Pestalozzi > Geneva, Switzerland > Firm Profile

Pestalozzi > The Legal 500 Rankings

Switzerland > Dispute resolution: arbitration Tier 1

Covering a diverse scope of industries in its practice, Pestalozzi‘s ‘very well-prepared and experienced’ arbitration team is especially noted for its in-depth capabilities within commodities and banking related disputes as well as internal investigations. Active at both a national and international level, the team is a strong choice for states and state-owned entities, as well as private clients, for assistance with civil, criminal and regulatory disputes. Laurent Killias, who is geared to assist with disputes arising from construction, civil engineering and R&D, jointly leads the practice alongside Thomas Legler, who is a reputed expert within the IP, IT and data protection arenas. Michael Kramer utilises his tri-lingual capabilities to advise clients on a range of international commercial arbitration across the fields of banking, pharma and commodities, while Thomas Rohner is entrusted with asset tracing and a host of commercial disputes. Alexandra Johnson, who is noted for her ‘exceptional responsiveness, unwavering client focus, and razor-sharp acumen’, is also active at both a national and international level. Lukas Rusch’s wide ranging expertise consists of, but is not limited to, construction, insurance and investor-state disputes.

Switzerland > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 1

Whilst fielding a particularly strong banking and finance, commodity trading, life sciences and construction litigation practice, Pestalozzi is capable of advising clients across a broad range of sectors. The team, regarded as ‘creative and full of insight’, is routinely entrusted by major Swiss banks, trading, commercial and other companies in high-profile and cross-border banking disputes. Christophe Emonet, who focuses on banking and commercial disputes as well as regulatory and white-collar crime matters, and Thomas Rohner, who is notably proficient in commercial disputes and asset tracing, jointly steer the practice. Laurent Killias’s experience encompasses civil engineering, R&D and distribution matters, while Nicolas Herren strengthens the practice with his extensive contractual and regulatory knowledge. Lukas Rusch’s wide-ranging expertise includes construction, energy and post-M&A disputes.

Switzerland > Employment Tier 1

Pestalozzi are a ‘top-level firm’, advising on senior executive disputes and agreements, working time regulations for white- and blue-collar employees, termination of employment agreements, mass redundancies, employee transfers resulting from corporate restructurings, say-on-pay rules for Swiss listed companies, and partial liquidation of pension funds in connection with spin-offs. Department co-head Martin L. Mueller supports clients with the M&A employment aspects, board level disputes, discrimination, whistleblowing, and collective consultation. Christian Roos, who also co-heads the team, has expertise in mass dismissals, social plan negotiations, and restrictive covenants. Andreas Lienhard regularly litigates before labour courts for claims such as summary dismissals, unfair dismissals, bonuses, and gender equality.

Switzerland > Banking and finance: Geneva Tier 2

Pestalozzi‘s ‘pragmatic and helpful’ team advises lenders and borrowers on Swiss law-governed and cross-border international finance, acquisition finance, corporate finance, mezzanine financings, syndicated loans, and commodities trade financing. The team also has a regulatory practice which assists clients with compliance matters, licenses, and the structuring of new financial services. The practice is headed by Sébastien Roy, whose practice covers financing, M&A transactions and private equity, and Christophe Emonet, who specialises in international banking disputes and investigations. Ludivine Boisard‘s practice covers all types of domestic and cross-border banking transactions while Nicolas Herren handles banking disputes arising from contractual and regulatory issues. Other key team members include Christophe Berclaz, who has expertise in banking disputes with multi-jurisdictional aspects, and Jean-Baptiste Lhôte, who specialises in commercial law and banking transactions.

Switzerland > Banking and finance: Zurich Tier 2

Pestalozzi ‘has an excellent and comprehensive understanding of banking and finance’ assisting clients with domestic and cross-border finance matters, commodities trade financing, and regulatory enforcement. Team lead Oliver Widmer advises domestic and international banks, financial institutions, wealth managers on banking, finance and capital markets matters, while Urs Kloeti focuses on regulatory, anti-money laundering, compliance, and finance. Andrea Huber specialises in asset management, fintech, internal and regulatory investigations, and enforcement proceedings. Markus Winkler advises financial services providers on reviewing existing or setting up new processes and investment techniques while Niku Gholamalizadeh handles an array of regulatory and licencing matters.

