id est avocats sàrl > Lausanne, Switzerland > Firm Profile

id est avocats sàrl
RUE PICHARD 22
P.O. Box 5508
1002 LAUSANNE
Switzerland

Switzerland > Data privacy and data protection Tier 2

Data and privacy is a core area of expertise for id est avocats sàrl and the team acts for clients on the full range of data protection matters, from compliance to artificial intelligence questions. In particular, the firm stands out for its recent work with clients in the healthcare and biotech industries. The team is led by innovative technologies specialist Michel Jaccard. Senior associate Alexandre Jotterand focuses on advanced technologies and data security.

Practice head(s):

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘id est is certainly one of the most prominent law firms in the field of information and communication technologies in Switzerland. The team is characterised by its small size compared to large law firms and knows well the needs of its clients.’

‘Alexandre Jotterand demonstrates a brilliant mind and great intelligence in meeting the needs of his clients. His in-depth knowledge of data protection and new technologies makes him one of the best lawyers in the field in Switzerland.’

Switzerland > TMT Tier 2

The ‘dynamic’ and ‘competent’ team at id est avocats sàrl handles work for both the traditional TMT sector as well as companies active in emerging areas such as AI, DeepTech and blockchain. Based in Lausanne, the practice is headed by a duo consisting of Michel Jaccard, whose focus lies on advising clients on regulatory questions and the drafting and negotiating of agreements, and Juliette Ancelle, who is often instructed in contentious matters in addition to work pertaining to new media. Associate Alexandre Jotterand handles work in relation to data protection, IP and advanced technologies.

Practice head(s):

Michel Jaccard; Juliette Ancelle

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Dynamic legal firm able to answer any question from labor to tech law, including banking matters. High diversity in their competencies.’

‘The team is highly available and competent. Their advice is straight to the point. Always very pragmatic, no useless legal theory and very business-oriented.’

Switzerland > Employment Tier 3

Praised by clients for her ‘accuracy’ and ‘efficiency’, Juliette Ancelle heads the employment team at id est avocats sàrl. The practice is experienced in providing advice to start-ups, large multinational companies, and senior individuals at large companies in sectors such as biotech, media, healthcare, engineering and professional services. Support ranges from day-to-day employment advice to assistance with mass dismissals, restructurings, and cross-border mobility.

Practice head(s):

Juliette Ancelle

Testimonials

Efficiency, available, accuracy from Juliette Ancelle.

Switzerland > Fintech Tier 3

Switzerland > Intellectual property Tier 3

id est avocats sàrl has a particular specialism in the intersection of IP, tech and digitalmatters. The practice is co-led by Juliette Ancelle and Michel Jaccard and advises a variety of industries, including the biotech and medtech sectors, on matters such as copyright infringement, IP asset sales, cross-patent agreements and sponsorship agreements, among others. Clients praise the team’s ‘great expertise' in IT and data.

Practice head(s):

Juliette Ancelle; Michel Jaccard

Testimonials

The firm is very close to the client’s needs. It benefits from a great expertise, especially in the very specialized and rapidly evolving fields of IT and data. It has the ability to both take the necessary distance to understand the exact needs of the client and at the same time to take into account the small technical and legal details to deliver a precise and reliable result. The collaboration is very easy and direct without loss of time, friendly and relaxed but at the same time very professional.

Juliette Ancelle has the ability, which has been very helpful to us, to deal with complex legal issues pragmatically in order to deliver solutions that simply work efficiently in practice. That’s all the client requires!

Switzerland > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 4

id est avocats sàrl is known for its strength in M&A, corporate finance, capital structuring, corporate governance, and joint ventures, and has a notable focus on the technology sector. Michel Jaccard who specialises in corporate and IP matters, co-leads the department alongside private equity and venture capital expert, Mehmet Toral, and Marina Castelli-Joos, who made partner in July 2021.

Testimonials

‘I have worked with several people at id est. They are all very competent, but also extremely accessible and friendly! They seem to (try to) make legal staff accessible and easy for everyone, which should be, in my opinion, the goal of every law firm. I think this latter characteristic is their main strength and differentiator, and it brings immense value!’

‘They are modest! This may seem naïve, but it’s highly appreciable and allows, indeed, making legal staff more accessible. Look at their CVs, and you will see they would have reasons to be proud about what they do, but this never turns into the typical arrogance one often finds in successful people.’

‘Great collaboration, very effective using new technology, broad areas of expertise.’

‘The team is very competent and efficient. They are working well under fix deadline pressure.’

‘Good value for money. Deadline respected. Fast. Very smart. Understand complex business very fast. Friendly. Highly professional’

‘Michel Jaccard is probably the best business lawyer in town. Marina is crazy smart, she thinks about everything. Really amazed.’

