Fielding a comprehensive insurance offering, Bär & Karrer Ltd. advises a consortium of clients on license applications, regulatory compliance, transactions and disputes. Peter Hsu spearheads the practice with his wide-ranging expertise advising Swiss and foreign insurers, insurance intermediaries and fintech businesses on a diverse spread of matters. Financial services expert Eric Stupp’s strengths lie in regulatory matters, enforcement proceedings and M&A. Daniel Flühmann is well versed in the remits of banking, insurance and financial market laws, while Markus Schott is well equipped to manage a variety of regulatory and administrative law matters. Tiffany Ender is also recommended.
Insurance in Switzerland
Bär & Karrer Ltd.
Responsables de la pratique:
Peter Hsu
Autres avocats clés:
Eric Stupp; Daniel Flühmann; Markus Schott; Tiffany Ender
Les références
‘Peter Hsu does outstanding work.’
‘Highly specialised teams that work efficiently and are goal-oriented.’
Principaux clients
AXA
Zurich Insurance Group
Swiss Life
Swiss Re
Mobiliar
Chubb
CLARK Group
RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.
RenaissanceRe Europe AG
Generali
AON Schweiz AG
Credendo
CSS Versicherung AG
Principaux dossiers
gbf Attorneys-at-law Ltd
Helmed by Lars Gerspacher, Dominik Skrobala, Clemens von Zedtwitz and Nando Stauffer von May, gbf Attorneys-at-law Ltd’s stellar client roster includes insurance and reinsurance carriers, alongside numerous other insurance-related market players. While covering the full gamut of insurance services, the ‘solution-oriented’ team is noted for its expertise in relation to financial lines and cyber claims, product liability proceedings and regulatory issues. Gerspacher is regularly entrusted by clients with international arbitration proceedings, drafting policies and reinsurance contracts as well as regulatory compliance. Skrobola’s wide-ranging experience extends from licensing matters to private medical insurance, while von Zedtwitz is pre-eminent in the dispute resolution arena of the insurance sphere. Stauffer von May strengthens the practice with his accomplishments across contentious and non-contentious work.
Responsables de la pratique:
Lars Gerspacher; Dominik Skrobala; Clemens von Zedtwitz; Nando Stauffer von May
Les références
‘The team at GBF have been, and remain, varied, responsive and supportive. We are very content with the quality of service and legal know-how they have supplied to us over the years of collaboration.’
‘Lars Gerspacher retains an outstanding overview over the many different legal matters that we deal with at any point in time. He can be relied upon with absolute confidence. His expertise has been a great support.’
‘The team remain outstanding both for competency and commercial acumen.’
Principaux clients
AIG Europe
Allianz Suisse
Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty
AXA Insurance SA
AXA XL
Beazley Insurance DAC
Berkshire Hathaway International Insurance
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance
Bupa, London
Chubb Insurance
CNA Hardy
Ergo Insurance
FM Insurance
HDI Global
Helvetia Insurance Co.
Markel Insurance SE Germany
Markel International Insurance UK
MedPro Group
MS Amlin AG
Tryg Forsikring A/S, Ballerup, Zurich Branch
Principaux dossiers
Prager Dreifuss AG
Prager Dreifuss AG fields an expansive practice that covers insurance and reinsurance investigations, property and construction losses as well as air freight loss, to name a few. The team also demonstrates considerable strength in assisting clients with regulatory matters. Leading the practice is Christoph Graber, who is pre-eminent in fields including banking and financial services, E&O and product liability insurance. Hans-Ulrich Brunner is noted for his capability in defence litigation, while Gion Christian Casanova is particularly experienced in assisting insurers and reinsurers with coverage disputes. Reto M. Jenny is especially knowledgeable in the field of insurance supervision law. Andrea Stäubli is another name to note in the practice.
