The Legal 500

Baker & McKenzie’s private banking practice ‘understands the clients’ needs and operates accordingly’, and provides ‘state-of-the-art services’. The firm has acted on some of the most significant restructurings undertaken by private banks recently and continues to advise wealthy families, financial institutions, trust companies and government entities on wealth management matters. Zurich-based Marnin Michaels has ‘a high level of technical and industry knowledge’, and Geneva-based Stephanie Jarrett is ‘an undoubted star in the market’.

Bär & Karrer AG’s practice head Tina Wüstemann is ‘committed, prompt, knowledgeable and thorough’, and advises Swiss and foreign private clients and banks on estate planning and contentious private client issues. The firm has recently handled matters related to asset tracing, inheritance law disputes and hedge fund relocations. Andreas Bär is also recommended.

Lenz & Staehelin’s practice spans its Zurich, Geneva and Lausanne offices. The firm counts banks, asset managers and hedge fund managers as clients on the private banking side, and advises private clients on the full range of trusts and family law issues. Recent work includes advising the Julius Baer Group on its acquisition of Merrill Lynch’s non-US international wealth management business. Stefan Breitenstein, Shelby du Pasquier and Mark Barmes are recommended.

Niederer Kraft & Frey AG is ‘a top-tier firm in Switzerland for private client work and private banking’, and its clients include private banks, charitable foundations, art dealers, and high-net-worth individuals. Markus Frey is ‘an excellent lawyer with a wealth of experience and strong international awareness’, and Edgar Paltzer gives ‘practical, on-point advice’.

Considered by some to be one of the ‘top two private banking firms in the market’, Schellenberg Wittmer is praised for ‘its house style that is characterised by low-ego, high-quality lawyers’. Bernard Vischer is ‘very knowledgeable in terms of multinational tax and estate work’, Manuel Liatowitsch is ‘an exceptionally good lawyer that provides down-to-earth, high-quality advice’, and Georg von Segesser is ‘a real senior statesman and excellent in situations requiring calm and gravitas’. Clients include private banks and high-net-worth individuals.

Borel & Barbey has earned a steady stream of regulatory instructions from private banks over the past year. On the private client side, the practice continued to advise high-net-worth individuals, family trusts and foundations on tax, estate planning and investment issues.

Homburger attracts praise for its ‘strong engagement with the client’s concerns’ as well as its ‘excellent multidisciplinary strength’. The firm is well regarded for advising individuals on estate planning, succession and tax matters. Harold Grüninger heads the practice.

‘Among Switzerland’s leading firms for private client work’, Poncet Turrettini Amaudruz Neyroud & Partners has a longstanding reputation for family law matters.

Python & Peter’s private banking practice has been advising private clients on issues relating to the turbulent financial markets and uncertainties surrounding Swiss banking secrecy.

Michael Hamm’s team at Staiger, Schwald & Partner advises institutional and private clients across the full spread of wealth management issues. Gian Andri Töndury was promoted to the partnership in 2012.

BCCC Attorneys-at-law LLC recently represented a Swiss private bank in a significant piece of litigation and has strong experience in advising private clients on estate planning and tax issues. Dominique Christin is a leading name for private banking regulatory matters.

Ingmar Snijders heads Bratschi Wiederkehr & Buob’s private banking practice, which advises on trusts, foundations and estate planning.

CMS has ‘excellent knowledge of Swiss banking institutions and procedures’. It recently advised on the administration and devolution of a cross-jurisdictional estate. Tobias Somary is ‘a bright and competent lawyer, with very good connections’.

Charles Russell LLP exclusively focuses on advising international private clients on UK-law aspects of wealth management and trust issues. Henry Fea heads the practice.

FBT Attorneys-at-Law’s ‘dynamic and knowledgeable lawyers’ have ‘a strong understanding of the bank and fund industries’. In addition to Swiss law, the team also advises on French law private client issues. Frédérique Bensahel ‘perfectly understands the needs of clients’.

Froriep Renggli attracts praise for its ‘pragmatic and practical advice’, and for maintaining ‘a sharp business and human perspective’. Philippe Pulfer has ‘very broad and deep knowledge of the private client area’, and handles estate and tax planning and litigation.

The recent merger that created Meyerlustenberger Lachenal will be particularly beneficial for the private client practice. Zurich-based Patricia Guerra is ‘client-focused’, and Geneva-based Bernard Lachenal is also recommended.

Pestalozzi, which acts for private banks and wealthy private clients, advised Bank of America Merrill Lynch on the sale of its non-US wealth management business to Julius Baer Group.

Tavernier Tschanz’s wealth advisory practice assists private clients with succession, tax and investment matters. Edmond Tavernier and Marie-Noëlle Zen-Ruffinen are the main contacts.

Vischer provides a wide range of services to private banking clients, including finance, tax and litigation support.

Wenger Plattner advises domestic and foreign high-net-worth individuals on asset management, tax considerations and family issues.

Withers LLP is ‘top for dealing with complex, multi-jurisdictional private client issues’. The ‘very calm and knowledgeable’ Justine Markovitz specialises in advice relating to onshore UK and offshore tax, trusts and estate planning.

Altenburger Ltd legal + tax’s practice specialises in estate planning issues. Peter Altenburger is the main contact in Zurich, while Cyril Troyanov is the key name in Geneva.

Gillioz Dorsaz & Associés advises high-net-worth individuals on domestic and international issues, and has a particular focus on tax matters. Pierre Gillioz and Christian Valentini are recommended.

Rosenberg Abramovich Keren-Polak Epelman, Advocates advises on trusts, probate and estates work. George Rosenberg is the key contact.

Speechly Bircham AG’s Mark Summers is ‘responsive’ and particularly well regarded for his ‘in-depth knowledge of potential issues in the UK, Switzerland, and France as well as the Channel Islands and Bermuda’.

Georg Umbricht heads Umbricht Rechtsanwälte’s practice, which advises private clients on tax and estate planning matters, and also regularly acts for Swiss banks.