Baker McKenzie Switzerland AG > Zurich, Switzerland > Firm Profile

Baker McKenzie Switzerland AG > The Legal 500 Rankings

Switzerland > Banking and finance: Zurich Tier 1

Demonstrating prowess acting on the lender and borrower side, Baker McKenzie Switzerland AG operates for a plethora of blue-chip clients in relation to acquisition finance, financial restructuring, and regulatory matters, alongside the full gamut of financing transactions. The practice is jointly led by Samuel Marbacher and Markus Wolf; the former is a tour-de-force in relation to syndicated lending and real estate financing, and the latter employs his wide-ranging experience in cross-border financial restructurings and formal insolvency procedures. Lukas Glanzmann possesses a strong grounding in credit facilities, restructuring, and accounting, while Ansgar Schott is highly esteemed in handling transactions with regulatory components.

Switzerland > Insolvency and corporate recovery Tier 1

Baker McKenzie Switzerland AG‘s leading restructuring and insolvency team often advises clients on complex financial restructurings, and stands out for being involved in ground-breaking matters that have the potential to set a legal precedent and usually involve cross-border issues. Team co-head Lukas Glanzmann leverages his expertise in the area of banking and finance to assist clients with complex financial restructurings. Fellow co-head Alexander Fischer stands out for his work advising clients on distressed (including pre-packaged) M&A transactions. Other notable individual Markus Wolf regularly acts for Swiss and foreign creditors and debtors in domestic and cross-border financial restructurings and formal insolvency procedures.

Switzerland > Real estate Tier 1

Boasting a ‘strong international network allowing it to provide comprehensive and cross-border legal services’, Baker McKenzie Switzerland AG leverages its wide-ranging expertise in real estate M&A, tax efficient restructurings and development projects, among others, to represent a plethora of investors, asset managers and construction companies. The practice is jointly steered by Samuel Marbacher and Charles Gschwind; the former is particularly experienced in relation to environmental based real estate transactions and a litany of financing issues, while the latter’s arsenal of skills extends across asset deals, portfolio transactions and the financing of real estate portfolios. Other names to note in the group include Martin Furrer, a strong choice for international clients seeking assistance with sizeable mandates, and Alexander Wyss, a highly capable practitioner on the private equity, M&A and corporate side of the real estate sphere.

Switzerland > WTO Tier 1

Baker McKenzie Switzerland AG‘s WTO international trade team is headed by standout individual Pablo Bentes and advises both private and government clients on all aspects of international trade and WTO matters, including on regulatory and trade compliance issues in the fields of customs law, sanctions, export restrictions, and trade remedies. Bentes specialises in representing sovereign clients before the WTO Dispute Settlement Body. Philippe Reich focuses his practice on trade compliance, international trade, regulatory issues and foreign investments. Serge Pannatier regularly advises clients across a broad range of trade-related matters, such as trade remedies, dispute settlements, and customs issues.

Switzerland > Capital markets Tier 2

Matthias Courvoisier and Yves Mauchle jointly lead the practice at Baker McKenzie, which frequently handles matters pertaining to equity and debt transactions, derivatives, and structured finance matters, alongside advising banks active in securitisation and an array of international capital markets matters. Courvoisier is highly experienced in the remit of IPOs and public takeovers, while Mauchle actively handles a litany of mandates, including GDR offerings, capital increases, and high yield bonds. Ansgar Schott employs his considerable expertise in managing structured products, investment funds and debt instruments to further bolster the practice. Tanja Schmid contributes her strengths in financial services to the team.

Switzerland > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2

Particularly well-versed in industrials and real estate sectors, the ‘customer-centric’ group at Baker McKenzie is highly experienced in handling corporate and M&A transactions, as well as business transformations. Alexander Fischer, who maintains a broad practice that is comprised of M&A, debt financing, and general corporate matters, and Jingjin Guo, who is routinely engaged by clients to handle cross-border reorganisations and restructurings, co-lead the department. Another name to note is Martin Furrer, who is geared to handle real estate, M&A, and private equity mandates, while Manuel Meyer primarily focuses on cross-border transactions. Other key players in the team include Martin Frey and Alexander Blaeser.

