Our claim

SwissLegal advises and represents companies and private individuals in business law and tax matters. It sets a high standard of legal quality and counts a flair for unconventional solutions and the cost-effective use of resources among its strengths. The lawyers and experts of the SwissLegal Group are experienced, quality-conscious, goal-oriented, independent and discreet.

The various SwissLegal locations maintain a regular exchange of specialist knowledge. Depending on the mandate, teams of specialists can be put together across law firms in order to provide clients with the best possible advice.

The SwissLegal specialists regularly undergo further training in their specialist areas and some also act as speakers at further training events or as authors of specialist publications. With the SwissLegal partners and law professors Prof. Dr. iur. David Dürr and Prof. Dr. iur Andreas Kellerhals, SwissLegal is at the source of current teaching and research.

Our group structure

The SwissLegal Group was founded in 2004 as an association of independent law firms. It currently has offices in Basel, Bern, Chur, Olten, St. Gallen, Zug and Zurich. Further locations are in preparation, including in French-speaking Switzerland and Ticino.

The group structure combines the efficiency and personal relationship of trust of the individual local law firms with the broad professional expertise and wealth of experience of the entire supra-regional group of around 30 specialists. The internal exchange of know-how and the overall quality of expertise and reputation promoted within the group are coordinated and managed by the legally independent SwissLegal Ltd, based in Zug.

The client's contractual partner is exclusively the local law firm in charge of the mandate. No legal relationship is entered into with SwissLegal Ltd or the other SwissLegal law firms. In order to avoid conflicts of interest between SwissLegal law firms while respecting the attorney-client privilege, the client is asked to agree to the corresponding clarifications within the entire group. Professional liability is covered by an Allianz Suisse insurance policy covering the entire SwissLegal Group.

OUR AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Contract law

Contract law in various business sectors


SwissLegal advises companies in all industries on contract law matters at every level of business.

Our traditional tasks include the drafting and negotiation of contracts such as purchase agreements and general terms and conditions, contracts for work and services, supply and production agreements, consultancy and other service agreements, agency and distribution agreements, brokerage agreements, cooperation and license agreements, rental agreements, employment contracts and franchising and factoring agreements.

Corporate law

Corporate and other business law

SwissLegal supports you in the choice of corporate form and the legal structure of your business activities, including holding structures in Switzerland and abroad. The specialists advise you beyond the incorporation in questions of organization and administration of your companies and groups as well as restructuring (mergers, demergers, conversions, asset transfers), employee participation projects and holding structures.

SwissLegal also represents the legal and economic interests of shareholders and unitholders in and vis-à-vis corporate bodies or advises them on the conclusion of shareholders' agreements.

Tax law

Tax advice and representation

SwissLegal advises companies and private individuals on all aspects of Swiss and international tax law. SwissLegal's strengths include many years of experience in dealing with complex tax cases, corporate tax law with the various forms of restructuring, the tax optimization of transactions and, in particular, cross-border tax problems.

SwissLegal specialists represent companies and private individuals in tax disputes before authorities and courts. SwissLegal has a proven network of foreign tax specialists with whom it cooperates on cross-border issues.

Real estate law

Transactions, financing and project realization

From the search for a property, the purchase and financing, the realization of a construction project, the integration into a complex real estate portfolio and the sale, numerous legal issues arise. The same applies to the letting or sale of condominiums or building rights.

SwissLegal specialists support you with careful analysis of the legal situation, tailor-made but swift implementation in legal structures, contracts and regulations as well as with our own notary's office in Basel.

Construction law

Representation and advice on construction projects

The planning and implementation of construction projects raises a wide range of legal issues, be it with regard to official approvals, neighborhood plan developments or, if necessary, conflicts of interest with neighbors. Here, SwissLegal's specialists support you with expertise, experience and perseverance, but also with a feel for pragmatic solutions, for example when it comes to avoiding excessive delays.

Labor and social security law

Labor and social security law

SwissLegal advises companies on all matters relating to labor and social security law and represents their interests before courts and authorities.
In particular, our specialists will support you with their legal expertise in the merger of companies or the transfer of parts of companies as well as in the area of outsourcing; but we are also at your side with advice and assistance in the drafting of employment contracts and personnel regulations, in questions of management remuneration, in the case of extraordinary dismissals or releases of employees or in the enforcement of post-contractual non-competition clauses. Of course, we are also happy to support you in administrative matters relating to the secondment of employees or in work permit procedures for foreign employees.

Health law

Doctors', health insurance, therapeutic products and medical professions law

Doctors, hospitals, physiotherapists and other service providers in the Swiss healthcare system are increasingly confronted with complex legal issues. Characterized by state regulation, the legal foundations of healthcare law are extremely numerous and complex.
The SwissLegal specialists working in the field of healthcare law have the many years of experience required to advise and represent service providers comprehensively and competently. In their case-by-case legal assessment, they take into account the special features of the healthcare market and its interdependence with the relevant regulatory authorities.

Competition law

Competition and antitrust law

SwissLegal advises and supports companies from Switzerland and abroad in all matters of national and European competition and antitrust law as well as in the area of unfair competition. The specialists represent companies before Swiss competition authorities as well as in competition law proceedings before Swiss courts.

