – Chambers & Partners
“He has a high level of commitment and expertise.” – Chambers & Partners
Karl Björlin is among ‘the most knowledgeable and skilled practitioners within the insolvency field‘ and has ‘the expertise and experience required to advise on every potential matter of bankruptcy’. – Legal 500
”He is a highly pragmatic, responsive and knowledgeable insolvency practitioner,” states one source. ”He is great in his follow-up and his communication,” notes another client. – Chambers Europe
Karl has been involved in a lot of high-profile cases. – Chambers Europe
‘Karl Björlin is a rising star on the insolvency circuit. Extremely knowledgeable and on point.‘ – Legal 500
General team references:
“The team combines solid restructuring experience with practical guidance that helps navigate complex decisions. Their responsiveness and structured way of working clearly distinguish them from others in the industry.” – Chambers Europe
“Cirio is extremely responsive, fast and hard-working.” – Chambers Europe
“Their ability to clearly explain legal options and present alternative strategies is invaluable in helping us make informed decisions during negotiations.” – Chambers Europe
“The team provides quick and efficient responses and a genuine willingness to help in what are sometimes stressful situations.” – Chambers Europe
“Cirio has experienced and broad expertise in insolvency and reconstruction.” – Chambers Europe
“A strong and diverse insolvency team with experience of large-scale insolvency projects, often covering multiple jurisdictions.” – Legal 500
Karl Björlin
Karl is a Partner in the Banking & Finance and Debt Capital Markets (DCM) practice group and specialises in insolvency law. He advises clients on credit and security matters, restructuring and turnaround situations, creditor protection issues, directors’ liability matters, and other legal issues arising in financially distressed businesses.
Karl also handles dispute resolution within these fields and represents creditors in several high-profile cases. He has extensive experience advising on both Swedish and cross-border insolvency and restructuring matters and is regularly appointed as a restructuring officer, bankruptcy trustee, and liquidator.
Karl serves on the board of Turnaround Management Association Sweden (TMA Sweden) and on the board of the Stockholm chapter of the Swedish Association of Reconstruction Officers and Bankruptcy Trustees (REKON). Karl is a member of the International Insolvency Institute, Next Gen.
Karl has been recognised by internationally renowned legal ranking institutions.
Examples of assignments
Selected Public Engagements as Bankruptcy Trustee and Administrator in Restructuring:
- Bankruptcy Trustee for Sesol AB (2026–present)
Consumer installations of solar panels and battery systems. More than 300 employees. Turnover in 2024 of approximately SEK 700 million.
- Administrator in Restructuring for Office Depot Svenska AB (2024–2025)
B2B supplier of office products. Approximately 250 employees. Turnover in 2024 of approximately SEK 1 billion.
- Bankruptcy Trustee for eCom Teams Sweden AB (2025–present)
E-commerce retailer specializing in footwear and apparel. Turnover in 2024 of approximately SEK 1 billion.
- Bankruptcy Trustee for Teknikmagasinet SWE AB (2024–2026)
Retail chain with 35 stores in Sweden and 25 in Norway. Approximately 220 employees.
- Bankruptcy Trustee for Scotch & Soda Sweden AB (2023–2025)
Clothing retailer and part of an international group. Operated seven stores in Sweden.
- Bankruptcy Trustee for More Than 50 Companies Within a Padel Group (2022–present)
- Bankruptcy Trustee for Inzile AB (publ) (2022–present)
Developer and manufacturer of electric vehicles with significant international associated company holdings. Book value of assets of approximately SEK 500 million.
Selected Contentious Insolvency Matters:
- Counsel to creditors in significant clawback and avoidance proceedings involving the bankruptcy estate of Serneke Sverige AB.
- Counsel to a creditor in a major clawback and avoidance dispute involving companies within the Oscar Properties group.
Selected Insolvency, Restructuring and Workout Engagements:
- Counsel to secured creditors in the restructuring of Markbygden Ett AB, one of Sweden’s largest wind farm projects.
- Counsel to a secured creditor in the restructuring and subsequent bankruptcy of the Aldermyrberget Wind Farm.
