Dr Thomas Legler > Pestalozzi > Geneva, Switzerland > Lawyer Profile

The practice at Pestalozzi is known for providing legal advice and representation to leading domestic and international clients in various TMT areas such as IT services, online distribution and advertising, outsourcing, privacy, e-commerce, and e-discovery. The expanding team is headed by Lara Dorigo, whose practice focuses on IP enforcement and defence, technology transfer, new technologies, e-commerce, entertainment law, advertising, licensing, personality rights issues, and branding strategies. IP experts Michèle Burnier and Thomas Legler both represent clients before the Swiss courts and in arbitral proceedings, respectively.

Covering a diverse scope of industries in its practice, Pestalozzi‘s ‘very well-prepared and experienced’ arbitration team is especially noted for its in-depth capabilities within commodities and banking related disputes as well as internal investigations. Active at both a national and international level, the team is a strong choice for states and state-owned entities, as well as private clients, for assistance with civil, criminal and regulatory disputes. Laurent Killias, who is geared to assist with disputes arising from construction, civil engineering and R&D, jointly leads the practice alongside Thomas Legler, who is a reputed expert within the IP, IT and data protection arenas. Michael Kramer utilises his tri-lingual capabilities to advise clients on a range of international commercial arbitration across the fields of banking, pharma and commodities, while Thomas Rohner is entrusted with asset tracing and a host of commercial disputes. Alexandra Johnson, who is noted for her ‘exceptional responsiveness, unwavering client focus, and razor-sharp acumen’, is also active at both a national and international level. Lukas Rusch’s wide ranging expertise consists of, but is not limited to, construction, insurance and investor-state disputes.

Acting for international and national blue chip and service companies, Pestalozzi’s wide-ranging expertise is comprised of disputes involving data protection issues, cyber criminality issues and use of digital data on ICT platforms. The team increasingly handles legal issues arising from digital medical data and their relevance for research and development of pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Michèle Burnier leads the practice and is prominent within the Swiss civil and criminal courts. Arbitration expert Thomas Legler and Sarah Drukarch, who specialises in both life sciences and corporate areas, bolster the practice. Markus Winkler is another name to note.

Accomplished in a broad array of industries that includes life sciences, beverages and cosmetics, Pestalozzi‘s expansive practice encompasses the enforcement of IP rights, technology transfer agreements and portfolio management, alongside a host of other issues. The team is noted for being ‘adept at understanding client needs and delivering targeted solutions that exceed expectations’. ‘Exceptional’ and ‘client driven’ practice head Lara Dorigo is well regarded for her skills in advising clients on pharma, biologics and med tech patent litigation. IP arbitration expert Thomas Legler and Michèle Burnier are also recommended.