Homburger is noted for its expertise in handling investigations of the Swiss competition authority and its coordination of multi-jurisdictional merger control filings. The firm expertly helps clients navigate complex M&A transactions and competition matters across several industries including energy, transport, and insurance. The team is headed by Marcel Dietrich and Franz Hoffet, who both have over 30 years of experience, and is also home to merger control and competition investigations expert, Richard Stäuber.
Competition in Switzerland
Homburger
Other key lawyers:
Andres Burger; Richard Stäuber
Testimonials
‘Very thorough, very up to date, they belong to the best competition lawyers in Switzerland.’
‘Marcel Dietrich: Very thorough, very up to date.’
‘Highly competent and practical Swiss competition.’
‘Commercial and approachable. Feel very comfortable that they will help me get deals done.’
‘Marcel Dietrich and Andres Burger are both excellent antitrust lawyers, work well together as a team and apart from great subject know-how, they are very service and client oriented and do not just preach it, but practice it. I am very pleased about our longstanding collaboration.’
Key clients
Airbus
Bouygues
Permira
Liberty Global
Swatch Group
UBS
Clariant
Swisscom
Swiss Post
Goldman Sachs Capital Partners
EQT
Crédit Agricole
Avaloq
Advent International
Platinum Equity
AMAG (independent Swiss importer of VW Group cars)
Booking.com
VISA Europe
Astara
Solenis
Telemos Capital
Eurazeo
TA Associates
CSL
Vista Equity Partners
Kimberly-Clark
Work highlights
- Obtained clearance for CSL in Swiss merger control proceedings regarding its USD 11.7 bn takeover of Vifor Pharma.
- Obtained clearance for Bouygues in Swiss merger control proceedings regarding its EUR7.1bn acquisition of Equans from Engie.
- Represented Clariant as international lead counsel on multi-jurisdictional merger control procedures in its USD 950 m divestment of its pigments business to a consortium of Heubach Group and SK Capital Partners.
Lenz & Staehelin
Lenz & Staehelin fields a well-established and highly reputed competition team with experience in all areas of competition law and involvement in most high-profile cases. The firm has unique expertise in abuse of dominance, dawn raids and multi-jurisdictional filings. The multidisciplinary team is headed by Marcel Meinhardt and Benoît Merkt who work across multiple industries+ including banking and finance, fintech, energy and pharmaceuticals. The team is strengthened by key partner Astrid Waser who has vast experience with regulatory investigations and compliance matters.
Practice head(s):
Marcel Meinhardt; Benoit Merkt
Other key lawyers:
Astrid Waser; Sevan Antreasyan
Testimonials
‘I deal with 2 people at their place. They are both very customer-oriented, very helpful and also bring a lot of input themselves. We are in business with Lenz & Stählin regarding antitrust law.’
‘The very high quality, their knowledge of antitrust law and their customer focus.’
‘Astrid Waser was a pleasure to work with. Fast, to the point and helpful.’
‘Benoît Merkt has unique expertise in competition law.’
‘Benoît Merkt is extremely knowledgeable, reliable and easy to work with.’
‘Great team, great business advice.’
‘The best antitrust team of Switzerland. Very high capabilities both in Antitrust and merger control.’
‘Dr Benoit Merk and his partner Sevan Antreasyan are highly talented lawyers, very reactive and always very well oriented towards business considerations.’