Switzerland > Capital markets Tier 2

While possessing particular expertise in debt capital market transactions and listings, among others, Pestalozzi’s capabilities extend from high yield bond issues and structured product programmes to a diverse range of innovative transactions. Christian Leuenberger and ‘outstanding’ Oliver Widmer steer the practice, with the former specialising in equity capital market transactions and public takeovers, while the latter counts a diverse array of clients, from banks to high net worth individuals, in his roster. Urs Klöti is recommended for his expertise in regulatory and compliance matters and Beat Schwarz is noted for his expertise in debt capital markets work. Severin Roelli is also recommended.

Switzerland > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2

The ‘client-oriented’ team at Pestalozzi fields a broad offering that incorporates M&A, private equity, commercial matters and corporate reorganisations, among others. Co-lead Christoph Lang is particularly well versed in corporate law, as well as advising on M&A and joint ventures, while fellow practice lead Sébastien Roy focuses on private M&A and private equity transactions, utilising his trilingual capabilities. Petra Hanselmann’s strengths include pre-transaction restructurings, joint ventures and M&A, with Severin Roelli routinely engaged by clients on public tender offers and stock exchange law and regulations. Pascal Richard is another name to note.

Switzerland > Fintech Tier 2

A practice that demonstrates ‘tremendous strength in regulatory, fintech and asset management maters’, Pestalozzi is particularly well-versed in regulatory impact analysis, blockchain and cryptocurrency projects alongside substantive expertise in the implementation of new technologies. The practice is jointly led by Oliver Widmer, who practices across a multitude of transactional and regulatory matters, and Urs Klöti, who principally focuses on regulatory, anti-money laundering, compliance and finance matters.

Switzerland > Healthcare and life sciences Tier 2

Praised for its ‘outstanding‘ work, the team at Pestalozzi acts for a variety of clients, including service providers, financial investors, and manufacturers of medical devices. The group has deep bench strength across a broad range of issues involving import and export regulations, the application of medicinal products, and the distribution of cannabis products. Practice co-head Franz Schubiger is noted for his vast expertise in M&A, private equity and venture capital transactions, and restructurings. Lara Dorigo co-leads the team, and is known for her expansive knowledge of disputes within the life sciences sector, with particular emphasis on small molecules, biosimilars, and monoclonal antibodies. Co-head Christian Roos leads the firm’s employment and pensions practice, advising on social plan negotiations and restrictive covenants within the pharma and medical device industries. Sarah Drukarch regularly assists both domestic and overseas companies on R&D project negotiations, and post-marketing set-ups.

Switzerland > Insolvency and corporate recovery Tier 2

The team at Pestalozzi offers a wide range of insolvency-related services, including cross-border bankruptcy-related litigation, the recognition and enforcement of foreign bankruptcy proceedings, acting as administrators to recover significant assets of foreign debtors, criminal proceedings, large-scale asset recovery and supervision of bankruptcy administration for major creditors. The team is headed by Thomas Rohner, whose practice includes representing domestic and international clients in insolvency and enforcement matters, and Christophe Emonet, who has vast experience in asset recovery and cross-border bankruptcies. The team comprises of litigation and arbitration specialists Michael Kramer and Florian Mohs, and corporate law expert Christian Leuenberger.

Switzerland > Insurance Tier 2

‘Responsive, friendly and professional’, the insurance practice at Pestalozzi is pre-eminent in the regulatory sphere, alongside demonstrable strengths in assisting clients with M&A and other transactions. Insurers, reinsurers, insurance brokers and insurtech companies are included in the team’s client roster. Christoph Lang, Andrea Huber, Beat Schwarz, Lukas Rusch and Markus Winkler jointly steer the group. Lang holds a corporate focus, while Huber strengthens the practice with her notable expertise in insurance regulatory matters. Schwarz and Winkler’s capabilities include insurtech matters, and Rusch regularly handles insurance litigation.

