Firms in the Spotlight Leading firms: French-speaking Switzerland

VISCHER

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VISCHER is a leading Swiss law firm with over 120 fee earners. The firm provides solution-oriented support in all aspects of commercial, tax, and regulatory law. Their experts are organized in more than 20 practice teams, each led by experienced partners.

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Leading firms: French-speaking Switzerland in Switzerland

Lenz & Staehelin

Lenz & Staehelin‘s full service offering includes work in the intellectual property field, employment matters, arbitration, and banking and finance both in Geneva and Zurich. Key names to note for Geneva are managing partner Benoît Merkt, Sevan Antreasyan, Cécile Berger Meyer, Frédéric Neukomm, and Valérie Menoud.

Work highlights


Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd

The team at Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd covers all aspects of business law, with particular expertise in dispute resolution, banking and finance, capital markets, and corporate M&A matters.

Other key lawyers:

Philippe Bärtsch; Louis Burrus; Paul Gully-Hart; Benjamin Borsodi; Caroline Clemetson; Tarek Houdrouge; Grégoire Wuest; Yves Jeanrenaud; Christoph Vonlanthen


Work highlights


Bär & Karrer Ltd.

Bär & Karrer Ltd.‘s Geneva office has particular expertise in arbitration, banking and insurance, corporate and M&A, employment, litigation, private clients, tax, internal investigations, and white-collar criminal law. Aurélie Conrad Hari, who heads the Geneva office, also leads the civil litigation practice. Other notable names in the team are Saverio Lembo and Andrew Garbarski, who co-head the white-collar criminal law practice, Christoph Suter, who heads the tax team, Pierre-Yves Gunter, co-head of the international arbitration team, Cédric Chapuis, who leads the financial services team, and Frédéric Bétrisey, who has extensive experience of banking and finance.

Practice head(s):

Aurélie Conrad Hari


Other key lawyers:

Martin Anderson; Saverio Lembo; Andrew Garbarski; Christophe Suter; Frédéric Bétrisey; Cédric Chapuis; Pierre-Yves Gunter


Work highlights


  • Acted on behalf of NIGC, together with Alan Gourgey QC and Thomas Robinson, barrister, Wilberforce Chambers, in a 9 billion ICC gas arbitration case No. 23312/MHM against Turkmengas.
  • Advised SIX Swiss Exchange Listed Perfect Holding on its Reverse Takeover (RTO) Transaction with Kinarus.
  • Advised the Leading Independent Swiss IT Provider ELCA on its Cyber-defence joint venture with BlueVoyant.

CMS von Erlach Partners Ltd.

CMS von Erlach Partners Ltd.‘ office in Geneva is headed by managing partner and corporate M&A and competition practice head Pascal Favre.. The team’s client list includes both Swiss and international companies, which range from multinationals to startups, financial institutions, government agencies, public utilities, entrepreneurs and individuals. The group also handles dispute resolution, tax, and sports law.

Practice head(s):

Pascal Favre


Other key lawyers:

Vaïk Müller; Andrio Orler; Pierre Ducret; Olivier Carrard; Sidonie Morvan; Jérôme Levra; Audrey Durand


Testimonials

‘Pierre Ducret is a great lawyer who fights very well for his clients and was able to really help me in my case.’

‘Pierre Ducret was my lawyer and he did exceptional work.’

‘We deal essentially with the expert in the financial industry (Banking and financial law). The partners of the law firm benefit from an exceptional expertise. We always had rapid answers and  built with them true partnership.’

‘The partners are personally involved and from the best in the market. In particular Vaïk Müller, partner in Banking services was outstanding. Close to the market, pragmatic and result oriented.’

‘The M&A team adjust very easily to the size of merger deal you bring and produce adequate size of merger documents. Audrey and Pascal are very flexible and bring solutions 24/7 which makes look any responsible great to have overcome closing obstacles.’

‘Competent, well connected, efficient.’

‘Andrio Orler’s advice is characterized by a true knowledge of the client’s overall situation; he anticipates projects and gives strategic advice, he will answer the questions you have not thought of asking. The tax planning is efficient and competent without being overly aggressive; he is able to understand the client’s mindset.’

Key clients

Vivalto Santé Group


SPA


ASGA


FundRock Switzerland


Guess?


SERCAB GROUP


INAIT


The CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport)


Work highlights


  • Advised Vivalto Santé Investissement on the Swiss law aspects of its cross-border acquisition of a majority interest in two Swiss groups active in life sciences and healthcare services – Groupe CIC Santé RXPM.
  • Provided FINMA regulatory advice to FundRock Switzerland (formerly ARM Swiss Representatives) (ASR) and assisted its shareholders with obtaining the necessary change-of-control approval by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority in the context of the cross-border sale of a 100 per cent interest in ASR to the APEX Group.
  • Represented Guess? in connection with a complex cross-border realignment of the operating model of the Guess? Group, implying in particular the transfer to Switzerland of certain group intellectual property rights for $100 million.

