Switzerland > TMT > Law firm and leading lawyer rankings

Zurich-based firm Homburger has 'one of Switzerland's leading practice groups for data privacy law'. The team combines intellectual property and patent law with regulatory and commercial expertise in telecoms and media, as well as marketing, e-commerce and internet law. Georg Rauber assisted Viacar with the negotiation of a re-design project for its core application platform, while Gregor Bühler is defending Google against defamation claims concerning the right to be forgotten. 'Approachable, supportive and pragmatic leading lawyer' David Rosenthal advises Open Systems on IT security services contracts with international companies.

VISCHER's TMT practice has experience of sector-relevant convergence issues, regulatory requirements, online services licensing, outsourcing and transfer agreements. Rolf Auf der Maur successfully represented Swisscom as defendant in the first Swiss ISP-blocking matter brought by film rights holders, while Basel-based Christian Wyss assists Sympany with the review, drafting and negotiation of various different IT agreements with suppliers and outsourcing providers. Netflix, Quadrant and Additiv also feature in the client list.

Walder Wyss Ltd 'has a strong data privacy team', while also dealing with fintech projects, outsourcing and technology transfer, as well as licensing, transactions, insolvency matters and TMT litigation. Michael Isler advised the joint venture structure of insurance consortium B3i, which aims to develop a blockchain, while 'exceptional' counsel David Vasella, who 'combines an outstanding level of expertise with creativity and professionalism', is assisting Galenica with its GDPR implementation. Mark Reutter acts for Zurich Insurance company on the re-negotiation of an existing global outsourcing agreement. Didier Sangiorgio is another name to note. Former managing associate Dirk Spacek joined CMS as partner in February 2019.

The TMT practice at Baker McKenzie focuses on product compliance, data privacy, regulatory requirements, service distribution and licensing matters. In a new highlight, Alessandro Celli assists Planzer Transporte with its GDPR compliance programme and implementation. Hubert Gillieron is the key partner in Geneva.

'Highly professional and responsive firm' Bär & Karrer Ltd. 'is the go-to firm for international companies', 'providing the perfect mix of extraordinary legal skills, deep industry knowledge, proactivity and kind personal treatment'. Its range of TMT services includes M&A transactions and joint ventures, software contracts and IT outsourcing projects, regulatory telecoms law, as well as intellectual property, commercial, tax and estate planning assistance for artists in the media and entertainment sector. 'Readily available, business-minded and technically excellent' Markus Wang handled the software and intellectual property aspects of the client's (an affiliate of Warburg Pincus) acquisition of a stake in Avaloq. 'Leading lawyer' Michele Bernasconi, who is 'a smart strategist' and 'makes a practical and straightforward approach to legal problems', serves as a regular adviser to Hotels.com, Expedia.com and Facebook on regulatory and compliance issues.

Lausanne-based specialist firm id est avocats sàrl is best known for its financing and investment, fintech, media and medical technology expertise. A recent highlight for Michel Jaccard is his advice to Beqom on its data protection compliance programme, while Juliette Ancelle assists start-up Kapaw with fundraising and the drafting of standard terms and conditions regarding its video platform.

Lenz & Staehelin is renowned for its transactional, contractual, licensing, regulatory, e-commerce, advertising and outsourcing experience, including longstanding expertise in the banking sector. In recent work, Lukas Morscher assisted a global banking group with the regulatory and transactional aspects concerning intra-group hosted data platform solutions. Transactions partner Guy Vermeil is the main contact in Geneva.

'Service-oriented and well-reputed law firm' Meyerlustenberger Lachenal Ltd (MLL) 'has in-depth knowledge of data protection law and its developments', while also being 'well versed in handling IT contracts for the health sector' and 'cross-border fintech', as well as 'e-commerce matters'. It has additional expertise in IT outsourcing and regulatory topics, technology transfer, copyright and transactions. The client roster includes Bucherer, Schweiz Tourismus, Sunrise and British American Tobacco. The 'highly committed, practical and professional stand-out partner and strong visionary' Lukas Bühlmann and 'quick and efficient' senior associate Michael Reinle are recommended.