Key clients

Swisscom Ventures

aMoon Fund

Work highlights

  • Advised the management of beqom SA during the USD 300 million strategic private equity investment by Sumeru Equity Partners.
  • Advised the shareholders of a Swiss company in its acquisition by the Capgemini group.
  • Advised the owners of a manufacturing plant in Switzerland in a sale and leaseback to a private equity group.

id est avocats is an independant boutique law firm assisting innovative businesses, successful entrepreneurs, sophisticated investors and global brands navigate today’s complex world.

The firm  is B Corp certified and focuses on sustainability, innovation and deep technologies. It is based in Lausanne, in the heart of the Lake Geneva region, and advises clients throughout Switzerland, placing industry knowledge at the heart of its activity, and leverages technology to serve its clients. The firm enjoys well-established relationships with global brands, prominent entrepreneurs, institutional investors, international groups, leading local SMEs, and many CEOs and owners of businesses that it has assisted in growth, acquisitions, combinations, restructurings, and exits. All teams regularly interact with law firms from across the world and is well connected with multinational practices.

The firm is active in deal making, business support and dispute resolution, including through mediation.

The main areas of practice include:

Advanced Technologies, AI & Innovation

Art, Media & Digital Marketing

Banking, Blockchain & Fintech

Cleantech & Green Businesses

Corporate Finance, Acquisitions (M&A) and Governance

CSR, ESG & Sustainability

Data Protection, Privacy & Cybersecurity

Employment Law & HR

Intellectual Property

Outsourcing, DLT & XaaS Solutions

Venture Capital & Private Equity

The teams are organized along the following lines:

Digital. id est avocats is a pioneering law firm recognized for its top-notch expertise in all matters digital and first-in-class support for complex IT transactions, cybersecurity, AI and data protection issues. Clients range from entertainment industry artists seeking to manage their media presence, to cutting-edge blockchain projects and some of the most promising fintech startups alongside banks and well-established financial institutions.

Biological. The firm takes a keen interest in life sciences, medicine and biology, and supports some of the most promising startup companies in Switzerland as well as their investors, helping Medtech, Biotech, Foodtech and Healthtech companies negotiate business criticial deals with industry leaders, customers, suppliers and investors. The teams will ensure control of critical assets throughout R&D agreements.

Physical. Many businesses rely on real estate assets, manufactured goods, complex logistics, distribution channels and industrial processes. Bringing to the table industry specific expertise, the firm regularly assists clients with their operational challenges, green transition and climate change issues and reporting, strategic development and business combinations. The team advises also on ESG, sustainabilty & green contracting, manufacturing and supply chain agreements, and is familiar with the processes required to sell and acquire industrial assets, including environmental impacts.

 

DepartmentNameEmailTelephone
Tech, Corporate, IP Michel Jaccardmichel.jaccard@idest.pro+41 21 321 08 80
HR, IP, Litigation Juliette Ancellejuliette.ancelle@idest.pro+41 21 321 08 80
Corporate, Commercial Marina Castelli-Joosmarina.castelli@idest.pro+41 21 321 08 80
PhotoNamePositionProfile
Juliette Ancelle photoMs Juliette AncellePartner. She mainly advises and represents clients in intellectual property and technology…
Marina Castelli-Joos photoMs Marina Castelli-JoosPartner
Michel Jaccard photoMr Michel JaccardMichel Jaccard is a partner and the founder of id est avocats.…
Alexandre Jotterand photoMr Alexandre JotterandPartner. Alexandre Jotterand specializes in the management of data and technology.  He…
Number of lawyers : 12
English
French
German
Spanish

We achieved last year our B Corp certification, joining a responsible business community that meets the highest verified standards of environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance, transparency, and accountability. More about the BCorp movement and certification process here.

Our firm is a proud member of the Net Zero Lawyers Alliance, mobilising commercial lawyers, law firms and the law to accelerate the transition to net zero. More information on the NZLA and its mission here.

Legal Innovation for Sustainable Investments (LISI)’s mission is to make the investment space more approachable, appealing and accessible for every stakeholder involved in the process. Our firm has been involved in the co-creation of the “Impact Term Sheet”, a European wide standardization effort to facilitate impact investing. More information here.


Diversity and inclusion are part of our core values. We actively promote the equitable inclusion of individuals regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, maternity, origin, ethnicity, age, culture, faith or disability status. Our commitment creating and promoting a diverse and inclusive work environment that values and respects every person’s qualities is reflected in our top CSR certification by EcoVadis, an independent rating agency for corporate social responsibility performance.