Switzerland > Data privacy and data protection Tier 1

VISCHER’s data privacy and data protection team advises companies on compliance matters relating to Swiss and EU data protection and data law requirements as well as the data-related aspects of commercial contracts and M&A transactions. The group has also seen an uptick in instructions to handle data protection-related disputes, including those related to data subject requests. David Rosenthal - an ‘expert in matters of data privacy and data protection’ - is at the forefront of developments in the industry and has been involved in the creation of a statistical method designed to assess the data law risks of foreign lawful access in cases of Swiss banks, hospitals and other operations with sensitive data held in the cloud. Rolf Auf der Maur advises companies primarily from the media, telecoms and IT sectors on all aspects of data law.

Switzerland > Healthcare and life sciences Tier 1

The well-established life sciences practice at VISCHER is sought after by a range of players in the industry, including pharmaceutical companies, start-ups and investors. Covering the healthcare, pharmaceutical, biotech and cosmetics sectors, the team handles contentious and non-contentious regulatory and patent matters as well as financing rounds and M&A transactions. Stefan Kohler enjoys a strong reputation among his peers and has experience in IP and technology law. He jointly leads the practice with Basel-based Matthias Staehelin, who is well versed in capital markets, venture capital and agreements in the relevant field. Christian Wyss, also in the Basel office, is noted for his knowledge in R&D, technology transfers and license agreements.

Switzerland > Public law Tier 1

VISCHER’s public law practice is highly focused on the energy and healthcare sectors but is also experienced in other regulated industries, including gambling and financial services. The team handles disputes with regulatory bodies at all governmental levels as well as regulatory issues regarding transactions, concessions, tariffs and contracts. Stefan Rechsteiner heads the firms’ energy practice and represents companies active in regulated markets before regulators and administrative courts. Head of the healthcare practice Michael Waldner represents hospitals before courts in regulatory matters.

Switzerland > TMT Tier 1

VISCHER provides ‘first-class legal advice’ to various TMT clients in the media and entertainment sector as well as regulated sectors, including the pharmaceuticals and financial services industries. The team has particular expertise in matters concerning data protection and security issues, including GDPR regulations and cloud-based data storage mandates, cross-border transactions and IT sourcing work. Rolf Auf der Maur specialises in digitalisation projects and online businesses, and David Rosenthal, who joined in mid-2020, handles IT matters with notable expertise in data privacy and e-discovery work. Christian Wyss focuses on IP and IT transactions.

Switzerland > Capital markets Tier 2

The VISCHER team has a notable sweet spot in public takeovers and proxy solicitations but also assists issuers and underwriters with the listing of securities at the SIX Swiss Exchange. The group is sought after by clients from the life sciences and pharmaceutical sectors in particular, but also acts for banks, securities dealers, insurance companies, hedge funds, and asset managers. Adrian Dörig leads the team, which also includes key practitioners Markus Guggenbühl, Jana Essebier and counsel Peter Kühn.

Switzerland > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2

VISCHER is well-established in the mid-market, where the team advises on a high number of M&A and private equity transactions. It has a particularly strong standing with companies from the life sciences sectors, as well as private equity funds, venture capital investors and start-ups, and is noted for its China desk. The practice is headed by Zurich-based Jürg Luginbühl, Robert Bernet in Basel and - following his arrival in September 2019 from CPV Partners - Damien Conus in Geneva. Matthias Staehelin in Basel is an expert in the life sciences space and Gian-Andrea Caprez has knowledge of the technology sector.

Switzerland > Competition Tier 2

VISCHER has considerable expertise handling matters related to the TMT, automotive, and financial services industries. The team advises clients on the full range of competition and antitrust matters; it handles issues such as cartels, pricing, competition law infringements, and abuse of dominance, and is also active in related investigations and litigation. Practice head Klaus Neff is the key contact and a specialist in the competition field.

Switzerland > Employment Tier 2

VISCHER advises on the full scope of employment law services and related areas, including work permits, social security and pensions. The 'business-oriented' team also assists with restructurings and has been sought out for mass dismissals and internal investigations. Marc Ph. Prinz covers contentious and non-contentious employment law and specialises in executive compensation, staff leasing and recruiting. Gérald Virieux, who joined the team in September 2019 from Bugnion Ballansat Ehrler, and Anela Lucic are both experienced in employment litigation.

Switzerland > Fintech Tier 2

VISCHER advises clients, which include fintech incubators, financial service providers and insurers, on projects involving crowdfunding platforms, mobile payments, cryptocurrencies and financial instruments, among others. The team, often including lawyers from the TMT, banking and tax teams, also represents clients in contentious matters and has previously provided policy-making advice to the Swiss government. Jana Essebier heads the team and is specialised in fintech matters. Stefan Grieder has specialist expertise in finance and capital markets and M&A-related matters and Christian Wyss is focused on insurance related tech-companies. David Rosenthal joined from Homburger in June of 2020.