Key clients
Allfunds Bank Group
Bain Capital Private Equity
BMW
Chanel
Cinven Limited
City of Geneva
Colgate Palmolive
CRH
CTS Eventim
Daimler
Dargaud
Deutsche Bank
EQT AB
ENGIE Services AG
European Broadcasting Union
Flammarion
Ford
Geistlich Pharma AG
HgCapital
Honda
HSBC
Implenia
INEOS Group (Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Limited)
Mastercard
Maus Frères SA (owner of companies and brands such as Manor, Gant and Lacoste)
MSC
Pfizer
PostFinance
Richemont
Swiss Post
Swisscom
Swissquote
TA Associates
The Carlyle Group
Ticketcorner
TotalEnergies
Unilever
Vigier / Vicat
XXXLutz
Zendesk
Work highlights
Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd
Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd is highly regarded for its work across several industry including pharmaceuticals, energy, and finance. Often referred by top international firms, the practice regularly handles international merger control procedures and internal investigations. Practice head David Mamane has an impressive track record in managing public procurement and distribution agreements. He is supported by Senior associate Amalie Wijesundera who works regularly with abuse of dominance investigations, compliance, and dawn raids.
Practice head(s):
David Mamane
Other key lawyers:
Amalie Wijesundera
Testimonials
‘The competition team of Schellenberg Wittmer is without a doubt the best in Switzerland. The experience and delivery of excellent results is unparalleled. Most brilliant team for clients’ needs in the insurance business.’
‘David Mamane is without a doubt the best competition lawyer in Switzerland. His extensive experience and excellent advice are unparalleled for clients in the highly regulated insurance business. We only go to David Mamane for any competition law related matters.’
‘I worked with the team in an antitrust audit matter and regularly consult with them on antitrust counselling and merger control matters. They are my go-to firm for antitrust advice in Switzerland.’
‘David Mamane is great. Calm, knowledgeable, to the point.’
‘Good knowledge of Swiss and EU antitrust framework; perfect for multinational matters.’
‘Practical advice. Transparent billing. Good client engagement.’
‘David Mamane – takes the time to understand the business requirements and advises accordingly.’
‘Great know-how, practical approach, cost sensitive.’
Key clients
Philip Morris International (Tobacco)
Aldo (Fashion/shoes)
Mammut (Swiss mountain sports goods/retail)
Adobe (Computer software)
SIX Interbank Clearing (Financial industry)
Husqvarna (Outdoor power products)
Samsung Electronics (Electronics)
Uber (Transport services)
Olympus (Image technology)
Bouygues Construction (Construction and engineering)
CSL Behring AG (Biotherapies)
Apax (Private Equity)
Industrielle Werke Basel (IWB) (Utilities and energy)
Energie Wasser Luzern (Utilities and energy)
Erdgas Zentralschweiz (Utilities and energy)
Lonza Ltd (Chemicals and biotechnology)
Rheinmetal Air Defence (Aviation)
Lafarge Holcim (Building Materials)
Procter & Gamble (FMCG)
Barry Callebaut (Confectionary)
Novartis (Pharmaceuticals)
Dacoso (Networks and security)
dormakaba (Keys and locking systems)
Skoda (Automotive)
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (Automotive)
Michelin (tire manufacturer)
Bucher Landtechnik
AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals AG
Ringier (Media and online platforms)
LaLiga (Spanish national football association)
Vifor (pharmaceutical)
Pistor (food wholesale)
Swiss Marketplace Group (online media and advertisement)
Volkswagen Financial Services (financial industry)
Orpha Swiss (Life Sciences Company)
Conforama Switzerland (Furniture and electronics retailer)
Work highlights
- Advised and represented CSS in the creation and setting-up of the innovative online health platform WELL.
- Advising one of the leading Swiss Banks – Credit Suisse – in competition law investigations by the Swiss Competition Commission. The team is handling all aspects from dawn raids and information requests to appeals.
- Advised and represented Energie Wasser Luzern and Erdgas Zentralschweiz in a ground-breaking procedure by the Swiss ComCo regarding whether their gas network infrastructure must be opened up to competitors solely based on competition law
Walder Wyss Ltd.
With a large team of highly proficient lawyers, Walder Wyss Ltd. is a go-to firm for all competition matters. The team handles merger control proceeding with skill and efficiency, advising both local and international companies with filings and complex transactions. The firm represents a vast and diverse array of clients in industries such as telecommunications, transport, energy, banking, and construction. Reto Jacobs has extensive experience setting up distribution and compliance systems. He leads the team with Monique Sturny who is a skilled negotiator, representing clients in competition proceedings.
