Combining ‘legal excellence, client focus and ethical conduct’, Kellerhals Carrard maintains a strong presence in the banking and life sciences sectors, and is consistently instructed by a varied client roster to advise on white-collar crime, internal investigations and crisis management and compliance. Its comprehensive ESG desk adds further depth to the team’s diverse capabilities in this arena. Daniel Lengauer, Michael Daphinoff and François Micheli jointly steer the team. Lengauer is regularly entrusted by clients to advise on the implementation of compliance management systems, while Daphinoff specialises in white-collar crime, internal investigations and administrative investigations. Micheli is vastly experienced in managing international cases of criminal economic law. In April 2023, Claudia Götz Staehelin and Oliver Brupbacher departed the firm.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team has extensive expertise and experience in the relevant areas of law. They team always put the needs and goals of their clients first and offer customised solutions.'
'The fee structure is transparent and fair and is communicated in advance.'
- 'The team offers a good combination of legal excellence, client focus and ethical conduct.’
‘The individuals I work with are very dedicated and professional. They are passionate about the interests of their clients.'
They communicate very effectively and work well in a team. They are easily accessible and respond quickly to inquiries and concerns.'
‘Very strong know-how in compliance, which assists in understanding clients needs and providing advice.'
Key clients
- Bürgschaftsgenossenschaft Ost-Süd
- Bürgschaftsgenossenschaft Mitte
- Cautionnement Romand
- Bürgschaftsgenossenschaft SAFFA
- Credit Suisse AG
- CSS Versicherungen
- fenaco Landi Gruppe
- République Gabonaise
- Swiss Banker
- Parmalat Group
- Brazilian Financier
- Swiss Bank
- Portuguese Entrepreneur
- Former Manager of Lastminute.com
- Former Manager Swiss Real Estate Company in liquidation
Work highlights
- Retained by four government-accredited loan guarantee organisations to uncover possible credit abuses, persecute possible fraudsters, and recover the unlawfully obtained loans for the next 7 years. This relates to the Swiss Federal Council presenting an emergency relief scheme involving guaranteed COVID bridging loans to support companies encountering liquidity problems due to the coronavirus.
- Representing CSS since 2018 in FINMA enforcement proceedings concerning, among other things, compliance in distribution and the allocation of distribution and administrative costs. In its order of 15 July 2022, FINMA required CSS to refund CHF 129m to the affected supplementary insured persons. The ruling of 15 July 2022 was appealed to the Federal Administrative Court.
- Defending the interests of a Sovereign State, in French criminal proceedings (> 20 persons indicted; directed mainly against family members of the Head of State). Involved in defining and implementing the State's strategy in coordination with the President, the Minister of Justice and Ambassador.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Daniel Lengauer, Michael Daphinoff, François Micheli