The Legal 500

Within Zurich, VISCHER is a second tier firm,

Vischer’s ‘very motivated’ team provides ‘valuable’ advice to clients including Credit Suisse, Bank Julius Bär & Co. and Commerzbank. It continued to advise the liquidators of Lehman Brothers Switzerland on various regulatory and legal issues, and advised OC Oerlikon Corporation Pfäffikon on Swiss law relating to a CHF2.4bn facility agreement. Team head Markus Guggenbühl is recommended along with Adrian Dörig.

Within Capital markets, VISCHER is a second tier firm,

Vischer acts for clients including UBS, Bank of America and Dresdner Bank. It advised Bank Julius Bär on documenting and updating its structured products listings on the SIX Swiss Exchange and advised International Minerals Corporation on its SIX listing. Markus Guggenbühl heads the team.

Within Dispute resolution, VISCHER is a second tier firm,

Vischer’s six-partner team is headed by Thomas Gelzer and has a strong profile in litigation and arbitration. It handles a large number of international mandates and has focused recently on cases pertaining to the new Swiss federal rules of civil procedure. Daniele Favalli, Christoph Pestalozzi and Christian Oetiker are recommended. Thomas Weibel became a partner in 2011.

Within EU, competition and WTO, VISCHER is a second tier firm,

Vischer’s ‘outstanding’ team is ‘always to the point’ with ‘quick responses’ to clients including Douglas Holdings and Swiss International Airlines. It has comprehensive competition and antitrust expertise and represents clients in merger control, administration and civil proceedings, as well as investigations before the Swiss Competition Commission. Team head Klaus Neff is recommended, as is Rolf Auf der Mauer.

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery, VISCHER is a second tier firm,

Vischer has advised the liquidators of Lehman Brothers on a number of regulatory issues. Menag Energie’s creditors also appointed the firm as liquidator of the insolvent company. David Jenny heads the three-partner team.

Within Intellectual property, VISCHER is a second tier firm,

Vischer has expertise in new media and entertainment, where it advises a variety of well-known Swiss enterprises, as well as in life sciences. Practice head Stefan Kohler is recommended for pharmaceuticals and life sciences and trade mark issues. Rolf Auf der Mauer and senior associate Claudia Keller have ‘a very good understanding of the TV industry’ and ‘understand the challenges facing the media sector’.

Within Basel, VISCHER is a first tier firm,

Vischer is a leading name in Basel, particularly for its expertise in the pharmaceuticals and biotech sectors. David Jenny is recommended for corporate matters and the ‘outstanding’ Sebastian Burckhardt for private client affairs. Rolf Auf der Mauer is noted for his expertise in TMT, Matthias Staehelin for M&A and capital markets, and Thomas Gelzer for dispute resolution.

Within Zurich, VISCHER is a third tier firm,

Vischer is well regarded by clients across the spectrum of practice areas, and acts for names including Julius Baer Holding, Swiss International Airlines and Menag Energie. Rolf Auf der Mauer is well regarded for TMT.

Within Mergers and acquisitions, VISCHER is a second tier firm,

Vischer is ‘always very committed, to the point and innovative in seeking alternative solutions’, and demonstrates ‘sound professional know-how, excellent teamwork and first-class co-operation with third parties’. The team, which has four partners each in Basel and Zurich, advised Toshiba on its acquisition of Landis+Gyr; and Oerlikon Textile and W. Reiners on the sale of their combined majority stake in Schlafhorst Engineering (India). Team head Jürg Luginbühl is ‘an exceptional negotiator’, and ‘makes the deal happen’.

Within Public sector, VISCHER is a first tier firm,

Vischer’s ‘strong and pragmatic’ team advises clients, including Industrielle Werke Basel, on energy and telecoms matters and aspects of the liberalisation and regulation of national electricity and gas markets.

Within Real estate and construction, VISCHER is a third tier firm,

‘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’.

Within TMT, VISCHER is a second tier firm,

Vischer’s expertise in IT and online and broadcasting services attracts clients including Swisscom, Hostpoint and Condor. Rolf Auf der Mauer has ‘a thorough understanding of the TV, media and telecoms industry’, and is ‘very well connected’ in the Swiss media industry.

Within Tax, tier 4

Christoph Niederer joined Vischer in 2010 to bolster the team following a number of departures. The new-look group advises international and domestic clients on large transactions and financing agreements.

Within Transport: Aviation, maritime and rail, VISCHER is a second tier firm,

Vischer’s aviation-focused team advises on concessions, handles damage and insurance cases, and acts on the purchase, sale and leasing of aircraft for clients including Swiss International Airlines and Lufthansa. Christoph Pestalozzi and Urs Haegi are the key names.