Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd
Fabio Elsener is a Senior Associate in our Banking and Finance Group in Zurich.
Noted for its ‘tailor-made advice and deep knowledge of the market’, Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd is well versed in mandates arising from financial services, industrial and energy sectors, among others. The team, which is led by Philippe Borens and Tarek Houdrouge, is capable of advising an array of clients on public takeovers and exchange traded products. Borens excels in the area of equity and debt capital markets and Houdroudge strengthens the team with his knowledge in cross-border trade receivables securitisation and derivative transactions. Olivier Favre’s client base encompasses financial institutions, buy-side firms and issuers. Pascal Hubli and Lorenzo Olgiati are also recommended. In December 2022, Martin Lanz retired from the practice.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Up-to-date expertise on derivatives documentation and exceptional client servicing.’
‘Very knowledgeable individuals; they are up to speed and very precise. ’
‘Philippe Borens and his team are extremely accurate and available at any time. ’
‘Strong availability and very responsive, which was very helpful during the project.’
‘Tailor-made advice and deep knowledge of the market to support our company, which helped to deliver on time.’
‘The team is proactive, responsive and is well aware of what is market practice, which makes the overall process very efficient and the negotiation very smooth.'
‘Christoph Vonlanthen is very experienced, has a very pragmatic approach and is solution orientated. This makes the overall process very efficient and the negotiation very smooth ’
‘I worked a lot with Christoph Vonlanthen and his team. They are very professional, always available to exchange and brainstorm and they have very good knowledge of the market as they are involved in a lot of transactions.'
‘Very pleasant and always positive. They are deal-makers, and have the ability to adapt to different situations.'
Key clients
- BNP Paribas (various entities in UK, Ireland, France, Germany and Switzerland)
- Bank Reichmuth
- AXA Life Ltd
- Barclays Bank PLC
- First Quantum Minerals
- Schroder & Co Bank
- Ams-OSRAM AG
- Bank Vontobel
- Raiffeisen Switzerland
- Spice Private Equity Ltd (formerly APEN / AIG Private Equity Ltd)
- Deutsche Bank
- Zurich Kantonalbank, Zurich
- Credit Suisse AG
- UBS AG
- InRoll AG
- International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA)
- Futures Industry Association (FIA)
- Swiss Bankers Association (SBA)
- China Construction Bank
- Leonteq Securities AG
- Standard Chartered
- Helvetische Bank AG
- Bauwerk Boen AG
- Reuss Private Group AG
- Mirabaud Asset Management
- REYL & Cie SA
- PIERER Mobility AG
- Technogroup IT Services AG
- OC Oerlikon Corporation Pfäffikon
- Conforama Suisse SA
- Brera Partners Switzerland AG
- CAT Financial Products Ltd.
Work highlights
- Acted as counsel to BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA as lead manager in the issuances by e.on SE of CHF 155m senior fixed notes due 2025 and CHF 145m senior fixed notes due 2029, both listed and admitted to trading on SIX Swiss Exchange.
- Acted as Swiss to several Canadian banks as issuers of CF notes and CHF covered bonds, all listed and admitted to trading on SIX Swiss Exhange. The notes and bonds were issued under the banks' programmes for the issuance of debt instruments.
- Acted as counsel to Leonteq Securities AG (Leonteq) for the annual renewal and update of its FinSA Programme for the issuance of structured products, warrants and other debt instruments, which was approved by the SIX Exchange Regulation on 22 September 2021. Advised Leonteq on the drafting of such Programme and its approval by the SIX Exchange Regulation in view of compliance with the FinSA.
Lawyers
Leading associates
Rising stars with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Hall of fameSchellenberg Wittmer Ltd
Olivier Favre is a partner in Schellenberg Wittmer's Banking and Finance Group in Zurich. Olivier focuses on derivatives, structured finance and capital markets transactions and advising clients on financial services, securities, commodities, fund and insurance regulation. He also advises clients on fintech solutions and legal aspects of asset management activities. Olivier acts for a broad range of clients, including financial institutions, buy-side firms, issuers, insurance companies and industry associations. Olivier is an authorized representative at the SIX Swiss Exchange.Experience: Acted as legal counsel to a working group of industry association in charge of preparing a Swiss law governed master agreement for derivatives transactions and related documentation (e.g. agreement to exchange variation margin, PRDR agreement, resolution stay acknowledgment) Advised on the implementation of the regulatory obligations arising under the Swiss Financial Market Infrastructure Act Advised market participants on implementation of indirect clearing arrangements for derivatives transactions Advised on the issuance of tokens and on the setup of a crypto-assets brokerage activity Advised foreign insurance companies on Swiss licensing requirements for cross-border activity into Switzerland Prepared for the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (ISDA) the netting and collateral enforceability opinion for international financial organizations established in Switzerland