LALIVE > Zurich, Switzerland > Firm Profile

LALIVE
STAMPFENBACHPLATZ 4
PO BOX 212
8042 ZURICH
Switzerland

Switzerland > Dispute resolution: arbitration Tier 1

With extensive capabilities across a multitude of complex multi-jurisdictional arbitrations, LALIVE‘s practice maintains a particularly strong presence in the construction and infrastructure, energy, mining, and pharma sectors. The practice is praised for its ‘impressive partner engagement from high-level strategy to the tiniest details’. Joachim Knoll and Melissa Magliana with their vast expertise in managing international commercial arbitration for a varied host of clients. Former practice head Matthias Scherer is a strong choice for clients requiring assistance with disputes arising from joint ventures and M&A, among others, while Veijo Heiskanen is pre-eminent within the areas of commercial and investment arbitration. Marc Veit utilises his multi-jurisdictional expertise to handle disputes arising from energy, telecoms and life sciences sectors, with Bernd Ehle being another name to note in the practice.

Practice head(s):

Joachim Knoll; Melissa Magliana

Other key lawyers:

Matthias Scherer; Veijo Heiskanen; Marc Veit; Bernd Ehle; Michael Schneider; Teresa Giovannini; Sam Moss; China Irwin; Catherine Kunz; Domitille Baizeau

Testimonials

‘The team complimented each other very well. They decided their work to optimize performance. At the hearing, their use of technology to share, update and plan was top notch.’

They worked day and night to check and recheck their strategy. Their hard work and dedication was always above and beyond. A very difficult case was handled with the care and commitment any client would wish for.’

‘This team is unique among all lawyers I ever worked this. Each member has unique qualities. Domitille Baizeau is a great leader. Tough but compassionate. Hard working and a great motivated and organizer. Catherine Anne Kunz is a great one-two partner as they finish each other’s sentences but complete and complement one another.’

‘Melissa Magliana is an extremely perceptive lawyer. Quick on her feet, precise in her written and oral explanations. Great strategist. Patient with clients and opposing counsel. Strong drafting skills and good case overview.’

‘Hard-working team of dedicated specialists.’

‘Impressive partner engagement from high-level strategy to the tiniest details.’

‘Sam Moss has a keen eye for strategy and an impressive ability to address the most minute details. Deep expertise in construction disputes. ’

Key clients

The government of Romania

Gate Gourmet

Prairie Mining

DSG Yapi San Tic A.S.

Republic of Latvia

Indiana Resources and Winshear Gold Corporation

Lupaka Gold Corporation

EnviroGold (Las Lagunas) Limited

Work highlights

  • Representing the Romanian government in a $4.75bn arbitration over a gold mining project under Romania’s bilateral investment treaties with Canada and the UK.

Switzerland > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 2

‘Exceptional’ LALIVE regularly represents Swiss-based multinational corporations, international organisations, wealth services providers and trust companies across an extensive variety of commercial, banking, private client and commercial disputes. The team possesses notable expertise in enforcing foreign judgments and arbitral awards before Swiss courts. André Brunschweiler, who holds high esteem for his shareholders’ disputes expertise, and tri-lingual Nicolas Ollivier, who is adept in advising clients on complex banking litigation issues, co-helm the practice. Alexander Troller’s arsenal of experience incorporates financial matters, white-collar crime and employment issues, among others. Transnational and domestic litigation expert Marc Henzelin and Simone Nadelhofer, who possesses a wealth of experience in white-collar crime and regulatory and internal investigations are other key names to note.

Practice head(s):

André Brunschweiler; Nicolas Ollivier

Other key lawyers:

‘Simone Nadelhofer; Sandrine Giroud; Matthias Gstoehl; Daniel Bühr

Testimonials

‘The team at this law firm is exceptional. Each member possesses unique and profound legal expertise across various fields. They collaborate seamlessly, leveraging their individual strengths to provide tailored solutions for complex issues.’

‘Their unwavering dedication to client success, coupled with their remarkable abilities, solidifies their position as trusted allies in the legal field.’

