Valfor Attorneys-at-law

The firm: Python is one of the major full scope Swiss firms in terms of size and resources with the know-how and facilities to enable it to play a significant role on the Swiss and international scene. Originally founded in 1981 by four partners in Geneva, the firm now also has offices in Lausanne, Bern, Sion and Zug. In order to have a link to the EU, a liaison office was established in Brussels in 1997. High quality, efficiency, responsiveness and flexibility are the firm’s guiding principles. With its cadre of 50 experienced, multilingual lawyers, the firm offers legal services in 11 practice areas. Clients include major international corporations, financial institutions, start-ups, partnerships and private individuals from Switzerland and all over the world.

Areas of practice
Arbitration: Our arbitration practice attorneys advise clients on Swiss and international commercial arbitration with a unique insight into many different industries.

They have served as counsel or arbitrators in complex, prominent cases under the rules of all the major arbitration institutions and systems, including ICC, LCIA, Swiss Rules, SCC, VIAC, WTO, WIPO, ICSID, CAS and UNCITRAL, as well as in ad hoc arbitrations.

They have strong academic backgrounds and several have published textbooks and articles in international arbitration and regularly appear as speakers at important conférences.

Banking and finance: Our banking and finance practice attorneys advise Swiss and foreign banks, asset managers, securities dealers and other financial institutions on an all-encompassing range of activities.

From setting-up and licensing Swiss banks and subsidiaries, to setting up branches and representative offices of foreign banks and securities dealers in Switzerland, to advising on the structuring of all types of collective investment vehicles, the licensing of investment funds in Switzerland, anti-money laundering regulations, compliance, FINMA authorizations and enforcement matters.

Commercial contracts: Our commercial contract practice attorneys advise clients on the broadest possible range of local and cross-border contracts such as investment contracts, e-commerce, partnerships, joint ventures, international sales including commodities, airplanes, ships, agency contracts, exclusive distribution, franchising, maritime or road transport.

Corporate and M&A: Our corporate and M&A practice attorneys advise clients on the full range of corporate and M&A activities.

From assisting with all stages of local and cross-border mergers, acquisitions and reorganizations (working in partnership with law firms from other jurisdictions when necessary), to company sales and structuring, management and ownership successions, stock, share and asset purchase advice and related document drafting, to negotiating representations and warranties, to advising on and preparing disclosure schedules, side agreements and financing documents among others.

Employment and immigration: Our employment practice attorneys advise clients on employment contracts, health and safety regulations, maternity/paternity rights, settlement agreements, unfair dismissal claims, redundancies, disciplinary procedures, layoffs, disputes etc and also represent them before employment tribunals.

Our immigration practice attorneys successfully advise clients on obtaining Swiss residence/work permits and all related necessary formalities: permit renewals/extensions, changes of canton, job, marital status, departures, official certificates or statements, customs clearances etc.

Intellectual property, IT and telecoms: Our IP attorneys advise our clients on how to best protect, benefit from, optimize and defend their intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, designs, and copyright, whether in Switzerland or abroad. They advise our clients in IP related litigation and arbitration proceedings and have significant experience in contractual/transactional IP matters, such as licensing agreements, research, development and cooperation agreements, non-disclosure agreements, technology transfers and distribution agreements. Furthermore, we provide a full range of trademark and design services. We are frequently involved in multi-jurisdictional matters.

International legal assistance and criminal law: Our international legal assistance and criminal law practice attorneys advise clients on mutual legal assistance matters and related areas.

These include international police cooperation, Interpol notices, information exchange between financial regulatory authorities, enforcement of embargoes and international assistance in civil matters, banking and professional secrecy, asset localization, asset freezing/recovery, extradition etc.

Our attorneys also assist and represent our clients in white-collar crime proceedings, money laundering proceedings and disclosure proceedings.

Litigation and insolvency: Our litigation and insolvency attorneys advise and represent clients before all Swiss civil, commercial and administrative courts.

They also assist with the enforcement of Swiss and international judgments and insolvency decisions as well as with obtaining evidence.

All fields of commercial disputes are covered, including banking cases, bankruptcy and debt collection litigation, commercial contracts, civil cases (divorce, alimonies for children, liquidation of estates), employment disputes, IP protection and enforcement, provisional remedies, enforcement of foreign judgments, insolvency, debt restructuring etc.

As some of the cases we deal with are cross border, our attorneys are at also ease with the complex nature of private international law.

Private client: Our private client attorneys advise HNW Swiss and international clients on a broad range of matters, including wealth structuring, financial planning and pensions, asset protection, the incorporation and administration of foundations, charities, companies and trusts, Swiss residence, nationality and real estate matters, marriage (pre-nuptial agreements, matrimonial regime contracts), divorce and child custody matters, Swiss life and health insurance planning, estate planning, resolving local and cross-border inheritance disputes, the taking-public of closely-held businesses, philanthropy, private investments, family office services, structuring outward and inward investment, sophisticated tax planning etc.

Real estate and construction: Our real estate and construction practice attorneys advise clients on residential and commercial real estate transactions and construction projects and have closed some very large real estate and construction transactions in Switzerland.

They assist with obtaining permits to acquire and build Swiss real estate, real estate financing, the sale, purchase and lease of commercial/residential real estate, sale and lease-back transactions, general contractor agreements, construction contracts, Swiss real estate environmental matters and real estate litigation and arbitration.