Practice head(s):
Reto Jacobs; Monique Sturny
Other key lawyers:
Gion Giger; Daniel Zimmerli
Testimonials
‘The team works efficiently, cost-consciously and are business-oriented.’
‘The antitrust law partner has a high expertise and very good knowledge concerning the regulatory authority.’
‘Very diligent and relentless approach.’
‘Serious, dedicated and low-key, while having excellent knowledge and market understanding.’
Key clients
Dovista/VKR
Daimler Truck Holding AG, TRATON SE and Aktiebolaget Volvo (publ)
Migros Group
Swisscom
TX Group (former Tamedia)
PostFinance
Aduno / Viseca
Schweizerische Bundesbahnen SBB (Swiss Federal Railway)
Saviva AG
Swisscom Directories AG
Work highlights
- Represented Daimler Truck Holding AG, TRATON SE and Aktiebolaget Volvo in the merger control proceedings before the Swiss Competition Commission related to the establishment of a full-function joint venture which will be active on international markets.
- Represented Swisscom AG with respect to an investigation by the Swiss Competition Commission (ComCo) against Swisscom AG in connection with the expansion of its fibre optic network – case is pending before the Swiss Federal Supreme Court.
- Represented SBB Cargo AG, Hupac SA, Contargo AG and Gateway Basel Nord AG with respect to an appeal by Swissterminal before the Swiss Federal Administrative Court.
Baker McKenzie Switzerland AG
Baker McKenzie Switzerland AG‘s competition law practice occupies a distinct space in the market, providing the benefits of an international practice, while being fully established in the domestic market. The team assists clients with the full range of competition matters with areas of expertise in cartel investigations, immunity applications, joint ventures, and distribution systems. The firm is well-placed to steer clients through tumultuous markets with its award-winning risk mitigation technology. Practice heads Philippe Reich and Boris Wenger leverage over 20 years of experience in competition law, while Roger Thomi is especially well-regarded at counsel level.
Practice head(s):
Phillippe Reich; Boris Wenger
Other key lawyers:
Roger Thomi
Key clients
Archer Daniels Midland (ADM)
Abbott
Arbonia
Baloise Group
Burger Söhne
Barry Callebaut
Caran d’Ache
Coats
CSL Behring
Conzzeta
Daimler
Deutsche Bahn
Daetwyler
Emerson Electric
FedEx
Hitachi
International Electrotechnical Commission IEC
Keystone SDA
Kühne + Nagel
Lonza
LVMH
Monsanto
Mövenpick
McDonald’s
MUFG Bank
Nikon
Porsche
RUAG
Raiffeisen
Stihl
Schneider Electric
Smith & Nephew
Swiss Payment Association SPA
UBS
Seiko
Sika
World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
Work highlights
- Advised Sika AG on the acquisition of MBCC Group (Master Builders Construction Chemicals), the former BASF Construction Chemicals division, from Lone Star Funds for a consideration of CHF 5.5 billion. Advised on merger control, foreign investment review and integration planning.
- Advised global transport and logistics group Kuehne+Nagel on the acquisition of Apex International Corporation (Apex). The transaction had a deal value of CHF 1.1 billion and allowed Kuehne+Nagel to implement its strategic vision of expanding and developing its business in the Asia Pacific region.
- Represented and advised BLH in the Swiss Competition Commission investigation into a Swiss road surface cartel. The investigation involved information exchange between competing firms by means of cross-shareholding and cross participation in the board of directors. It was successfully settled with no sanctions imposed on BLH.
Bär & Karrer Ltd.
Bär & Karrer Ltd. advises clients in all aspects of competition law including dawn raids, compliance programs and cartel investigations. Its core focus is on representing clients during investigations of the Swiss competition authority. Mani Reinert heads the team with knowledge and experience across several industries. In addition, Martin Werner has vast experience advising clients in administrative proceedings, as well as coordinating multi-jurisdictional merger control filings.
