Next Generation Partners

Insurance in Switzerland

Bär & Karrer Ltd.

Fielding a comprehensive insurance offering, Bär & Karrer Ltd. advises a consortium of clients on license applications, regulatory compliance, transactions and disputes. Peter Hsu spearheads the practice with his wide-ranging expertise advising Swiss and foreign insurers, insurance intermediaries and fintech businesses on a diverse spread of matters. Financial services expert Eric Stupp’s strengths lie in regulatory matters, enforcement proceedings and M&A. Daniel Flühmann is well versed in the remits of banking, insurance and financial market laws, while Markus Schott is well equipped to manage a variety of regulatory and administrative law matters. Tiffany Ender is also recommended.

Practice head(s):

Peter Hsu


Other key lawyers:

Eric Stupp; Daniel Flühmann; Markus Schott; Tiffany Ender


Testimonials

‘Peter Hsu does outstanding work.’

‘Highly specialised teams that work efficiently and are goal-oriented.’

Key clients

AXA


Zurich Insurance Group


Swiss Life


Swiss Re


Mobiliar


Chubb


CLARK Group


RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.


RenaissanceRe Europe AG


Generali


AON Schweiz AG


Credendo


CSS Versicherung AG


Work highlights


gbf Attorneys-at-law Ltd

Helmed by Lars Gerspacher, Dominik Skrobala, Clemens von Zedtwitz and Nando Stauffer von May, gbf Attorneys-at-law Ltd’s stellar client roster includes insurance and reinsurance carriers, alongside numerous other insurance-related market players. While covering the full gamut of insurance services, the ‘solution-oriented’ team is noted for its expertise in relation to financial lines and cyber claims, product liability proceedings and regulatory issues. Gerspacher is regularly entrusted by clients with international arbitration proceedings, drafting policies and reinsurance contracts as well as regulatory compliance. Skrobola’s wide-ranging experience extends from licensing matters to private medical insurance, while von Zedtwitz is pre-eminent in the dispute resolution arena of the insurance sphere. Stauffer von May strengthens the practice with his accomplishments across contentious and non-contentious work.

Practice head(s):

Lars Gerspacher; Dominik Skrobala; Clemens von Zedtwitz; Nando Stauffer von May


Testimonials

‘The team at GBF have been, and remain, varied, responsive and supportive. We are very content with the quality of service and legal know-how they have supplied to us over the years of collaboration.’

‘Lars Gerspacher retains an outstanding overview over the many different legal matters that we deal with at any point in time. He can be relied upon with absolute confidence. His expertise has been a great support.’

‘The team remain outstanding both for competency and commercial acumen.’

‘Clemens Von Zedtwitz is an outstanding lawyer.’

‘Definitely one of the leading law firms regarding insurance in Switzerland. They are solution focused, very experienced and are very pleasant to work with.’

‘Very solution-oriented team with a very good price-performance ratio.’

‘Dominik Skrobala is a great regulatory lawyer. He has fantastic insurance experience and a legal background. He also has a multidisciplinary approach that meets multijurisdictional expectations.’

‘Dominik is an exceptional advisor, always capable of providing practical and high quality advice.’

Key clients

AIG Europe


Allianz Suisse


Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty


AXA Insurance SA


AXA XL


Beazley Insurance DAC


Berkshire Hathaway International Insurance


Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance


Bupa, London


Chubb Insurance


CNA Hardy


Ergo Insurance


FM Insurance


HDI Global


Helvetia Insurance Co.


Markel Insurance SE Germany


Markel International Insurance UK


MedPro Group


MS Amlin AG


Tryg Forsikring A/S, Ballerup, Zurich Branch


Work highlights


Prager Dreifuss AG

Prager Dreifuss AG fields an expansive practice that covers insurance and reinsurance investigations, property and construction losses as well as air freight loss, to name a few. The team also demonstrates considerable strength in assisting clients with regulatory matters. Leading the practice is Christoph Graber, who is pre-eminent in fields including banking and financial services, E&O and product liability insurance. Hans-Ulrich Brunner is noted for his capability in defence litigation, while Gion Christian Casanova is particularly experienced in assisting insurers and reinsurers with coverage disputes. Reto M. Jenny is especially knowledgeable in the field of insurance supervision law. Andrea Stäubli is another name to note in the practice.

Practice head(s):

Christoph Graber


Other key lawyers:

Hans-Ulrich Brunner; Gion Christian Casanova; Reto M. Jenny; Andrea Staeubli


Testimonials

‘The team around Christoph Graber has leading experience and many successes in insurance cases. So far, we have never lost in a trial when represented by Graber.’

