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Baker & McKenzie

ZOLLIKERSTRASSE 225, PO BOX, 8034 ZÜRICH
Tel:
Work +41 44 384 14 14
Fax:
Fax +41 44 384 12 84
Web:
www.bakermckenzie.com
Email:
Zurich, Washington DC, Warsaw, Vienna, Valencia, Toronto , and 68 more

What we say about the firm's legal practice in Switzerland

Banking and finance Geneva

Within Banking and finance Geneva, Baker & McKenzie is a second tier firm,

The ‘strong’ three-partner team at Baker & McKenzie continues to advise major international and private banks active in the Geneva market. The firm has a solid public sector practice, advising public entities and banks on various financing arrangements. The firm’s derivatives practice has assisted international banks in the financing of real estate properties including hotels, commercial centres and buildings. Managing partner Martin Anderson heads the nine fee-earner department and focuses on financial products, derivatives, securities, investment funds and hedge funds. Frédéric Bétrisey has significant expertise in the area of financial services, investment funds, regulatory matters and structured financing and is the lead counsel for several international banks on real estate financing in Switzerland. Bétrisey also is the preferred counsel of a number of Geneva banks for the documentation of derivatives. Stephanie Jarrett upholds the firm’s substantial private banking practice with extensive expertise in international tax and estate planning.

Banking and finance Zurich

Within Banking and finance Zurich, Baker & McKenzie is a second tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie’s banking team based in Zurich maintain its excellent reputation in financial services. Real estate financing remains a vital aspect of the firm’s service, advising on a number of notable multi-million CHF real estate acquisitions in 2008. The firm acts for both international and domestic banks, providing cross-border, regulatory advice. Markus Affentranger, Lukas Glanzmann and the ‘excellent’ Urs Schenker are highly regarded in the market.

Capital markets

Within Capital markets, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie’s Zurich and Geneva offices both have strong, ‘reputable’ capital markets capabilities. In 2008, managing partner of the Geneva office Martin Anderson advised 4M Technologies Holding in relation to the listing of its shares, newly issued in the context of its latest capital increase. In Zurich, Urs Schenker and Marcel Giger are recommended.

Dispute resolution

Within Dispute resolution, Baker & McKenzie is a second tier firm,

Highly regarded by clients and peers alike Baker & McKenzie’s eight-partner dispute resolution practice is led by Richard Gassmann. The litigation group is experienced in disputes relating to bankruptcy, contract law, corporate, derivatives, employment, insurance, and IP law. The arbitration practice handles complex cross-border cases. Recent cases include representing the CFO of a publicly listed company in a €250m litigation against shareholders. Zurich based partner, Beat Mathys is recommended and Urs Zenhäusern is singled out for praise for his arbitration expertise.

EU, competition and WTO

Within EU, competition and WTO, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

Zurich-based Peter Reinert and Philippe Reich head Baker & McKenzie’s EU, competition and WTO practice with associate Serge Pannatier, former legal officer of the World Trade Division of the Swiss Federal Secretariat for Economic Affairs, leading the firm’s Geneva-based practice. Highlights for the four-partner, team, which is recognised as a leader in the market, include representing Romande Energie (CVE) on its merger filing with the Swiss Competition Commission of a regional joint venture relating to the partial liberalisation of the Swiss electricity supply market. In 2008, the firm represented Shell in its merger filing with the Swiss Competition Commission of a joint venture providing integrated IT solutions for into-plane services with BP and a joint venture between BP and Lufthansa.

Geneva - Leading firms

Insolvency and corporate recovery

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

As a result of the current economic climate, Baker & McKenzie, along with other Swiss firms, is acting on an increasing number of insolvency and restructuring cases. The market-leading team is known for its experience in handling high-profile restructuring matters. Urs Shenker, Lukas Glanzmann and Richard Gassmann are recommended.

Intellectual property

Within Intellectual property, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

Leading trade mark lawyer Michael Treis heads Baker & McKenzie’s three-partner IP team which holds a secure place in the market thanks to its impressive client base, including global names such as Esprit and Kraft Foods. Notable work in the last 12 months includes representing Richemont in a trade mark litigation involving its famous watch brand IWC. In this case, the firm obtained a landmark decision from the Swiss Federal Tribunal in favour of IWC.

