Vincent Jeanneret is Of Counsel in the Dispute Resolution Group in Geneva, where he heads Schellenberg Wittmer's Restructuring and Insolvency team. He was the Managing Partner of the firm from 2009 to 2014. He specializes in commercial and banking litigation with a focus on international and complex cases. He has been described as one of the few specialists who deals with major insolvency cases on the Swiss and international levels. He is regularly appointed by FINMA, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority, either as receiver or liquidator. He is frequently retained as counsel or expert in connection with white-collar crime cases at the federal or state level, as well as with international legal assistance or embargo law proceedings.
Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd
Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd provides the full spectrum of restructuring and insolvency matters including companies’ restructuring, loan-to-own transactions, distressed M&A, distressed refinancing, and advising board members on their duties, as well as liability claims. The team is headed by Olivier Hari, Tarek Houdrouge, and Urs Hoffmann-Nowotny. Hari specialises in complex national and cross-border insolvency and restructuring proceedings and related litigation proceedings, whilst Houdrouge, who co-heads the banking and finance team, has a strong focus on distressed situations. Hoffmann-Nowotny has a special focus on insolvency-related litigations, including actions to contest schedules of claims, claw-back actions, and the enforcement as well as defense of liability claims against directors and officers. Vincent Jeanneret, who is the former practice group head, has a wide range of expertise including distressed refinancing and M&A, corporate restructuring of listed and non-listed companies, filing of court-application for distressed businesses, litigation, and recognition of foreign orders. Cross-border insolvency expert Louis Burrus is a notable team member.
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Testimonials
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‘They provide high-end legal advice and are always available.’
- 'Olivier Hari knows his stuff regarding the nuances of Swiss insolvency and restructuring law.’
Key clients
- First instance Tribunal (Martigny)
- Joint Administrators of Anandarko Holding Limited
- Alevo Group SA and Alevo International, in liquidation, creditors' committee appointment
- Liquidators of Joannou & Paraskevaides (Overseas) Limited
- Aldo Group International AG
- Fondation Hypotheka
- Gilbert Albert employees' pension plan - Cantonal Department of Finance - The Cantonal Supervisory Board for Foundations
- Mr. Reto Stöcklin (bankruptcy)
- Several creditors of Ethical Coffee Company Ltd and Ethical Coffee Company (Switzerland)
- Stigma Partners SA
- Zenith Vie, Life insurance
Work highlights
- Obtained recognition of a foreign insolvency decree for the joint administrators of a Bahamas company to recover assets located in Switzerland.
- Advised two foreign creditors (confidential) of two Swiss distressed businesses, Alevo Group and Alevo International, in a case involving a forced fire sale of two distressed businesses and negotiations with the Court, the official administrator in charge of the sale, and foreign administrators as well (Germany, USA).
- Advised Aldo Group International AG, part of the ALDO Group, a Canadian multinational shoe and accessories retailer.in the successful completion of its Swiss composition proceedings and the exit financing.
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Leading individuals
Olivier Hari is of Counsel in our Corporate & Commercial, Mergers & Acquisitions, Capital Markets and Restructuring & Insolvency groups. He specializes in general corporate law, transactional matters, finance transactions and private fundraising, companies restructuring, distressed refinancing, and complex national and cross-border insolvency and restructuring proceedings, and related litigation proceedings.Experience: Advised a secured creditor (enforcement of a pledge with cross-border aspects) Swiss counsel in the framework of a financial reorganization of a group of companies Advised creditors of Alevo (restructuring and distressed M&A) Advised a distressed watch making company (restructuring and sale) Advised creditors in bankruptcy proceedings (Ethical Coffee Company, Privatair etc.) Advised minority shareholders (post-closing litigation) FINMA appointed liquidator of Zenith Vie SA, Compagnie d'assurance sur la Vie Court-appointed trustee of several distressed businesses
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Olivier Hari , Tarek Houdrouge , Urs Hoffmann-Nowotny