The Legal 500

Baker & McKenzie, which is ‘one of the top law firms for finance matters in Switzerland’, recently advised a financial services client on its worldwide restructuring, and also has extensive experience in contentious insolvency matters. Lukas Glanzmann is ‘excellent for restructuring work’.

Bär & Karrer AG is ‘a go-to firm for Swiss regulatory matters’, and is renowned for its ‘user-friendly lawyers that demonstrate a high standard of intellectual rigour’. Thomas Rohde heads the practice, which handles a broad mix of distressed debt issues, corporate restructuring and complex insolvency matters. It recently advised Petroplus in negotiations with lenders of a revolving credit facility regarding its financial struggles and subsequent insolvency.

In 2012, Homburger represented MF Global UK in landmark proceedings before FINMA, which recognised its foreign insolvency and decreed that the assets of its Swiss estate would be transferred to the foreign administrator without the necessity of a mini-bankruptcy. Ueli Huber heads the practice, which excels in complex cases and is currently acting for clients in the financial services and manufacturing sectors.

Schellenberg Wittmer’s practice head Vincent Jeanneret is ‘a highly reliable expert in bankruptcy matters at Swiss and international level’ and was recently appointed by FINMA as liquidator of Swiss securities dealer, ACH Securities. The firm also has strong experience in distressed M&A matters and complex cross-border bankruptcy disputes.

Wenger Plattner has experience in both creditor and debtor-side work and continues to win instructions as liquidators of some of the country’s highest profile cases, including that of Swissair. Zurich-based Brigitte Umbach-Spahn and Karl Wüthrich are recommended along with Bern-based Fritz Rothenbühler.

Froriep Renggli primarily specialises in advising foreign creditors in Swiss bankruptcy matters, but also acts for debtors and domestic clients. The team recently advised Mondo Biotech Holding and its subsidiaries on restructuring measures, including asset sales. Marcel Steinegger heads the practice.

At Lenz & Staehelin, Zurich-based Tanja Luginbühl advised Masai Group and its Swiss subsidiaries during its attempted restructuring and recapitalisation. Martin Burkhardt represented Gazprom Bank in enforcing its claims in the Zeromax bankruptcy.

Niederer Kraft & Frey AG meets ‘high professional and ethical standards’, and is ‘well positioned internationally’. Recent headline cases include advising the liquidator of marketing agency ISMM AG/ISL, which is Switzerland’s second largest insolvency case to date. Practice co-heads Urs Pulver and Thomas Sprecher are recommended along with the ‘fast and responsive’ Marco Häusermann.

Staiger, Schwald & Partner’s Philipp Kaenzig represented a defendant in a high-value claw-back action initiated by SAir Group. The firm is also advising on the winding up of investment funds affected by the Madoff scandal. Kaenzig and Marc Bernheim are recommended.

David Jenny heads Vischer’s practice, which is representing the liquidators in the ongoing bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers in Switzerland. The firm is also acting for a European state against the estates of SAirGroup and SAirLines in two separate bankruptcies.

Walder Wyss Ltd leverages its excellence in financial services to specialise in advising banks on insolvency matters, but also acts for debtors. In 2012, the firm successfully represented former German construction company Walter Bau, and its liquidator, before the Swiss Federal Supreme Court in proceedings brought by the Kingdom of Thailand.

Altenburger Ltd legal + tax’s debt enforcement and bankruptcy practice has a strong contentious bent, but also handles financial restructurings and reorganisations. Rolf Schuler and Birgit Sambeth Glasner are the main contacts.

BCCC Attorneys-at-law LLC regularly acts for companies and private clients as creditors or debtors in insolvencies. Yves de Coulon is recommended.

Insolvency and corporate recovery is a core area for Bill Isenegger Ackermann AG. Main contacts Markus Bill and Armand Brand are currently advising on the liquidation proceedings of six medium-sized finance companies.

Bürgi Nägeli Lawyers handles debt recovery, bankruptcy and corporate restructuring matters, particularly for clients in the energy and medical technology sectors.

Bratschi Wiederkehr & Buob has a strong creditor-side practice that is particularly experienced in asset recovery, asset seizure and insolvency.

In 2012, CMS successfully represented a private client in opposing a seizure order. The firm also advised various creditors in several bankruptcy proceedings.

GHR Rechtsanwälte’s Gerhard Roth is leading advice to the trustee in the bankruptcy proceedings of printing product producer, WeberBenteli.

Holenstein Attorneys-at-Law Ltd specialises in advising on insolvencies. Franco Lorandi is recommended.

Kellerhals Attorneys at Law has strengthened its reputation through its work for Lehman Brothers during its insolvency. Daniel Staehelin is ‘an industry expert’.

Geneva-based Christian Schilly heads Meyerlustenberger Lachenal’s team, which acts for Swiss and foreign debtors and creditors.

Pestalozzi makes ‘every client its first priority’, and is recommended for being ‘very responsive and for having experts in different fields’. It is advising a syndicate of banks in restructuring negotiations with Petroplus.

Python & Peter has a good track record in insolvency matters, and has expertise in asset tracing, debt recovery and bankruptcy proceedings.

Umbricht Rechtsanwälte recently acted on the winding down and liquidation of the Swiss subsidiary of a major US industrial company.

Georg Zondler’s group at Wenger & Vieli is advising creditors in a major CHF1bn global insolvency