Legal market

Within Legal market,

The legal market in Switzerland has remained largely unchanged over the past 20 years. Local firms still dominate the legal market. Well-established domestic heavyweights such as Lenz & Staehelin, Bär & Karrer AG, Python & Peter and Schellenberg Wittmer remain the prominent players. With offices in Geneva and Zurich, Baker & McKenzie is one of the few international firms to successfully break into the marketplace. In 2008 there was some significant mergers in with mid-sized firms acquiring offices in Basel, namely Bratschi Wiederkehr & Buob merging with Wagner Meili Berger and Kellerhals Attorneys at Law merging with Christen Rickli Partner.

Mergers and acquisitions

Within Mergers and acquisitions, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

Known for his ‘broad industry knowledge’, Urs Schenker leads Baker & McKenzie’s nine partner M&A practice in Zurich, with managing partner and ‘leader in the field’ Martin Anderson heading the two partner team from Geneva. Headline work for the ‘top-quality’ firm in 2008 includes advising Swiss-listed company 4M Technologies on the listing of its shares, newly issued in the context of its latest capital increase. Other work for the team includes acting for Vigier Holding on its purchase of Astrada Materials Business, and representing Argos Soditic, a private equity fund in its purchase of three companies from the listed company Valora.

Private banking

Within Private banking, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie houses a team that ‘has solid knowledge and a strong reputation for private banking work.’ Marnin Michaels heads the firm’s three-partner practice in Zurich, with Stephanie Jarrett leading the firm’s Geneva-based practice. The firm offers a wide range of services including the establishment of international trust companies, dealing with compliance issues, and the development of financial products for private banks and other financial institutions. In the last 18 months, the firm has acted for more than 50 financial institutions on wealth-management issues. Baker & McKenzie is also known for its expertise in the structuring of multinational family interests in relation to tax, business succession, income and inheritance.

Real estate and construction

Within Real estate and construction, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

Praised by clients as a firm with ‘an excellent reputation’ and an ‘international reach’, Baker & McKenzie’s real estate team provides clients with ‘a dynamic market view’ and ‘solutions-oriented’ advice. Martin Furrer and Alexander Wyss head the Zurich-based team that in 2008 advised Helvetica Property Investors on the CHF110m acquisition of several Swiss commercial and office properties. Notably, the firm acted for a large Swiss insurance company in the reorganisation of its high value real estate portfolio. Partner Franz Schenker is praised as a real estate lawyer that is in the ‘Swiss premier league’. Geneva-based Daniel Peregrina and Adrian Moore are recommended.

TMT

Within TMT, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie’s ‘excellent’ TMT practice is headed by Markus Berni in Zurich and Daniel Peregrina in Geneva. The firm provides regulatory and contractual advice for companies active in the telecoms sector. The Zurich office has advised on a number of significant M&A transactions in this field.

Tax

Within Tax, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie’s ‘excellent’ tax department is led by Denis Berdoz and Per Prod’hom in Geneva and ‘market-leading tax lawyer’ Hans-Andrée Koch in Zurich. The firm provides tax-efficient planning and structuring advice and support on domestic and cross-border tax advice for M&A transactions, spin-offs, restructurings, joint ventures and corporate finance transactions. Specific headline work includes the structuring and planning of a Swiss IPO of a consumer healthcare company, representing CommVault, on establishing European headquarters, and acting as worldwide tax counsel for Esprit Holdings.

Zurich - Leading firms

Within Zurich - Leading firms, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

‘Leading Zurich firm’ Baker & McKenzie is praised by clients for its ‘broad industrial and M&A knowledge.’ Urs Schenker is praised by clients and peers alike for his M&A expertise. Highlights for the practice in 2008 included advising Permira on the sale of Jet Aviation Group to General Dynamics. Martin Frey and Martin Furrer are recommended for their private equity expertise.

What we say worldwide

Please choose another Baker & McKenzie office to view full details of what we say in that region, or choose from this list to view a specific editorial reference in context.

Australia

Offices in Sydney and Melbourne

Austria

Offices in Vienna

Azerbaijan

Offices in Baku

Belgium

Offices in Brussels, Antwerp, and Brussels

Bahrain

Offices in Manama

China

Offices in Beijing and Shanghai

Czech Republic

Offices in Prague

Germany

Offices in Berlin, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, and Munich