‘Extremely knowledgeable and very responsive team, led by Christoph Graber, one of Switzerland’s most renowned insurance specialist and advisor, seconded by Reto M. Jenny and Andrea Stäubli.’

‘They field one of the largest insurance teams in Switzerland and regularly advise and represent us in insurance matters, in particular in complex claims. Their team is highly skilled and very dedicated to its clients, making them one of the leading providers in this field.’

‘Christoph Graber is a very experienced and highly regarded insurance lawyer with an excellent reputation for insurance and reinsurance litigation. He and his team are very dedicated.’

‘Reto M. Jenny is a junior partner at the firm with a brilliant academic background and already very experienced.’

Work highlights


Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd

Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd maintains a broad insurance offering, including notable expertise in relation to complex multi-jurisdictional litigation. Key undertakings for the practice involve private insurance and reinsurance law, insurance fraud defence and insurance broker-related issues. Alexander von Ziegler and Olivier Favre lead from the firm’s Zurich office and Tarek Houdrouge from the Geneva office. Von Ziegler is a key contact for clients needing assistance with high-profile defence, disputes and regulatory issues, while Favre’s expertise encompasses commodities as well as insurance and reinsurance regulation, among others. Houdrouge handles various mandates, such as lending transactions and the distribution of financial products, for the team.

Practice head(s):

Alexander von Ziegler; Olivier Favre; Tarek Houdrouge


Key clients

Uber


Baloise


Work highlights


  • Advised Switzerland’s largest health insurance provider CSS on the setup of a digital health platform for patients and health service providers in joint venture with different other players.
  • Ongoing advice on acquisitions, capital market transactions as well as on tax compliance aspects.

CMS von Erlach Partners Ltd.

Capable of acting for a diverse range of clients, CMS von Erlach Partners Ltd. is sought out for assistance with matters pertaining to legal, regulatory and tax advice in the insurance sphere. Key undertakings include the structuring, issuance, marketing and distribution of insurance products, alongside demonstrable capabilities in handling the drafting and review of policies and broker agreements. Jodok Wicki helms the practice, counting large insurance and reinsurance companies amongst his client roster. Kaspar Landolt’s wide-ranging experience encompasses corporate lending, insurance and collective investment schemes.

Practice head(s):

Jodok Wicki


Other key lawyers:

Kaspar Landolt; Sébastien Moret


Key clients

AIG


Axa XL


Work highlights


  • Advised a large international insurance company on complex cyber breach claim with respect to coverage.
  • Advised a large international insurance company on claim against a tower of insurers regarding a claim under a PI policy in the financial markets industry
  • Providing coverage advice regarding Lloyds BBB policy relating to unfaithful conduct of employee in connection with structured financial products and handling of client accounts.

Kellerhals Carrard

Jointly spearheaded by Christoph Frey, Pascal Grolimund, Thomas Eichenberger, Nicolas Gillard and Ivan PaparelliKellerhals Carrard’s insurance practice is particularly proficient in assisting notable insurance and reinsurance companies with a diverse spectrum of corporate and regulatory matters. The team also provides legal support to underwriting departments of insurers regarding Swiss law. Grolimund is well-versed in the remit of insurance disputes, while Frey is regularly entrusted by clients in matters of torts and third party liability disputes.

Practice head(s):

Christoph Frey; Pascal Grolimund; Thomas Eichenberger; Nicolas Gillard; Ivan Paparelli


Other key lawyers:

Claudio Helmle; Laura Manz, Karin Friedli, Matthias Spinner


Testimonials

Specialist knowledge of insurance law and practice.’

‘Christoph Frey and Pascal Grolimund are outstanding lawyers with deep knowledge and experience in contentious insurance law matters.’

Key clients

KPT Versicherungen AG


Visana Services AG


Baloise Insurance Ltd


Chubb Insurance (Switzerland) Limited


AXA Insurance Ltd


AIG Europe S.A., Luxembourg; Branch Opfikon; Zürich Glattbrugg


Swiss Re International SE, Luxembourg, Zurich Branch,


Swiss Mobiliar Insurance Company Ltd


Swiss Life Ltd. Zurich


Allianz Suisse Insurance Company Ltd


Helvetia Swiss Insurance Company Limited


Catlin Europe SE, Cologne, Zurich Branch


Work highlights


  • Representing Swatch Group in litigation proceedings against Zurich Insurance Company Ltd concerning business-interruption and property-damage insurance claims exceeding CHF100m caused by fire.
  • Advised MoonLake Immunotherapeutics AG as lead counsel on all legal aspects regarding two trials, including the negotiation of the global clinical trial insurance policies.
  • Representing an insurance company in an arbitration proceeding under Swiss Rules regarding a coverage dispute of a liability insurance, amounting to approximately $50m.