Switzerland > Insurance Tier 2

VISCHER's core strength lies in representing insurance companies and brokers in coverage litigation matters pertaining to, among others, D&O liabilities, crime policies, property policies and financial line policies. The group also assists its insurance clients with regulatory matters and corporate issues and also represents insured parties in covered disputes under the respective insurance policy. Practice head Daniele Favalli has experience of assisting Swiss insurance companies and their insureds as foreign counsel in cross-jurisdictional matters. Tina Jäger is also noted.

Switzerland > Intellectual property Tier 2

VISCHER’s IP acts for companies in the pharmaceuticals and life sciences fields as well as the media and online entertainment industries. A particular area of expertise for the practice is handling copyright matters related to online music and audiovisual works, including production agreements and licensing issues, for TV and video-on-demand operators. The team also handles trade marks, including Swiss and international trade mark registrations, assists with anti-counterfeiting and anti-piracy measures and acts on commercial IP transactions. Rolf Auf der Maur and practice head Stefan Kohler are experienced trade mark and patent litigators respectively; and Christian Wyss focuses on the IP aspects of transactions.

Switzerland > Leading firms: German-speaking Switzerland Tier 2

Key practice areas for VISCHER are capital markets, M&A, healthcare, TMT and transport as well as public law, competition and litigation. Among the names to note are Klaus Neff, Stefan Kohler, Rolf Auf Der Maur, Benedict Christ, David Rosenthal and Stefan Rechsteiner  as well as Christian Oetiker, Michael Waldner, and Christian Wyss.

Switzerland > Real estate and construction Tier 2

VISCHER fields several civil law notaries in the Basel office and is also well versed in the life cycle of urban housing projects, including zoning, land register, financing and negotiation matters. Roland Müller in Basel also handles transactions and investments; he jointly leads the practice with Maxime Chollet, who is based in Geneva. In the Basel office, Andreas Albrecht is also experienced in planning and zoning law, while Beatrice Wagner Pfeifer specialises in public and environmental law.

Switzerland > Transport Tier 2

VISCHER acts for clients from the aviation sector, particularly airlines, on their core business as well as on related areas, including maintenance and catering. The team assists in contract negotiations with air-traffic authorities, handles insurance and damage claims, advises on labour law, tax law, data protection and antitrust issues as well as on the sale, purchase and leasing of aircraft. Practice head Urs Haegi focuses on contract law, transactions and succession planning. Christoph Niederer advises on national and cross-border tax and the social security aspects of transport matters.

Switzerland > Banking and finance: Zurich Tier 3

The team at VISCHER is led by Adrian Dörig, who is sought after to handle structured finance transactions for private equity funds, companies and debt fund lenders. Other areas of expertise for the group are bank insolvency matters, takeovers, disputes and regulatory issues. Markus Guggenbühl has know-how in debt financings and Jana Essebier is also able to advise on fintech matters. Stefan Grieder is a key contact in Basel.

Switzerland > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 3

Switzerland > Insolvency and corporate recovery Tier 3

The team at VISCHER acts for creditors and debtors in a range of matters; it assists in insolvency disputes, voluntary liquidation and extracting funds, as well as in the freezing of assets. Its members also act as liquidators and administrators. The practice is led by David Jenny in Basel, who also has corporate expertise. Jana Essebier's expertise includes bankruptcy proceedings of banks.

Switzerland > Sports law Tier 3

VISCHER’s sports law practice includes several active and formerly active professional athletes and advises on sports marketing and merchandising, TV and online broadcasting rights, esports, sporting goods production and trading, sponsorship and transfer agreements. The team, led by Moritz Jäggy and Robert Bernet, acts for clubs, sports associations and individuals as well as sports agencies and corporations in litigation as well as advisory and tax matters.

Switzerland > Tax Tier 3

VISCHER's tax practice covers the full spectrum of related matters. The team advises on the tax aspects of M&A transactions, restructurings, relocation of businesses and tax litigation. Its client portfolio includes companies from the life sciences, financial services, aviation and technology industries. The practice is jointly led by the 'impressive' Nadia Tarolli Schmidt and Christoph Niederer who advises on the tax elements of restructurings and financing arrangements.

Switzerland > Dispute resolution: arbitration Tier 4

VISCHER fields a team of 'challenging sparring partners', who act as arbitrators and counsel in a broad range of arbitration cases. A particular area of expertise is the enforcement of arbitral awards. Daniele Favalli is an 'outstanding arbitration specialist' and leads the practice together with Christian Oetiker in Basel and Gérald Virieux in Geneva. Thomas Weibel is also noted.