Private Clients and Estate Planning
Bruno Bächli
Bruno Bächli mainly advises individuals on tax issues. In addition to the usual income and wealth tax matters, this also includes profit and capital tax for family-run companies. In addition, he regularly advises on gift and inheritance tax in an international context. In the field of artworks, Bruno Bächli advises clients on income and wealth tax issues. Due to his previous work for a Big Four company in the US tax team, he has a broad understanding of US tax law, which is helpful when advising on investments or temporary activities in the United States.
“I enjoy working in interdisciplinary teams where specialists can profitably contribute their knowledge and thus contribute to a comprehensive value-added result.
In my work, I enjoy interacting with people on a personal level. Especially in today’s – increasingly digital – world, this is an enormously important asset for building trust. Our world is complicated, and our clients need professionals who can successfully guide them through this maze.
I enjoy playing sports. They help me clear my head and recharge my mental batteries. Many ideas come into my head while working out.”
Dominik Bürgy
Dominik Bürgy specializes in national and international tax law. His focus is on cross-border structural advice, succession planning and structuring in medium-sized companies, corporate mergers (including participation programs and their corporate tax aspects), and the establishment of companies and wealthy individuals, as well as advising companies, wealthy individuals, and family offices.
His clients include listed and privately held companies, high net worth individuals, entrepreneurs, senior executives of global and national companies, and family offices.
Dominik Bürgy is also a member of various boards of directors of listed and private companies.
“What fascinates me about tax law is the multidimensional nature of the issues it involves – law, business administration, and negotiating and communication skills are all equally important. As a counterbalance to this rather abstract work, I like to stimulate all of my other senses through cooking, photography, sports in the great outdoors, and cultural activities.”
Nicolas Bracher
Nicolas Bracher is a civil litigator. He represents national and international clients in all types of civil proceedings in the field of commercial and business law. The focus of his forensic and advisory activities is on financial services and the law of foundation and succession.
Nicolas Bracher is co-head of the Dispute Resolution and Private Clients practice group at Wenger Vieli Ltd. He has authored several academic publications on litigation law and liability issues in financial services law. He is also a member of the boards of trustees of several foundations.
“I have worked for courts and an administrative judicial authority for over seven years and therefore know the processes and functioning of the judiciary well from my own experience. This helps me to efficiently represent the interests of my clients.“
Stefan Müller
Stefan Müller specializes in migration and labor law, as well as general corporate law and M&A. His focus is on labor law consultancy, supporting applications for residence and work permits and advising clients on venture capital and private equity financing.
“Despite, or perhaps because of, my belief that the legal profession was monotonous and boring, I decided to study law – luckily! What I appreciate about my job today is the endless variety in my role advising and providing personal support to clients – it’s neither monotonous nor boring.”
Michael Huber
Michael Huber advises as a certified specialist of the Swiss Bar Association in inheritance law for many years private clients on estate planning (wills, inheritance contracts) and corporate succession planning. He acts as an executor, administrator, and trustee. Michael Huber also sits on the board of directors of various companies of the financial industry.
He also regularly litigates in (inheritance law) proceedings.
“As a hunter, I know that the first shot is of critical importance - a rapid analysis of the situation and decisive action are characteristic of my professional work too.”
Andreas Hünerwadel
Andreas Hünerwadel works in contract and banking law, as well as in corporate and foundation law. He advises legal entities and natural persons, in the latter case with a special focus on structuring their financial situation and estate planning.
Andreas Hünerwadel is a member of the executive committee of a global industrial group. He is also involved in various roles in start-up companies and as a board member for charitable foundations.
“What I find particularly fascinating about the legal profession is that I have contact with interesting people from all over the world on a daily basis and am involved in very different domains of business, life, and culture. I have a long history of collaborative partnerships with many of my clients, and often of friendship as well. The personal relationship of trust with my clients is the icing on the cake for me.”
Marco Cereghetti
Marco Cereghetti is an experienced litigator who is active before state courts, as well as arbitration tribunals. Furthermore, he advises private individuals and entrepreneurs on commercial and private legal matters, for example in relation to drafting contracts or estate planning.
“The legal profession is a very demanding one, so you should be happy if – like me – you are able to recharge your batteries with the help of family and friends.”
