Homburger offers the ‘terrific combination of first-class expertise with a hands-on client-focused approach.‘ Led by the experienced Frank Gerhard and Benedikt Maurenbrecher, the group is well versed in the full gamut of capital market transactions, also covering regulatory and tax aspects. The practice scope includes equity transactions such as IPOs, capital increases, block trades, private placements and other corporate finance transactions. Convertible and exchangeable bonds as well as debt capital transactions and hybrid debt instruments are also handled. Dieter Gericke and Daniel Daeniker both counsel on IPOs and private placements. Benjamin Leisinger is noted for being ‘a fast thinker, highly efficient and very responsive‘. René Bösch is a DCM expert. Daniel Häusermann is a ‘sharp counsel gifted with a solid finance background.’

The capital markets practice at Lenz & Staehelin is regularly sought after by Swiss and foreign issuers and banks, ETC and ETF promoters as well as international associations. The offering includes equity offerings such as IPOs, rights offerings, and share buybacks; offerings of bonds, loan participation notes and mortgage-backed transactions. Convertible bonds and exchange offers/tender offers for bonds and notes in Switzerland are also handled. The Geneva office is led by Jacques Iffland while the Zurich team is headed up by Hans-Jakob Diem and Patrick Schleiffer. François Rayroux is another prominent practitioner with longstanding experience.

Niederer Kraft Frey AG has established itself as a strong player on debt, equity and hybrid capital market products. The group has a particular strong track record in IPOs, but also assists with Swiss domestic securitization transactions, issuance of covered bonds, equity capital markets transactions, as well as rights offerings, spin-offs and private equity placements. François M. Bianchi leads the practice, which also includes DCM and ECM transaction specialist Daniel Bono and Philipp Haas who also covers market conduct rules. Till Spillmann is considered to be ‘an amazing partner‘. Philippe Weber also advises on compliance with securities law and regulations. Andrea Giger was promoted to partner in January 2022. Christina Del Vecchio became a general counsel at PolyPeptide Group in mid-2021.

The team at Walder Wyss Ltd. covers a wide range of capital market matters, such as initial public offerings, private investments in public enterprises (PIPEs), and high-yield or mezzanine financings. Convertible bond issues, derivative instruments and new hybrid security or debt restructurings are also handled. In close collaboration across practice groups, the members regularly act for national and international issuers, syndicate banks, and shareholders. Practice head Theodor Härtsch is further well versed in corporate and capital markets compliance matters, while Lukas Wyss also covers regulatory securities. Alexander Nikitine has know-how in DCM and ECM offerings.

Transaction specialist boutique Advestra hit the ground running since opening its doors at the beginning of 2020. The group has a track record of advising on equity and debt capital market transactions on matters such as IPOs, rights issues, PIPEs, accelerated book-buildings (ABBs) and other structures. Hybrid bonds, covered bonds, high-yield bonds and convertible bonds are also handled. The group’s client portfolio includes listed companies, Swiss and global investment banks, private equity sponsors, sovereign wealth funds and other domestic and foreign financial and strategic investors. Thomas Reutter enjoys an excellent reputation in the market. He is supported by the up-and-coming Annette Weber, Alexander von Jeinsen and Sandro Fehlmann.

Bär & Karrer Ltd. demonstrates strength in acting for both issuers and lead managers on IPOs as well as on the issuance of bonds and notes. Other areas of expertise are equity-linked and regulatory capital instruments, private placements and recapitalisation programmes. The practice is regularly active in the banking, insurance, industrials, technology, healthcare & life sciences as well as the real estate sectors. Rolf Watter and Ralph Malacrida both have considerable experience in capital market transactions. Urs Kägi is well versed in capital increases, IPOs, new listings, and dual listings. Other prominent practitioners are Lukas Roesler, Dieter Dubs and Frédéric Bétrisey.

Kellerhals Carrard is noted for its ‘entrepreneurial approach, taking new roads and finding innovative solutions.’ Its speciality is advising large companies and banks on listed financial products, as well as on mid-cap capital market transactions. The team has considerable experience in the FinTech sector. The ‘creative negotiator‘ Beat Brechbuehl handles transactions and leads the practice with Dominik Oberholzer who is a listed financial products expert. Jean-Luc Chenaux knows IPO-related issues well and associate Shayan Mirabi is considered to be ‘calm, highly efficient and delivers results needed.‘ The group was reinforced by the arrival of Luca Bianchi in early 2021, who was previously at Niederer Kraft Frey AG.

With an emphasis on equity capital market matters, the team at MLL Legal advises especially issuers and investment banks on the full range of capital market transactions, including IPOs, private placements, rights offerings, debt offerings and exchange offers. The offering further includes assisting listed companies with corporate governance and ongoing regulatory matters. Wolfgang Müller and Christoph Heiz are experienced in debt and equity CM transactions and lead the practice with Catrina Luchsinger Gähwiler who has know-how in structuring investment products. Andrea Sieber  is well versed in regulated industries.

Pestalozzi is an established go-to counsel to domestic and international banks and corporations in the capital market area. The team has experience acting in a range of equity, debt and securitisation transactions, with particular strength in bond issuances, advising also on capital markets platforms and exchanges and listing of ETPs. In a recent highlight, it was involved in one of Switzerland’s first green bonds. Several team members are also recognised issuers’ representatives. Practice head Oliver Widmer is ‘always up-to-date and his advice is very helpful.’ Urs Klöti and Christian Leuenberger can offer know-how at the intersection of finance and corporate law respectively. Beat Schwarz is a debt capital market contact, while Andrea Huber covers regulatory aspects.

Clients highlight Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd for having ‘a holistic approach also covering business aspects.‘ The group is often sought after by a variety of clients, including industry associations, from the financial services, energy, engineering, industrials, IT, life sciences and real estate sectors. It covers the full gamut of capital market matters, including OTC and exchange-traded derivatives, and the issuance of structured products. Its regulatory expertise is further noted. Department head Philippe Borens is well versed in equity as well as in debt capital market transactions. Martin Lanz also advises on stock exchange law. Olivier Favre specialises in derivatives and structured finance. Tarek Houdrouge is the key contact in Geneva. Senior associate Fabio Elsener is ‘extremely efficient.’

VISCHER is noted for its expertise in assisting underwriters and issuers with the listing of securities at the SIX Swiss Exchange, share listings and equity transactions in general; these often take place in the life sciences and FinTech space. Other skills also include supporting clients in dealing with a variety of bond issues, distressed bonds, public takeovers and proxy solicitations in addition to covering regulatory work. Key contacts Markus Guggenbühl and Jana Essebier are well versed in derivate instruments. Robert Bernet  deals with public takeovers of listed companies. Adrian Dörig leads the department.

Recognised as expert issuer representatives by SIX Exchange Regulation, the team at Prager Dreifuss AG advises companies on their initial public offering (IPO) as well as listed companies on all aspects of stock exchange law. Other services include support in public and private placements, token offerings, management transactions and insider trading law. Led by Urs Bertschinger, the group is regularly instructed by issuers as well as banks and other financial service providers. Andreas Moll is also noted.

The ‘dealmakers’ at Wenger Vieli Ltd are particularly focused on equity capital markets, but also see an increase in debt-related work. Banks, companies and private equity funds as well as several start-ups approach the group for its capital market expertise. Pascal Honold is a key contact for listed companies in a range of matters and leads the practice together with IPO specialist Wolfgang Zürcher. Beat Speck handles capital market and other transactions.