Lenz & Staehelin‘s full-service practice provides comprehensive tax support for both corporations and individuals, covering all aspects of contentious and non-contentious tax. The firm is particularly strong in international tax law, regularly helping clients navigate complex issues regarding double taxation and transfer pricing. Geneva practice head Jean-Blaise Eckert advises multinational companies and private clients, and has extensive knowledge of inheritance law. National and international tax planning expert Pascal Hinny heads the Zurich team. Daniel Schafer has a special focus on corporate tax, including M&A and private equity. Heini Rüdisühli’s main work is centred around tax planning for private individuals, while Frédéric Neukomm focuses on company tax matters. Floran Ponce advises clients on the management of tax affairs and controversies before Swiss tax authorities.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The practice is unique because of the exceptional and high-level nature of its clients, and the personal, tailor-made approach of the members of the team towards their clients. ’

  • ‘Jean-Blaise Eckert has longstanding experience and recognition in the market, and an excellent ability to explain difficult matters in simple terms whilst always remaining practical and solution minded. Frédéric Neukomm has specialist experience in the taxation of incentive and carried interest schemes for PE managers.'

  • 'Rébecca Dorasamy is an upcoming star; very knowledgeable, responsive and proactive.'

  • ‘Strong know-how, good network within the Swiss tax community.’

  • ‘Highly professional team, from the partners to the administrative assistants. More importantly — there is always a high level of efficiency with the Lenz team — things are as quick and efficient as possible. ’

  • ‘I have had an exceptional experience with partner Floran Ponce. What I appreciate most in Floran is his ability to combine 1) thorough fundamental tax analysis with 2) precedent analysis and mainly 3) a commercial mindset where he puts himself in my shoes as an entrepreneur.’

  • ‘Very pleasant collaboration.’

  • ‘Pascal Hinny has communication skills, exceptional tax technical skills, is a quick thinker, pragmatic, a great networker, and is highly responsive.'

Key clients

  • ADM
  • Agilent
  • Arlanxeo
  • AXA Stiftung Berufliche Vorsorge, Winterthur
  • Bain Capital Private Equity
  • Cinven
  • Colgate Palmolive
  • Conforama
  • Covestro
  • Credit Suisse
  • Deutsche Börse AG
  • FIVE Hotels & Resorts group
  • Gyrus Capital
  • Immosynergies
  • On Holding AG
  • Richemont
  • Rothschild Group
  • Sika AG
  • SKAN Group AG
  • Swiss Prime Site
  • Tetra Laval
  • The Carlyle Group
  • Transatlantic Reinsurance Company
  • Wal-Mart

Work highlights

  • Advised Gyrus Capital and DSS Sustainable Solutions (DSS+) on sale of DSS+ to Inflexion Private Equity Partners.
  • Advised Chequers Capital on sale of the RIRI Group to OC Oerlikon AG.
  • Prepared an independent expert opinion to the State Council of canton of Vaud regarding the tax residency of the Finance Minister.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates 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.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Jean-Blaise Eckert, Pascal Hinny

Other key lawyers

Daniel Schafer, Frédéric Neukomm, Floran Ponce, Rébecca Dorasamy, Heini Rüdisühli, Lukas Aebi, Franziska Stadtherr, Stephan Brandner, Alexander Greter, Maximilien de Ridder