Wenger Plattner

Chairman: Tobias Meili

Managing Partner: Tobias Meili

Number of partners: 20

Number of other lawyers: 40

Languages: English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish

Firm Overview:

WENGER PLATTNER is a law firm with a long tradition and is today one of Switzerland’s leading commercial law firms with more than 60 attorneys and tax advisors at offices in Basel, Zurich and Berne. Although the firm is independent, it maintains excellent relationships with numerous law firms worldwide.

Main Areas of Practice:

Sports, Art & Entertainment:

Advising and representing architects, artists, collectors, museums, art firms, event organisers, sponsors, cultural associations; negotiations with collecting societies for companies, institutions and professional associations; litigation in the areas of theatre, musicals, visual arts and literature; advising and representing sports organisations, event organisers, athletes, agencies, commercial enterprises and media companies regarding sports marketing, sponsoring, trademark protection, broadcasting rights and law of associations.

Competition & Antitrust:

Advising and representing domestic and foreign companies in all matters relating to Swiss and EU competition, merger control and anti-trust law, including law against unfair competition and in the context of official investigation proceedings (in particular dawn raids). Conception and implementation of comprehensive competition compliance programs.

Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions:

Advising and representing individuals and companies in connection with mergers, restructuring and reorganisation, acquisition and sale of companies or shares, completion of joint ventures and shareholder agreements, share redemption, public takeovers, management buy-outs and all related financing; assisting clients in drafting, concluding and implementing all necessary contracts and all matters relating to their business.

Insolvency & Restructuring:

Advising and representing creditors and debtors in national and international debt restructuring, insolvency and bankruptcy cases; conducting reorganisations; acting as liquidators, administrators and bankruptcy trustees, litigation in the areas of national and international insolvency, restructuring and enforcement, supporting foreign office holders in realising assets in Switzerland.

Intellectual Property & Technology:

Advising and representing in any matters relating to copyright, trademarks, designs, patents, company names, domain names, know-how; assistance in drafting and negotiating of ICT contracts and in legal issues related to data protection; supporting in ICT projects and transactions.

Employment:

Advising and representing companies in obtaining of official permits, termination of employment contracts, mass redundancies, and drafting of social plans; protection of trade secrets and assignment of intellectual property rights to employers in employment contracts; assisting in labour law issues with regard to M&A transactions and outsourcing projects.

Life Sciences & Health:

Advising and representing national and multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and other entities and individuals active in the healthcare sector, including hospitals, medical practitioners, pharmacies, laboratories, in corporate and transactional matters (e.g. R&D, BD&L, M&A), compliance matters (e.g. marketing practices, antibribery, quality/GMP, date protection etc.), including related internal investigations and criminal defense, commercial litigation and arbitration, and regulatory matters (clinical trials, pricing and reimbursement).

Litigation & Arbitration:

Advising and representing domestic and foreign companies and individuals in disputes before Swiss courts and administrative authorities as well as domestic and international arbitral tribunals in all areas of private and commercial law; advice and representation in insolvency matters, enforcements, judicial assistance and interim relief proceedings; serving as members of arbitral tribunals.

Notary Services:

At the Basel office: Advice and notarisation of business transactions and resolutions as well as contracts in property law, family and estate law, corporate and foundation law; notarisation of takeovers, mergers and other business transactions.

Private Clients:

Advising and representing clients in succession planning and administration of estates and businesses; tax advice including lump sum taxation; execution of wills; international asset structuring; establishment and management of foundations; custodial support; support of family offices and advisory services for private banks and independent portfolio managers.

Real Estate & Construction:

Advising and representing in all commercial and legal matters relating to real estate, including private construction law and public construction law; advising and representing for the purchase and sale of real estate and for capital gains tax issues.

Tax:

Advising companies, business owners, investors and employees on direct and indirect taxation; representation in legal matters before tax authorities and fiscal courts; assisting in national and international tax planning; establishment of Swiss branches and moving of individuals to Switzerland.

Banking & Finance:

The firm advises legal entities (including banks, asset managers, and securities dealers) on regulatory issues and act on their behalf in dealings with Swiss regulatory bodies and self-regulatory organisations (FINMA, SIX Swiss Exchange etc.).

Responsible Business Conduct/ESG:

Advising businesses and industry associations on Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) related matters and legal developments in Switzerland and supporting companies in the development or further enhancement of their RBC framework.