Boasting a ‘strong international network allowing it to provide comprehensive and cross-border legal services’, Baker McKenzie Switzerland AG leverages its wide-ranging expertise in real estate M&A, tax efficient restructurings and development projects, among others, to represent a plethora of investors, asset managers and construction companies. The practice is jointly steered by Samuel Marbacher and Charles Gschwind; the former is particularly experienced in relation to environmental based real estate transactions and a litany of financing issues, while the latter’s arsenal of skills extends across asset deals, portfolio transactions and the financing of real estate portfolios. Other names to note in the group include Martin Furrer, a strong choice for international clients seeking assistance with sizeable mandates, and Alexander Wyss, a highly capable practitioner on the private equity, M&A and corporate side of the real estate sphere.

Bär & Karrer Ltd. demonstrates prowess across the full spectrum of real estate transactions, and the team possesses considerable strengths in tax related restructurings for real estate groups. The team also handles a diverse array of post-acquisition and lease litigation. Corrado Rampini leads the team, with a broad-ranging practice that encompasses asset deals, portfolio transactions and capital market transactions of listed real estate companies. Other key names to note in the practice include Massimo Vanotti, who possesses a strong grounding in advising start-ups and venture capital firms. Daniel Bader and Christoph Suter contribute their vast expertise in tax related mandates arising from the real estate sector, while Rocco Rigozzi is capable of managing share deals and real estate related M&A, among a host of other mandates.

A team regarded for its ‘perfect coordination’, Lenz & Staehelin maintains a dynamic and varied offering that spans a diverse multitude of real estate issues, from portfolio acquisitions and sale and leaseback transactions to environmental issues and contractor agreements. The team is highly active in the sectors of energy, water, transport and aviation. Leading from Geneva, the ‘factual and pragmatic’ Cécile Berger Meyer is a strong choice for private and institutional clients operating in the sector, while in Zurich Beat Kühni heads up the offering with his extensive capabilities in development and zoning projects, real estate investment fund work and portfolio transactions. Nathalie Adank is well-versed in acquisitions, urban planning and public procurement issues.

Noted for its ‘very high level of service, supported by unique business acumen and professional expertise’, MLL Legal leverages its considerable experience in litigation, transaction structuring and property sales to advise a plethora of private equity investors, banks and high-net-worth individuals. The practice is jointly led by Wolfgang Müller, a seasoned practitioner when it comes to acquisitions and sales of real estate as well as the management of real estate portfolios, and Philippe Prost, who is accomplished on the acquisition and litigation side. Other key names to note include Jacques Johner, who is fully immersed in the public sector, and Thierry Amy joined from BianchiSchwald in July 2024.

Considered a ‘knowledge leader in Swiss real estate’, Niederer Kraft Frey AG is a tour-de-force in relation to a diverse litany of property acquisitions and investments, development projects and real estate restructurings, and the group is routinely entrusted by notable banks, funds and private investors for assistance with multi-faceted mandates. The group is headed by Andreas F Vögeli, who is highly experienced in a varied range of real estate transactions and hotel and leisure projects. Fabiano Menghini handles a significant volume of structuring, asset transfers and share deals, while Marc Iynedjian is equipped to handle complex energy infrastructure projects. Annina Fey and Oliver Zbinden are other key names to note in the practice.

Capitalising on its strong presence across both Zurich and Geneva, Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd frequently handles complex and multi-faceted matters pertaining to international sales and the purchase of commercial real estate. Steered by Yves Jeanrenaud and Josef Caleff, the team is also particularly noted for its knowledge of hotels, offices and industrial premises, and is a suitable choice for an array of international companies and investors. Geneva-based Jeanrenaud’s arsenal of skills is comprised of real estate financing, structuring and commercial lease work, while Zurich-based Caleff’s core workload encompasses commercial leases, contractor agreements and development projects. Amanda Burnand Sulmoni and Katherine Bell are other names to note; the former’s wide-ranging expertise covers a stable of projects, agreements and disputes, and the latter is well-versed in disputes arising from commercial tenancy and lease agreements.

Well-versed in an array of complex real estate disputes, Walder Wyss Ltd. possesses a ‘strong track record’ in the industry more broadly, routinely handling issues for publicly listed companies, real estate funds and high-net-worth individuals. The practice is jointly helmed by transactional expert Francis Nordmann, who is a strong choice for international based clients; Johannes Bürgi, who is particularly noted for his capacity to manage mandates for foreign wealth funds; and Christian Eichenberger, whose skillset is comprised of leases and real estate litigation. Davide Jermini routinely advises those operating within the Ticino real estate market, while André Kuhn is another name to note in the group, who consistently manages the full spectrum of real estate transactions.

On the contentious side, the ‘highly committed and solution oriented’ Bratschi Ltd covers a broad variety of arbitration and litigation arising from the real estate sector, while on the non-contentious side, core aspects of the team's work include planning contracts, zoning law and development projects transactions. Markus Aeschbacher, who is notably adept at managing an expansive array of commercial tenancy issues, planning contracts and contractor agreements, and Thomas Schönenberger, spearhead the firm’s real estate offering. Ion Eglin demonstrates expertise in managing all hotel related issues and Tanja Frischknecht is well-positioned to advise on tenancy law.

Able to draw upon its international network of offices, CMS von Erlach Partners Ltd. regularly assists global scale clients with a myriad of large-scale projects, property acquisitions and portfolio management. The team is praised for its ‘depth of experience and client-oriented service’ and its ‘exceptional, proactive approach’. Four key players head up the group: Sibylle Schnyder, a capable practitioner who is often entrusted by a multitude of developers, investors and financial institutions; Stefan Gerster, who is adept at managing the full diversity of real estate assets; Sidonie Morvan, whose considerable workload consists of residential, industrial and commercial premises management; and Olivier Carrard, a notable presence on the transactional and financing side of this space.

