Europe - Switzerland

1

Private client

Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd

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With in-depth experience handling estate and inheritance disputes for high-profile international clients, Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd presents itself as a go-to firm for families needing advice on wealth structuring and preservation. The team is headed by Andrea Dorjee-Good and David Wallace Wilson. Dorjee-Good stands out for her expertise in estate and succession planning, while Wilson often handles inheritance disputes. With decades of experience navigating the private banking landscape, Bernard Vischer is recommended for matters related to corporate and banking regulations. Other key individuals include Guillaume Grisel, who regularly advises on international tax matters, as well as Caroline Lopez Nagai.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘They have a large team of specialists all with great knowledge.’

  • 'Andrea Dorjee-Good is a fantastic asset to her clients. She combines her in-depth knowledge of Swiss succession law with strong problem-solving skills, which enables her to find pragmatic solutions in the complex world of cross-border estate planning.’
  • ‘Guillaume Grisel has great depth of cross-border private client knowledge, particularly between the UK and Switzerland. Guillaume has impressive language skills and is always a pleasure to work with.’

  • ‘The dedication they provide in their level of work to their clients is impressive. They provide a dedicated and professional service.'

  • ‘The Schellenberg Wittmer private client team's standing in the market in terms of technical expertise is second to none. This is reflected in the central role that the firm has played regarding the development of Swiss trust law.'

  • 'The team combine their technical expertise with great commercial acumen, ensuring that clients receive pragmatic advice. They are international in their outlook, which is critical given the amount of private client work which involves a cross-border element.’

  • 'Bernard Vischer and David Wallace Wilson are both exceptional professionals as well as first class advisors in Switzerland.’

  • 'Lopez-Nagai is very knowledgeable, responsive, reliable and above all favours practical solutions for her clients.'

Key clients

  • Rhone Trust
  • NBK Banque Privée (Suisse) SA

Work highlights

  • Representing one of several heirs in a very complex cross-border trust and estate dispute involving complex trust structures in various jurisdictions holding a major family-owned business.
  • Representing two heirs in a complex Swiss estate litigation, involving claims against the stepfather and the executor who is challenging substantial lifetime gifts to the clients.
  • Advising a UHNWI with a Swiss background on his global estate planning.

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.

Bernard Vischer, LL.M.

Hall of fameSchellenberg Wittmer Ltd

Bernard Vischer is a partner in Schellenberg Wittmer's Geneva office, where he heads the private wealth group. Bernard advises private clients in private banking matters, trusts, estate planning and philanthropy. He especially advises entrepreneurs and families on governance, dispute prevention and succession in privately held/controlled businesses. He is a professional coach certified IDC. He also has extensive practical experience in corporate and transactional matters, with a focus on the shipping and aviation industries.

Rising stars

Caroline Lopez Nagai

Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd

Caroline Maria López Nagai is a Counsel in our Private Wealth Group in Geneva. She is specialized in cross-border estate / succession and wealth planning matters for individual clients as well as family enterprises including wills, lasting power of attorneys, guardianship. Her practice focuses also in advising and representing clients in matters related trusts, foundations, regulatory investigations (incl. administrative proceedings) and corporate transactions.

Leading individuals

David Wallace Wilson, M.J.C.

Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd

David Wallace Wilson is a Partner with Schellenberg Wittmer’s Private Wealth practice. He advises individuals and families on wealth structuring and estate planning for their personal and business assets.Experience: Advising individuals and families on wealth structuring, life-time and estate planning Specialist in complex family, guardianship and inheritance disputes Acting as executor in international successions Advising trustees and intermediaries on regulatory issues (AML, CRS etc.) Assisting clients with their fine-art and philanthropic ventures

Next Generation Partners

Andrea Dorjee-Good

Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd

Andrea Dorjee-Good is a Partner in Schellenberg Wittmer’s Private Clients and Estates Group in Zurich where she heads the practice. Her main areas of practice include domestic and international estate planning as well as trust and estate litigation.Experience: Advises private clients on all aspects of estate and succession planning including marital property agreements, wills, succession pacts, trusts and foundations Has extensive experience in complex trust and estate disputes and the administration of large international estates

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Andrea Dorjee-Good , David Wallace Wilson 

Other key lawyers

Guillaume Grisel, Bernard Vischer , Caroline Lopez Nagai

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