Event information
Theme: Board Accountability and Liability
Legal 500 is pleased to present the Switzerland GC Forum 2026, held in partnership with Schellenberg Wittmer. The Forum brings together general counsel, chief legal officers and senior in-house lawyers to examine the evolving responsibilities of boards and the legal function amid increasing regulatory scrutiny, rising stakeholder expectations and greater governance risk.
Overview
Boards face growing accountability across every aspect of corporate decision-making. From ESG obligations and shareholder activism to regulatory enforcement and litigation risk, directors are under greater scrutiny than ever before. As expectations of board oversight continue to increase, general counsel are playing an increasingly strategic role in helping boards navigate legal risk while supporting effective decision-making.
The Forum will explore how in-house legal leaders can strengthen governance, support boards through complex decisions and manage liability. Through practical discussion and expert insight, attendees will examine emerging litigation trends, effective governance frameworks and the evolving role of the GC in the boardroom, leaving with practical strategies to help protect both their organisations and their boards.
Agenda
5.00pm Registration
5.40pm Opening remarks
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- Allan Cohen, senior research editor, Legal 500
5.45pm Welcome Address
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- Pascal Hubli, managing partner, Schellenberg Wittmer
5.50pm Keynote: the GC in the boardroom
The role of the General Counsel continues to evolve as boards face more complex decisions and greater scrutiny. This keynote will explore the GC’s contribution to board discussions, including how legal leaders provide judgement, challenge and perspective when helping boards make difficult decisions.
6.25pm Board Accountability and Liability
Senior in‑house lawyers want concrete advice on protecting their boards amid rising ESG scrutiny. The firm can lead by showing how governance structures, disclosures and oversight mechanisms should evolve.
– Highlight litigation and activism trends affecting Swiss boards
– Provide actionable governance models GCs can take back to their organisations
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- Caroline Clemetson, head of investment management practice, Schellenberg Wittmer
- George Ayoub, partner, Schellenberg Wittmer
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Fabienne-Anne Rehulka, group general counsel, head legal & compliance, SIX Group
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Maria-Antonella Bino, group general counsel, head legal & compliance, Vontobel
7.15pm Closing remarks
7.30pm Networking reception
9.00pm Event concludes
Speakers
Pascal Hubli, managing partner, Schellenberg Wittmer
Pascal Hubli is Schellenberg Wittmer’s current Managing Partner and Partner in our Mergers & Acquisitions Group in Zurich. His practice focuses on national and cross-border M&A and capital market transactions, public takeover law, corporate restructurings, private equity transactions as well as general corporate, contract and stock exchange law.
Caroline Clemetson, head of investment management practice, Schellenberg Wittmer
Caroline Clemetson is a Partner in the Banking and Finance Department in Geneva and in Zurich. She heads the Investment Management Practice of the firm and her focus is on banking and finance law, particularly on financial services and financial regulation, asset management, collective investment schemes and other investment products, distribution of financial products, derivatives, trade finance, pension funds as well as insurance and insurance brokerage regulation. She is very experienced in corporate and transactional matters.
George Ayoub, partner, Schellenberg Wittmer
George Ayoub is a Partner in our Dispute Resolution Group in Geneva and a member of the White-Collar Crime and Compliance Team. He is recognized for his business crime defense work and experience in asset-tracing and recovery, international mutual assistance in criminal and administrative matters. He also focuses on regulatory and compliance issues and on complex litigation involving an international component and multi-jurisdictional aspects.
Maria-Antonella Bino, group general counsel, head legal & compliance, Vontobel
Dr. Maria-Antonella Bino is a seasoned legal expert with leadership roles in both the private and public sectors. She currently serves as General Counsel leading the Legal & Compliance team of Vontobel. Dr. Bino brings extensive expertise in corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and strategic legal advisory.
Her professional journey includes key positions such as Advisor to the Group CEO and Head of Legal & Compliance at Sygnum Bank AG, where she was also a member of the Group Executive Board. Earlier in her career, Dr. Bino held several high-profile roles at BNP Paribas, including General Counsel and Executive Board Member at BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA in Geneva. Additionally, she was a Board Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee for BNP Paribas Wealth Management in Monaco.
In the public sector, Dr. Bino served as Deputy Attorney General of Switzerland and held various leadership roles at the Federal Examining Magistrates’ Office.
Beyond her executive roles, Dr. Bino serves as a Substitute Federal Judge at the Federal Criminal Supreme Court in Bellinzona, and a member of the Board of Directors at Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) in Bern.
Dr. Bino holds a PhD in Law and was awarded the Prof. Walther Hug Prize for her academic achievem
Fabienne-Anne Rehulka, group general counsel, head legal & compliance, SIX Group
Fabienne-Anne Rehulka is Group General Counsel and Head of Legal, Compliance, Regulatory & Public Affairs at SIX Group, where she is a member of the Executive Board and Secretary to the Group Board. She leads an international team of 80 professionals across Switzerland, Spain, the UK, Poland, India and France, with responsibility for legal, compliance, governance, regulatory affairs and public affairs.
Before joining SIX Group in 2024, she was a consultant at Spencer Stuart, advising clients on executive search, board appointments, succession planning and leadership assessment. Prior to this, she spent 15 years at Swiss Re in a series of senior legal leadership roles, including General Counsel for Life Capital and iptiQ, and General Counsel for Reinsurance EMEA. During this time, she advised executive management teams, led international legal teams across Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific and North America, and served on the boards of regulated insurance companies in Luxembourg.
She began her legal career at Allen & Overy in London and previously worked at Freehills in Sydney. She currently serves on the board of the Madrid Stock Exchange.
In association with
Schellenberg Wittmer is a top-tier Swiss full-service law firm with offices in Zurich, Geneva and Singapore, servicing a worldwide client base of domestic and international companies and entrepreneurs. Our internal and external promotion of diversity and inclusivity, our initiatives to give back to the community, including our pro bono work, and our support for the green transition are proof of our commitment to a forward thinking, responsible, ethical and environmentally conscious business model.