CV
| 2019 | Cirio Advokatbyrå |
| 2017 | Swedbank, Legal Counsel, Financial Restructuring & Recovery (FR&R), Secondment |
| 2011 - 2018 | Advokatfirman Lindahl, Senior Associate |
Education
| 2011 | Uppsala University, LL.M. |
Membership
| 2014 | Member of the Swedish Bar Association |
Languages
| Swedish and English |
Ranking and references
“His understanding of both the legal framework and the business context is excellent, and his communication is consistently clear, structured and reassuring.” – Chambers & Partners
“Karl combines professionalism and calm authority with clear, practical guidance.” – Chambers & Partners
”Karl Björlin – very theoretically skilled. Responsive.” – Legal 500
“Karl is very plugged into the community.“ – Chambers & Partners
“He has a high level of commitment and expertise.” – Chambers & Partners
Karl Björlin is among ‘the most knowledgeable and skilled practitioners within the insolvency field‘ and has ‘the expertise and experience required to advise on every potential matter of bankruptcy’. – Legal 500
”He is a highly pragmatic, responsive and knowledgeable insolvency practitioner,” states one source. ”He is great in his follow-up and his communication,” notes another client. – Chambers Europe
Karl has been involved in a lot of high-profile cases. – Chambers Europe
‘Karl Björlin is a rising star on the insolvency circuit. Extremely knowledgeable and on point.‘ – Legal 500
General team references:
“The team combines solid restructuring experience with practical guidance that helps navigate complex decisions. Their responsiveness and structured way of working clearly distinguish them from others in the industry.” – Chambers Europe
“Cirio is extremely responsive, fast and hard-working.” – Chambers Europe
“Their ability to clearly explain legal options and present alternative strategies is invaluable in helping us make informed decisions during negotiations.” – Chambers Europe
“The team provides quick and efficient responses and a genuine willingness to help in what are sometimes stressful situations.” – Chambers Europe
“Cirio has experienced and broad expertise in insolvency and reconstruction.” – Chambers Europe
“A strong and diverse insolvency team with experience of large-scale insolvency projects, often covering multiple jurisdictions.” – Legal 500
Examples of assignments
Selected Public Engagements as Bankruptcy Trustee and Administrator in Restructuring:
- Bankruptcy Trustee for Sesol AB (2026–present)
Consumer installations of solar panels and battery systems. More than 300 employees. Turnover in 2024 of approximately SEK 700 million.
- Administrator in Restructuring for Office Depot Svenska AB (2024–2025)
B2B supplier of office products. Approximately 250 employees. Turnover in 2024 of approximately SEK 1 billion.
- Bankruptcy Trustee for eCom Teams Sweden AB (2025–present)
E-commerce retailer specializing in footwear and apparel. Turnover in 2024 of approximately SEK 1 billion.
- Bankruptcy Trustee for Teknikmagasinet SWE AB (2024–2026)
Retail chain with 35 stores in Sweden and 25 in Norway. Approximately 220 employees.
- Bankruptcy Trustee for Scotch & Soda Sweden AB (2023–2025)
Clothing retailer and part of an international group. Operated seven stores in Sweden.
- Bankruptcy Trustee for More Than 50 Companies Within a Padel Group (2022–present)
- Bankruptcy Trustee for Inzile AB (publ) (2022–present)
Developer and manufacturer of electric vehicles with significant international associated company holdings. Book value of assets of approximately SEK 500 million.
Selected Contentious Insolvency Matters:
- Counsel to creditors in significant clawback and avoidance proceedings involving the bankruptcy estate of Serneke Sverige AB.
- Counsel to a creditor in a major clawback and avoidance dispute involving companies within the Oscar Properties group.
Selected Insolvency, Restructuring and Workout Engagements:
- Counsel to secured creditors in the restructuring of Markbygden Ett AB, one of Sweden’s largest wind farm projects.
- Counsel to a secured creditor in the restructuring and subsequent bankruptcy of the Aldermyrberget Wind Farm.
CV
| 2019 | Cirio Advokatbyrå |
| 2017 | Swedbank, Legal Counsel, Financial Restructuring & Recovery (FR&R), Secondment |
| 2011 - 2018 | Advokatfirman Lindahl, Senior Associate |
Education
| 2011 | Uppsala University, LL.M. |
Membership
| 2014 | Member of the Swedish Bar Association |
Languages
| Swedish and English |