Switzerland > TMT > Law firm and leading lawyer rankings

Homburger is highly adept at advising clients from the telecommunications, media and IT sectors on the full spread of IP, data protection and outsourcing matters as well as on transactions, e-commerce and contentious issues. The team assisted Viacar with the redesign of its application platform and related project management aspects and defended Google against several claims concerning defamation and the right to be forgotten. Georg Rauber and David Rosenthal are the key partners.

Vischer delivers ‘a very good performance with quick reactions, subject competency and a solution-oriented approach’. The practice is particularly well known for broadcasting and e-commerce matters, while also handling IT and telecommunication cases. Recent highlights include representing Swisscom in Switzerland’s first ISP blocking case brought by film rights holders and advising Netflix on copyright issues as well as on regulatory requirements for VOD services. Private TV network 3 Plus Group is another active client. Rolf Auf der Maur is a ‘proven specialist’.

Walder Wyss Ltd’s ‘excellent’ practice is particularly recommended for its ‘strong partnership and team-player qualities’, which add to the ‘profound expertise in technology issues, outsourcing and data protection’, as well as the ‘high responsiveness and open dialogue’; the group also advises on IP matters and contentious TMT issues. Co-lead Mark Reutter assisted Kuoni with the reorganisation of its global outsourcings, as well as on application management, data centre hosting and end-user support. Other work included advising Migros on its global GDPR implementation project. ‘Efficient and excellent negotiator’ Michael Isler and Lugano team head Stefano Codoni are recommended. Roger Staub and counsel David Vasella joined from Froriep in 2017.

Exhibiting a ‘high level of business and industry knowledge’, Baker McKenzie ‘performs well in TMT matters’, particularly in relation to internet-based products, e-commerce and distribution, technology implementation, data privacy, cyber security as well as regulatory and contentious TMT issues. The group advised Intrum Justitia on BPOs of video-ID and e-signing solutions. Swisscom, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Apple are other active clients. Alessandro Celli and Markus Winkler joined from Froriep.

Bär & Karrer Ltd.’s ‘meticulous’ team ‘provides high-quality advice in a very prompt manner’, not least due to its ‘quick understanding, great experience in international matters and unique arbitration and litigation expertise’. The practice covers software contracts, IT outsourcings, M&A transactions, IP matters, as well as regulatory and tax issues. Recent highlights include advising Sky Deutschland on its acquisition of Homedia and assisting industry heavyweights such as Expedia and Facebook with regulatory issues. As ‘one of Switzerland’s leading lawyers in the TMT area’, the ‘clever, pragmatic and technically impeccable’ Michele Bernasconi has a ‘unique background in media issues’ and ‘always anticipates problems’; he jointly heads the practice with Markus Wang.

With a particular focus on IT issues, id est avocats sàrl offers specialist expertise in fintech, cyber security, cloud services and digital health matters. The team frequently assists scaleup Bestmile with all contractual, licensing and data ownership aspects and advised a health insurance group on the development of a new online and social media marketing strategy as well as on compliance with GDPR data protection regulation. Michel Jaccard and Juliette Ancelle are the key contacts.

Lenz & Staehelin’s ‘first-rate’ team provides transactional and regulatory advice in the TMT sector, as well as assistance with data management, media rights, fintech and outsourcing. Recent work includes assisting a global asset management group with the structuring and implementation of a hosted data management platform and advising an international insurance group on restructuring and outsourcing matters in preparation for Brexit. The ‘excellent’ Lukas Morscher is ‘great with clients’ and ‘very easy to work with’, while Guy Vermeil ‘consistently combines high technical knowledge with strong business acumen, risk assessment and strategic vision’.

Niederer Kraft Frey focuses on telecoms and IT transactions, regulatory and contractual advice, as well as IT procurement, licensing, outsourcing and cyber security; other areas of expertise include sports media rights and related dispute resolution. The team advised Actelion on data protection issues and is frequently assisting FIFA with media rights agreements, television contracts, IP, sponsorship and marketing aspects. András Gurovits and data protection lawyer Clara-Ann Gordon are the main contacts.

Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd’s ‘competitive, pragmatic and solution-oriented’ team consists of ‘top professionals who have an excellent track record as well as deep knowledge and understanding of client needs’. The group handles IP, competition, compliance and contentious issues for TMT clients as well as major technology system implementation, outsourcing and digital transformation matters. Recent highlights include advising Schindler on an IT infrastructure outsourcing and assisting Manor Group with the development of a new IT platform. The ‘highly experienced’ Roland Mathys is ‘always focused and target-oriented’ and has a ‘clear strategic instinct to state-of-the-art solutions in a very constructive way’. Competition partner David Mamane ‘is good at taking the client’s commercial reality into account for his advice’.

Wolfgang Straub of Augsburger Deutsch & Partner is ‘highly appreciated for his expertise in public tendering and IP law, as well as creative contract drafting and negotiation skills’. The practice focuses heavily on IT contracts and public procurement tenders for software development, outsourcing and system integration projects. Straub advises the Cantone of Bern on the acquisition of a new election voting software system and assisted Swiss Post with public tender procedures for the client’s public transport system architecture programme which also includes software components.

Froriep’s TMT group is ‘extremely responsive’, ‘delivers work on time’ and primarly advises on technology transactions, data protection, cyber security, outsourcing, IP and media rights, telecommunication regulations, licensing and contractual matters. Highlight work included representing Scytl Secur Electronic Voting in negotiations with Swiss Post regarding a software development venture and advising a foreign telecoms provider on regulatory issues, data protection and consumer rights regarding its market entry in Switzerland. The ‘efficient and approachable’ Nicola Benz provides ‘competent and practical advice on data protection matters’.

‘Excellent’ boutique offering HDC’s mainstays clearly are data protection and cyber security advice, as well as assistance with telecommunication regulation issues and IT law. ‘Valuable data privacy expert’ Sylvain Métille, who ‘is very reactive and able to quickly manage difficult and specific issues related to Swiss or European law’, advised Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne on outsourcing matters as well as on general data protection compliance.

Kellerhals Carrard primarily assists clients with outsourcings, e-commerce, fintech and IT litigation, while also advising telecoms companies on regulatory, corporate and transactional matters. The team regularly assists software company Magnolia International with IP matters, software licensing, development agreements and compliance aspects and recently represented several Swiss communities in a dispute regarding the cancellation of shareholder agreements with telecoms provider InterGGA due to poor service. Daniel Alder, Thomas Bähler, Edgar Philippin and Nicolas Mosimann are the key contacts.

MME Legal | Tax | Compliance’s ‘professional and very good’ practice is ‘highly service-oriented and an absolute specialist in the TMT sector’. The group is particularly well versed in IT matters, including advice on crypto finance, data protection and outsourcing to banks and companies. Recent work includes representing one of the top four banks in Switzerland in a software license court case and advising Ethereum Foundation on the structuring and implementation of a crowd-funded cryptocurrency development. ‘Outstanding and target-oriented IT lawyer’ Martin Eckert ‘listens to the client’s needs first before giving advice’ and ‘does not hesitate to give recommendations regarding risk-based approaches’. Luka Müller, Andreas Glarner and Thomas Linder are the key contacts for fintech matters.

‘Expert firm’ Meyerlustenberger Lachenal Ltd (MLL) ‘impresses with very short response times, practical and tailored advice, as well as a pragmatic, client-oriented approach at affordable rates’. Focus areas include copyright and regulatory advice to broadcasters, IT outsourcings and cloud-computing projects, e-commerce, data protection and analytics, technology transfer, investments, TMT disputes and IP law topics. Teo Jacob, Salza and Assia are exemplary clients. ‘Clear communicator’ Lukas Bühlmann and ‘competent data protection specialist’ Michael Reinle, who both joined from former boutique firm Bühlmann Rechtsanwälte in July 2017, as well as the ‘constructive and pragmatic’ Reinhard Oertli are recommended.

Pestalozzi is experienced in assisting with IT services and licences, data protection, online distribution and advertising, as well as cyber crime matters. Sony Computer Entertainment Switzerland, Infor and advertising company WPP are active clients. Lorenza Ferrari Hofer, Thomas Legler and Michèle Burnier form the core team.

Thouvenin Rechtsanwälte’s ‘very good practice performs well in the TMT field’ and advised Microsoft Corporation on Swiss telecommunications law. ‘Responsive, knowledgeable and to-the-point’ associate Katia Favre is ‘highly appreciated by clients’. David Känzig is the key partner of the team.