The Legal 500

Lenz & Staehelin’s ‘undoubtedly excellent firm’ has ‘exceptional international capabilities’. The team is headed by recommended partners Shelby du Pasquier and Dominique Rochat, who is ‘active and focused’. The team recently advised Rabobank on a €1bn revolving facility agreement with a large nutrition group. The Geneva office focuses on advisory work, and represents Swiss and global banking institutions. Its impressive track record includes advising HSBC Private Bank, JP Morgan, Goldman Sach and Banque Syz & Co.

Martin Anderson leads the Geneva-based banking and finance team at Baker & McKenzie, which also includes Frédéric Bétrisey. The firm regularly assists public institutions in connection with borrowings and advises on project financing in the energy sector.

Froriep Renggli’s banking and finance team is ‘very knowledgeable in the domain of Swiss business law’. Jérôme de Montmollin heads the practice, which has particular expertise in the oil and gas sector. As well as having strong domestic capabilities, the firm also advises on international matters and advised BNP Paribas (Suisse) on a $1.5bn loan to the Ukraine-based Metinvest Group. Patrick Vogel is also active.

Jacques Python and Nicolas de Gottrau, who is ‘personable and experienced’, are the key contacts at Python & Peter. The team represents Swiss and foreign banks, asset managers and securities dealers. Recently, a consortium of banks and traders instructed the firm on the establishment of Quadra Commodities, a large new trading group.

The ‘undeniably excellent’ practice at Schellenberg Wittmer advises blue-chip banking clients such as Banco Santander, BNP Paribas, Mirabaud & Cie, and Lombard Odier. The firm recently advised BOC (Suisse) Fund Management, a subsidiary of Bank of China (Switzerland), in connection with the establishment of a new Swiss investment fund. The team has also been involved in numerous financing transactions including trade finance matters for BNP Paribas and the ING Group. Jean-Yves De Both and associate Kim Do Duc are active.

The ‘very client-committed’ Tavernier Tschanz advises domestic and international lenders and borrowers on financing transactions, licensing, regulations, structuring and debt financing. The practice is also instructed by banking groups and bankers on corporate governance and organisational issues. It is advising the joint venture project company Nord Stream and the sponsors on the €7.4bn financing of the Nord Stream gas pipeline project. Jacques Bonvin is ‘a strategic thinker’, and Edmond Tavernier is also recommended.

Dominique Christin, who is ‘well known, and innovative in tax planning’, and Thierry Amy, who is ‘highly flexible, pragmatic, creative and reliable’, lead the team at BCCC Attorneys-at-law LLC. Thomas Goossens has ‘in-depth knowledge in financial criminal matters’, and Jean-Marc Carnice has ‘sharp expertise in anti-money laundering’. The team continues to advise a leading Spanish bank on a number of collective investment schemes.

Pierre Louis Manfrini and Guillaume Fatio lead the practice at B.M.G Avocats, which advises on domestic and international banking and finance matters. The firm has been active in dealing in the consequences of the Madoff, fraud and has advised a Swiss bank on mitigating the adverse consequences of the quasi-liquidation of a $180m controlled feeder fund.

Bär & Karrer SA’s Geneva office ‘provides useful advice on Swiss law aspects’. The firm recently advised Natexis Banque Populaire in Paris regarding Swiss security for commodities’ financing. Clients also include UBS, BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank and Barclays Capital. Financing group head Christophe Buchwalder and associate Ludivine Boisard ‘show deep international experience and knowledge’. Cédric Chapuis heads the banking team in Geneva.

Borel & Barbey’s team has a ‘highly personalised approach’ and is headed by Nicolas Piérard, who has significant expertise in corporate finance and regularly advises foreign lead arrangers in the field of syndicated loans and acquisition finance. The team is currently advising on the sale of a Swiss bank in an auction process.

FBT Attorneys-at-Law’s three-partner team is ‘organised and focused’ and ‘knows the market well’. The team has been active in addressing clients’ issues relating to the aftermath of the Madoff bankruptcy. The practice is also assisting a major international securities dealer seeking a special licence to start activities in Switzerland. Jean-Louis Tsimaratos and Frédérique Bensahel are ‘brilliant lawyers with an excellent understanding of business’.

Gillioz Dorsaz & Associés advises on a wide range of banking and finance matters and is active on the regulatory side, including establishing investment funds, and also on financial disputes. Christian Valentini is the key contact.

Lalive assists Swiss and international banks and financial institutions on regulatory and contractual matters. The firm also acts for banking and finance clients on contentious matters. It is currently advising an investment group from the Middle East on setting up a full-fledged bank in Switzerland, the initial capital of which is intended to be $180m.

Notter Mégevand & Partners’ Bern, Fribourg and Geneva offices advise clients on matters including asset management, securities and regulations.

Pestalozzi Attorneys at Law Ltd’s banking practice in Geneva continues to be led by new office head Sébastien Roy. The team also includes counsel Jean Patry. The firm is currently acting for lenders in the CHF2bn refinancing of acquisition and working capital facilities for a Swiss listed company active in the oil sector.

Poncet Turrettini Amaudruz Neyroud & Partners provides a ‘high level of service’ to banking and finance clients, and is ‘very established’. The team advises private banks in Geneva on all matters from the drafting or review of internal documents and contracts to representation and assistance in legal proceedings.