The Legal 500

Baker & McKenzie Zurich advised Pensionskasse der F. Hoffmann-La Roche on its CHF640m acquisition of a portfolio of 660 Swiss properties, which was sold by a private company fully controlled by the Swiss Federation. The team is headed by three individuals, namely Martin Furrer and Alexander Wyss in Zurich and Daniel Peregrina in Geneva.

‘Top quality in all aspects’, Bär & Karrer AG mainly acts on transactions for clients including Implenia, Mobimo Holding and AXA. It advised Sulzer on the sale of its real estate portfolio and development units to Implenia. Zurich-based Corrado Rampini is recommended, as is Christophe Buchwalder in Geneva and Cesare Jermini in Lugano.

CMS von Erlach Henrici Ltd advised an investment foundation on its CHF80m acquisition of a commercial building, and a project developer on the CHF200m development and the sale of a mixed-used project. Stefan Gerster heads the team, which also includes Alain Raemy and Dietrich Stettler.

‘Prompt and highly competent, with a good businesslike approach’, Lenz & Staehelin acts for FiFund Management, Deichmann Group and Unilmmo: Europa as clients. It also advised Hardstone Property Holdings Sàrl on its CHF300m sale of the BIBC 2 building in Geneva to Swiss Life. The team heads are Beat Kühni in Zurich, who is ‘probably one of the best contract lawyers in Switzerland’, and Andreas Rötheli in Geneva, who is ‘a real deal-maker with wide knowledge of the real estate sector’.

‘Very good boutique’ Baur Hürlimann AG has offices in Baden and Zurich and has an excellent name in the market for public infrastructure and industrial projects. It also acts on commercial lease law and represents insurance companies in real estate matters.

meyerlustenberger’s nine-strong team acted on a number of extremely high-value projects in 2011. The group provides ‘real added value’ through its ‘strong economic and financial knowledge’, and provides ‘short response times with clear and helpful advice’. Wolfgang Müller is ‘an excellent negotiator and transaction manager’, and Thomas Lustenberger is also recommended.

Schellenberg Wittmer is ‘very responsive, meets deadlines and provides service that is focused to the client’s needs’. It recently acted for one client on a long-term lease of offices in the Canton of Geneva. The team is headed by Yves Jeanrenaud in Geneva and newly promoted partner Josef Caleff in Zurich.

Walder Wyss Ltd is ‘a very talented outfit’ with clients including Deutsche Bank, Fordgate and Hugo Boss. The group advised Wankdorf-Center Bern Dr. Karl Bartel on the sale of the Wankdorf Shopping Centre to three UBS real estate funds. Francis Nordmann, Johannes Bürgi and Marco Strahm head the team.

BCCC Attorneys-at-law LLC advises on contentious and non-contentious matters, with specialisms including planning and zoning, litigation, financing and sale or purchase transactions. The ‘respected and highly competent’ Yves de Coulon heads the team, which also includes Manuel Bianchi della Porta.

Frank Gerhard’s team at Homburger acted for an institutional real estate investor on the CHF50m purchase of several commercial centres.

Niederer Kraft & Frey AG is ‘always on time and on budget’, and provides ‘appropriate analyses and solutions’. It advised Implenia on its purchase of a real estate portfolio and development unit from Sulzer, and also represents BVK Personalvorsorge des Kantons Zürich. Group head Andreas Vögeli is ‘an outstanding lawyer’.

Pestalozzi’s clients include McDonald’s Switzerland, Coca-Cola HBC Schweiz, and Coop. It advised Swiss Life and Swiss Life Anlagestiftung on due diligence for a large real estate transfer and swap transaction. Anne-C Imhoff and Michael Lips are recommended.

Python & Peter acts on a variety of matters, including permits for the acquisition of Swiss property by foreigners; real estate financing; sale-and-leaseback deals; and general construction law. Berhard Cron heads the practice.

Staiger, Schwald & Partner Ltd assists a number of private and institutional clients on a variety of real estate-related transactions. Hans-Peter Schwald and Marc Metzger are the key figures in the team.

Wenger Plattner’s well-regarded team in Zurich and Bern advises on a range of matters including private and public construction law as well as the sale and purchase of property. Thomas Wetzel is recommended.

‘Fast and accurate, with very good business understanding’, Vischer acted for IBO Development on public construction and planning law as well as on the sale of a large development. Team head Michael Pfeifer has ‘a very good network, sound business sense and is easy to deal with’.

BMG Avocats recently advised on several high-value real estate investments in Geneva, and advises throughout the Francophone regions of Switzerland on obtaining building permits and re-zoning. Pierre Louis Manfrini Nicolas Wisard and Isabelle Salome are recommended.

Borel & Barbey’s Marc Fischer and Patrick Blaser advise a mix of owners, developers, investors and lenders on matters including real estate transactions, leasing, zoning, financing and building permits.

Jürg Bereuter and Ulrich Keusen’s team at Bratschi Wiederkehr & Buob advises on public and private construction matters.

Bürgi Nägeli Lawyers has offices in Zurich, Bern and Basel and advises on public and private real estate developments as well as land registry and notary issues.

Eulau Kaufmann Giavarini & Recher advises SMEs on construction, real estate and land law.

Lalive’s ‘very knowledgeable and responsive’ team has notable capabilities in real estate litigation, and has acted for high-profile clients on the construction of a rail transit system in the Middle East.