Switzerland > Competition Tier 2

Noted for its ‘extensive know-how’ and ‘high flexibility’, Baker McKenzie Switzerland AG covers the full spectrum of competition mandates, such as immunity applications, merger control filings, and distribution systems. The team is able to capitalise on its global office network that spans London, Washington DC, and other locations to strengthen its capacity to advise. The practice is jointly led by Roger Thomi, whose varied experience encompasses the structuring of horizontal cooperation agreements and setting up antitrust compliance programmes, and Boris Wenger, who actively handles a litany of cartel and dominance cases as well as merger control proceedings. Veteran practitioner Philippe Reich assists with all facets of antitrust compliance.

Switzerland > Construction Tier 2

Routinely acting for a diverse stable of construction companies and developers, Baker McKenzie Switzerland AG‘s key areas of operation span development projects, hotel-related issues and real estate M&A. Samuel Marbacher and Charles Gschwind co-lead the department, with both demonstrating particular prowess in relation to transactional issues. Other names to note in the group include Martin Furrer and Alexander Wyss.

Switzerland > Data privacy and data protection Tier 2

Praised for its ‘precise work’ and ‘clear reasoning’, Baker McKenzie Switzerland AG handles a significant volume of GDPR and international data transfer work alongside the structuring and implementation of cross-border tech-related privacy and compliance programmes. Alessandro Celli steers the practice with his particular strengths in GDPR compliance programmes, Internet of Things issues, and a host of other implementation projects. Another name to note in the team is ‘expert’ Johanna Mösch, who fields a varied practice that extends across cybersecurity, data processing, and outsourcing issues.

Switzerland > Employment Tier 2

Baker McKenzie Switzerland AG‘s employment team offers the full range of employment law advice, operating both on a domestic and international level. It often advises clients on restructurings, employment benefits, employment litigation, and pension fund matters. Team head Christoph Stutz stands out for his work advising individuals and companies in pension-related matters. Peter Reinert has over 30 years of experience in the field and specialises in complex labour issues, often representing clients in court.

Switzerland > Fintech Tier 2

The fintech team at Baker McKenzie Switzerland AG advises financial institutions, global digital leaders, technology incubators, and start-ups across a broad range of subsectors including crowdfunding, e-payment platforms, cryptocurrencies, and digital banking. Notably, Manuel Meyer co-heads the team and has particular expertise in cross-border fintech transactions. Yves Mauchle focuses his practice on debt and equity capital markets as well as financial services regulation. Ansgar Schott advises Swiss and international corporations on all aspects of financial services, fintech, and related capital markets law.

Switzerland > Intellectual property Tier 2

Counting a litany of multinational corporations among its roster of key clients, Baker McKenzie Switzerland AG is well-positioned to advise across a diverse range of IP, tech and data mandates, with core streams of work being comprised of enforcement, litigation and design clearance, among a host of other issues. Practice head Eva-Maria Strobel is highly skilled in relation to strategic IP work and trade mark and design clearance and portfolio matters. Michael Treis covers the full gamut of IP advisory, prosecution and litigation mandates and Julia Schieber is well-positioned to advise on IP matters arising from the healthcare industry.

Switzerland > Private client Tier 2

Baker McKenzie Switzerland AG excels in providing comprehensive cross-border legal and tax advice to high-net-worth individuals, families, and institutions. The team advises on sanctions compliance, asset disclosure, and governance for family businesses, with particular strength in the regulatory space. Marnin Michaels , who is acclaimed for his ‘unparalleled wealth of experience’, Lyubomir Georgiev, and Elliott Murray lead the practice. Caleb Sainsbury was promoted to partner in July 2023. Gregory Walsh and Jacopo Crivellaro left the firm.

Switzerland > Regulatory, compliance and investigations Tier 2

The investigations, compliance and ethics team at Baker McKenzie Switzerland AG offers major banking and corporate clients ‘clear, thoughtful and practical advice’ on high-profile and complex multi-jurisdictional matters. Team head Christoph Kurth is a key advisor to leading domestic and international clients active in regulated sectors, assisting on large-scale and cross-border financial crime investigations and regulatory compliance matters. The ‘available, proactive and highly knowledgeable’ Simon Ntah is a standout contact on internal, regulatory, and criminal investigations in regulated sectors, offering particular expertise in the healthcare and life sciences, critical engineering, and financial services spaces.