MME Legal | Tax | Compliance impresses with its 'good all-round knowledge of data and IT issues, with particular expertise in blockchain'. The team also provides assistance with IT outsourcing, distribution, transactions and medical technology, as well as regulatory matters, data protection and telecoms law. Key name Martin Eckert represents a Swiss bank in a court case pertaining to a licensing issue, while Luka Müller, Thomas Linder and Andreas Glarner are instructed by numerous clients to assist with the set-up of ICO structures.

Niederer Kraft Frey AG has 'longstanding relationships with clients and develops deep insights into the particularities of each business structure'. The TMT practice combines expertise in broadcasting, data privacy, outsourcing, licensing and IoT matters with significant telecoms knowledge and sports-related media experience. The 'team-working approach' between 'business expert' András Gurovits and 'data privacy specialist' Clara-Ann Gordon is 'highly appreciated'. The duo assist Fifa and Huawei with their GDPR readiness. Gordon is also a regular adviser to Microsoft on all Swiss TMT matters.

Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd regularly works on outsourcing projects, transactions, contractual and compliance matters, as well as dispute resolution, for emerging technology, telecoms, media, banking, pharmaceutical and construction clients. Practice lead Roland Mathys advises Ernst & Young on the drafting and negotiation of ICT contracts and data privacy law. Manor and Coop also feature in the client list. IT competition partner David Mamane is another name to note.

Augsburger Deutsch & Partner's practice handles IT procurement and contract matters for both public and private clients. In a recent highlight, key partner Wolfgang Straub assists the Swiss Bar Association with cloud services for lawyers, including the design of a public RFI procedure and drafting of a model contract for law firms. The Swiss Confederation's State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) is also a client.

'One of the leading Swiss thinkers in blockchain', tokenisation and ICOs, Froriep houses 'a skilled team of IT lawyers who are available when needed'. It 'stands out for its combination of longstanding corporate finance experience with deep knowledge of the fintech start-up industry, which gives the lawyers fantastic credibility'. Additional services include technology transactions, contracts and outsourcing projects, as well as telecoms regulation matters. 'Trusted partner' Catrina Luchsinger Gähwiler teamed up with 'pragmatic and broadly knowledgeable' associate Ronald Kogens to assist Procivis with its ICO and data encryption project "Vetri", while 'outstandingly professional subject matter expert' Nicola Benz advises Elea Labs on the licensing of its applications and the development of new blockchain technology for the real estate sector.

Business boutique firm HDC specialises in data protection, IT outsourcing, commercial and contract law. Key partners Sylvain Métille and David Raedler act for SECO on the development of a new web-based platform for SMEs, involving data protection, public tender and contract aspects. The client roster also includes GILAI and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne.

The TMT team at Kellerhals Carrard focuses on litigation, outsourcing projects, IT licensing, fintech and e-commerce matters. Lausanne-based Edgar Philippin assists the Basketball Champions League with the commercialisation of its media rights and outsourcing of media contents production. Daniel Alder, Daniel Emch and Nicolas Mosimann are other key names.

Pestalozzi's TMT team is 'very caring and precise' and 'delivers work to the clients' complete satisfaction'. Covering e-commerce, data protection, IT distribution and outsourcing, telecoms law, as well as fintech and medical tech matters, the practice is led by 'devoted lawyer' Lorenza Ferrari Hofer, who counts the Southern Switzerland Film Commission among her clients. Intellectual property partners Thomas Legler and Michèle Burnier are other key members of the team.

'Multi-skilled' firm Thouvenin Rechtsanwälte 'understands client needs and acts at a very high professional level, with an excellent view for the big picture'. The focus areas include litigation, regulatory and compliance matters, contracts, as well as fintech products. The 'outstanding and very experienced' practice lead Katia Favre advises Microsoft on Swiss telecoms law and compliance topics. The team also comprises fintech specialist Michael Bosch and litigator Patrick Rohn.

TMT is a key sector for boutique Zurich-based firm TIMES Attorneys, which handles cognitive computing, digitalisation, automation and virtualisation technologies. The team assists with IT licensing and outsourcing agreements, data protection issues and compliance reviews. Lausanne partner Philippe Gilliéron and Markus Kaiser in Zürich are key names. Alesch Staehelin joined in November 2018 from his previous position as lead counsel at IBM.