Chabrier Avocats

‘Platinum tier’ Homburger counts blue-chip companies and technology giants among its key roster of clients, and it also boasts established relationships with data protection authorities in Switzerland. The practice is jointly helmed by Gregor Bühler and ‘very diligent thinker’ Luca Dal Molin; the former is highly experienced in a significant amount of cross-border mandates and disputes, and the latter is a tour-de-force in relation to GDPR implementation, data transfers, and issues surrounding innovative technology. Kirsten Wesiak-Schmidt is also recommended.

Regarded as a ‘legally very skilful team with a good long-term understanding of business needs’, MLL Legal demonstrates prowess across international e-commerce projects, cybersecurity issues, and data protection surrounding AI and other innovative technology, enabling it to operate for a stellar variety of clients, ranging from telecom and media companies to banking services providers and insurers. Lukas Bühlmann, who is particularly knowledgeable in legal issues at the interface of competition law and digital commerce, and Nicola Benz, who reinforces the team’s strengths with her considerable expertise in the life sciences and technology sectors, jointly lead the group. Another key name to note is the ‘very pragmatic’ Michael Reinle, who is fully immersed in the realm of software and IT, with notable skills in relation to cloud computing, SaaS, and the Internet of Things. Michael Schüepp is also recommended.

The team of ‘market leaders’ at VISCHER maintains a wide-ranging practice that is centrally comprised of cloud computing compliance, global privacy programmes, and AI compliance work. The team is praised for its ‘very good expertise in both technical and legal matters’. David Rosenthal, who heads up the group, is regarded as ‘one of the leading experts’ and a ‘household name’ in the data privacy field. Rolf Auf Der Maur is well-versed in the arenas of digitalisation, online businesses, and various other facets of data law, while Christian Wyss is particularly accomplished in the life sciences sector, frequently handling a core workload of IP and IT transactions. Samira Studer is also recommended.

Fielding a broad practice that covers the technology, financial services, media, and transport sectors, the ‘top-notch’ practice at Walder Wyss Ltd., which is spearheaded by Roger Staub, is noted for its expertise in compliance, conduct investigations, and data disputes. The ‘very experienced’ David Vasella possesses a wealth of experience across IT projects and cloud outsourcing projects, while Jürg Schneider is well-positioned to advise on an array of multi-jurisdictional mandates that often incorporate elements of licensing, system integration, and outsourcing projects. Martin Zobl and Hannes Meyle are other key names to note in the group.

Praised for its ‘precise work’ and ‘clear reasoning’, Baker McKenzie Switzerland AG handles a significant volume of GDPR and international data transfer work alongside the structuring and implementation of cross-border tech-related privacy and compliance programmes. Alessandro Celli steers the practice with his particular strengths in GDPR compliance programmes, Internet of Things issues, and a host of other implementation projects. Another name to note in the team is ‘expert’ Johanna Mösch, who fields a varied practice that extends across cybersecurity, data processing, and outsourcing issues.

Rated as an ‘excellent’, Bär & Karrer Ltd. is frequently retained by a diverse client roster for advice regarding privacy requirements, cybersecurity risks, and the development of data-drive products and services. The offering is helmed by Corrado Rampini, who frequently handles data protection due diligence work arising from a stable of M&A and capital markets transactions, and Christian Kunz, whose varied arsenal of skills is comprised of cybercrime, the monetisation of data, and data disclosure requests, to name a few. Jonas Bornhauser contributes his transactional and advisory capabilities to the group, while Rehana Harasgama‘s expertise includes AI, digital platform, and advertising issues.

Noted for its ‘ability to find the best solution’, id est avocats sàrl integrates its corporate, IP, and technology capabilities to handle multi-faceted data protection matters for a plethora of healthcare and technology companies. Two key players operate at the forefront of the practice: Michel Jaccard, whose capabilities extend across the full spectrum of innovative technologies, such as AI and digital health, and the ‘highly skilled’ Alexandre Jotterand, who possesses a wealth of experience in an array of cybersecurity, data management, and IT issues, particularly within the life sciences and med tech industries.

The ‘pragmatic and responsive’ practice at Lenz & Staehelin covers a broad range of regulatory, corporate, and technology sourcing issues connected to data privacy and protection; alongside this, the team is routinely involved in data transfers, customer data usage, and cybercrime. The practice is steered by Guy Vermeil, an adept practitioner in relation to IT and outsourcing issues, Lukas Morscher, whose set of skills encompass technology, financial services, and business sourcing issues, and Jürg Simon, who capitalises on his IP and competition expertise to strengthen his advice to notable technology clients regarding data issues.

Steered by András Gurovits and Clara-Ann Gordon, Niederer Kraft Frey AG is accomplished in the fields of cybersecurity audits, corporate data privacy reviews, and litigation, and the team continues to enhance its Geneva offering. Gordon is regarded for her wide-ranging practice that spans outsourcing, e-discovery, and data compliance work, while Gurovits draws upon his background as a software engineer and analyst to advise on a diverse variety of technology, governance, and arbitration issues. Jacques Bonvin is a strong choice for technology and life sciences, while Janine Reudt-Demont is particularly knowledgeable in relation to healthcare and medical apps, as well as software matters. The team is characterised by its ‘sound specialised knowledge of the healthcare sector’.

