Counting a number of key players in the Swiss capital market in its client roster, Homburger is noted for its expertise advising clients on tax and regulatory aspects of capital markets transactions. Frank Gerhard and Benjamin Leisinger co-lead the practice, with the former possessing considerable expertise in IPO, private placements and innovative structures. Benedikt Maurenbrecher’s capabilities encompass regulatory capital instruments, debt, and asset-based and equity-linked transactions. Dieter Gericke and Daniel Daeniker are both particularly active within the life sciences sector, while René Bösch is routinely entrusted by clients to handle debt capital market transactions. Daniel Häusermann bolsters the practice with his broad practice, and Lee Saladino’s strengths lie in regulatory capital and other debt instruments.

A team noted for its ‘long standing experience’, Lenz & Staehelin’s capital markets team maintains a broad offering and is well-equipped to handle a range of issues such as equity transactions, offerings of bonds and exchange offers, among others. Alongside this, the team demonstrates particular proficiency in relation to derivatives. ‘Outstanding’ Jacques Iffland spearheads the Geneva practice, with ‘well-connected’ Patrick Schleiffer and Tino Gaberthüel jointly leading the firm’s Zurich office. Marcel Tranchet bolsters the practice with his considerable expertise regarding financing matters, securities offering and regulatory matters. Ariel Ben Hattar and Patrick Schärli are also recommended.

Recommended for being ‘client-focused and commercial’, Niederer Kraft Frey AG’s breadth of expertise encompasses debt, equity and hybrid capital market products. The team routinely handles large-scale IPOs and public tender offers alongside a host of other complex transactions. The firm’s new Geneva office, which opened in January 2023, expands the team’s capabilities in this area. Daniel Bono, who assists clients with a diverse scope of issues from equity capital market transactions to finance transactions, and Thomas Brönnimann, who is particularly experienced in handling matters for listed entities and other large enterprises, are key contacts in the practice. Philipp Haas is entrusted by clients to handle equity and convertible debt transactions and market conduct rules, while Philippe Weber is geared to handle IPOs, rights offerings and asset-backed securities.

The ‘super focused’ team at Advestra, while fielding a broad capital markets offering, is routinely engaged by clients to manage rights offerings, issuance of shares and a diverse multitude of other cross-border work. Thomas Reutter is reputed for his work involving innovative capital market instruments, while Annette Weber advises on a diverse range of equity and debt capital market transactions. Sandro Fehlmann bolsters the practice with his expertise in handling regulatory hybrid instruments. Alexander von Jeinsen advises issuers and banks on a variety of complex transactions.

Entrusted to assist clients with a range of domestic and international transactions, Baker McKenzie’s ‘responsive and pragmatic’ team is well-equipped to advise on matters pertaining to equity and debt transactions, derivatives, securitisation and structured finance. Practice head Matthias Courvoisier is especially knowledgeable in equity capital market transactions and equity linked debt, such as IPOs and public takeovers. Ansgar Schott specialises in structured products and investment funds, to name a few. Yves Mauchle, who has recently been promoted to partner, advises clients with complex mandates that involve IPOs, GDR offerings and high yield bonds. Tanja Schmid is another key figure to note in the practice.

Spearheaded by ‘outstanding’ Rolf Watter, Ralph Malacrida, Lukas Roesler and Urs Kägi, Bär & Karrer Ltd. is sought out by clients for its expertise in the issuance of bonds and notes, as well as in relation to equity-linked and regulatory capital instruments. The team possesses vast experience in the banking, industrials, technology and healthcare fields. Frédéric Bétrisey is the key contact for capital markets in the firm’s Geneva office, whereas Paolo Bottini is the key contact in the Lugano office.

A ‘pragmatic, solution-oriented and efficient’ team, Kellerhals Carrard routinely operates for banks and large companies, with particular expertise in asset management and financial services, as well as digital capital markets. Transaction expert Beat Brechbühl and Dominik Oberholzer steer the team, with the latter being particularly active in the field of asset management and listed financial products. Luca Bianchi is often engaged in the regulation of financial services, institutions and infrastructures, while Jean-Luc Chenaux’s expertise encompasses IPO and capital market transactions.