LALIVE

LALIVE's Geneva office offers a range of services such as litigation, private client, public international law, and white collar crime, but is particularly known for its dispute resolution work.

Pestalozzi

Pestalozzi‘s Geneva office is jointly led by Christophe Emonet, who heads the litigation, arbitration and white-collar criminal law practice, and Sébastien Roy, head of financial services. Clients include both national and international names from the banking, energy and natural resources, and financial services industries. The team, lauded as ‘very skilled’ by clients, is particularly known for its work in high-end commercial, banking litigation, arbitration, financial transactions, regulatory, M&A, and white-collar criminal law matters.

Other key lawyers:

Andrea Huber; Michèle Burnier


Testimonials

‘We worked with some very skilled lawyers, knowing very well the subject at stake. Their responsivity is also to be stressed.’

‘Andrea Huber: one of the only lawyer in Switzerland having the expertise we needed! Michèle Burnier: she gave me very good advice and built with us an excellent strategy.’

Key clients

Allina Family Office SA


Actando


Advance Magazine Publishers Inc. and Conde Nast Publications SA


AGCO International GmbH / AGCO Corporation (NYSE: AGCO)


Bank of America


Banque Cantonale de Genève


Blackstone Credit


BP Europa SE


Canton of Aargau


Clarion Partners


City of Almaty


CH Media


Cott Beverages


Credit Suisse


Degroof


Deutsche Bank


DNM Swiss AG


Fahad Al Rajan


Glencore


Rusal


Trafigura


Vitol


General Electrics


Glencore


Goldman Sachs


Hauck & Aufhäuser


Instimatch


Kreos Capital VI (UK) Limited


Metinvest International SA


National Oil Corporation of Libya


Olivier Maus


River Rock


Saxo Bank (Schweiz) AG


Türkmengaz


UBP


Welltec International ApS


Walder Wyss Ltd.

Walder Wyss Ltd.'s team provides a 'great all-around service', with Olivier Sigg heading the Geneva office and Jürg Schneider leading the Lausanne office. The 'highly skilled' team is particularly recognised within corporate, banking and finance, regulatory, litigation and arbitration, white-collar criminal law, real estate, private client, and tax matters. Notable names include Diana Akikol for arbitration, Adriano Antonietti  for Swiss regulatory and compliance issues, and Fouad Sayegh for HNWI matters.

Practice head(s):

Olivier Sigg; Jürg Schneider


Other key lawyers:

Fouad Sayegh; Hubertus Hillerström; Béatrice Viertl-Bujard; Adriano Antonietti; Rodolphe Gautier; Diana Akikol; Adriano Antonietti


Testimonials

‘Very highly-skilled and experienced team of lawyers dealing with tax, estate planning but also banking regulatory issues. Partners are very available and knowledgeable in their respective field of expertise but also down to earth and reliable.’

‘I work with Olivier Sigg on the estate planning side and Fouad Sayegh in the tax planning side. Both are exquisite persons that have a huge experience in dealing with private client matters and complex international structures (involving trusts) in a cross-border environment. They are both very available and go straight to the point.’

‘Key strengths: availability, quick deliveries, diligent execution, engaged with understanding of our business model and related needs. Key capabilities: deep understanding of complex debt structures and therefore strong ability to add value in structuring related transactions for us. Advantage to other firms: stable and experienced team which optimises time spent on individual transactions.’

‘Hubertus Hillerström: Very experienced and respectful; deep-dives into underlying deal before advising on structuring. Thinks outside of the box. Highly value adding. Good communication. Béatrice Viertl-Bujard: great responsiveness/communication; very experienced, well organized and highly diligent execution. Understands our business and is flexible to meet our changing needs.’

‘The firm provides a great all-around service. Advice was practical and commercial and delivered quickly.’

‘The team is really responsive, quick to answer and has a very extensive knowledge of the financial industry, law, and regulation which make them the perfect partners for us.’

‘Hubertus Hillerström and Adriano Antonietti are really diligent and knowledgeable. I always feel in confidence following their advice.’

‘Rodolphe Gautier: strategic thinker looking for out-of-the box solutions; 24/7 availability; goes the extra mile for his clients.’

Key clients

Nespresso


Hinduja


Bank J. Safra Sarasin AG


Bank Vontobel AG


Credit Suisse


Deutsche Bank


Banque Cantonale Vaudoise


Edenred Capital Partners


ING Bank


Société Générale


Swisscom Ventures AG


Engie


Zürcher Kantonalbank


Airbus


Adent Cliniques Dentaires Groupe


Audacia Holding SA


Rakuten


Avaloq


Swiss Bankers Associations


Banque Syz SA


Migros


Emmi Schweiz AG


FIFA


Microsoft


KomGo SA


Baker McKenzie

Baker McKenzie offers clients a full range of services, including dispute resolution, employment, intellectual property, and corporate M&A. Key names in the Geneva office include Simon NtahPablo Bentes, and Jingjin Guo.

