Firm Profile > Walder Wyss Ltd > Basel, Switzerland

Capital markets Tier 1

Walder Wyss Ltd's 'reputable, experienced and well-connected' practice 'has the right mix of seniority, experience and work dedication to handle complex matters' and is particularly 'experienced in transactions' for the financial services, life sciences, real estate and logistics industries. Securitisation matters form another key area of expertise. Alexander Nikitine acted for underwriting banks Zürcher Kantonalbank, Bryan Garnier and Kepple Cheuvreux on Medartis Holding's CHF700m IPO on SIX Swiss Exchange, while the 'calm and focused' Theodor Härtsch assisted Athris with its IPO on BX Swiss. Lukas Wyss advised Glarner Kantonalbank on placing additional Tier 1 bonds worth CHF100m.

Competition Tier 1

With a strong reputation for merger filings and appeals, Walder Wyss Ltd is one of the best known practices in Switzerland. In a recent highlight, Reto Jacobs acted for Swisscom in the appeal against ComCo's fines imposed for an alleged price squeeze in the broadband market. Other recent work includes handling the competition aspects of Tamedia's acquisition of Basler Zeitung. Ticketcorner, Starticket and their three parent companies are also active clients.

Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 1

With multiple offices in every region of Switzerland, Walder Wyss Ltd focuses on commercial litigation, the enforcement of foreign judgement, as well as infrastructure, construction, engineering, banking, post-M&A and shareholder disputes. Team lead Dieter Hofmann is representing Eurobank Ergasias in its asset recovery claim against one of its former managers, who was charged with embezzlement via unsecured loans. Counsel Urs Schenker acted for the Burkard family in the £2.5bn dispute over the Sika takeover and the sale of a controlling stake in the company to Saint-Gobain. Michael Buhler and Oliver Kunz are other names to note in Zurich, while Rodolphe Gautier is the key partner in Geneva.

Employment Tier 1

Walder Wyss Ltd houses 'one of the best employment teams in Switzerland' and offers 'a fast and uncomplicated cooperation' in addition to 'a very high professional level and a consistently good advisory service during complicated cases'. Its full-service approach includes employment litigation, regulatory compensation advice, as well as immigration and transactional assistance. 'Sharp and fast thinker' Philippe Nordmann advised Equatex on its restructuring, which involved a mass dismissal, and represented the company in a dispute against an ex-employee claiming unlawful and discriminatory termination of their employment. The team also comprises compensation and collective bargaining expert Ueli Sommer and Olivier Sigg, who made partner in January 2018.

Intellectual property Tier 1

Clients 'appreciate reliable firm' Walder Wyss Ltd's 'commitment, know-how, experience, accuracy and efficient working attitude'. Its focus areas include trade mark and patent litigation, licensing and copyright issues, as well as IP assistance during transactions for the fashion, consumer goods, life sciences, financial and technology sectors. The 'analytic, sharp and to-the-point' Roger Staub represents Darmstadt-based Merck and its subsidiary Merck Switzerland in a trade mark and name rights dispute pertaining to unfair competition against US company Merck & Co, while Markus Frick defends Nestlé against a trade mark cancellation action filed by Abbott. Former managing associate Dirk Spacek joined CMS as a partner in February 2019. Magda Streuli-Youssef  left the firm in 2019.

Leading firms: Italian-speaking Switzerland Tier 1

Walder Wyss Ltd's Lugano office impresses with its 'practical, commercial and strategic' approach to corporate, commercial and M&A, dispute resolution, intellectual property, TMT, real estate and banking matters. IP specialist Stefano Codoni is noted, while the team also comprises corporate and banking partners Davide Jermini and Karin Valenzano Rossi.

Private client Tier 1

The 'commercial, realistic and responsive' team at 'well-known firm' Walder Wyss Ltd has 'a real strength and depth across the private client space' and 'works well on international matters'. It is renowned for advising entrepreneurs, including their families and businesses, in trust, estate and succession planning, relocation, tax and philanthropy matters. Clients recommend 'engaging, pre-eminent private client lawyer' and 'excellent tactician' Philippe Pulfer, 'strong' co-lead Kinga Weiss, 'knowledgeable and savvy' Olivier Sigg and 'competent and reactive' managing associate Robert Desax. Tax specialist Fouad Sayegh joined from Oberson Abels Ltd in May 2018.

Public law Tier 1

Walder Wyss Ltd is best known for advising the Swiss government and its state-owned enterprises on national, federal and cantonal level. The team has experience in procurement, energy, environmental, data protection, infrastructure, healthcare and telecoms matters. Hans Rudolf Trüeb acts for SBB in collective appeal proceedings concerning the operating permit for newly procured double-decker trains relating to alleged non-compliance with the Disability Equality Act. Thomas Müller and healthcare specialist Daniel Staffelbach are other names to note.

Real estate and construction Tier 1

Walder Wyss Ltd's 'knowledgeable and trustworthy' team 'provides clear and practical advice'. While mainly focusing on real estate transactions, the practice also engages in niche sector-related crowdfunding work. Francis Nordmann assisted Luxembourg company Propz with the $65m sale of a property in Winterthur, while the 'reassuring and pragmatic' Johannes Bürgi, together with Thomas Müller, advised the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority on the development and letting of a shopping centre outside Lucerne. Lugano-based Davide Jermini acts as a regular adviser to various divisions of Artisa Group.