Capable of handling international cross-border mandates, MLL Legal demonstrates notable expertise in IPOs, private placements, rights and debts offerings as well as exchange offers. Praised by clients for its ‘excellent cooperation’, the practice is regularly entrusted to assist issuers and investment banks on complex transactions. Wolfgang Müller and Catrina Luchsinger Gähwiler jointly helm the team, with the latter focusing on structuring investment products. Christoph Heiz has recently handled bond restructurings and capital market regulatory matters, while Andrea Sieber is notably active in regulated industries, as well as the entertainment, retail and luxury field. Mark Montanari and Daniel Schoch are other key names to note.

While possessing particular expertise in debt capital market transactions and listings, among others, Pestalozzi’s capabilities extend from high yield bond issues and structured product programmes to a diverse range of innovative transactions. Christian Leuenberger and ‘outstanding’ Oliver Widmer steer the practice, with the former specialising in equity capital market transactions and public takeovers, while the latter counts a diverse array of clients, from banks to high net worth individuals, in his roster. Urs Klöti is recommended for his expertise in regulatory and compliance matters and Beat Schwarz is noted for his expertise in debt capital markets work. Severin Roelli is also recommended.

Noted for its ‘tailor-made advice and deep knowledge of the market’, Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd is well versed in mandates arising from financial services, industrial and energy sectors, among others. The team, which is led by Philippe Borens and Tarek Houdrouge, is capable of advising an array of clients on public takeovers and exchange traded products. Borens excels in the area of equity and debt capital markets and Houdroudge strengthens the team with his knowledge in cross-border trade receivables securitisation and derivative transactions. Olivier Favre’s client base encompasses financial institutions, buy-side firms and issuers. Pascal Hubli and Lorenzo Olgiati are also recommended. In December 2022, Martin Lanz retired from the practice.

Praised for its ‘responsiveness and in-depth knowledge of the market’, VISCHER’s capabilities include the listing of domestic and international equity, debt and issuance programmes, among others. The team also possesses substantial expertise in managing an extensive variety of bond issues. Leading the practice is Adrian Dörig, who demonstrates strengths in structured finance transactions, alongside various regulatory and contractual issues. Markus Guggenbühl bolsters the practice with his considerable experience advising on debt, equity and hybrid financial instruments. Robert Bernet fields a strong practice in the corporate sphere, and Jana Essebier possesses a wealth of experience in assisting clients with derivatives, structured products and other financial instruments.

Led by Matthias Kuert, CMS von Erlach Partners Ltd.’s capital markets practice counts a consortium of clients, from global listed companies to industrial enterprises, in its roster. The team covers a variety of matters in the remit of capital markets, including fintech, proxy fights and an array of compliance issues. Kuert advises clients in general contract, commercial and financial law matters, while Tina Balzli is routinely engaged by leading Swiss and foreign financial institutions to handle a broad scope of matters.

Prager Dreifuss AG principally covers the planning and implementation of IPOs and stock exchange regulation for clients that include listed companies and banks. Urs Bertschinger spearheads the practice, contributing his considerable experience in financial market regulation and financial products. Andreas Moll is geared to handle domestic and cross-border transactions.

Acting for a range of clients extending from privately owned and listed companies to private individuals, boutique firm Valfor maintains a broad offering that encompasses IPOs, rights offerings and bond issuances, among others. Practice head Marc Gruninger bolsters the practice with his expertise in corporate governance, compliance and shareholder relations. Stefan Hofer is another name to note in the practice.

Providing clients with ‘tailored expertise’, Wenger Vieli Ltd fields a broad offering that covers equity and debt capital market matters, as well as advising clients on digitisation and tokenisation. Pascal Honold helms the practice, strengthening the team with his wealth of experience in handling public takeover bids, disclosure requirements and debt instruments, among others. ‘Proactive’ Beat Speck and Wolfgang Zürcher are also recommended.