Kellerhals Carrard is noted for its 'exceptional business and legal knowledge and experience in the relevant fields' of construction law. The team advises on complex projects with international exposure, combining advisory and contentious expertise, with strength in contract drafting and negotiation. Experience acting for federal, cantonal and municipal authorities enhances the firm's ability to structure and develop projects. The multidisciplinary team is co-led by the German and Swiss-qualified Bernd Hauck, litigator Sébastien Fries, Alexandre Kirschmann, who handles construction contracts and real estate transactions, and Jean-Rodolphe Fiechter, who takes on cross-border construction litigation and arbitration.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Exceptional business and legal knowledge and experience in the relevant fields.'
  • 'Bernd Hauck is a quick thinker with great responsiveness and communication.'
  • 'One great feature is that the team can work in all of Switzerland's national languages. Kellerhals Carrard is definitely the place to go if you have legal questions about construction and real estate in Switzerland.'
  • 'Christoph Jäger's team stands out thanks to its high level of expertise in public construction law, planning and zoning law, environmental law and related fields, and excellent service.'
  • 'Bernd Hauck is a skilled negotiator which helped us a lot in multiple situations. Furthermore, he is used to dealing with complex contracts in German as well as in English. We appreciate his knowledge of our industry and that we receive clear answers to our questions. And finally, he is fun to work with.'
  • 'Kellerhals Carrard has one of the biggest construction and real estate teams in Switzerland. They are present in every language region and cover every aspect of construction law and real estate law, including private and public law, as well as public procurement. Go to Kellerhals Carrard if you want advice on legal issues around construction or real estate.'

Key clients

  • CSL Behring
  • Franck-Areal
  • Gérard Benone Immobilien
  • HRS Group
  • HRS Investment AG
  • Implenia
  • Itten+Brechbühl AG
  • Logis Suisse AG/GEWONA NORD-WEST, Genossenschaft für Wohnen und Arbeiten/Habitare Schweiz AG/Wohnbau-Genossenschaft Nordwest/Homebase, Genossenschaft für selbst gestaltetes Wohnen und Arbeiten/Genossenschaft Mietshäuser Syndikat Basel
  • Lonza AG
  • NOVACO A.T.E.E.
  • Office for Municipalities and Spatial Planning of the Canton of Berne
  • Piedra del Sol SA/C. L. SA

Work highlights

Assisted Wegwarte AG with the sustainable redevelopment of the 12,000m² Franck Areal in Basel.
Assisted CSL Behring with the planning and construction of two pharmaceutical facilities in Lengnau and Bern, worth over CHF1bn.
Advised a consortium including Logis Suisse AG, GEWONA NORD-WEST and others on a CHF200m residential development of 480 apartments.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame

The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.

Practice head

Bernd Hauck; Sébastien Fries; Alexandre Kirschmann; Jean-Rodolphe Fiechter

Other key lawyers

Isabelle Romy; Fabrizio Gabrielli; Christoph Jäger; Andreas Güngerich