Dr Olivier Favre, LL.M. > Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd > Geneva, Switzerland > Lawyer Profile

Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd
5bis, rue des Alpes
P.O. Box 2088
1211 Geneva 1
Switzerland

Work Department

Zurich / Banking and Finance / Capital Markets / Insurance

Position

Olivier Favre is a Partner in our Banking and Finance Group in Zurich. He focuses on capital markets, derivatives and structured finance transactions and advises clients on financial services, securities, commodities, fund and insurance regulation. Olivier also advises clients on fintech solutions and legal aspects of asset management activities.

Experience:

  • Acted as legal counsel to a working group of industry association in charge of preparing a Swiss law governed master agreement for derivatives transactions and related documentation (e.g. agreement to exchange variation margin, PRDR agreement, resolution stay acknowledgment, revised documentation for interest rate products)
  • Advised clients on programs for the issuance of structured products in the Swiss market and their approval by a Swiss prospectus office
  • Advised on initial margin documentation for OTC derivatives
  • Advised on regulatory requirements for providing brokerage and custody services regarding crypto-assets
  • Advised foreign insurance companies on Swiss licensing requirements for cross-border activity into Switzerland
  • Prepared for the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (ISDA) the netting and collateral enforceability opinion for international financial organizations established in Switzerland
  • Advised on the implementation of the Financial Services Act (FinSA) and the Financial Institutions Act (FinIA)

Career

2016 – Partner at Schellenberg Wittmer
2009 – Associate at Schellenberg Wittmer
2007-2009 – Legal Counsel at Goldman Sachs International in London
2004-2007 – Associate at Allen & Overy LLP in London

Languages

  • German
  • English
  • French
  • Italian

Memberships

  • Authorized representative at the SIX Swiss Exchange

Education

2005 – Bar Admission in New York
2005 – Admission as Solicitor in England
2004 – LL.M., Harvard University
2003 – Dr. iur., University of Zurich
2000 – Bar Admission in Switzerland

Lawyer Rankings

Switzerland > Capital markets

(Next Generation Partners)

Olivier FavreSchellenberg Wittmer Ltd

Philippe Borens and Tarek Houdrouge head up the comprehensive capital markets offering at Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd, which routinely operates for clients that are active across financial services, energy, and IT sectors with regards to exchange-traded derivatives, public takeovers, and the issuance of structured products. Borens enjoys a wide-ranging set of skills, encompassing bonds and notes issues, hedge funds, and regulatory issues, while Houdrouge possesses considerable transactional expertise across banking and finance and capital markets. Olivier Favre is highly experienced in relation to an array of financing transactions, and Lorenzo Olgiati is a solid choice for publicly listed companies who require assistance with corporate governance and ESG issues.

Switzerland > Banking and finance: Zurich

(Hall of Fame)

Olivier FavreSchellenberg Wittmer Ltd

Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd pairs its regulatory capabilities with its transactional expertise in syndicated loan facilities, asset management, and structured finance transactions to operate for a multitude of financial institutions. The ‘very competent’ team is steered by Philippe Borens, who possesses a strong grounding in an array of areas, extending from syndicated lending and acquisition finance to derivatives and structured products. Anita Schläpfer is well-versed in domestic and cross-border acquisition finance and syndicated lending transactions, while Olivier Favre contributes his expertise in fintech and a range of financing transactions. Caroline Clemetson deploys her experience in investments, financial regulations, and insurance to advise a consortium of banks and securities firms. Fabio Elsener was promoted to counsel at the beginning of 2025.

Switzerland > Fintech

Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd‘s blockchain technologies and fintech group is known in the market for its multidisciplinary and integrated approach, often drawing expertise from the firm’s other practice groups. The team advises clients on any legal issues in connection with the use of blockchain technology, such as the issuance or trading of digital assets. Olivier Favre is particularly recognised in the market for his expertise in derivatives, structured finance, and financial regulatory matters. Tarek Houdrouge often advises banks and financial institutions on fintech and cryptocurrency matters. Caroline Clemetson has extensive experience in banking and finance law, in particular financial regulation.

Switzerland > Insurance

(Leading partners)

Olivier FavreSchellenberg Wittmer Ltd

The insurance practice group at Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd has extensive experience on the dispute resolution side of insurance matters, as well as assisting clients with all issues relating to the regulation and establishment of reinsurers and reinsurance portfolios in Switzerland, and insurance intermediary activities. Key individual Olivier Favre often assists clients with regulatory requirements for inbound cross-border insurance business to the Swiss market. Tarek Houdrouge is an expert on various insurance topics including regulatory developments in this field.