Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd's tax team, described by a client as having 'great knowledge of tax legislation and administrative practices' and being 'super responsive,' is led by Jean-Frédéric Maraia in Geneva, whose expertise spans corporate transactional taxes and VAT, and Michael Nordin in Zurich, whose focus lies in taxes levied on the financial sector. The team advises on cross-border private wealth matters, banking and finance transactions and real estate mandates spanning multiple industries and jurisdictions. Laïla Rochat joined the partnership in March 2025, advising on restructuring and finance transaction taxes, while Roland Wild is called upon by banks, asset managers and insurers requiring tax-related assistance. The team is supported by Pietro Sansonetti, Danielle Hostettler, and Arthur Magnin.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Skillset, experience, knowledge.’
- ‘Fantastic knowledge of the law, pragmatism, accessibility, personable and easy to deal with and experience of dealing with the tax authority.’
- ‘Great knowledge of the tax legislation and administrative practices. Super responsive.’
- ‘Very strong team with a strong habit of working together and backing each other, with virtually no dependencies delayed and no execution slippage.’
- ‘Very strong tax experience and expertise, with a very good understanding not only of their specific area of expertise but also are able to think of links to other legal areas. Very strong curiosity and appeal for complex situations, leading to a continuous progress in their practice. Very strong agility, enabling them to understand quickly the major issues. Very strong acumen to focus on what matters most rapidly.’
Key clients
- ams-OSRAM AG
- Alberto Joseph Safra
- AXA
- Axpo Solutions AG
- Banco Santander
- Barana Group
- BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA
- CargoRoll AG
- Carne
- CAT Financial Products AG
- CIR - Compagnie Industriali Riunite S.p.A.
- Decarbonization Partners
Work highlights
Represented Alberto Joseph Safra on the Swiss aspects of the global resolution of all disputes with the Joseph Safra Family in the context of a multi-billion dollar inheritance dispute.
Advised BNP Paribas on the most tax-efficient placement of more than 20 Swiss bond issuances, without any deductions.
Assisted Solutions & Funds SA, Procimmo SA and Procimmo Real Estate SICAV with the transformation of three contractual real estate funds into sub-funds of Procimmo Real Estate SICAV.
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
Jean-Frédéric Maraia; Michael Nordin
Other key lawyers
Pietro Sansonetti; Danielle Hostettler; Roland Wild; Arthur Magnin; Laïla Rochat