‘Simone Nadelhofer has a lot of experience and is a pleasure to work with. ’

‘Pragmatic and effective advice’.

‘Excellent team work and coordination across all the firm, from partners to associates and assistants. Fluid and efficient operations no matter what the case is.’

‘Nicolas Ollivier is an outstanding partner with a total dedication to his clients. He has a true strategic approach to litigation which is rare. With his associates the team is always available to handle situations arising in a case, truly a 24/7 operation.’

‘LALIVE’s team is extremely efficient. They are exceptionally pragmatic and are always thinking two moves ahead.’

‘Alexander Troller is incredibly bright and excellent in virtually all aspects of his work.’

Work highlights

  • Acting for several institutional AT1 investors executing a multi-jurisdictional litigation strategy to secure compensation and redress of over $3bn in connection with the write-down of AT1-Notes by Credit Suisse Group as part of its collapse and acquisition by UBS.
  • Acting for several major institutional and private ultra-high net worth investors on potential major losses of over $1bn incurred in connection with the Greensill collapse.
  • Representing a private client in Swiss civil and criminal proceedings for the recovery of more than $1.2 billion in assets over several jurisdictions in connection with fraudulent artwork transactions.

Switzerland > Regulatory, compliance and investigations Tier 2

With an extensive client roster that encompasses corporations, senior managers, NGOs and ultra-high net worth individuals, ‘diligent, knowledgeable and experienced’ LALIVE demonstrates significant strengths in internal investigations such as money laundering and cybercrime as well as compliance and regulatory matters that include corporate governance, risk and compliance management systems. Alexander Troller’s comprehensive range of knowledge extends from financial matters to estate and inheritance disputes, while Daniel Lucien Bühr notably focuses on investigations, best practice risk and compliance management. White-collar crime expert Simone Nadelhofer and business and human rights Sandrine Giroud utilise their considerable experience in litigation to strengthen the practice. Further enhancing the litigative capabilities of the team is Matthias Gstoehl, who specialises in complex domestic and multi-jurisdictional proceedings.

Practice head(s):

Daniel Lucien Bühr; Alexander Troller; Simone Nadelhofer; Matthias Gstoehl; Sandrine Giroud

Testimonials

‘Lalive is a strong and reliable law firm and certainly a good choice when it comes to disputes and investigations. They are diligent, knowledgeable, and experienced.’

‘Simone Nadelhofer is a very intelligent and highly qualified lawyer. She is multilingual and has lots of international experience. She knows how to conduct complex investigations.’

‘Matthias Gstoehl is a very experienced and qualified lawyer. He plans investigation with a strategic mind.’

‘Very focused on commercial litigation, independent investigations and white collar defence. They also represent individuals against corporate entities which seems rather unusual in this market sector.’

‘Simone Nadelhofer is renowned and well respected managing partner who takes her responsibilities very seriously. She’s focused on delivering to the clients and always keeps a cool head.’

‘The entire team ranging from the partner in charge to every associate on the case is very responsive at all times. The team acts as one and shows its strengths in advising our firm in front of all Swiss authorities. The team is also very capable in identifying cross-border issues and liaising with foreign counsel.’

‘The individuals show that they are experienced in dealing with Swiss government authorities. The individuals keep themselves updated on any developments on foreign legal and regulatory matters and share useful information immediately.’

‘The team are strong in this field – they are technically excellent, responsive and practical. Good value for money.’

Key clients

Federative Republic of Brazil

Work highlights

  • Representing an UHNWI in asset recovery proceedings in allegations of fraud, mismanagement of assets, market manipulation, insider trading, commingling and execution of unauthorised transactions for assets valued at over USD 1bn.

Switzerland > Banking and finance: Geneva Tier 3

Litigation specialist LALIVE represents major corporate clients and high net-worth individuals on fraud, mismanagement of assets, improper execution and fraudulent orders and disputes related to structured and derivative products. The team distinguishes itself by representing clients against banks. Practice co-head Alexander Troller litigates financial matters, corporate and shareholder disputes, white-collar crime, and asset recovery. Nicolas Ollivier, who also co-heads the team, has specific technical knowledge regarding complex financial products and often handles complex banking disputes. Sandrine Giroud and Benoît A. Mauron are also key team members.

