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
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.
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.