Practice head(s):
Mani Reinert
Other key lawyers:
Martin Werner
Testimonials
‘Solid expertise, pragmatic and results driven.’
‘Mani Reinert makes complicated filings simple and focuses on timely resolution of matters.’
‘The team is very competent, quickly available and very pleasant to work with. It is always solution-oriented and focused on the goal. The requested services are always delivered on time.’
‘Mani Reinert is an exceptionally competent attorney in the competition and antitrust law. He is almost always available, a quick thinker and very hands-on. It is a pleasure to work with him.’
‘The team combines excellence in expertise, experience and hands-on support in top transactions and daily business. Responsiveness and flexibility are stellar.’
‘Mani Reinert is an outstanding competition expert, who combines expertise, commercial know how and -mindset and creativeness in a unique service to his clients.’
‘The team are very open-minded, fast and extremely business oriented. The services are tailored and do not include academic overkill.’
‘The partner antitrust has a high expertise and still works with a risk-based approach.’
Key clients
H2 Energy Europe
Astara
Mobiliar
Swiss Life
Valora Holding AG
DSV A/S
Work highlights
- Advised Swiss Life on the acquisition of elipsLife from Swiss Re. Obtained clearance from Swiss competition authority and coordinated multijurisdictional merger control.
- Advised and represented PSA in obtaining merger control clearance from the Swiss competition authority for its merger with FCAtoStellantis.
- Advised DSV in obtaining merger control clearance from the Swiss competition authority on the acquisition of Agility Global Integrated Logistics.
CMS von Erlach Partners Ltd.
CMS von Erlach Partners Ltd. is active in all areas of competition law, both locally and internationally. The team has vast experience in unfair competition matters, implementing compliance programs, and conducting internal audits. It is noted for its expertise in representing clients in Swiss antitrust administrative proceedings at all levels. Team head Marquard Christen stands out for his expertise in public procurement law, while co-head Patrick Sommer is particularly experienced in international and national merger control proceedings. Clients benefit from real time dawn raid assistance through the firm's Dawn Raid Assistant App.
Practice head(s):
Marquard Christen; Patrick Sommer
Other key lawyers:
Alain Raemy
Testimonials
‘Good collaboration between senior and junior team members. Very detail and customer oriented.’
‘Very good knowledge of competition law in Switzerland due to experience and relationship to the authorities.’
‘Marquard Christen in the area of anti-trust. Very well versed, quick to distil the primary issues in a given fact pattern, and excellent ability to provide and discuss possible risks and how best to mediate them.’
‘The competition team of CMS Switzerland is unique for its expert knowledge and high degree of specialization in competition law (in particular antitrust and unfair competition law), responsiveness, experience in handling competition law investigations and appeal proceedings (knowing all the little dos and don’ts).
‘My key contact with CMS is Marquard Christen who has been specializing in competition law for now more than 20 years, I believe. He “lives and breathes” competition law. Marquard is not only one of the most knowledgeable competition lawyers I have worked with, but also a very down to earth person.’
‘The CMS team convinces with a well-balanced and knowledgeable team with excellent availability.’
‘Alain Raemy knows our industry extremely well. He quickly grasps the legal and commercial aspects of the assignment. He is a brilliant analyst, has an excellent business acumen and a solution-oriented approach, always provides appropriate suggestions and presents them in a comprehensible way.’
Key clients
Bayer (Switzerland)
Rieter Holding
GT Thommen Watch
The leading Germany-based distributor dealing in pharmaceutical components
Barilla Deutschland
Swisscard (joint venture of Credit Suisse and Amex)
Hachette Group
Tognetti Auto
Cruspi (subsidiary of the Oettinger Davidoff Group)
Koch Group
Work highlights
- Advised the leading Germany-based distributor dealing in pharmaceutical components in an investigation by the Swiss Competition Commission (ComCo).