Praised for its ‘exceptional knowledge’, Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd is adept at managing IT, IP, and telecoms matters arising from the insurance, pharmaceutical, and construction industries, among others, with other skills extending to the sphere of arbitration. Practice leader Roland Mathys is well-versed in the realm of outsourcing, SaaS, and cloud transactions, as well as sizeable technology projects. Other key names to note include Lorenza Ferrari Hofer, who deploys her wide-ranging experience in product development, licensing, and technology distribution issues to advise a range of life sciences and technology companies, while Stéphanie Chuffart-Finsterwald handles compliance and venture projects alongside dispute resolution issues.

TMT boutique Arioli Law is especially knowledgeable in the realms of financial services, healthcare, and software development, with particular strengths in the public sector. The practice is jointly led by Martina Arioli, whose key focuses are comprised of data protection and the role of AI technology in music and film law, alongside a multitude of regulatory matters, and Lukas Bruhin, who is primarily noted for his capacity to manage digital transformations within the public sector.

The ‘highly skilled’ team at Bratschi Ltd actively handles a myriad of data protection requests, IP, and EU data regulations for a diverse roster of clients. The practice is spearheaded by the ‘phenomenal’ Adrian Bieri, who is ‘the lawyer you want to have by your side’, and Adrian Wyss; the former is well-positioned to advise on a host of IP, technology, and data protection matters, and the latter is well-versed in the white-collar crime remit.

‘Exceptionally strong negotiator’ Dirk Spacek heads up the data privacy and protection offering at CMS von Erlach Partners Ltd., providing clients with a strong understanding in a variety of compliance and advisory mandates, as well as data protection issues surrounding a stable of M&A transactions. The team maintains a comprehensive offering, particularly across regulated industries such as technology, energy, and financial services, that ranges from general data privacy compliance work to protection issues arising from sustainability and supply chains. Julia Nitschke is also recommended.

A team recommended for its ‘global presence and internal network’, Eversheds Sutherland AG fields a varied practice, comprised of core streams of privacy and cybersecurity mandates alongside the implementation of the new Act. Markus Naef steers the group with his substantive knowledge in handling data protection compliance issues for multinational corporations. Oliver Beldi strengthens the group with his experience advising both private and public companies operating in the realm of data, and Carol Tissot is well-versed in international data transfers and employment-related issues.

Retaining a solid involvement in the fields of media, telecoms, banking, and life sciences, Kellerhals Carrard handles a range of compliance, IT procurement, and regulatory issues, routinely advising on due diligence for an array of clients. Three key players lead the practice: IP expert Daniel Alder, who frequently handles data issues surrounding trade mark and copyright issues, Daniel Emch, who is well-versed in sector-specific regulations, and Nicolas Mosimann, who is fully immersed in the software, technology, and life sciences sectors.

Counting a host of multi-national blue-chip corporations and start-ups in its client roster, MME Legal | Tax | Compliance is well-positioned to advise on data issues arising from disruptive technologies and a multitude of cross-border mandates. The team is helmed by Caroline Gaul, who possesses a strong grounding in Swiss and EU data protection law and data protection mandates. Martin Eckert frequently handles data issues pertaining to emerging technologies and technology-related business models. Michael Kunz is also recommended.

Antoine Amiguet and Philipp Fischer jointly lead the offering at OBERSON ABELS SA, a team that frequently handles GDPR and Swiss Federal Data Protection Act issues and is regarded for its ‘pragmatic approach’. Amiguet is a solid choice for financial institutions seeking assistance with regulatory advice, and Fischer, who provides an ‘excellent service’, possesses considerable expertise in relation to data protection regulations and the digitalisation of the financial services industry.

‘Extremely accurate, pragmatic and knowledgeable’, Pestalozzi routinely operates within the sectors of life sciences, technology, and finance, providing its client roster with expertise in advising on global IT platform programmes, cyber criminality issues, and data protection issues surrounding social media, to name a few. Michèle Burnier leads the team with her wide-ranging skillset that is comprised of IP, data protection and e-commerce mandates, among others, while experienced arbitrator Thomas Legler is also highly active in IP and IT-related mandates. Sarah Drukarch and Markus Winkler are also recommended.

Valfor Attorneys-at-law pairs its contentious experience in data and TMT with its non-contentious experience in regard to transactions, compliance, and data transfers to advise an array of start-ups, listed companies, and established technology corporations. Leo Rusterholz, who joined from Lenz & Staehelin in June 2024, leads the team and is geared to handle a range of cybersecurity, data breach investigations, and e-commerce matters, to name a few. Christoph Gasser employs his disputes experience to act for a litany of pharmaceutical, fashion, and banking clients, while Stephan Hofer contributes his substantive transactional expertise.

The ‘young and dynamic team’ at Wenger Vieli Ltd particularly excels in managing data issues arising from new technology, cleantech, and the provision of advice to non-profit organisations. The ‘extremely dynamic’ Claudia Keller, who is praised for providing ‘efficient solutions’, leads the team, and she is ably supported by Matthias Langenegger.