Tax Tier 1

'Engaged and collaborative' firm Walder Wyss Ltd 'has a comprehensive, solution-driven and strong tax team offering services regarding structuring, transactions and litigation'. The client base consists of domestic and multi-national companies, entrepreneurs and financial institutions. 'Reputable market leader' Maurus Winzap advised 40 North Latitude Master Fund on the acquisition of a significant stake in Clariant and the subsequent partial sale to Saudi Basic Industries, while the 'detail-oriented and very responsive' Thomas Meister handled the tax aspects of client JAB Holding's sale of control in Bally International to Shandong Ruyi Investment. 'Very professional' Bern-based restructuring partner Samuel Dürr and 'great VAT knowledge resource' Jan Ole Luuk are also recommended. Fouad Sayegh joined from Oberson Abels Ltd in May 2018.

TMT Tier 1

Walder Wyss Ltd 'has a strong data privacy team', while also dealing with fintech projects, outsourcing and technology transfer, as well as licensing, transactions, insolvency matters and TMT litigation. Michael Isler advised the joint venture structure of insurance consortium B3i, which aims to develop a blockchain, while 'exceptional' counsel David Vasella, who 'combines an outstanding level of expertise with creativity and professionalism', is assisting Galenica with its GDPR implementation. Mark Reutter acts for Zurich Insurance company on the re-negotiation of an existing global outsourcing agreement. Didier Sangiorgio is another name to note. Former managing associate Dirk Spacek joined CMS as partner in February 2019.

Banking and finance: Zurich Tier 2

Walder Wyss Ltd hosts 'a large team of excellent professionals in banking and finance', who stand out for their 'client-focused and forward-thinking' attitude. Focus areas include lending and structured finance transactions at a domestic or international level, regulatory advice, fund management, banking M&A and representation in investigations. 'Debt finance transaction expert' Lukas Wyss assisted Deutsche Private Equity with the leveraged acquisition financing concerning the purchase of AWK Group, while 'analytical and business-oriented' Theodor Härtsch acts as a core adviser to Perusa, Helvetica Property Investors and Equatex on regulatory issues. Luc Defferrard is another name to note.

Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2

With approximately 50 M&A professionals, sizeable firm Walder Wyss Ltd is renowned for its 'deep commercial understanding, excellent regulatory relationships, as well as its extremely practical and business-oriented advice'. Major highlights include Urs Schenker's assistance to the Burkard family with the CHF3.22bn sale of all shares in Schenker-Winkler Holding to Saint-Gobain, as well as Markus Pfenninger advice to 40 North Latitude Master Fund on its acquisition of a significant stake in Clariant . Practice head Urs Gnos, Alexander Nikitine  and banking M&A specialist Patrick W Vogel, who 'demonstrates outstanding commitment, sound judgement and a deep legal understanding', are other names to note.

Dispute resolution: arbitration Tier 2

Walder Wyss Ltd houses 'a technically excellent, internationally experienced, strategical and collaborative' arbitration team that operates in 'a no-fuss, cost-sensitive' way. Key areas of strength include commercial, infrastructure, engineering, construction and M&A disputes, as well as awards enforcement. 'Stand-out practitioner' Michael Feit, who is recommended for his investment arbitration expertise, acted as arbitrator in the €330m ICSID dispute between claimant ACP Axos Capital and the Republic of Kosovo concerning the failed privatisation of Kosovo's postal and communications company. Michael Buhler, who is 'calm under pressure', and 'diligent' counsel Marco Stacher, who is 'excellent in cross-examinations', are also recommended.

Healthcare and life sciences Tier 2

The majority of Walder Wyss Ltd 's work in the healthcare and life sciences sector involves financial investments, M&A transactions, intellectual property and regulatory matters. Industry specialist Andreas Wildi and Basel-based corporate partner Alexander Gutmans are the key contacts.

Leading firms: French-speaking Switzerland Tier 2

The 'diverse team' at 'experienced and reliable firm' Walder Wyss 'practises at the top end of the legal spectrum' and provides a 'hands-on and personalised service to clients'. It is highly recommended for its private client and tax departments, while also handling banking, corporate and litigation matters. 'Highly regarded stand-out partner' Philippe Pulfer manages the Geneva office. Banking and corporate lawyer Patrick Vogel, litigator Rodolphe Gautier, 'rising star' Olivier Sigg, Hubertus Hillerström and recent arrival Fouad Sayegh, who is a tax expert, are other key names.

Leading firms: German-speaking Switzerland Tier 2

With offices in Zurich, Bern and Basel, Walder Wyss Ltd provides superior advice on capital markets, employment, competition, litigation, real estate, tax, intellectual property and TMT matters. Luc Defferrard, Ueli Sommer, Philippe Nordmann, Markus Frick, Magda Streuli-Youssef, Hans Rudolf Trüeb, Mark Reutter and Thomas Meister are the core partners.

Banking and finance: Geneva Tier 3

'Capable of solving complex issues', Walder Wyss' 'very efficient team' is best known for acting on financial services transactions and providing regulatory advice. In 2018, Patrick Vogel advised Bank J. Safra Sarasin on all regulatory, contractual and corporate aspects concerning its asset purchase of Bank Hapoalim's private banking divisions in Luxembourg and Switzerland. The 'calm and accessible' Hubertus Hillerström 'overcomes all obstacles during transactions'.

Insolvency and corporate recovery Tier 3

Walder Wyss Ltd engages in international bankruptcy and insolvency matters, with a particular focus on the representation of creditors, such as Swiss subsidiaries whose parent companies face Chapter 11 proceedings in the US. The practice also assists cross-border businesses with their restructuring needs. Counsels Christoph Stäubli and Dominik Hohler acted for the board of directors of Toys'R'Us in Switzerland during its US debtor-in-possession proceedings. Mark Reutter is another main practitioner.