Peter Altorfer
After pursuing a career at a Swiss universal bank, Peter Altorfer decided to get a start in the legal profession at a smaller law office specialized in advising and litigating on behalf of banks. In recent years, the importance of private clients and the work of legal entities in supervisory bodies have increased. In addition to analyzing legal issues, Peter Altorfer is interested in how problems are embedded within private clients’ broader environments. He is also on the board of directors of various companies, as well as on the board of trustees of a number of non-profit organizations. He appreciates the variety in his work that comes from advising both companies and private individuals.
“In my private life, I am interested in the meaning of philosophy, particularly drawing on Stoicism and its later developments. I believe that both one’s professional and one’s private life should be influenced by this.”
Bignia Vieli
With many years of experience, Bignia Vieli has acquired extensive expertise in the field of financial market law. She predominantly advises and represents banks and financial service providers in supervisory and civil law matters. Bignia Vieli also works in the field of capital market law, as well as corporate and trade law. Another focus of her work involves advising and representing private clients in all aspects of estate planning and inheritance law.
“Even after many years of legal practice, the breadth and variety of this profession still fills me with enthusiasm. I love having personal contact with my clients, and I always look forward to the challenge – even in difficult situations – of finding solutions for them that are persuasive, durable, and move things forward.”
Christoph Schmid
Christoph Schmid advises companies and entrepreneurs on contractual, corporate, and inheritance law issues, with a focus on M&A, corporate governance, and succession planning. Christoph Schmid is also a board member for companies in a range of industries, and a board member for several charitable foundations.
“I consider it a great privilege to be able to work as an independent lawyer for a long-established clientele, with whom I have built up a relationship of trust, and to be able to think like an entrepreneur.”
Urs Landolf
Urs Landolf specializes in national and cross-border tax advice for companies and private individuals. He prefers to advise family-run companies and their owners on tax and succession issues. He also acts as a will executor and is an active member of several boards of trustees and boards of directors.
“As an entrepreneurial person, I enjoy being engaged also beyond the technical consulting work – be that as a sparring partner for clients, as a coach for start-ups, or as a mentor for the next generation.”
Joël Doswald
Joël Doswald counsels family-owned businesses along with the individuals involved in national as well as international tax issues. Thanks to his previous work in international tax law with a focus on US companies with a presence in Switzerland, he has a thorough understanding of cross-border issues and restructuring, both of which are essential when advising private individuals and family businesses.
“In addition to the legal and business issues inherent in tax law, what fascinates me most about tax consulting is the close cooperation with people in order to move forward together. Besides taxes, my great passions - depending on the season - are sailing, skiing and playing the piano. However, after a hard day at work, fitness training and cooking bring about the perfect balance.”
Lukas Groth
Lukas Groth has been admitted to the bar since 2022 and practices primarily in the area of litigation before the state courts and arbitral tribunals. Prior to his admission to the bar, he completed internships at Wenger Vieli and at a trial court.
“What I particularly value about the legal profession is its diversity. Depending on the situation, it may require a detailed examination, a constructive solution, or strong advocacy for the client's stance. This spectrum of activities enriches the everyday work.“
Fabienne Häusermann
Fabienne Häusermann is a lawyer in the Private Clients and Estate Planning team. She advises and represents clients in the areas of estate planning, matrimonial property and inheritance law as well as foundation law.
“As a lawyer, I appreciate the direct contact with people and the versatility of my profession. In my free time, I like to keep fit, go hiking and enjoy traveling to foreign countries.“
Team Services
We assist our clients with estate planning, probate and litigation in succession matters. We are in a position to offer these services thanks to our extensive experience and a thorough understanding of the particular situation of the individual concerned and the family dynamics involved.
Drawing on our proven specialists, we offer comprehensive advice that also extends into other areas of law, such as taxes and real estate. In addition, we support our clients in all aspects of corporate succession. Through our notaries’ office, we offer the implementation of estate planning (such as the notarization of wills as well as prenuptial agreements and inheritance contracts) from a single source. As far as cross-border estate planning is concerned, we can count on our proven international network.
Our services include specifically:
- Estate Planning
- Corporate succession planning
- Advance care directives and living wills
- Wills, prenuptial agreements/marriage contracts and inheritance contracts
Executions of wills
- Administration of estate and representation of heirs
- Inter vivos transfers of assets and gifts
- Litigation in succession matters, in particular concerning
- Requests for information from co-heirs and third parties (such as banks)
- Invalidity of wills (e.g., due to lack of capacity of judgment)
- Reduction (assertion of compulsory portions of the estate)
- Division of estate/lot formation
- Establishment and supervision of (charitable) foundations
- Assumption of mandates on the board of trustees
- Tax planning
- Other services for family offices