The Legal 500 > Europe, Middle East & Africa > Switzerland > Insurance

The 'trusted' team at CMS stands out for its 'excellent skills' and 'is well-connected within the industry'. Recent work includes handling professional liability claims for Liechtenstein Bank and other insurance companies regarding criminal, medical and further miscellaneous legal cases. The team has also assisted multi-line providers with amending product terms and conditions, drafted group internal life insurance treaties and advised on coverage issues and insurer-side rights of recourse. Managing partner and disputes specialist Jodok Wicki regularly conducts proceedings before state courts. Clemens von Zedtwitz joined gbf Attorneys-at-law Ltd in September 2019.

gbf Attorneys-at-law Ltd's 'specialised and highly-motivated insurance lawyers' are 'highly responsive' with a 'very strong practical approach'. Highlights included the setting-up and licensing of Beazley Insurance DAC's new branch, and assisting Wertgarantie with a run-off and its Swiss market exit. Lars Gerspacher, Dominik Skrobala and Nando Stauffer von May lead the 'extremely business-driven' team, which further benefits from 'strong client orientation' and 'profound knowledge' of all insurance services. The firm also provided advice on corporate and regulatory merger aspects, the introduction of international private medical insurance into Switzerland, and acted for a Swiss insurer in a large multinational dispute against two banks for the mis-selling of structured financial products. Private law expert Clemens von Zedtwitz joined from CMS in September 2019.

The insurance team at Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd handles a mixed caseload of litigation, corporate consultancy and licensing issues and provides the full range of services in the space. Recent work includes advising on regulation, the establishment of Swiss insurers and obtaining relevant Finma authorisation, the preparation of internal guidelines and procedures, fraud defence, as well as co-insurance and reinsurance scheme issues. Alexander von Ziegler heads the team and is supported by Olivier Favre in Zurich and Tarek Houdrouge in Geneva. Recent work includes advising an insurer and major transport company on the regulatory aspects of domestic and cross-border products.

The 'extremely responsive' team at Bär & Karrer Ltd. is 'ready to go the extra mile' with its 'client-centric attitude' across all advisory work. Recent highlights include assisting Allianz Suisse Versicherungs-Gesellschaft on its acquisition of DAS Switzerland; advising Insurtech B3i on a new equity funding round; and acting for Credit Suisse on the ECA financing and collateral structure for the Ankara-Nidge Turkish highway project. Peter Hsu, who regularly advises Swiss and foreign insurers or re-insurers, intermediaries, securities dealers and fintech businesses, is the key contact.

At Kellerhals Carrard, the team handles disputes and liability cases, as well as providing regulatory advice. Basel-based Pascal Grolimund led on separate multimillion-dollar proceedings for a luxury goods company and a care sector industry association – both against major insurers – regarding property damage and erroneous compensation recovery, respectively. Zurich-based office Christoph Frey represented one insurance company in a $50m arbitration matter, and another in social recourse litigation. The team has also provided assistance with Swiss D&O contracts and with international product recall damages claims. Thomas Eichenberger, Nicolas Gillard and Ivan Paparelli are other key contacts.

Olivier Stahler and Lukas Morscher jointly head the 'very responsive' and 'diligent' team at Lenz & Staehelin, which counts AXA, Caterpillar Insurance Company, Liberty Mutual and Unilever Reinsurance AG among its clients. Highlights included advising Baloise on the insurance aspects of its acquisition of majority stakes in both devis.ch and Bubble Box AG; assisting Vaudoise Assurances Holding SA with the acquisition of Pittet Associés; and acting as Swiss counsel on Unilever Reinsurance Group's unification. Corporate, investment and outsourcing, insurer policies and risk transfers are other areas of expertise.

VISCHER's client portfolio includes insurance companies, brokers and insured parties. The practice is adept at settling coverage issues and acting in disputes concerning financial line policies, crime, property, and D&O liability. Team head Daniele Favalli represents parties in coverage litigation matters and oversees all insurance-related regulatory and corporate issues. Senior associate Tina Jäger is another name of note in this area.

The team at Baker McKenzie handles corporate transactions for insurance and reinsurance carriers, alongside cross-border and compliance work. Practice head Joachim Frick led on international merger and restructuring transactions; provided regulatory advice to an international insurer domiciled in Switzerland relating to licensing issues; and assisted a separate insurer with its distribution of products across multiple jurisdictions. Associate Markus Winkler is a name of note for insurance licensing, Finma-influenced cases and asset management.

Homburger advises predominantly on tax insurance matters and regulatory issues concerning new insurance products. The team also has experience of representing clients in administrative proceedings before Finma and other Swiss regulators, as well as in asset-tracing and enforcement proceedings. Hansjürg Appenzeller heads the department, which has recently represented Wacker Neuson in a high-value litigation case against the Swiss National Accident Insurance Fund.

Pestalozzi acts for longstanding clients including SwissLife and AIG and is adept at handling insurance M&A transactions, both in the domestic market and with a cross-border element. Practice head Christoph G Lang's expertise in both Swiss and European insurance law allows the firm to take on complex matters. In a particular highlight, the team advised AmTrust on its acquisition of a stake in Canopius Reinsurance. Beat Schwarz is also noted.

Thouvenin Rechtsanwälte works closely with various Swiss and global insurance providers on claims, risk, coverage and settlement issues. The practice handles a particularly wide range of liability work across the professional, product, medical negligence, transport and travel domains. Martin Bürkle is 'a real expert' for accident insurance cases, and also sits as an arbitrator in multiple health insurance disputes.

Dispute resolution boutique Wartmann & Merker focuses on litigation and arbitration insurance work before Swiss and foreign state courts, as well as national arbitral tribunals. Clients include major banks and insurers, a global pharmaceutical company, and transport and logistics companies. Giovanna Montanaro has extensive domestic and cross-border experience in resolving sensitive matters.