Interview with: Fabian Teichmann, Managing Partner

What do you see as the main points that differentiate Teichmann International (Schweiz) AG from your competitors?

Teichmann International (Schweiz) AG provides business consulting, legal services, litigation, notarial services, as well as legal advice on commercial and private decisions.

What distinguishes our work from that of other law firms is our comprehensive skill set and languages. In addition, our experts have enjoyed an excellent education and are experienced in handling complex transnational and cross-border cases. In particular, our law firm has several foreign offices, namely CIS, Italy, Germany and Turkey, which handle complex transnational matters and frequently collaborate with experts from around the world for the benefit of our international clients.

One of our core competencies is compliance. Our banking and finance department advises financial institutions, banks and high net worth individuals in Switzerland and abroad on all matters relating to banking and financial markets law. We are recognized in particular for our leading expertise in financial crime and money laundering prevention.

We are aware that our clients operate in an environment shaped by the pursuit of rapid success, which places a great responsibility in our hands. We conquer the associated challenges with confidence and determination. All matters are handled by our experts efficiently and with the utmost professionalism and quality. Our actions are always focused on the desired result and we offer our clients realistic and concrete solutions. The satisfaction of our clients is the ultimate goal. As legal issues are often extremely complex, it is important to have a reliable and trustworthy partner in these matters.

Through constant and open communication, we are able to respond in a timely manner to requests in any legal situation and matter. It is our calling to investigate legal issues and provide the best possible support to our clients. We are always happy to take on new challenges.

Intense and desired cooperation with our clients has required trust on both sides; ideally, a long-lasting and appreciative relationship can be formed.

Which practices do you see growing in the next 12 months? What are the drivers behind that?

In my view, compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations is becoming increasingly important. Recent whistleblowing cases and the new EU Directive on whistleblowing show that there is a growing focus on compliance.

Meanwhile, companies tend to file non-compliance complaints against competitors. Having recently written books on anti-corruption compliance incentives, money laundering, terrorist financing and other compliance issues, I am well equipped to support our clients in these challenging times.

What’s the main change you’ve made in the firm that will benefit clients?

In our desire to be as efficient as possible, we scan all documents and store them in the cloud so that files can be accessed from anywhere in the world. We also use the latest business communication software for good communication with clients and internally.

I also invest a lot of time and resources in continuous training. For example, I took psychology courses at King’s College London to better understand my customers and our adversaries. Being able to detect a counterparty’s psychological weaknesses during negotiations and trials is a valuable skill. I am also continuing to take management courses at Harvard University to further improve my skills as a managing partner.

In addition, I do a lot of research. I am convinced that continually analyzing the latest legal developments helps me to provide my clients with innovative insights. My research also gives me credibility with judges and colleagues. My scholarly articles have been published in over 30 different academic journals and are regularly cited by courts and other legal practitioners.

Furthermore, I measure the pulse of the market by teaching at various universities. For example, I teach courses on financial market compliance for experienced compliance officers in an executive program at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences in Business Administration and for prosecutors at the International Anti-Corruption Academy in Vienna. The interactive classroom discussions help me understand where the market is going and at the same time give back to society.

Is technology changing the way you interact with your clients, and the services you can provide them?

Absolutely, I drive the digitalization strategy of our company. I think law firms should be fully digitalized. We have an obligation to our clients to be as efficient as possible. Therefore, we scan all documents and store them in the cloud so that files can be accessed from anywhere in the world. We also use the latest business communication software. This enables efficient and effective communication internally and with customers.

We make sure that we keep well informed and up to date with innovations and trends in the business so that we can provide the best possible service to our customers. Our FinTech department provides the full range of legal services that FinTech innovators and financial service providers need when developing and adopting goods and services, including cryptocurrencies, digital banking, peer-to-peer lending, electronic payment platforms, crowdfunding, blockchain and more. Our expertise extends to data protection, due diligence and regulatory compliance, commercial contracts, mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, competition law, employment, consumer protection and more. We help both startups and established corporations entering the FinTech space with achieving their growth and commercial goals.

Can you give us a practical example of how you have helped a client to add value to their business?

My clients seem to appreciate my responsiveness. They know that I work 365 days a year and that I don’t take holidays. Eighty-hour work weeks are part of my routine. So, I always respond quickly when a client needs me. After all, customers who are experiencing problems want to speak to the person they trust immediately, rather than waiting a few days.

Being able to communicate with me in eight languages is also highly appreciated by my international clients, who appreciate the opportunity to explain their legal problems in their mother tongue to someone who understands both their culture and Swiss law.

In addition, I am known for my entrepreneurial spirit. I founded Teichmann International (Schweiz) AG and therefore know what it is like to build a law firm. I have also run consulting and trading firms in Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, England and the United Arab Emirates. I therefore understand the needs of entrepreneurs and can easily relate to them.

Are clients looking for stability and strategic direction from their law firms – where do you see the firm in three years’ time?

I certainly believe this and I also believe that the ability to manage customer expectations, delivering efficiency and first class service will lead to major expansion of the firm over the next 3 years. We already have offices in different Swiss cantons and can therefore help clients in different regions. In addition, clients can have access to our network and to Teichmann International consulting firms in different jurisdictions.

We strive to establish close ties with our clients that are shaped by mutual trust and to offer them more than pure legal advice; we offer support in every situation. We aim to be more than just a service provider – a strong partner. In addition to providing legal and notarial services, we do not neglect the economic and private circumstances of our clients.

Intense and desired cooperation with our clients has required trust on both sides; ideally, a long-lasting relationship and appreciation can be formed.