Egypt

Offices in Cairo

Spain

Offices in Madrid and Barcelona

France

Offices in Paris

Ghana

Hong Kong

Offices in Hong Kong

Hungary

Offices in Budapest

Indonesia

Offices in Jakarta

India

Italy

Offices in Rome, Milan, and Bologna

Japan

Offices in Tokyo

Kuwait

Kazakhstan

Offices in Almaty

London

Offices in London and London

Libya

Malaysia

Offices in Kuala Lumpur

Netherlands

Offices in Amsterdam

UK Overview

Philippines

Offices in Makati

Poland

Offices in Warsaw

Qatar

Russia

Offices in Moscow and St Petersburg

Sweden

Offices in Stockholm

Singapore

Offices in Singapore

South Korea

Saudi Arabia

Offices in Riyadh

Switzerland

Offices in Zurich and Geneva

Taiwan

Offices in Taipei

Thailand

Offices in Bangkok

Ukraine

Offices in Kiev

US

Offices in Washington DC, Palo Alto, New York, Miami, Dallas, Chicago, San Diego, San Francisco, and Houston

Vietnam

Offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

Search News and Articles

Legal Developments by:
Baker & McKenzie

  • Tax Reforms Towards the Creation of an International Financial Center in Russia

    In December 2009 the Russian Parliament adopted important changes further promoting the Russian holding companies regime. Starting from January 1, 2011 Russian holding companies will no longer be required to meet the present 500 million ruble threshold for investments made into companies qualifying as “strategic investments” to receive tax benefits.
    - Baker & McKenzie

Legal Developments in Switzerland

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

  • Finding an International Mediator

    Identifying Suitable Candidates to Mediate an International Commercial Dispute
    - Altenburger

  • Switzerland to adopt OECD standard on exchange of information

    This Homburger Bulletin shall give an overview over the exchange of information in fiscal affairs (administrative assistance) under the recently concluded double taxation treaties by Switzerland.
    - Homburger

  • Recent developments in the regulatory environment for alternative investment service providers

    In the wake of the recent crisis in the international credit markets, alternative investment funds are also a target for new regulations, while Switzerland and other prominent financial centres continue to compete to attract alternative investment funds and asset managers. This article outlines recent developments in the Swiss regulatory environment for alternative investment service providers.
    - Walder Wyss & Partners

  • Switzerland: Environment Legislation 2010

    Switzerland: Environment Legislation 2010
    - Niederer Kraft & Frey

  • Proposed Swiss Bank Deposits Protection Law

    In response to the recent crisis in global credit markets and the insolvency of numerous banks worldwide, the Swiss Parliament passed an emergency law in December 2008 to expand protection for Swiss bank depositors. On 14 September 2009 public consultation on permanent legislation has begun. This NewsLetter summarizes and appraises the proposed Federal Law on the Protection of Bank Deposits (the ”Deposits Protection Law”or ”DPL”).
    - Walder Wyss & Partners

  • New Internet Generic Top-Level Domains - Getting Them and Disputing Them

    Beginning in 2010, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) will launch its new Generic Top Level Domain (gTLD) program. A ‘top level domain’ is the extension that consists of three or more characters at the end of an internet address, such as .com, .org or .info. The new gTLD program will allow private and public entities to apply for the gTLD of their choice, expanding the 21 gTLDs in operation today to a potentially unlimited number.
    - Walder Wyss & Partners

  • Swiss Tax Amnesty

    On 1 January 2010, the Swiss Federal Law on the Simplification of Additional Taxation for Inheritances and the Introduction of Self-Reporting without punishment will enter into force. This News-Letter deals with specific issues in this regard.
    - Walder Wyss & Partners

  • London Exodus to Geneva Runs Into Housing, School Shortages

    Dec. 21 (Bloomberg) -- Geneva, touted as a haven for London bankers facing heavier U.K. taxes, may lure fewer than predicted thanks to a housing shortage, crowded schools and a 44 percent income-tax rate.
    - Altenburger

  • SWISS IP&TECHNOLOGY BRIEFING - NOVEMBER 2009

    The legal argument over whether Nestlé Schweiz AG (“Nestlé”) may introduce its bitesize-snack KIT KAT POP CHOC into the Swiss market is fi nally settled.
    - Froriep Renggli

  • Neue Arbeitszeitbestimmungen im Gesundheitsbereich

    Der Bundesrat hat am 27.November 2009 die Revision der Verordnung 2 zum Arbeitsgesetz vom 10.Mai 2000 (ArGV 2) beschlossen. Neu geregelt werden im Gesundheitswesen die zulässige Anzahl aufeinanderfolgender Arbeitstage,die Nachtarbeit und der Pikettdienst. Die Änderungen treten am 1. Januar 2010 in Kraft. Die für den Arbeitgeber günstigeren Bedingungen hinsichtlich der Verlängerung der Arbeitswoche und der Nachtarbeit müssen jedoch in den Anstellungsbedingungen konkretisiert werden, damit sieWirkung entfalten können und Kostensparpotential ausgenutzt werden kann.
    - Walder Wyss & Partners
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