The Legal 500

Within Geneva, Schellenberg Wittmer is a second tier firm,

Jean-Yves De Both heads Schellenberg Wittmer’s ‘thorough and responsive’ team, which enjoys excellent links with major French banks including BNP Paribas, which it recently advised on the Swiss aspects of the transfer of its shipping finance portfolio from Geneva BNP Paribas (Suisse) to Paris BNP Paribas. The team also advised Geneva-based private bank Reyl & Cie on its acquisition of Solitaire Wealth Management. Jean Jacques Ah Choon is also recommended.

Within Zurich, Schellenberg Wittmer is a second tier firm,

Schellenberg Wittmer’s Anita Schläpfer recently led advice to UBS, Credit Suisse and Zurich Kantonalbank (as mandated lead arrangers and initial lenders) on the provision of a CHF285m syndicated term loan, revolving loan and guarantee facilities to Autoneum. On the regulatory side, the firm was appointed as commissioner by FINMA to verify certain regulatory and compliance matters.

Within Capital markets, Schellenberg Wittmer is a second tier firm,

Schellenberg Wittmer advised Swiss-based Schlatter Holding on its CHF19.3m share capital increase through the issuance of 133,333 new registered shares. Other clients include Züblin Immobilien and Raiffeisen Switzerland Cooperative. Martin Lanz is ‘pragmatic and co-operative’, Philippe Borens is ‘experienced and accurate’, and Jean-Yves De Both is also recommended.

Within Dispute resolution, Schellenberg Wittmer is a first tier firm,

Schellenberg Wittmer has ‘strong industry knowledge that means it provides a level of expertise that other firms cannot match’. The litigation practice is jointly led by Geneva-based Christian Girod, who is ‘a good all-rounder with a client-friendly style’, and Zurich-based Martin Bernet. Their team regularly handles cross-border disputes including cases regarding the tracing and recovery of assets and enforcement of foreign judgements. The arbitration practice is led by Anne-Véronique Schlaepfer in Geneva and the ‘diligent, responsive and knowledgeable’ Nathalie Voser in Zurich. It is representing the Czech Republic in a case against an allegedly fraudulent coal mining company.

Within EU, competition and WTO, Schellenberg Wittmer is a first tier firm,

Schellenberg Wittmer’s Jürg Borer and David Mamane are leading the firm’s advice to SIX Multipay in an SCC investigation into an alleged abuse of a dominant position. The firm also successfully represented Orange in a formal investigation by the SCC into the Swiss mobile telecoms market.

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery, Schellenberg Wittmer is a first tier firm,

Schellenberg Wittmer’s practice head Vincent Jeanneret is ‘a highly reliable expert in bankruptcy matters at Swiss and international level’ and was recently appointed by FINMA as liquidator of Swiss securities dealer, ACH Securities. The firm also has strong experience in distressed M&A matters and complex cross-border bankruptcy disputes.

Within Intellectual property, Schellenberg Wittmer is a second tier firm,

Schellenberg Wittmer’s IP team is well known for its pharmaceuticals expertise and is representing Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals in three significant international arbitration cases relating to product licensing and distribution. Andrea Mondini is the name to note in Zurich, while Philippe Ducor heads the team in Geneva.

Within Geneva, Schellenberg Wittmer is a first tier firm,

Geneva stalwart Schellenberg Wittmer is ‘one of the two firms that dominate the local market’ and clients say, ‘the firm’s house style is characterised by low-ego, high-quality lawyers’. Litigator and insolvency expert Vincent Jeanneret, private client specialist Bernard Vischer and litigator Paul Gully-Hart are recommended.

Within Zurich, Schellenberg Wittmer is a second tier firm,

Zurich may be Schellenberg Wittmer’s second office, but the calibre of individuals is extremely high. Arbitration specialist Martin Bernet is well regarded, Jürg Borer is highly sought for competition law advice, and tax head Michael Nordin is an industry leader.

Within Mergers and acquisitions, Schellenberg Wittmer is a second tier firm,

Schellenberg Wittmer’s corporate practice in Geneva is led by Jean Jacques Ah Choon, who recently advised electricity company, Services Industriels de Genève, on its purchase of 15.05% of EnergieDienst Holding’s share capital. Other deals include advising Watson Pharmaceuticals on the Swiss aspects of its acquisition of Actavis Group. Martin Weber heads the Zurich team, which also includes ‘safe pair of hands’ Oliver Triebold.

Within Private banking, Schellenberg Wittmer is a first tier firm,

Considered by some to be one of the ‘top two private banking firms in the market’, Schellenberg Wittmer is praised for ‘its house style that is characterised by low-ego, high-quality lawyers’. Bernard Vischer is ‘very knowledgeable in terms of multinational tax and estate work’, Manuel Liatowitsch is ‘an exceptionally good lawyer that provides down-to-earth, high-quality advice’, and Georg von Segesser is ‘a real senior statesman and excellent in situations requiring calm and gravitas’. Clients include private banks and high-net-worth individuals.

Within Real estate and construction, Schellenberg Wittmer is a second tier firm,

Schellenberg Wittmer’s ‘very responsive, knowledgeable and commercial’ practice has expertise in transactional real estate and contentious construction matters. Geneva-based Yves Jeanrenaud, who heads the practice nationally, led advice to Züblin Immobilien on its CHF73.4m sale of a building to Swiss Life. Zurich head of real estate Josef Caleff and Zurich head of construction Nathalie Voser are also recommended, and the team also includes newly promoted arbitration and construction partner Christopher Boog.

Within TMT, Schellenberg Wittmer is a second tier firm,

Schellenberg Wittmer’s strong telecoms practice acts for clients such as Orange, Cablecom and Dutch telecoms provider KPN International. Andrea Mondini and Jürg Borer are the practice co-heads.

Within Tax, Schellenberg Wittmer is a second tier firm,

Schellenberg Wittmer’s ‘very responsive, knowledgeable and commercial’ practice acts for clients in the financial, commercial and industrial sectors – and the firm also advises private individuals on tax issues. Practice head Michael Nordin is ‘an excellent tax adviser’.

Within Transport: aviation, maritime and rail, Schellenberg Wittmer is a first tier firm,

Schellenberg Wittmer is ‘the first port of call for marine claims’ and the team’s ‘very responsive and professional’ lawyers also have an excellent reputation for aviation law. The firm was appointed by Skyguide, and its insurers, to represent the interests of Air Traffic Control following the Überlingen mid-air collision. ‘Industry expert’ Alexander von Ziegler is recommended for his ‘rare expertise and client relationship management’.