Switzerland > Tax Tier 2

Frequently operating on a cross-border scale for global clients, Baker McKenzie Switzerland AG is well-versed in a litany of complex issues, extending from tax litigation and transfer pricing to corporate finance and M&A, among a range of other mandates. Practice leader Kilian Perroulaz, who is well regarded for his ‘outstanding tax knowledge’, fields a varied practice that encompasses business restructurings, tax planning and tax rulings, to name a few, while Hans Koch retains an established presence on the corporate, capital markets and private equity side. The ‘technically strong’ Susanne Liebel-Kotz possesses extensive experience in international tax planning and M&A. Other key members include Mario Kumschick, Andrea Bolliger, and tax director Balthasar Denger.

Switzerland > TMT Tier 2

Baker McKenzie Switzerland AG offers comprehensive legal advice ranging from issues regarding new technologies to media and telecommunications. The team specialise in providing compliance advice to global clients wanting to distribute new products across Swiss online services. Leveraging its international network, the firm frequently advises on the structuring and implementation of new technology-related applications as well as advising telecommunications clients on a range of transactional and due diligence matters. The team is led by data protection expert Alessandro Celli, whilst Eva-Maria Strobel focuses on the development of intellectual property strategy in the firm’s IPtech team.

Switzerland > Banking and finance: Geneva Tier 3

While demonstrating considerable proficiencies in regulatory based mandates, Baker McKenzie is also well-positioned to handle acquisition finance, asset finance, and financial restructuring, to name a few issues. The practice is led by Jingjin Guo, who possesses a wealth of expertise across aircraft financing, securitisation, and group restructuring. Another name to note is Tatiana Ayranova, who routinely advises banks, borrowers, and financial intermediaries on a diverse range of transactions.

Switzerland > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 3

Recommended for its ability to ‘truly grasp each client’s unique situation’, Baker McKenzie Switzerland AG maintains a wide-ranging practice that extends across infrastructural issues, post M&A disputes, and sports-related mandates, among other pieces of litigation. Urs Zenhäusern, who is a strong choice for those seeking advice on distribution, agency, and licensing contracts, Luca Beffa, who demonstrates particular proficiencies in sports, commercial, and healthcare issues, corporate and insurance expert Joachim Frick, and Simon Ntah, who is highly experienced in relation to white-collar crime and criminal law, jointly lead the practice. Christoph Kurth‘s practice is comprised of a host of compliance, regulatory, and investigatory matters.

Switzerland > Healthcare and life sciences Tier 3

Leveraging its international network of offices, Baker McKenzie Switzerland AG assists a high-profile client roster of major pharma and biotech corporations, including Sino Biopharmaceutical, Baxter, and Bristol Myers Squibb. Jointly leading the practice, Geneva’s Olha Demianiuk is recommended for her expertise in healthcare product portfolio acquisitions, corporate reorganisations, and regulatory compliance, and Julia Schieber stands out due to her strong focus on commercial transactions concerning the supply and distribution of pharma, biotech, and medical device products in the Zurich office.

Switzerland > Insurance Tier 3

The insurance team at Baker McKenzie Switzerland AG applies local industry and commercial knowledge to provide comprehensive legal services in dealing with the regulatory authorities and advising on regulatory issues related to various insurance matters. Key individual Joachim Frick has over 25 years of experience representing Swiss and international insurance and reinsurance clients and brokers in regulatory matters and proceedings as well as in coverage disputes and corporate transactions.

Switzerland > Dispute resolution: arbitration Tier 4

Active across the fields of construction, telecoms, and trading, the ‘very dedicated’ Baker McKenzie Switzerland AG team retains a varied offering that spans post M&A, energy, and sports-related mandates, to name a few, utilising its global office network to do so. Three key players lead the group: Urs Zenhäusern, who employs his strengths in commercial, finance, and healthcare disputes to operate for global clients, the ‘excellent’ Luca Beffa, who is well-positioned to advise on banking, M&A, and healthcare arbitration issues, and Joachim Frick, a notable expert in relation to corporate, insurance, and M&A arbitration.