Work highlights


BianchiSchwald LLC

BianchiSchwald LLC in Geneva is headed by Yves De Coulon, a construction and real estate expert. Other names to note include Thierry Amy for the banking and finance sector, Jean-Marc Carnice for business crime cases, Joseph Merhai for tax matters, and Stephanie Fuld for employment issues.

Practice head(s):

Yves De Coulon


Key clients

HSBC Private Bank (Suisse) SA


TPG / Transports Publics Genevois


Le petit-fils de L.U. Chopard & Cie SA


Richemont International SA


Kreos Capital


Barclays Bank SA


Hotel Beau-Rivage SA Genève


Ekinops


Work highlights


  • Assisted Richemont International SA in various post-closing issues in relation to the Lancel acquisition by Piquadro S.p.A., an Italian leather goods group listed on the Milan Stock Exchange. Negotiated a settlement agreement following discussions in relation to claims on the reps and warranties.
  • Assisted HSBC Private Bank (Suisse) SA in several judicial disputes.
  • Consulted by TPG in the framework of the Geneva salary dumping scandal.

FBT Attorneys-at-Law

FBT Attorneys-at-Law's Geneva office fields a team of 'genuine experts in their fields'. Serge Fasel, head of the litigation and arbitration team, is 'always reliable' and an 'excellent lawyer'. Other key names include banking and finance head Frédérique Bensahel, tax practice heads Michel Abt and Jean-Luc Bochatay, and Marco Villa, who heads the corporate and commercial team.

Other key lawyers:

Frédérique Bensahel; Serge Fasel; Jean-Luc Bochatay; Marco Villa; Michel Abt


Testimonials

‘Very good firm with personalised services. The attorneys are genuine experts in their fields and have a very good knowledge of industry’s need. They are accessible and deliver with efficiency. Deep knowledge of banking and financial law, both from a regulatory and contractual perspective, which allows them to come up with pragmatic results-driven solutions. Excellent professionals and very good cooperation with the law firm. Immediate response to any enquires and request and more than helpful partners.’

‘Serge is an excellent lawyer who is always reliable and very cooperative with the bank.’

Work highlights


  • Represented a bank in an international dispute where the bank is sued for over $250m.
  • Acted for a client seeking a FINMA licence for its asset manager of over CHF 6 billion of insurances and pension fund assets.
  • Advised a Swiss bank on a EUR 100 million secured loan. Foreign corporate guaranties and securities were granted by the borrower.

Kellerhals Carrard

Kellerhals Carrard has offices in Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lausanne, Lugano, Sion, and Zurich. The group handles employment, competition, construction, dispute resolution, capital market, and life sciences, among others.

Other key lawyers:

Edgar Philippin; Julien Rouvinez; Emmanuèle Argand; Clarence Peter


Work highlights


MLL Legal

MLL Legal continues to benefit from its merger with Froriep, drawing on the expertise of the combined teams in areas including intellectual property, data privacy, corporate, real estate, and private clients.

Other key lawyers:

Serge Calame; Frédéric Cottier; Philippe Prost; Bernard Lachenal; Julie Wynne; Jean Marguerat; Dmitry Pentsov; Mona Stephenson; Maud Udry-Alhanko; Jean-Luc Herbez


OBERSON ABELS SA

OBERSON ABELS SA is best known for its tax advice, but also uses its expertise in banking, finance, and corporate and M&A to assist clients. For tax, Xavier Oberson is the key contact. Antoine Amiguet and Sébastien Bettschart are the contacts for banking and M&A respectively.

Other key lawyers:

Xavier Oberson; Antoine Amiguet; Sébastien Bettschart


Work highlights


Python

Python's strengths lie in banking, corporate, private client, and real estate matters. Other practice areas covered include intellectual property, tax, family law, arbitration, and white-collar criminal law.

Other key lawyers:

Christophe de Kalbermatten; Homayoon Arfazadeh


VISCHER

VISCHER's Geneva office is led by Maxime Chollet, Damien Conus, Lorenz Ehrler, and Gerald Virieux. The team has particular expertise in M&A matters as well as corporate and dispute resolution, but can also offer clients assistance within areas including intellectual property, insurance, capital markets, real estate, and insolvency, among others.

Practice head(s):

Maxime Chollet; Damien Conus; Lorenz Ehrler; Gérald Virieux; Christian Oetiker; Markus Guggenbühl


Testimonials

‘Damien Conus gives practical advice.’

Key clients

Pix4D SA


Sonnet BioTherapeutics Inc


RELIEF THERAPEUTICS Holding SA


Sowind Group SA


QoQa Services SA


Clearview Healthcare Partners


id Quantique SA


Schaffhausen Institute of Technology AG


Valentino Suisse SA


Fédération des Eaux-Vives


Work highlights


  • Advised the management team of Sowind Group (i.e. Ulysse Nardin & Girard Perregaux watch brands) on their acquisition of the Sowind Group (MBO) from Kering.
  • Advised the SIT group of companies on the acquisition of several Swiss-based companies active in the educational sector and on the transfer of a major education-related IP portfolio.
  • Advised Valentino on the opening of a new boutique on the prestigious Rue du Rhône in Geneva.