The Legal 500

Bär & Karrer AG’s seven-partner practice is ‘a first choice for complex finance matters’, and provides ‘efficient and timely service’ as well as ‘clear and well-structured communication’. The ‘energetic and flexible’ Ralph Malacrida recently led advice to Xstrata on the provision of a multicurrency revolving loan facility. Banking specialist Eric Stupp is ‘very intelligent and experienced’, Roland Truffer is ‘a go-to person for Swiss regulatory matters’, and Urs Brügger has ‘broad-ranging abilities across all areas of banking and securities regulation’.

Homburger is ‘one of the pre-eminent firms in Switzerland for banking work’, and is staffed by ‘committed and enthusiastic lawyers’, who show ‘speedy response times and excellent communication skills’, and give ‘user-friendly and commercial advice’. René Bösch heads the five-partner practice and is recommended for his ‘large know-how’ and for being ‘extremely well connected, on a national and international level’. Bösch and Daniel Haeberli recently advised Credit Suisse on the establishment and updating of six derivative issuance programmes.

Lenz & Staehelin has an excellent reputation for complex financings and, in 2012, it advised the Mediclinic Group on a CHF2.5bn debt refinancing. The firm also acted for Swiss private banking heavyweight, Julius Baer Group, during its acquisition of Merrill Lynch’s non-US wealth management business. Practice head Patrick Hünerwadel is ‘an expert in his field’, and the group has ‘good industry knowledge and strong team members’, including the ‘insightful’ Marcel Tranchet and ‘leading Swiss lawyer’ Beat Kühni.

Niederer Kraft & Frey AG’s ‘very responsive, strongly knowledgeable and very business-oriented’ team recently advised Swiss National Bank on regulatory and compliance issues. Sandro Abegglen has ‘an excellent reputation in the industry’, Urs Pulver is recommended for structured finance work and Philippe Weber is ‘extraordinarily diligent, responsive, commercial and pragmatic’. Daniel Bono and Thomas Brönnimann’s promotions to partner in 2012 brought the number of partners in the practice to ten.

Baker & McKenzie provides ‘more practical solutions’ than many, and its extensive international network ‘allows it to provide strong support in cross-border matters’. Prominent market figure Lukas Glanzmann led advice to UBS, and another bank, as mandated lead arrangers of the financing of a takeover of a Frankfurt-listed company.

Pestalozzi acts for an impressive roster of domestic and multinational banks including BNP Paribas and Credit Suisse. It advised Bank of America Merrill Lynch on the Swiss aspects of the sale of the international wealth management business of Merrill Lynch. Practice head Urs Klöti, adheres to ‘excellent response times’, and gives ‘advice that is always to the point’. Oliver Widmer is also recommended.

Schellenberg Wittmer’s Anita Schläpfer recently led advice to UBS, Credit Suisse and Zurich Kantonalbank (as mandated lead arrangers and initial lenders) on the provision of a CHF285m syndicated term loan, revolving loan and guarantee facilities to Autoneum. On the regulatory side, the firm was appointed as commissioner by FINMA to verify certain regulatory and compliance matters.

Vischer’s ‘practical and solution-driven’ seven-partner team is headed by the ‘highly experienced and prudent’ Markus Guggenbühl. The firm continues to advise the liquidators of Lehman Brothers in Switzerland on its bankruptcy. Other clients include UBS, Credit Suisse and Lloyds TSB.

Walder Wyss Ltd has been busy with structured finance work and also handled a good flow of traditional financings, funds-related transactions and acquisition financings. Johannes Bürgi heads the team, which advised US-based Mettler-Toledo International on an $870m credit agreement.

Wenger & Vieli gives ‘solution-oriented advice that is based on a deep understanding of a client’s business’, and ‘while it is not as large as some firms in the market, the quality of service is exactly on the same level’. The firm advised Zürcher Kantonalbank in a real estate financing. Andreas Hünerwadel and Georg Zondler are the main contacts.

Bratschi Wiederkehr & Buob’s team is jointly led by Reto Arpagaus, who is recommended for his ‘broad banking knowledge and good analytical skills’, and Hannes Glaus. Structured finance, banking litigation and investment funds are strong areas of activity.

Two-partner boutique Buis Bürgi AG has a growing practice in banking litigation and general regulatory advice, as well as other non-contentious banking work. ‘Effective litigator’ Eric Buis heads the team, which is advising on the insolvency of a large international bank.

CMS is highly regarded for its ‘good contacts and excellent knowledge of Swiss banking institutions and procedures’. Jürg Guggisberg heads the group, which regularly acts for multinational banks on complex refinancings, acquisition financings and major cross-border deals.

Froriep Renggli advised Indigo Capital on the financing of Gilde Buy Out Partners’ acquisition of Spandex Group. Practice head Catrina Luchsinger Gähwiler is ‘fast, competent and to the point’, and ‘always friendly and helpful to clients while not being shy of confrontations with opposing parties where appropriate’.

Meyerlustenberger Lachenal impresses with its ‘strong legal knowledge, practical advice and partner availability’, with Alexander Vogel singled out for his expertise in structured finance matters. The firm also has sound experience in acquisition finance, real estate and project finance. Daniel Schoch is also recommended.

Mark-Oliver Baumgarten heads Staiger, Schwald & Partner’s practice, which recently advised on a $300m credit agreement and has kept busy advising on a broad mix of restructurings, refinancings, regulatory matters and acquisition financings. Clients include Swiss and foreign banks and asset managers.

Altenburger Ltd legal + tax advised on several regulatory matters during 2012, but its experience also includes advising on the establishment of banks in Switzerland, corporate finance and structured finance. Leonhard Toenz is recommended.

Badertscher Rechtsanwälte AG/ Attorneys at Law is valued for its ‘seamless, high-quality work’ and ‘sophisticated lawyers’, with practice head Markus Doerig highlighted for his ‘high levels of commitment and negotiation skills’. Although better known for its strong financial services experience, particularly on the insurance side, the firm also regularly acts on restructurings and debt and equity financings.

Bill Isenegger Ackermann AG specialises in regulatory and compliance advice, and regularly works with FINMA on liquidations. The firm occupies a niche in the market as one of the few mid-sized firms that is not conflicted to act against large Swiss banks, and therefore is often called upon to represent clients against major financial institutions.

GHR Rechtsanwälte’s ‘client-focused team’ recently advised Aktiv Kapital Group on its $250m group refinancing. Marc Grüninger heads this ‘experienced, proactive, responsive and professional’ practice.

Kellerhals Attorneys at Law has a strong financial services practice and is well regarded for its funds expertise. The firm receives a steady flow of instructions from Swiss and multinational banks, asset managers, securities dealers, and fund management companies.

Klein Attorneys Ltd advises on regulatory matters, structured finance, traditional lending and refinancing issues. Managing partner Thomas Klein has a good reputation for finance work.

Suter Howald Attorneys at Law is recommended for Swiss regulatory and corporate governance work, and also has sound experience in funds and complex financing matters. Urs Suter heads the banking and finance practice, while Bettina Rudin leads the investment funds team.

Thouvenin Rechtsanwälte provides ‘very professional services with a strong understanding of the underlying business issues’. Regulatory work is a particular strength.

Umbricht Rechtsanwälte advises on loans and restructuring, cross-border finance transactions and funds work. Georg Umbricht heads the practice.

Wenger Plattner’s chief strengths are in structured finance, equity capital deals and regulatory issues.

Regulatory and compliance work is an area of focus for Wyss Wiesli Rechtsanwälte, which advises banks and private managers on administration issues. The firm also handles transactional work for financial institutions and investment funds.