Dr Olivier Favre, LL.M. > Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd > Zurich, Switzerland > Lawyer Profile

Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd maintains a broad insurance offering, including notable expertise in relation to complex multi-jurisdictional litigation. Key undertakings for the practice involve private insurance and reinsurance law, insurance fraud defence and insurance broker-related issues. Alexander von Ziegler and Olivier Favre lead from the firm’s Zurich office and Tarek Houdrouge from the Geneva office. Von Ziegler is a key contact for clients needing assistance with high-profile defence, disputes and regulatory issues, while Favre’s expertise encompasses commodities as well as insurance and reinsurance regulation, among others. Houdrouge handles various mandates, such as lending transactions and the distribution of financial products, for the team.

Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd advises on regulatory matters, such as the establishment and licensing of financial institutions as well as supporting clients on transactional matters, including syndicated loan facilities and structured finance transactions. The practice is headed by Philippe Borens whose main practice areas are the regulation of financial intermediaries, equity, and debt capital markets. Anita Schläpfer advises finance institutions and corporate clients on domestic and cross-border acquisition finance whilst Caroline Clemetson handles requests with FINMA for securities firms and fintech banking licenses. Olivier Favre focuses on derivatives, structured finance, and capital markets transactions.

Reputed for its work handling the utilisation of blockchain technology, Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd is well-equipped to manage issues surrounding digital assets, legal and regulatory compliance aspects as well as crowdfunding projects. Recommended for its ‘extraordinary level of competence and expertise’, the firm’s stellar client roster includes a variety of funds, banks and financial institutions. Olivier Favre, Tarek Houdrouge and Roland Mathys jointly spearhead the practice. Zurich-based Favre’s reputation for transactional and advisory work is prominent, and Geneva-based Houdrouge covers an array of fintech work, from cross-border M&A to venture capital. Mathys is intimately familiar with outsourcing transactions and major technology projects, while Caroline Clemetson possesses notable experience in the realm of banking and finance law. Grégoire Wuest regularly handles multi-jurisdictional transactions.

Noted for its ‘tailor-made advice and deep knowledge of the market’, Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd is well versed in mandates arising from financial services, industrial and energy sectors, among others. The team, which is led by Philippe Borens and Tarek Houdrouge, is capable of advising an array of clients on public takeovers and exchange traded products. Borens excels in the area of equity and debt capital markets and Houdroudge strengthens the team with his knowledge in cross-border trade receivables securitisation and derivative transactions. Olivier Favre’s client base encompasses financial institutions, buy-side firms and issuers. Pascal Hubli and Lorenzo Olgiati are also recommended. In December 2022, Martin Lanz retired from the practice.