Practice head(s):

Alexander Troller; Nicolas Ollivier

Other key lawyers:

Sandrine Giroud; Benoît Mauron

Key clients

Banka Snoras

Work highlights

Switzerland > Intellectual property Tier 3

LALIVE‘s intellectual property practice represents corporates, NGOs, and individuals on a broad range of IP matters, including trademarks, designs, domain names, copyright, and unfair competition. The team is particularly active in IP-related arbitration proceedings. Practice head Thomas Widmer handles the full range of contentious and non-contentious matters relating to IP law.

Practice head(s):

Thomas Widmer

Work highlights

  • Acting as counsel to a global supplier of integrated gambling and gaming systems in a €25m ICC arbitration against an operator in the gaming industry concerning the alleged breach of a limited license for the use of IT products.
  • Representing a multinational computer, technology and IT consulting corporation in civil proceedings against a Swiss bank which is inter alia claiming access to the source code of various software interfaces developed by the client in a frame of a global IT service agreement.
  • Advising a non-profit organisation funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in drafting and negotiating several contractual agreements in relation to intellectual property issues and the mitigation of the consequences of the various event cancellations due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Switzerland > Real estate and construction Tier 3

LALIVE’s practice combines its advisory and dispute resolution experience in real estate, construction, and infrastructure projects to best support its domestic and international clients. Both with a focus on complex infrastructure and construction project disputes, Bernd Ehle and Joachim Knoll co-head the Geneva team. Sam Moss, who regularly assists clients with the management of construction claims and contracts, heads the Zurich team. Michael Schneider’s main areas of practice are disputes involving states and corporations in construction, industrial engineering, and infrastructure projects.

Practice head(s):

Bernd Ehle; Joachim Knoll; Samuel Moss

Other key lawyers:

Michael Schneider; Veijo Heiskanen; Melissa Magliana

Testimonials

‘Excellent team.’

 

Key clients

DSG Yapi San Tic A.S.

Work highlights

  • Representing a Turkish construction company in a USD 300 million ICSID investment treaty arbitration against Saudi Arabia over a construction project. The investor invoked the 2006 Turkey-Saudi Arabia bilateral investment treaty.
  • Representing a state organ in a USD 35 million dispute with a European contractor conducted under the ICC Rules of Arbitration over a major road construction project in Central Asia.

Switzerland > Banking and finance: Zurich Tier 4

Litigation firm LALIVE represents ‘top tier clients’ in disputes related to structured or derivative products, mismanagement of assets, improper execution, and fraud. the team also advises and represents banks on issues relating to compliance and regulatory matters, financial transactions, securitisation, and new technologies. The practice is led by Matthias Gstoehl, Simone Nadelhofer, André Brunschweiler, and Dominik Elmiger. Christian Exner is also a key team member.

Practice head(s):

Matthias Gstoehl; Simone Nadelhofer;  Daniel Lucien Bühr; André Brunschweiler; Dominik Elmiger

Other key lawyers:

Christian Exner

Testimonials

‘Top quality practice.’

‘Alexander Troller, Simone Nadelhofer are both excellent.’

‘Lalive is the pre-eminent and largest litigation firm in Switzerland, with top-tier clients and partners who understand how to work with a global audience, which is invaluable.’

‘Matthias Gstoehl is responsive, proactive and internationally focused. He is good with lawyers and clients alike and gets to the nub of complex issues immediately. He is especially well versed in banking and financing litigation.’

 

Work highlights

  • Acting for several institutional AT1 investors executing a multi-jurisdictional litigation strategy to secure compensation and redress following the write-down of AT1-Notes by Credit Suisse Group AG on 19 March 2023.
  • Acting for several major institutional clients in relation to major losses incurred in connection with the Greensill collapse. Total investment volume exceeds EUR 1.5bn.
  • Representing a leading global travel retailer in a dispute with a global Swiss bank acting as custodian to release shares held in escrow as part of a business transaction.