The ‘formidable’ Kellerhals Carrard is steered by Bernd Hauck, who frequently operates on a cross-border scale and routinely handles a range of litigation. Isabelle Romy is also a notable force on the litigation side of the real estate practice, and Fabrizio Gabrielli contributes his experience advising investors, developers and engineers across a host of issues. Other key names include energy and public law expert Christoph Jäger; Andreas Güngerich, who is appropriately equipped to handle civil and administrative proceedings; and Jean-Rodolphe Fiechter, who excels at assisting on cross-border disputes.

Praised for being ‘excellent sparring partners and problem solvers’, Pestalozzi capitalises on its solid bench strength to provide its clients with multi-faceted expertise across project development, the enforcement of contractual rights and property permits, to name a few. The practice continues to expand its transactional capabilities in the hotel and residential arenas. Michael Lips helms the group with his considerable expertise in leases, building right contracts and environmental issues, among others. Paola Wullschleger, who is well-versed in complex developmental projects, and Larissa Rickenbacher, who is equipped to handle public law related issues and environmental concerns.

A team that evidences a ‘high level of expertise’ and provides ‘solutions that are effective and straight to the point’, VISCHER‘s core streams of work are comprised of urban housing, business building and public infrastructure projects alongside demonstrating excellence on the disputes side of the sector. The practice is co-helmed by Roland Müller, whose diverse practice encompasses land purchase, commercial lease and land registry matters, and the ‘excellent’ Maxime Chollet, who possesses a strong grounding in investments, leases and contract work. Andreas Albrecht handles a varied selection of real estate projects and transactions, while the ‘standout’ Moritz Jäggy acts for a consortium of clients in relation to industrial sale and lease back transactions and commercial leases.

Noted for its ability to find ‘creative solutions’, Homburger demonstrates considerable capabilities in the transactional, contractual and regulatory spheres within the sector. The ‘very experienced, pragmatic and solution-oriented’ Stefan Gäumann leads the group with his expansive knowledge in disputes, commercial tenancy law and real estate regulatory matters. Daniel Hasler principally focuses on real estate transactions and general corporate matters, while Marcel Dietrich is well-positioned to advise on litigation, administrative and public procurement matters. Daniel Häusermann is also recommended.

Consistently operating at both a domestic and international level, Mangeat Attorneys at Law LLC acts across a broad variety of real estate development, contractual and financing mandates, to name a few, for a multitude of private and public companies. The practice is spearheaded by Joël Chevallaz, who is noted for his skillset in real estate litigation and development projects, and Pierre Rüttimann, whose particular specialism covers real estate securitisation issues. Jessica Schwalm frequently handles matters pertaining to disputes.

Hans-Ulrich Brunner heads up the real estate practice at Prager Dreifuss AG, which combines its considerable experience in real estate financing, commercial leases and payment disputes to advise a plethora of landowners, project developers and various specialists. Brunner handles a sizeable volume of real estate transactions for owners, planners and designers. Raphael Keller operates across a varied range of litigation and enforcement matters, whereas Bernhard Lauterburg is highly experienced on the public procurement side.

Counting small and medium sized companies and a variety of global scale operators among its key roster of clients, Valfor Attorneys-at-law maintains a diverse offering that spans real estate assets, investment vehicles and zoning issues. The practice is spearheaded by Yves de Coulon, who deploys his vast expertise across leases, real estate assets, public procurement and a variety of transactions; Marc Metzger, who is a solid choice for private real estate investors and various construction companies; and Bruno Hunziker, who is well-positioned to advise on hotel and resort complexes.

Gaudenz Schwitter helms the group at Wenger Plattner, which demonstrates ‘good knowledge’ in the remit of real estate management, building permit disputes and investment issues, to name a few. The team is also active in handling litigation services in public and private law. Schwitter possesses a strong grounding in an array of real estate, construction and tenancy issues. Placidus Plattner handles an array of public and private law related mandates, while Beat Stalder is well-positioned to advise government agencies and parliamentary bodies on planning projects.

Mark Eichner and Daniel Tobler spearhead the offering at burckhardt Ltd, which is capable of advising on a broad variety of transactions, including property sales and joint ownership issues. Eichner’s wealth of experience encompasses transnational trusts and succession planning, while Tobler is a solid choice for private and institutional clients operating in this area. Jacqueline Burckhardt is another key player in the team, contributing her considerable expertise across the full spectrum of real estate matters.

Capable of advising on matters covering a stable of commercial, retail and residential properties, Chabrier Avocats fields a diverse practice that spans zoning law, public procurement, acquisition and regulatory mandates. Steering the practice is Mathieu Simona, who has a strong grounding in managing real estate acquisitions by foreign clients and public procurement matters.

Drawing upon its strengths in the legal and tax arenas, Christoph Nater leads the real estate practice at MME Legal | Tax | Compliance, which is comprised of solid expertise across residential, commercial, industrial and land real estate issues. Nater is particularly adept at real estate related contracts, transactions and proceedings, among other issues, while Andreas Rudolf is well-positioned to advise on a host of transactions as well as the real estate aspects of M&A.

Roman Heiz heads up the offering at Wenger Vieli Ltd with his ‘meticulous understanding of legal complexities’ and transactional matters in the field. The group is noted for its wealth of experience that spans transactions, administrative proceedings and disputes, and is regarded by clients for its ‘deep expertise and strong focus on client needs’.