Lenz & Staehelin, Tax | Chambers Europe Profile

About

Provided by Lenz & Staehelin

Lenz & Staehelin ranks as the law firm with the longest tradition in tax law expertise in Switzerland. The firm focused on tax matters, at the time a highly unusual choice. Ever since then it has been our ambition to provide the best technical and still practical tax advice in the country. Lenz & Staehelin ranks as leading firm in the field of tax law in all major league tables.

We cover all aspects of tax planning, and represent our clients in court proceedings and in front of tax authorities. Diligent tax planning is a high priority for any forward-looking company or individual, particularly in the context of international business transactions and a changing world of transparency when tax optimization also has to take into account ethical standards. We provide our clients with comprehensive and expert advice on inter-cantonal and cross-border matters, and we benefit from strong ties to leading law firms all over the world and excellent contacts to all relevant tax administrations in Switzerland.

The strong academic ties of our attorneys and networking with all major stakeholders in the Swiss tax community assure access to the latest trends and developments in tax law. Over decades of thorough and fair negotiations, we have gained an excellent reputation as trustworthy attorneys with governmental authorities.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Tax - Switzerland

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Lenz & Staehelin is highly regarded for advising clients on tax structuring in relation to high-value corporate and capital markets transactions. The law firm also represents clients in contentious tax law matters before the Swiss Supreme Court, as well as providing advice on reforms to tax legislation. The team has additional notable experience in issues concerning withholding tax, double tax treaties and disclosures. Lenz & Staehelin boasts clients from a range of sectors including retail, pharmaceuticals and financial services, and it is often involved in cross-border mandates.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Lenz & Staehelin

The team at Lenz & Staehelin advised Swiss Prime Site on the tax issues pertaining to its sale of Wincasa to Implenia.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

"Lenz & Staehelin lawyers are reactive, very quick, very proactive in identifying where we could have potential issues, then working through them one by one, liaising with other tax experts in different jurisdictions."

Tax respondent
Europe

"Overall, we are appreciative and cognisant of the quality of the work performed."

Tax respondent
Europe

"The lawyers have always been attentive to my needs and have consistently demonstrated a responsive and proactive approach."

Tax respondent
Europe

"Lenz is one of the premier Swiss tax firms with a team of very sophisticated tax partners and associates."

Tax respondent
Europe

"Overall, we are appreciative and cognisant of the quality of the work performed."

Tax respondent
Europe

"The lawyers have always been attentive to my needs and have consistently demonstrated a responsive and proactive approach."

Tax respondent
Europe

"Lenz is one of the premier Swiss tax firms with a team of very sophisticated tax partners and associates."

Tax respondent
Europe

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Jean-Blaise Eckert

Band 1

Jean-Blaise Eckert is highly esteemed for assisting clients with withholding tax advice and representing clients in tax disputes before the Swiss Supreme Court. He also advises clients on the tax aspects of restructurings and capital markets transactions.

"Jean-Blaise Eckert is a powerhouse tax lawyer with a reputation to match."

"Jean-Blaise serves top clients and has breadth of experience in international tax matters."

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Daniel Schafer

Band 3

Daniel Schafer assists clients with the tax consequences of divestments, mergers and internal restructurings.

"Daniel Schafer is a superb tax lawyer and very client-minded."

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Floran Ponce

Band 3

Floran Ponce is well placed to represent clients before the Swiss Supreme Court in tax law disputes and also to advise on withholding tax issues and voluntary tax disclosures. He also assists clients with the tax aspects of internal restructurings and investment rounds.

"Floran Ponce has an acute business mindset. He combined facts and precedents elegantly with solid, concise and practical advice."

"He is pleasant to work with, very technically strong but pragmatic and explains things clearly."

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Pascal Hinny

Band 3

Pascal Hinny assists clients with double tax treaty issues, as well as advising on the tax structuring of corporate and capital markets transactions.

"Pascal Hinny provides super-clear explanations. He is also very diplomatic and he can bring together people who disagree."

"Pascal simplifies complexity and gives us in two sentences our options and what should be done. It's amazing."

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Frédéric Neukomm

Band 4

Frédéric Neukomm is a popular choice with clients from the financial services sector. He assists with the tax structuring of corporate transactions.

"Frédéric Neukomm is very knowledgeable and pleasant to work with. He knows his stuff very well and is able to convey easy-to-understand messages on complex matters."

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