Private Wealth Law
High Net Worth Guide 2024 : Switzerland
Band 1
About
Provided by Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd
Our Private Wealth Group covers the full range of contentious and non-contentious private wealth legal issues. We are highly skilled in advising individuals and families in their planning and structuring of private wealth and business assets, wealth preservation, continuity of family businesses and smooth succession. We advise and represent individuals, families and closely-held family businesses, banks, family offices and trust companies in estate and inheritance planning, and in disputes and litigation. We work in close collaboration with our firm’s tax, banking, corporate and real estate practice groups.
Chambers Review
Schellenberg Wittmer has wide-ranging expertise in wealth structuring and preservation matters, and frequently acts for clients in both cross-border estate planning and inheritance disputes. The firm advises affluent individuals, families and closely held businesses, as well as family offices, banks and trust companies. The firm is also able to draw on the expertise of its tax, banking, corporate and real estate groups.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Schellenberg Wittmer has excellent technical knowledge of Swiss inheritance rules and practical experience. They're mindful of the bigger picture and are easy to work with on cross-border matters."
"Schellenberg has valuable experience in various fields related to private client services and fiduciary businesses, allowing a holistic approach to dealing with complex structures."
"Schellenberg Wittmer are exceptional. They have a number of top quality partners and associates and are always able to provide quality advice in a timely fashion."
"Schellenberg Wittmer has excellent technical knowledge of Swiss inheritance rules and practical experience. They're mindful of the bigger picture and are easy to work with on cross-border matters."
"Schellenberg has valuable experience in various fields related to private client services and fiduciary businesses, allowing a holistic approach to dealing with complex structures."
"Schellenberg Wittmer are exceptional. They have a number of top quality partners and associates and are always able to provide quality advice in a timely fashion."
Notable Practitioners
Bernard Vischer is held in high regard for his impressive private client practice. He offers demonstrable expertise in estate planning, family governance, business succession planning and philanthropy.
"Bernard's depth of knowledge in his areas of expertise is very impressive."
"Bernard is a professional that I respect a lot both for his professional qualities and for his ability to adapt to the needs of the clientele with great sensitivity and exceptional human qualities."
David Wallace Wilson receives plaudits for his role as a pioneer of Swiss trust law, advising private clients on all aspects of wealth structuring and estate planning, as well as contentious private wealth issues.
"David is an outstanding lawyer with exceptional depth of knowledge and commercial awareness."
"David has a wealth of experience on Swiss and international matters relevant to private clients. His industry and regulatory insights are valuable in assisting clients to make strategic decisions."
"David is a leading lawyer in trusts law."
Zürich-based Andrea Dorjee-Good serves as head of the firm’s private wealth group and has extensive experience handling both contentious and non-contentious private client matters, notably sophisticated trust and estate litigation, estate planning and trusts and foundations work.
"Andrea is an expert in cross-border estate planning. She is not only a technical expert in this area, but is also very practical in terms of the advice that she provides, ensuring pragmatic solutions."
"Andrea is excellent. She has really made a mark in the market."
Christian Girod advises private clients on both the contentious and non-contentious aspects of trust and estate matters.
"Christian is very, very good."
Simone Nadelhofer recently moved from Lalive to Schellenberg Wittmer. Nadelhofer draws from her extensive experience in white-collar crime to serve high net worth clients in complex contentious matters.
"Simone has a very good reputation."
Ranked Individuals at
Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd
Switzerland
Members
Provided by Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd
Head of Department
Head of Department
Grisel Guillaume
Wuest Grégoire
Industries
Provided by Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd
Administration of trust and estates
Art-related legal advice and support to art institutions, collectors, artists, galleries, art dealers, auction houses and insurers on the entire range
Estate planning and structuring of private wealth and business assets
Family office establishment and governance and related regulatory advice
Governance structures (including family constitutions) for the efficient transfer of wealth and control of family businesses
Immigration: residency planning and relocation, pre-immigration restructuring, tax ruling negotiations and marital property and estate planning
Inheritance disputes: complex national and international trust and estates litigation matters
Legal advice on acquisition, sale and financing of unique assets such as real estate, yachts and private jets
Philanthropy: establishment, governance and management of charitable organisations and all issues related to philanthropic giving