Business and Corporate Law

Multinational transactions are fundamental to the success of many of our clients. We are therefore able to deal with a wide range of aspects of our clients’ business activities, both domestic and international. We are general corporate counsel to numerous clients ranging in size from small start-up companies to large mature companies.

We help our clients to achieve tailor-made solutions through negotiation and drafting of domestic and international agreements such as sales, agency and distribution agreements, joint-ventures, rental, employment and other service agreements. We also provide our clients with our experience in general administrative issues related to their business activities in Switzerland and abroad such as work and residence permits, construction permits and authorizations for real estate acquisitions by foreigners.

We take pride in helping our clients to select the best corporate structures to meet their particular business needs. Our firm has broad experience in forming Swiss companies and other commercial and non-commercial entities, such as associations and foundations.

Corporate administration services including directors, registered office, administrative staff and accounting are available through a reputable trust company with whom our firm has a close and standing relationship.

Our capabilities as notaries public enable us to advise our clients on all facets of real estate matters.

We advise investors, buyers, sellers and lenders on their real estate transactions including financing, lease, purchase and sale agreements. Our real estate work also includes the development of real estate projects, condominiums, commercial and industrial buildings and related issues such as zoning and complex financing transactions.

During the past few years, workouts and restructuring have been active areas of our real estate practice. Our firm has advised several major lenders in restructuring real estate mortgage investments.

We advise individuals and companies, including financial institutions, in all major aspects of banking transactions and contracts and represent them in banking litigation. We also have significant experience in regulatory issues, such as banking secrecy, rules of conduct, due diligence convention (CDB 03) and compliance. Daniele Calvarese, a former in-house counsel of one of the major Swiss banks, has been appointed investigator for Southern Switzerland by the Swiss Bankers' Association under the Swiss banks’ code of conduct with regard to the exercise of due diligence .

Although we strive to prevent the costs and delays usually associated with litigation, we vigorously try lawsuits in all cantonal and federal courts to obtain a successful outcome for our clients if this proves necessary to protect their interests. However, we are also conscious of the need to settle disputes, where reasonable and appropriate under the circumstances.

In our litigation practice, we represent both plaintiffs and defendants in all major areas of commercial and civil litigation, including family and divorce matters.

The cases our firm is involved in range from preliminary injunctions to appeals reaching the Swiss Federal Court (Switzerland's highest judicial instance and Court of last resort).

We represent individuals and companies, including financial institutions, victimized by wrongdoing on the part of current or former directors, employees or customers.

Our firm focuses on actively and strenuously tracing misappropriated assets, cooperating with regulatory and enforcement authorities both in Switzerland and abroad and pursuing, through litigation or otherwise, collection efforts with respect to such assets.

We also selectively represent individuals charged with criminal offences with an emphasis on the defence of investigations and prosecutions involving white-collar crime.

During the past few years, international cooperation in criminal matters has played an important role in our criminal law practice.

We advise and represent both employees and employers, whether companies or individuals, in all issues related to employment matters, including entering into and terminating employment agreements, non-competition agreements, compensations and breach of contract.

We advise our clients in business transfers, rationalization measures and plant closings and draft the necessary agreements with parties involved and the labour authorities in case of mass dismissals.

We work with individuals and families and advise them on all facets of estate planning, including the selection, setting-up and administration of the best legal structures in order to protect, preserve and transfer their assets for the benefit of their families.

We serve as guardians and estate administrators by Court appointment, either alone or with family members or other outside professionals.

Our firm represents clients in various kinds of litigations in relation with trusts, foundations and other estate and inheritance matters.

In Western Europe there has been in recent years a steady increase in the number of medical malpractice cases brought against physicians, hospitals or other healthcare providers. In Switzerland, too, medical malpractice is now an increasingly important area of law.

Although the majority of such malpractice cases is settled out of court, litigation will no doubt grow in importance.

We are experienced in handling the often-complicated medical issues that arise in medical negligence cases. Our firm provides complete case evaluation services and legal assistance, either in settlement negotiations or in court litigation.

Our practice encompasses every aspect of insolvency and bankruptcy, including debt collection in Switzerland and abroad.

In representing creditors or debtors, we try to seek practical and creative solutions to insolvency disputes without resort to litigation. Today, reorganization and workouts have become an important strategic tool for companies facing substantial debts or liabilities; they present significant problems for creditors as well.

However, if out-of-court workouts are not possible or circumstances demand immediate action, our firm is able to handle the complex litigation that often arises in insolvency and bankruptcy proceedings.