Switzerland > Private client Tier 4

The private client practice at LALIVE stands out for the ‘exceptional abilities of its individual team members’. The team has extensive experience handling domestic and international litigation. Leading the group are Werner Jahnel, Alexander Troller, Sandrine Giroud, and Simone Nadelhofer. Their combined expertise includes advising on art law, asset recovery, inheritance and trust disputes, and the freezing of assets.

Practice head(s):

Werner Jahnel; Alexander Troller; Sandrine Giroud; Simone Nadelhofer

Testimonials

‘They stand out for their efficiency, responsiveness, and competence. They have a very useful network of specialists.’

‘Alexander Troller has an intimate knowledge of financial services. He is equally at ease in multi-jurisdictional matters of wealth planning and litigation areas. He’s definitely a go-to adviser.’

‘The prowess of this law firm lies in the exceptional abilities of its individual team members. Each lawyer brings a unique set of skills and a deep reservoir of legal knowledge to the table. Their expertise covers a broad spectrum of practice areas, allowing them to offer tailored solutions for even the most intricate legal matters.’

‘They are very efficient in all aspects and areas. They are very keen to find solutions without delays.’

‘Werner Jahnel is excellent. His areas of expertise include arbitration law and inheritance law. He speaks several languages, he’s hard-working, and he cares greatly for his clients.’ 

‘They have a very experienced and dedicated team.’

‘The exceptional services of LALIVE are a testament to the remarkable skills and dedication of its team of lawyers. These legal professionals consistently set a high standard in the industry, demonstrating unwavering professionalism and expertise.’

‘With a commitment to achieving favourable outcomes for their clients, this team’s attention to detail and dedication to client success make them a trusted partner for individuals and businesses across various practice areas. Their collective professionalism and exceptional services highlight their excellence in the legal field.’

Work highlights

  • Representing a UHNWI and related entities in a large art fraud case.
  • Advising a HNWI domiciled in Switzerland in relation to inheritance and asset structuring issues.
  • Advising an heiress in a complex cross-border litigious succession over real estate and other assets located in Switzerland, Europe and North Africa.

LALIVE is an international law firm with offices in Geneva, Zurich and London integrated by lawyers from 30 countries, qualified in 20 jurisdictions, and who together speak over 25 languages. The firm is renowned for its expertise and experience in international disputes and provides global dispute resolution and advisory services to clients worldwide. The firm represents individuals, public and private entities, including multinational corporations, governments and international organisations. Practice areas include international commercial and investment arbitration, litigation, white-collar crime, investigations, regulatory and compliance, public international law and private client. Areas of focus include asset recovery and insolvency; art and cultural property; banking and finance; corporate and commercial; energy and mining; intellectual property and data protection; construction and infrastructure; employment; sports; technology and telecoms; business and human rights and pharma and biotechnology.

Department Name Email Telephone
Dispute resolution – arbitration Joachim Knoll, Melissa Magliana info@lalive.law +41581052000
Dispute resolution – litigation André Brunschweiler, Nicolas Ollivier info@lalive.law +41581052000
White-collar crime Marc Henzelin info@lalive.law +41581052000
Asset recovery and investigations Sandrine Giroud, Matthias Gstoehl info@lalive.law +41581052000
Public international law Sandrine Giroud info@lalive.law +41581052000
Construction, real estate and infrastructure Joachim Knoll, Bernd Ehle info@lalive.law +41581052000
Regulatory and compliance Daniel Lucien Buhr info@lalive.law +41581052000
Energy Noradèle Radjai info@lalive.law +41581052000
Banking and finance Alexander Troller, Nicolas Ollivier info@lalive.law +41581052000
Private client Werner Jahnel, Alexander Troller info@lalive.law +41581052000
Art and cultural property Sandrine Giroud info@lalive.law +41581052000
Intellectual property Thomas Widmer info@lalive.law +41581052000
LALIVE Lawyers : 100
LALIVE Partners : 23
LALIVE Senior Counsel : 3
LALIVE Counsel : 18
LALIVE Associates : 56
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Other offices : Zurich
Other offices : London