- Advised Bayer in the highly contested Swiss administrative proceedings regarding price recommendations for medication against erectile dysfunction (ED) medication traded over the counter.
- Advised Swisscard on the investigation by ComCo of several of Switzerland’s largest financial services providers (including UBS and Credit Suisse) regarding an alleged boycott of Apple Pay and other international mobile payment solutions.
Niederer Kraft Frey AG
Niederer Kraft Frey AG is reputed for its collaboration with international firms on complex, precedent setting, competition matters across various industries including retail, pharmaceuticals, finance, and infrastructure. The firm is regularly involved in investigation proceedings and management during dawn raids. Practice head Nicolas Birkhäuser has particular expertise with distribution systems and merger control. He is supported by Thomas A Frick and Paloma Alcántara who have experience with international matters.
Practice head(s):
Nicolas Birkhäuser
Other key lawyers:
Thomas A Frick; Paloma Alcántara
Testimonials
‘Very deep know-how of the topics. Great collaboration.’
‘Niederer Kraft & Frey is a law firm with excellent knowledge and services and is solution oriented.’
‘They understand the business of the clients. Also, Nicolas Birkhäuser has an excellent knowledge of the complex material.’
‘Lots of knowledge of competition laws as well as local competition experience.’
‘Nicolas Birkhäuser: local competition experience, thorough review and clear advice / suggestions.’
Key clients
ASSA ABLOY AB
FibroGen Inc.
BMW AG
Coop Genossenschaft (Coop Cooperative)
CLS Bank International
Credit Suisse AG
BMW Leasing
Flumroc AG / ROCKWOOL group
Procter & Gamble
Schweiter Technologies AG
Skysale
Birchmeier Bau AG
Work highlights
- Advised Procter & Gamble on various legal matters, including matters relating to distribution, advertisement, promotions, relative market power and dominance as well as in relation to initiatives of the Competition Commission.
- Advised Coop Cooperative in various competition law matters, including advising on contractual relationships, listings, complex negotiations of significant long-term contracts, and standing by in case of a dawn raid.
VISCHER
VISCHER‘s competition law group offers the full range of competition law matters, including merger controls, distribution agreements, public procurements, and compliance. The firm is highly active in growth industries such as TMT, data, and banking, providing full-service advice on complex matters. Klaus Neff who leads the team has established success and expertise in appellate cases.
Practice head(s):
Klaus Neff
Key clients
Royal Bank of Scotland
Swiss International Air Lines
Universal Music
AB Inbev
Swisscom AG
3 Plus
Air Canada
Brenntag Schweizerhall AG
Baloise Holding
Bregal Unternehmerkapital GmbH
Work highlights
Kellerhals Carrard
Kellerhals Carrard represents clients in all major industries including media, energy, telecommunications, transport, and banking. It particularly focuses on representing clients in investigations before the Swiss competition commission where it has seen record success. The team is headed by Christophe Rapin and Daniel Emch.
Practice head(s):
Daniel Emch; Christophe Rapin
Testimonials
‘Our main contact is Christophe Rapin. We just handled a major cross-border case together, with the assistance of French counsel, and this with great success.’
‘Christophe Rapin is a great communicator and a good strategist. He has good insight into competition law and is able to present matters understandably to clients.’
‘I have worked with Christophe Rapin on a number of competition law matters, and he is my go-to-lawyer in Switzerland. He is well connected, knowledgeable and pragmatic and is surrounded by a good team.’
‘Christophe Rapin is a highly skilled and clever and knowledgeable competition lawyer.’
‘A profound knowledge of the legal field, a quick understanding of the commercial situation of the client and speedy legal advice which is provided to the point and without further ado.’
‘Dr. Daniel Euch is a profound expert on the field of competition law. He provides timely and thorough legal assessments which are to the point and without further ado.’
