The Legal 500

One of the largest firms in the country, Dr Dr Batliner & Dr Gasser represents domestic and international trusts, insurance companies and banks across a raft of corporate and M&A work, in addition to trust litigation – where the firm was recently bolstered by the arrival of Sabine Mohr-Egger from Law Office Harry Gstöhl & Partner. The firm’s associated trust company First Advisory Group, supports its fiduciary transactions and asset planning work. The practice has also handled a significant amount of advisory work as a result of the recent changes in the banking secrecy laws and is ‘well-positioned to serve most clients from any jurisdiction’. Johannes Gasser and associate Florian Zechberger are recommended.

A relative newcomer on the scene, since its formation in 2002, four-partner firm Batliner Wanger Batliner Rechtsanwälte AG has made a huge impression on the market and is now viewed as one of the leading outfits in the country by a mix of both domestic and international clients. Martin Batliner and Christian Batliner head a team that provides expertise in general corporate and commercial work, trusts and M&A transactions. A substitute judge at the Liechtenstein Constitutional Court since 2004, the ‘excellent’ Ralph Wanger has a strong reputation for litigation.

Fourteen-partner Marxer & Partner Attorneys-at-Law provides a ‘sophisticated and professional’ service to domestic and international companies and trusts across a plethora of corporate, foundation and trust laws, as well as providing the concomitant tax and competition law advice. Spearheaded by Johannes Burger and Stefan Wenaweser, the team also has a ‘well-respected’ contentious presence representing clients in national and international arbitration matters.

Founded in 1991, Walch & Schurti has an ‘excellent roster of lawyers’ which handles contract law, corporate and commercial matters, and banking and finance, for a largely domestic client base. ‘Very experienced and tough’ name partner Andreas Schurti is the main contact for corporate work, while Nicolas Werner Reithner is recommended for litigation.

The ‘excellent’ Batliner & Konrad Rechtsanwälte advises clients across a range of general corporate and commercial matters. It is, however, best-known for its litigation expertise, where it draws upon the ‘exceptional skills’ of Andreas Batliner.

Formed in May 2010 by former Wanger Advokaturbüro partners Johannes Grabher and Johannes Schallert, advocatio Rechtsanwälte Grabher Schallert has a unique position in the market. Focusing on advising Eastern European clients – particularly Russian (Schallert is the only Russian speaking lawyer in Liechtenstein) – the firm is also one of the few firms in the market that is totally independent from any trust company. Work includes advice on trusts and foundation law, general commercial law and litigation. Recent highlights include representing an international car parts supplier in a cross-border debt claim against a well-known automotive manufacturer from Italy.

At Law Office Holzhacker, Gerhard Holzhacker has an ‘excellent reputation’ for insolvency and litigation. Holzhacker often advises clients on European law matters, and continues to handle an increasing number of white-collar crime cases. Operating as a sole practitioner, the firm does, however, lack the strength and depth of some of its competitors.

The six-strong Schaan-based Müller & Partner Rechtsanwälte has ‘a very good reputation’ and provides comprehensive corporate and commercial work, including the establishment of companies, foundations and trust companies in Liechtenstein. The firm also has a strong pedigree on the contentious side and boasts a number of accomplished litigators, including the vastly experienced Dr Wolfgang Müller.

Established in 1987, Wanger Advokaturbüro has a fairly well-established reputation in the market advising a mix of domestic and international clients across a range of corporate and trusts services, in addition to having IP and litigation expertise. Markus Wanger is the best-known personality, and the team was weakened by the recent departure of both Johannes Grabher and Johannes Schallert.

Law Office Harry Gstöhl & Partner provides expertise in general corporate and commercial work, as well as having a significant litigation practice, which is particularly strong at handling white-collar cases. Former President of the Constitutional Court Harry Gstöhl is recommended.

Law Office Dr iur Karlheinz Ritter Lic iur Cornelia Ritter’s two-partners, Cornelia Ritter and Marzell Beck, have a good reputation for advising clients on general corporate matters, as well as on trusts issues.

Spearheaded by Hugo Sele, Sele Frommelt & Partner advises domestic and international clients across a slew of corporate and commercial matters. Led by Veit Frommelt, the firm is particularly well-versed in company, foundations and trust law.

The Vaduz branch of Austrian headquartered firm Hauser Partners has a thriving corporate practice and regularly represents international corporates (particularly Austrian) on cross-border M&A mandates.

Founded in 2004, five-fee-earner firm Jelenik & Partner AG Advokaturbüro advises clients across all aspects of company law, in addition to IP, competition law and litigation. Gerd Jelenik and Antonius Falkner head the practice.

Founded in 1997, Kaiser & Kaiser provides a broad array of services to clients including the establishment of companies and foundation law, in addition to accompanying tax implications. Peter Kaiser and Bettina Kaiser-Roks are the partners at a firm that also has its own trust company Fiduciana Verwaltungsanstalt; asset management company Intertreuco; and trading company Tradecommerz.

At Lampert & Schächle Rechtsanwälte, Siegbert Lampert is the main contact for corporate matters, and also has niche expertise in white-collar crime work.

Meier & Kieber Attorneys at Law Ltd advises international and domestic corporates and private individuals across a range of corporate issues, including matters concerning Liechtenstein-based foundations and trusts.

Affliliated with the trust company ArComm Trust Establishment, Advokaturbüro Dr jur et lic oec Norbert Seeger has gained considerable traction in the market. The firm has a strong corporate focus, and also handles civil and criminal law matters before the Liechtenstein courts.

At Schaan-based Ospelt & Partner Rechtsanwälte AG, Hermann Böckle has vast experience of foundation law. The firm also has an associated trust company, Legacon Anstalt, and has a close association with the Liechtenstein branch of Horwath, the tax, finance and management consultancy company.

Founded in 1978, three-partner firm Ritter & Wohlwend Rechtsanwälte AG has developed expertise in all aspects of company law, as well as on foundation and trust law, and is regularly instructed by domestic and international corporates, as well as private individuals. The firm benefits from its membership of the TerraLex legal network, although it has suffered a number of departures in the past 12 months.

Five-partner Schaan-based firm Seeger, Frick & Partner provides expertise across a broad mix of company and commercial matters. The only Liechtenstein firm to be a member of the legal network Geneva Group International, it advises both domestic and international clients. Former Prime Minister Mario Frick is the key contact for corporate matters, and is also noted for his litigation prowess.

Formed in 2004, Wolff Gstoehl & Partners, Attorneys at Law has made a rapid impression on the Liechtenstein legal market, due in no small part to the efforts and reputation of founding partner and former member of the Liechtenstein government Peter Wolff. An ‘excellent and experienced litigator’, Wolff’s areas of expertise include reimbursement of damages, foundation law and beneficiary and fraud claims. The team was bolstered by the arrival of well-known litigator Christoph Bruckschweiger from Ritter & Wohlwend Rechtsanwälte AG.