Lenz & Staehelin

Acting for a host of clients that extends from start-ups to established multinational insurers, Lenz & Staehelin’s comprehensive insurance offering is comprised of transactional, regulatory, commercial, coverage and dispute resolution-related matters. The team possesses a strong presence in the financial services realm. Olivier Stahler and Lukas Morscher jointly lead the practice, with the former contributing his vast expertise in banking and finance law as well as regulatory advice in relation to the granting of licenses. The latter strengthens the practice with his extensive experience in managing international and domestic transactions.

Practice head(s):

Olivier Stahler; Lukas Morscher


Other key lawyers:

Leo Rusterholz; Lukas Staub


Testimonials

‘They provide high quality accurate and clear advice on Swiss insurance regulation issues. I have been very happy to work with Lukas Morscher and his team and to recommend them to others.’

‘Lenz & Staehelin’s insurance team are well-connected, commercially aware and willing to take our corner in discussions with counterparties.’

‘Lukas Morscher is very approachable, knowledgeable in his field and tenacious in discussions with counterparties, ably assisted by associate Leo Rusterholz.’

Key clients

Baloise Insurance Holding


consimo


Caterpillar Insurance Company


Generali


Liberty Mutual


Octium Group


Resolution Life


Resolution Re


Schweizerische Mobiliar Versicherungsgesellschaft AG


TransRe


Unilever Reinsurance AG


Vaudoise Assurances Holding SA


Work highlights


  • Advising a global insurance and investment broker group on legal, regulatory and contract aspects of the development and operation of an online platform for the cross-border intermediation and offering of collateralized reinsurance and related investment opportunities into Switzerland.
  • Advised a captive insurance carrier of world-leading construction and mining equipment manufacturer on all legal, regulatory and contract aspects of intra-group outsourcing significant functions by Swiss entities.
  • Advising a global mobile and gadget protection tech company on legal and regulatory aspects of insurance intermediary activities in and cross-border to Switzerland.

Pestalozzi

‘Responsive, friendly and professional’, the insurance practice at Pestalozzi is pre-eminent in the regulatory sphere, alongside demonstrable strengths in assisting clients with M&A and other transactions. Insurers, reinsurers, insurance brokers and insurtech companies are included in the team’s client roster. Christoph Lang, Andrea Huber, Beat Schwarz, Lukas Rusch and Markus Winkler jointly steer the group. Lang holds a corporate focus, while Huber strengthens the practice with her notable expertise in insurance regulatory matters. Schwarz and Winkler’s capabilities include insurtech matters, and Rusch regularly handles insurance litigation.

Practice head(s):

Christoph Lang; Andrea Huber; Beat Schwarz; Lukas Rusch; Markus Winkler


Testimonials

‘Very responsive and work with you every step of the way suggesting the best regulator approaches and commercial solutions.’

‘Very knowledgeable on regulatory solutions and great to work with – would choose them every time.’

‘Beat Schwarz is great to work with and invariably helpful on the regulatory and corporate questions we have, suggesting practical solutions rather than just quoting regulation.’

‘The team at Pestalozzi is always responsive, friendly and professional. They know the law and how to provide practical solutions.’

‘They are prepared to help on any size or value of matter and we get the same quality of advice.’

‘Beat Schwarz is a class lawyer. He is always available to help on the smallest through to the largest matters. I value our relationship.’

‘Beat Schwarz is a class lawyer. He is always available to help on the smallest through to the largest matters.’

Key clients

AIG


AXA Climate


AXA XL


AXIS


Bolttech (i-surance AG)


Credit Suisse


Credit Suisse Insurance Linked Strategies AG


Howden


Hyperion Insurance Group


Sompo International


Swiss Life


EcoHub


The Prudential Insurance Company of America


HanseMerkur


Standard Chartered Bank


Work highlights


  • Advised Vista Private Equity in its acquisition of leading insur-tech Duck Creek group which includes Swiss insur-tech Imburse AG.
  • Advised 23 Swiss insurers and brokers (incl. Swiss Life; AXA; Mobiliar; Allianz Suisse; Zurich) in connection with their insurtech joint-venture EcoHub AG.
  • Advised AXA XL in its daily operations as well as on strategic matters in Switzerland

VISCHER

With capabilities across regulatory and corporate issues, VISCHER’s insurance practice incorporates a variety of coverage issues, extending from financial line and property policies to D&O and crime policies. Litigation expert Daniele Favalli steers the practice, routinely representing major insurance companies in coverage analysis, claims and litigation as well as expertise in the policy advisory field. Adrian Dörig bolsters the practice with his experience in handling structured finance transactions.

