Kellerhals Carrard

Corporate and Business Law / M&A Litigation Employment law and social security law Antitrust and competition law Startup Desk National and international contract and commercial law Compliance Civil procedurce law

Attorney at Law, Partner, LL.M. (Columbia), MLaw, BSc Business Law

About

Nicolai supports founders and investors primarily from technology and life sciences companies in all phases of their life cycle, from incorporation (including spin-offs) to various rounds of financing and exit transactions. He supports entrepreneurs as a pragmatic sparring partner in corporate and contract law matters.

In addition to venture capital transactions, Nicolai has extensive M&A experience and advises buyers and sellers (individuals, corporates and PE) on local and cross-border M&A deals. Recent work highlights include the sell-side representation of two brokers in the insurtech space, the international expansion (buy-side support) of an automotive spare parts group, and several exits/combinations of Swiss technology startups to international buyers.

Nicolai is involved in various areas for the start-up scene, for example as an expert at Innosuisse courses or via the Swiss Startup Association (part of the Legal Desk), and regularly holds presentations and workshops in his specialist areas.

since 2022: Partner with Kellerhals Carrard

2018: Foreign Legal Intern with Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP, New York

2014-2021: Associate with Kellerhals Carrard

2013: Legal Trainee with Bader Gnehm & Partner

2013: Legal & Compliance Trainee with a Sovereign Wealth Fund

2012: Legal Trainee with Reiss&Preuss LLP, New York city

2010: Scientific assistant with the institute for Business Law of the Zurich University of Applied Sciences

2008: Trainee with the district court of Andelfingen (ZH)

2006-2009: Commercial apprenticeship with NCR (SWITZERLAND) LLC

German English French

Zurich Bar Association (ZAV)

Swiss Bar Association (SAV)

Young SECA

2018: LL.M., Columbia University, Law School, New York (Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar Honors)

2014: Admission to the Bar, Canton of Zug

2014: MLaw, University of Lucerne and John Marshall Law School, Chicago

2009: BSc Business Law, Zurich University of Applied Sciences

2006: Commercial professional baccalaureate, NCR (SWITZERLAND) LLC