‘The team of Kellerhals Carrard (KC) advises multinational clients in antitrust matters and represents them before the competition authority and the courts in the major proceedings. Kellerhals Carrard has very strong antitrust lawyers in Berne where the authority has its seat as well as in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich. KC antitrust is very much experienced in abuse of dominance cases.’
‘I can highly recommend Daniel Emch who is leading the practice group. He has nearly 20 years of practice experience and has successfully handled numerous mergers, antitrust and market power abuse cases. He knows the representatives of the authorities and the courts, and he is an outstanding strategist. He also has exceptional knowledge in the field of competition economics.
Key clients
Roche
Swiss Football League
PostFinance Ltd.
Galenica Ltd. / Galexis Ltd.
International Volleyball Federation (FIVB)
Novartis
World Anti-Doping Agency
La Vaudoise (Insurance Company)
Vilebrequin International SA
Spie
Sonia Rykiel International SA
Work highlights
- Represented Galexis and HCI Solutions before the Federal Supreme Court in the pharmaceutical price recommendations case. This was the only successful appeal before the Federal Supreme Court in the year 2021.
- Represented three parties in a merger control case regarding the creation of joint battery production facilities.
- Represented Interforum before the Federal Supreme Court in a case related to the distribution of French books in Switzerland.
MLL Legal
MLL Legal has an ‘excellent‘ competition and antitrust practice, co-headed by Renato Bucher who is adept at handling multi-jurisdictional merger filings. The firm particularly specializes in distribution law with expertise in vertical agreements and relative dominance; he leads alongside Hubert Orso Gilliéron who has extensive experience with co-ordinating compliance programs and representing clients in civil and administrative proceedings. Michael Schüepp is an asset to the team with proficiency in e-commerce and digital matters.
Practice head(s):
Hubert Orso Gilliéron; Renato Bucher
Other key lawyers:
Michael Schüepp
Testimonials
‘Very experienced and good reputation in the market.’
‘Renato Bucher is a pleasure to work with; very smart, supportive and always swift.’
‘MLL are a leading competition law firm in Switzerland for sure. I worked with them and was impressed with the legal ability, collegiality, client-handling skills, and availability levels.’
‘Simon Holzer is a first-rate lawyer with very strong technical and interpersonal skills.’
‘Excellent distribution & competition law practice! One of the few firms to go to for competition and distribution to structure contracts.’
Key clients
Cousins Material House Ltd
Naxoo SA
Burkhalter Holding AG
Work highlights
- Advised Cousins in a major antitrust dispute alleging that Swatch is illegally abusing its dominant position.
- Assisted naxoo SA in appeal proceedings before the Federal Tribunal against a decision rendered by the Swiss Administrative Tribunal in the Supermedia case.
- Represented Burkhalter Holding AG and poenina holding AG in merger control proceedings before the Swiss Competition Commission COMCO.
Wenger Vieli Ltd
Wenger Vieli Ltd advises on the full range of competition matters, with unique experience in niche industries such as sports and agriculture. Headed by Michael Tschudin, the firm regularly advises clients on selective distribution systems and defends clients in antitrust investigations. Frank Scherrer brings a particular expertise in pharmaceuticals and life sciences.
Other key lawyers:
Frank Scherrer
Testimonials
‘Michael Tschudin, head of Wenger Vieli’s competition law practice, is very knowledgeable in all aspects of competition law, pragmatic where it makes sense to be so and a pleasure to work with without a big ego.’
‘Wenger Vieli is a solid and competent player on the market for competition law advice, mainly due to the vast knowledge, quality and expertise of Michael Tschudin. Under the lead of Michael, the team has significantly developed its competition practice over the past 10 years.’
‘Michael Tschudin, head of the competition team at Wenger Vieli, is an excellent competition lawyer, a hands-on, pragmatic and down to earth advisor and a great strategist. Having worked for the competition authority, the appeal court and as an advisor in private practice, he knows the competition world from the inside on all sides of the market.’
‘Michael Tschudin is an outstanding practitioner with experience at both the Competition Commission and the appellate court. He is pragmatic and hands-on and clearly one of the best of his generation.’
