The Legal 500

Homburger is ‘a top-tier firm that delivers top-notch client service’ across corporate tax, private tax and tax litigation. The group has ‘wide international reach’ and ‘senior partners that all have extensive in-depth knowledge of their specific area’. Dieter Grünblatt heads the practice, which also includes ‘well-rounded tax lawyer’ Reto Heuberger.

Lenz & Staehelin’s lawyers are ‘all experts in their fields’ and ‘have great insight, quick response times and good industry knowledge’. On the corporate tax side, the firm advised Power Integrations Group on the tax aspects of its acquisition of CT-Concept Technologie. Zurich-based Heini Rüdisühli and Geneva-based Daniel Schafer are recommended.

Tax boutique Oberson Avocats is ‘small in size but big in expertise’, and its lawyers ‘add value through their specialist industry knowledge’. This comprehensive practice advises on traditional matters such as corporate tax, VAT and private tax, and is strong in niche areas such as entertainment taxation. Xavier Oberson is recommended.

Thomas Meister heads Walder Wyss Ltd’s team, which has strong expertise in tax relating to structured finance. Tax litigation, real estate taxation and corporate support are also strong areas of activity. Recent work includes advising banks on the tax aspects of several landmark securitisation programmes.

‘Excellent in all respects’, Baker & McKenzie’s group has ‘a very high level of technical and industry knowledge’. Geneva-based Denis Berdoz and Zurich-based Hans-Andrée Koch jointly head the practice, which recently advised on the tax aspects of a cross-border merger between two foreign insurance groups.

Bär & Karrer AG excels at corporate tax but also handles finance and private client issues. Zurich-based Raoul Stocker is recommended for his ‘experience in negotiating with tax authorities and deep knowledge of national and international tax’. Of counsel Robert Waldburger and Lugano-based Paolo Bottini are also recommended.

Niederer Kraft & Frey AG leverages its top-tier banking and finance practice to attract instructions to advise clients on the tax aspects of finance and capital markets transactions. For example, the firm recently advised Siemens Financial Services on the tax aspects of a share deal. Daniela Schmucki and practice head Thomas Graf are recommended.

Schellenberg Wittmer’s ‘very responsive, knowledgeable and commercial’ practice acts for clients in the financial, commercial and industrial sectors – and the firm also advises private individuals on tax issues. Practice head Michael Nordin is ‘an excellent tax adviser’.

FBT Attorneys-at-Law is ‘extremely cost-efficient’ and its partners ‘are experts in their field’. Michael Abt’s team is particularly well known for its expertise in both French and Swiss law. The departure of former team head Monica Favre in September 2012 was a blow.

Froriep Renggli has ‘a sound grasp of what clients want from their lawyers’. Danielle Wenger’s team advised a listed UK company in litigation against the Swiss Federal Tax Administration.

Gillioz Dorsaz & Associés has been representing clients in several tax litigations before the Swiss Supreme Court. Pierre Gillioz, Myriam Nicolazzi and Nicole Fragnière Meyer are recommended.

Ludwig + Partner Ltd., Attorneys is ‘an ideal firm for SMEs due to its great reliability, vast tax knowledge and value for money’. The team focuses on corporate and real estate taxation, as well as tax restructuring.

Meyerlustenberger Lachenal has ‘strong legal knowledge’ and is recommended for its ‘excellent interaction with local financial services regulators’.

Maja Bauer-Balmelli’s team at Pestalozzi provides ‘efficient, business-oriented and effective legal advice’. The firm advised Glencore group on the tax aspects of its acquisition of Viterra.

Python & Peter bolstered its practice in 2012 by hiring tax specialist Robert Danon as counsel. The firm advises on tax planning, corporate tax and contentious matters.

Boutique firm Tax Partner AG has ‘a team of highly specialised tax experts’. Stephan Pfenninger has ‘thorough knowledge of the industry, and the market challenges’, and David Ryser is ‘very experienced’.

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP has strong cross-border tax expertise, and handles transactions and litigation. Jonathan Ivinson is highly recommended.

Altenburger Ltd legal + tax advises on transactional tax matters, structured finance issues and private tax.

BCCC Attorneys-at-law LLC’s ‘proactive, accurate and prompt’ team has experience including double tax treaties, corporate tax, VAT issues, and litigation. Practice head Dominique Christin is ‘responsive and detail-oriented’.

Bill Isenegger Ackermann AG recently advised a foreign private equity firm on the tax aspects of its acquisition of a manufacturing company.

Borel & Barbey specialises in private client issues but also handles corporate tax. Laurent Kyd is the main contact.

Bratschi Wiederkehr & Buob provides ‘comprehensive support framed within a personal approach’. Bern-based Bruno Rieder is recommended.

Burckhardt Ltd. recently advised on the tax-neutral reorganisation of a foreign corporate structure. Practice head Rolf Wüthrich is ‘reactive and dedicated’.

CMS is ‘a solid firm that provides solid results’. Team head David Hürlimann has ‘hands-on experience’ and is recommended.

GHR Rechtsanwälte provides ‘knowledge and support to perfectly fit the client’s needs’. The team advised Norway’s Aktiv Kapital Group on the tax aspects of its €250m group refinancing.

Staiger, Schwald & Partner advises on corporate and private client taxation. Natalie Peter is recommended.

Andrio Orler’s team at Tavernier Tschanz has experience across the full range of Swiss direct and indirect taxation matters, both at cantonal and federal levels.

Umbricht Rechtsanwälte’s team is led by Robert Umbricht, who specialises in voluntary disclosures and administrative law cases.

Vischer’s ‘commercial and authoritative’ team regularly advises clients on the tax aspects of transactions. Private client work and tax litigation are also areas of strength.

Alain Lachappelle’s team at Wenger Plattner is strong in transactional tax work, and also handles real estate tax and private client issues.

Wenger & Vieli ‘works very professionally’ under group head Stephan Hürlimann. The team recently advised on the tax aspects of a public share buyback programme.

Kellerhals Attorneys at Law advises on corporate deals, VAT, private client matters and tax litigation. Ivo Baumgartner is recommended.

Tax is a primary focus at Poledna Boss Kurer AG and it advises on the full spread of tax issues for corporations, investors, individuals, charities, and trusts.

Rosenberg Abramovich Keren-Polak Epelman, Advocates advises Swiss clients on Israeli law aspects of tax planning and tax litigation, as well as international taxation.