SwissLegal's strengths also include advising on concentrations, market-dominant positions, discrimination and other competition law issues and on the admissibility of restrictive clauses in contracts.

European law

International contracts

In connection with cross-border transactions and other international contracts, SwissLegal takes into account European legislation on the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital as well as competition and antitrust law provisions. SwissLegal advises and represents you competently.

In order to identify legal and economic effects at an early stage, SwissLegal closely monitors the EU's ongoing harmonization efforts and legislative activities.

Restructuring, SchKG

Insolvency law and restructuring

The lawyers at SwissLegal advise you in all areas of debt collection and bankruptcy law. They represent companies and private individuals as creditors or debtors in attachment and pledge realization proceedings, bankruptcy proceedings and liquidations as well as in restructuring and debt restructuring agreement proceedings, including all related legal proceedings and proceedings for asset protection and asset recovery.

Capital markets law

Banking and financial markets law

The financial industry brings with it problems of a legal nature; whether in the relationship between the bank and its clients; whether in the financing of projects, companies, real estate; whether in the structuring, distribution or underwriting of investment vehicles. The high level of regulation not only requires diligence in acting, but above all mastery of the numerous national and international regulations under state or association law.

This means carefully analyzing the applicable legal bases and aligning business decisions accordingly. SwissLegal's specialists in capital markets and banking law will support you in this.

Intellectual property

Intellectual property, license agreements, trademarks

SwissLegal has extensive experience in the field of intellectual property law and advises and supports you in matters of copyright and trademark law as well as in the protection of industrial know-how and designs, including the transfer and licensing of the corresponding intellectual property rights. In patent law matters, SwissLegal works together with external patent attorneys.

Marriage, inheritance, foundations

Marriage and inheritance contracts, estate settlements, foundations

SwissLegal helps you to legally analyze your estate succession and, if necessary, to arrange it with a suitable will or marriage and inheritance contract. You are not completely free to do so, as the law stipulates certain mandatory conditions. However, with professional support, it is certainly possible to take advantage of the freedom.

The tasks are particularly challenging where companies or complex asset relationships are part of the estate. In the case of inheritance or matrimonial property successions, special attention must also be paid to the tax implications. SwissLegal helps to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Notarial services, deeds

Notarial services for legal transactions

The law requires the involvement of a notary or notary public for certain legal transactions. These include, in particular, real estate, marriage and inheritance contracts, wills and various corporate transactions such as incorporations, capital increases, mergers and the like. Depending on cantonal regulations, notarial services are offered by public offices or by private lawyers with the appropriate license.

SwissLegal also offers notarial services. With such mandates, our aim is not to represent one party against another, but to create added value for both sides as an independent guarantor.

Litigation

Litigation and arbitration

Disputes cannot always be settled amicably and sometimes end up in court. If such a case arises, the SwissLegal specialists know how to intervene vigorously, not only legally but also with tactical and psychological experience. It is not uncommon for opportunities to find a face-saving settlement even during a lawsuit.
The litigation services do not only apply to state courts, but also to private arbitration tribunals, where SwissLegal acts as a representative of a party or as an arbitrator. The focus is on civil proceedings, i.e. disputes between private parties, but also appeals against administrative authorities or defense in criminal proceedings, especially in commercial cases.

Criminal law

Criminal and criminal procedural law

Injured parties and private plaintiffs in criminal proceedings are dependent on competent legal support, and defendants need a qualified criminal defense lawyer. In criminal proceedings, we help them to choose the optimal tactics, taking into account all relevant circumstances, in order to achieve the best result for them.

Although our focus is on commercial and criminal tax law, the SwissLegal specialists working in these areas generally cover all areas of criminal law. Some of them also have specialist knowledge in the area of military criminal law.

Claims, insurance

Liability, insurance and pension law

Not all private or economic relationships can be contractually regulated in advance. Occasionally something happens, whether negligently or even intentionally, whether in the private or business sphere, for example in the case of responsibility as a member of the board of directors. This raises questions of liability and often also insurance law.

Insurance aspects also arise in connection with the risks of unemployment, disability and death. This is accompanied by various legal and, not least, tax problems. SwissLegal specialists help to solve them.

Careers and jobs

When recruiting young lawyers and specialists, SwissLegal focuses on innovative, dynamic individuals with integrity. As an employer, the organization promotes talent at all levels and offers them an exciting platform in a modern, rapidly growing group that is committed to the highest level of legal expertise and diligence.

Our specialists

• Christine Boldi-Goetschy, attorney-at-law and notary

• Prof. Dr. David Dürr, attorney-at-law and notary

• Dr. Thomas Kaufmann, Attorney at Law

• Daniel Knecht, Attorney at Law

• Daniela Korody, Attorney at Law

• Lisa Oberholzer, Attorney at Law

• Dr. Sabine Pegoraro-Meier, Attorney at Law

• Dr. Paul Rüst, legal counsel

• Dr. Frantisek J. Safarik, Swiss certified tax expert, licensed audit expert

• Dr. Balz Settelen, attorney at law

• Dr. Peter Vetter, attorney at law