‘Michael Tschudin and his team are on top of things: all aspects of competition law as it is currently understood by the authorities and legal writing, handling of the competition authority and serving the needs of clients. Michael is a real must-go-to practitioner.’
‘Besides being on top of things, Michael Tschudin is also a very recognized in legal writing. He is a person with whom you like to work. He is extremely responsive. And he knows just everything.’
‘Great people to work with. People work with us on a level playing field. What we pay is fair for the result we get.’
Key clients
Jakob Müller Holding
Atlas Antibodies
Oberholzer Bauleistungen
Käppeli
Work highlights
- Defended Käppeli in a landmark bid rigging case.
- Advised Atlas Antibodies on competition law matters regarding its USD 226m acquisition of evitria.
CORE Attorneys
CORE Attorneys is a boutique law firm that specialises in competition, regulatory matters, and distribution law. It offers experience in all aspects of competition and antitrust law including anticompetitive conduct, merger control proceedings, public procurement, and price surveillance. The team’s work is complimented by a strong local and international network of experts. The team heads are Mario Strebel and Fabian Koch.
Practice head(s):
Mario Strebel; Fabian Koch
Testimonials
‘Strong analysis, smart but pragmatic solutions, open to adjust to client needs.’
‘Mario Strebel is very senior and strong in both material assessments and procedural strategies.’
‘CORE is a new antitrust boutique and very active with its two founding partners – plays an important role between bigger firms already now.’
‘Mario Strebel and Fabian Koch are top-notch – very experienced, fast moving and both have excellent commercial thinking.’
‘CORE Attorneys Ltd is unique in terms of its exceptional depth of knowledge in antitrust matters. They are truly at the top of their game when it comes to antitrust litigation.’
‘Mario Strebel is a top-notch antitrust litigator who works efficiently and comprehensively and has gone above and beyond at every step.’
‘A very knowledgeable boutique law firm in Switzerland.’
‘Mario Streibel is a brilliant lawyer.’
Key clients
Markant (Markant Handels- und Industriewaren-Vermittlungs AG and its subsidiary Markant Syntrade Schweiz AG)
Pöschl Tabak
Breitling Ltd
STRABAG AG
Medela AG (Olle Larsson Holding AG)
Work highlights
- Advised and represented the Markant (Markant Handels- und Industriewaren-Vermittlungs AG and its subsidiary Markant Syntrade Schweiz AG) in an ongoing investigation of the Swiss Competition Commission in the fast-moving consumer goods sector with regard to alleged anticompetitive conduct by several wholesalers and retailers and Markant.
- Advised and represented Pöschl Tabak in an investigation proceeding before the COMCO with regard to an alleged ban on parallel trade.
- Advised Breitling, the renowned manufacturer of Swiss luxury watches, in distribution law and day-to-day compliance matters.
Pestalozzi
Pestalozzi is an established practice with experience in Swiss and European competition law and trade regulation, which it offers to its increasing number of blue-chip clients. Routine areas include leniency applications, cartel investigations and merger notifications. The firm works regularly on multi-jurisdictional matters, seamlessly utilising an extensive international network as well as its own multinational lawyers. The team is headed by Christoph G Lang an expert in corporate law, and strengthened by Michèle Burnier, a specialist in IP. The practice was recently bolstered by the addition of Fabian Martens who brings extensive experience and expertise in competition and antitrust.
Testimonials
‘Pestalozzi Law Firm is highly professional with excellent legal expertise in multiple areas important for our MedTech business. I highly appreciate having one single contact person, who is distributing further my requests to subject-matter experts. Legal team is fast, efficient and provide pragmatic legal advice. This law firm has full capacity and expertise to help us navigate even in very complex and sensitive projects.’