Practice head(s):

Daniele Favalli


Other key lawyers:

Adrian Dörig


Key clients

AIG


MCH Group, Art Basel Hong Kong / Art Basel Miami Beach


Work highlights


  • Advising MCH, who  is enforcing claims against their insurers (Llodys) under a cancellation policy.

Baker McKenzie Switzerland AG

Operating for insurers, reinsurers, financial institutions and a host of corporate entities, Baker McKenzie Switzerland AG maintains a varied offering that is comprised of contentious insurance work, regulatory and contractual matters, as well as expertise in designing and advising financial products. The practice is jointly led by Joachim Frick, who is vastly experienced in regulatory proceedings and coverage disputes, and Lyubomir Georgiev, who is able to advise clients on life insurance products.

Practice head(s):

Joachim Frick; Lyubomir Georgiev


Testimonials

‘Uncomplicated cooperation and broad network of international partners for regulatory issues.’

Key clients

Swiss Re


Zurich Insurance


Generali


Work highlights


Homburger

Homburger’s multifaceted practice encompasses particular expertise in assisting insurance companies with tax issues, alongside capabilities in handling cross-border matters and transactions. Steering the practice is Hansjürg Appenzeller, who possesses extensive experience in advising insurance and reinsurance companies on M&A, capital markets, license and regulatory matters as well as corporate governance compliance.

Practice head(s):

Hansjürg Appenzeller


Other key lawyers:

Fabrice Eckert


Key clients

Helvetia


Wefox


Work highlights


  • Advised wefox as transaction counsel on a Series D extension funding round.
  • Representing Helvetia in data privacy related aspects in preparation for US litigation and arbitration proceedings.
  • Advising a global insurance group on impact of new insurance laws on risk absorbing capital instruments.

Nater Dallafior Rechtsanwälte AG

Noted for its dispute resolution expertise, Nater Dallafior Rechtsanwälte AG is particularly proficient in handling contentious issues related to insurance and reinsurance law. The team is also regularly involved in matters of insurance coverage, litigation and a diverse array of policies. Litigation and arbitration expert Benjamin Schumacher and Roberto Dallafior spearhead the practice, with the latter holding notable expertise in business and professional liability insurance and property insurance, among others. Mladen Stojiljković joined the team from VISCHER in February 2023 and Nino Sievi joined from Lex Futura the following month.

Practice head(s):

Benjamin Schumacher; Roberto Dallafior


Other key lawyers:

Mladen Stojiljković; Nino Sievi


Testimonials

‘Nater Dallafior Rechtsanwälte AG showed excellent organisation, clear processes and speed. There was no loss of time.’

‘Our lawyer was extremely well prepared, precise and focused. Excellent strategic and people skills.’

‘Deep knowledge of the insurance sector.’

‘Roberto Dallafior is very experienced and knowledgeable. Benjamin Schumacher is a rising star.’

‘Roberto Dallafior is not hesitant to “push the envelope” on behalf of his clients.’

Very reliable, great fighters for our common clients against insurance companies.’

‘Benjamin Schumacher is a very talented lawyer, he is very responsive. Exactly what clients usually are looking for.’

‘This law firm is characterised by a high degree of independence from the insurance industry. One of the key competences of the team is a unique know-how in legal issues related to national and international insurance contracts. The firm thus offers clear added value for large internationally active companies.’

Work highlights


Thouvenin Rechtsanwälte

Helmed by Martin Bürkle, Thouvenin Rechtsanwälte is geared to handle a diverse scope of matters, from contractual liability and tort to private insurance law. The team demonstrates considerable proficiency in issues related to claims management. Bürkle, who is regarded as possessing ‘excellent knowledge’, fields a broad practice that covers all aspects of insurance law.

Practice head(s):

Martin Bürkle


Testimonials

‘I specially work together with the Martin Bürkle in the field of accident insurance. He has a real excellent knowledge in this special field.’

‘The collaboration is very comfortable. The discussions are very good and Martin Bürkle always presents good solutions to solve the claims.’

‘Martin Bürkle is always reachable and there are no long waiting times.’

Work highlights


Wartmann Merker Ltd.

With a notable focus on litigation and arbitration, Wartmann Merker Ltd.’s capabilities include liability and bankruptcy claims. The team is regularly entrusted by a suite of domestic and foreign clients. Practice head Giovanna Montanaro advises clients on a range of insurance law issues, being particularly well versed in handling cross-border litigation in the insurance sphere.

Practice head(s):

Giovanna Montanaro


Testimonials

‘Practical approach. Good and fast communication. Excellent specialist practices.’

‘Personal approach. Accessible.’

Work highlights