Switzerland > Intellectual property Tier 2

Accomplished in a broad array of industries that includes life sciences, beverages and cosmetics, Pestalozzi‘s expansive practice encompasses the enforcement of IP rights, technology transfer agreements and portfolio management, alongside a host of other issues. The team is noted for being ‘adept at understanding client needs and delivering targeted solutions that exceed expectations’. ‘Exceptional’ and ‘client driven’ practice head Lara Dorigo is well regarded for her skills in advising clients on pharma, biologics and med tech patent litigation. IP arbitration expert Thomas Legler and Michèle Burnier are also recommended.

Switzerland > Private client Tier 2

The team at Pestalozzi is co-led by Oliver Widmer, Thomas Rohner, and Christophe Emonet. Widmer regularly advises financial institutions and wealth managers on matters relating to banking and capital markets. Rohener is recommended for litigation arising from inheritance disputes, trusts, and estate law. Emonet is skilled at navigating international investigations; he specialises in financial fraud cases and other white-collar crime matters. Jonas Sigrist is another key individual who is an expert at handling domestic and cross-border tax matters.

Switzerland > Real estate and construction Tier 2

Pestalozzi handles real estate matters in various industry sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, and consumer goods. It has expertise in due diligence reviews, contract negotiations and drafting, obtaining construction permits, and zoning law matters. Michael Lips heads up the ‘excellent’ team with his extensive knowledge in leases, sales, pledges, and building contract rights. Paola Wullschleger’s main areas cover litigation, tenancy law, and environmental law. Larissa Rickenbacher has a particular focus on public law issues in the real estate market.

Switzerland > Tax Tier 2

Pestalozzi employs a ‘client-centric approach’ when advising domestic and international clients on a broad range of tax matters, such as those issues relating to M&A and restructuring, as well as VAT, withholding and stamp taxes, and tax litigation. Team lead Nils Harbeke has expertise in cross-border tax issues and tax work in regulated industries, working frequently with both Swiss and international financial institutions and life sciences companies. Jonas Sigrist advises multinationals and SMEs in life sciences, commodities, and financial services sectors on corporate tax issues. Silvia Zimmermann specialises in international taxation, namely inbound and outbound tax planning for multinationals and individuals.

Switzerland > Data privacy and data protection Tier 3

Acting for international and national blue chip and service companies, Pestalozzi’s wide-ranging expertise is comprised of disputes involving data protection issues, cyber criminality issues and use of digital data on ICT platforms. The team increasingly handles legal issues arising from digital medical data and their relevance for research and development of pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Michèle Burnier leads the practice and is prominent within the Swiss civil and criminal courts. Arbitration expert Thomas Legler and Sarah Drukarch, who specialises in both life sciences and corporate areas, bolster the practice. Markus Winkler is another name to note.

Switzerland > Regulatory, compliance and investigations Tier 3

With a varied multitude of governmental bodies, states, banks and financial institutions in its client roster, ‘exceptional’ Pestalozzi fuses its expertise across governmental investigations, corruption, financial fraud and liability claims to provide a comprehensive regulatory and investigations service that traverses multiple jurisdictions. ‘Standout’ Christophe Emonet spearheads the team with his notable experience in asset recovery and cross-border bankruptcies. Another key contact is Michael Kramer, who bolsters the practice with his considerable expertise in commercial litigation and arbitration. Nicolas Herren is noted for his in-depth capabilities surrounding banking and commercial disputes.

Switzerland > TMT Tier 3

The practice at Pestalozzi is known for providing legal advice and representation to leading domestic and international clients in various TMT areas such as IT services, online distribution and advertising, outsourcing, privacy, e-commerce, and e-discovery. The expanding team is headed by Lara Dorigo, whose practice focuses on IP enforcement and defence, technology transfer, new technologies, e-commerce, entertainment law, advertising, licensing, personality rights issues, and branding strategies. IP experts Michèle Burnier and Thomas Legler both represent clients before the Swiss courts and in arbitral proceedings, respectively.

Switzerland > Competition Tier 4

‘Highly professional’ Pestalozzi utilises its international network to advise on issues such as merger controls and numerous other transactions, bolstered by the firm’s move to a new Zurich office in July 2023. Christoph Lang leads the practice with his corporate and antitrust capabilities, while Michèle Burnier contributes IP expertise to the team. Fabian Martens is another name to note in the practice.