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The consensus is that Lenz & Staehelin is ‘the only Swiss firm whose expertise is weighted evenly between Geneva and Zurich’. Geneva fields private client practice head Mark Barmes, competition head Benoît Merkt, and banking and finance experts Shelby du Pasquier and Olivier Stahler.

Geneva stalwart Schellenberg Wittmer is ‘one of the two firms that dominate the local market’ and clients say, ‘the firm’s house style is characterised by low-ego, high-quality lawyers’. Litigator and insolvency expert Vincent Jeanneret, private client specialist Bernard Vischer and litigator Paul Gully-Hart are recommended.

BCCC Attorneys-at-law LLC is ‘quick, precise and knowledgeable’. Banking and finance is a real strength through experts Thomas Goossens and Thierry Amy. In addition, Manuel Bianchi della Porta is highly regarded for corporate law.

Corporate finance is a core practice at Froriep Renggli, where Jérôme de Montmollin and Patrick Vogel are experts in this field. Roland Kaufmann is recommended for corporate and insolvency work.

Dispute resolution specialist Lalive has over 40 lawyers in its Geneva office. The firm excels at civil arbitration and litigation, as well as white-collar crime cases. Fields of expertise include corporate, private client, TMT and real estate disputes.

Baker & McKenzie is particularly strong for banking and finance, corporate and private client work. Leading names include Stephanie Jarrett on the private client side, and Martin Anderson for M&A.

Bär & Karrer SAbelongs to the best rank of law firms in Switzerland’. Its four-partner Geneva office is earning plaudits through lawyers such as banking specialist Christophe Buchwalder.

Borel & Barbey’s strategic focuses are banking and finance, private banking, dispute resolution, and M&A. Banking litigation specialist Nicolas Piérard is recommended.

Geneva is Python & Peter’s head office, and it also has platforms in French-speaking Lausanne-Pully and Sion. Leading names include Thomas Legler, who is strong in corporate and dispute resolution, and Pierre-Yves Gunter.

Tavernier Tschanz’s 31-lawyer practice is strong in regulatory and litigation matters. It is particularly active in the financial services, real estate, pharmaceuticals and telecoms sectors.

Abels Avocats enters the ranking this year on the back of its involvement in several big-ticket deals such as advising a global pharmaceuticals group on the CHF1bn demerger of its Swiss subsidiary. Antoine Amiguet is the key name for banking and finance, while Sébastien Bettschart is the main corporate contact.

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP fields international arbitration, WTO and tax practices. Charles Adams, Michael Stepek and Jonathan Ivinson are the names to note.

BMG Avocats receives a steady flow of instructions from luxury goods manufacturers, and handles TMT work through specialist Sylvie Gurry-Veit.

FBT Attorneys-at-Law has a strong private banking practice, and also handles finance, corporate and tax work, including dispute resolution. Frédérique Bensahel is recommended.

Gillioz Dorsaz & Associés’ Pierre Gillioz is the contact for private banking and tax work. Dispute resolution is another strong area.

Holman Fenwick Willan LLP has expertise in shipping, public sector and litigation. The practice has been boosted since international litigation expert Matthew Parish joined from Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP.

King & Spalding LLP focuses on international trade and WTO work in Geneva. Office managing partner Stephen Orava is recommended.

Meyerlustenberger Lachenal’s recent merger means that it is now well positioned in both of the country’s main business centres. Bernard Lachenal handles dispute resolution and private client work.

Notter Mégevand & Partners has strong niche expertise in art, sports and charity law. It also has experienced corporate finance, private client, dispute resolution, and IP practitioners.

Pestalozzi fields two partners in Geneva: Sébastien Roy is recommended for financial services advice, while Christophe Emonet is a dispute resolution expert.

Poncet Turrettini Amaudruz Neyroud & Partners has banking and finance, private client, and commercial litigation practices in Geneva.

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Legal Developments in Switzerland

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to
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