‘I am impressed about Mrs. Sarah Drukarch, who is excellent legal professional. She works with high legal professional standards and her advice are always pragmatic and tailored fit our business needs. She is customer oriented with excellent communication skills. As legal professional she is also appreciating and applying within our cooperation principles of diversity, equity and inclusivity.’
‘A top-notch competition team that does not only manage market power and dominance trials but providently offers a connected perspective for all involved opportunities and risks and thus secures delivery of our business objectives while meticulously mitigating risks. The state-of-the-art use of latest technology allows us, as a leading software developer in a highly specialised market, to interact with the entire firm in an efficient, fast and agile manner.’
‘We truly appreciate working with Mr. Fabian Martens, relaying on his impeccable sense for essential aspects, steadily keeping track of latest provisions and developments and proactively advising us on impending matters. He can be contacted at any time and is ready to react speedily in the event of a crisis or simple intervention alike. We benefit from his extensive network that helps us interacting across all international offices, which is essential to us.’
‘Very flexible, fast, keen to understand/learn about client’s business.’
‘Great and very skilled people, apt communicators with a uniquely international look at legal issues.’
‘Fabian Martens is an outstandingly skilled, thoughtful and pragmatic competition lawyer. He is equally able to master the local law and to understand the international angle of a matter. He also fully covers the competition economics side. Fabian is exceptionally pleasant to work with and extremely responsive.’
Key clients
BMW Group
BP
Coca-Cola
Froneri
Glencore
Johnson & Johnson
Microsoft
NIBE Group
Ringier
Sony
Work highlights
- Advised Ringier AG in connection with the acquisition of all shares of Axel Springer in Hungary, Serbia, Slovakia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
- Advised BP plc. with respect to the sale of its entire fuel & convenience retail and supply & terminal businesses in Switzerland and related Swiss merger control proceedings.
- Advised Ringier in connection with the incorporation of the joint venture between Ringier, TX Group, La Mobilière and General Atlantic forming the major Swiss digital classifieds company Swiss Market Place Group AG.
Prager Dreifuss AG
Prager Dreifuss AG regularly represents clients in merger and cartel proceedings before the Swiss competition authorities, and is often a go-to for collaboration with international firms. The firm has broad knowledge of both EU and Swiss law and remains actively involved in legislative affairs. Practice head Philipp E. Zurkinden is reputed for his experience in cartels and dominance matters, as well as his skilled handling of merger controls.
Practice head(s):
Philipp E. Zurkinden
Testimonials
‘Collegial and easily accessible, but always very competent and efficient.’
‘Philip E. Zurkinden has great experience and very broad knowledge with regard to complex competition law cases; Bernhard Lauterburg has an extremely efficient way of working and impressive grasp and sharpness of written expression.’
‘Great support in fields of antitrust, anti-bribery – well explanations of legal environment and how to put in practice.’
‘Very down to earth approach even as a no expert you can follow the discussion, they do not use too many legal terms during a discussion with the client.’
‘Prof Dr Zurkinden is very experienced. Dr Lauterburg is very strong in reflecting and analysing the situation and to find a workable way. As a team together, they seem to be very strong.’
‘Prof. Dr. Zurkinden and his team, are always ready to go the extra mile and to holistically address a problem.’
‘Prof. Dr. Zurkinden shows exceptional availability and engagement, as well as good anticipation.’
‘Extremely high level of competence – reliability – very quick and uncomplicated feedback – acceptable price-performance ratio – Prof. Zurkinden as an absolute luminary.’
Key clients
Auto Sport GmbH / FIA
Swisscom
Deponie Höli
VAKA (Aargauische Spitäler, Kliniken und Pflegeinstitutionen)
Promarca (Swiss Brands Association)
Work highlights
- Represented Auto Sport GmbH, the Swiss representative of FIA, before the ComCo and a Civil court in a case raising interesting and complex competition law issues with regard to the organisation of car races in Switzerland.
- Advised Promarca in the proceedings against a retailer alliance and Coop.
- Advised Swisscom in complex issues with regard to the relationship between competition law and sector specific rules.