Responsables de la pratique:
Christoph Graber
Autres avocats clés:
Hans-Ulrich Brunner; Gion Christian Casanova; Reto M. Jenny; Andrea Staeubli
Les références
‘The team around Christoph Graber has leading experience and many successes in insurance cases. So far, we have never lost in a trial when represented by Graber.’
‘Extremely knowledgeable and very responsive team, led by Christoph Graber, one of Switzerland’s most renowned insurance specialist and advisor, seconded by Reto M. Jenny and Andrea Stäubli.’
‘They field one of the largest insurance teams in Switzerland and regularly advise and represent us in insurance matters, in particular in complex claims. Their team is highly skilled and very dedicated to its clients, making them one of the leading providers in this field.’
Principaux dossiers
Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd
Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd maintains a broad insurance offering, including notable expertise in relation to complex multi-jurisdictional litigation. Key undertakings for the practice involve private insurance and reinsurance law, insurance fraud defence and insurance broker-related issues. Alexander von Ziegler and Olivier Favre lead from the firm’s Zurich office and Tarek Houdrouge from the Geneva office. Von Ziegler is a key contact for clients needing assistance with high-profile defence, disputes and regulatory issues, while Favre’s expertise encompasses commodities as well as insurance and reinsurance regulation, among others. Houdrouge handles various mandates, such as lending transactions and the distribution of financial products, for the team.
Principaux clients
Uber
Baloise
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Switzerland’s largest health insurance provider CSS on the setup of a digital health platform for patients and health service providers in joint venture with different other players.
- Ongoing advice on acquisitions, capital market transactions as well as on tax compliance aspects.
CMS von Erlach Partners Ltd.
Capable of acting for a diverse range of clients, CMS von Erlach Partners Ltd. is sought out for assistance with matters pertaining to legal, regulatory and tax advice in the insurance sphere. Key undertakings include the structuring, issuance, marketing and distribution of insurance products, alongside demonstrable capabilities in handling the drafting and review of policies and broker agreements. Jodok Wicki helms the practice, counting large insurance and reinsurance companies amongst his client roster. Kaspar Landolt’s wide-ranging experience encompasses corporate lending, insurance and collective investment schemes.
Responsables de la pratique:
Jodok Wicki
Autres avocats clés:
Kaspar Landolt; Sébastien Moret
Principaux clients
AIG
Axa XL
Principaux dossiers
- Advised a large international insurance company on complex cyber breach claim with respect to coverage.
- Advised a large international insurance company on claim against a tower of insurers regarding a claim under a PI policy in the financial markets industry
- Providing coverage advice regarding Lloyds BBB policy relating to unfaithful conduct of employee in connection with structured financial products and handling of client accounts.
Kellerhals Carrard
Jointly spearheaded by Christoph Frey, Pascal Grolimund, Thomas Eichenberger, Nicolas Gillard and Ivan Paparelli, Kellerhals Carrard’s insurance practice is particularly proficient in assisting notable insurance and reinsurance companies with a diverse spectrum of corporate and regulatory matters. The team also provides legal support to underwriting departments of insurers regarding Swiss law. Grolimund is well-versed in the remit of insurance disputes, while Frey is regularly entrusted by clients in matters of torts and third party liability disputes.
Responsables de la pratique:
Christoph Frey; Pascal Grolimund; Thomas Eichenberger; Nicolas Gillard; Ivan Paparelli
Autres avocats clés:
Claudio Helmle; Laura Manz, Karin Friedli, Matthias Spinner
Les références
‘Specialist knowledge of insurance law and practice.’
‘Christoph Frey and Pascal Grolimund are outstanding lawyers with deep knowledge and experience in contentious insurance law matters.’
Principaux clients
KPT Versicherungen AG
Visana Services AG
Baloise Insurance Ltd
Chubb Insurance (Switzerland) Limited
AXA Insurance Ltd
AIG Europe S.A., Luxembourg; Branch Opfikon; Zürich Glattbrugg
Swiss Re International SE, Luxembourg, Zurich Branch,
Swiss Mobiliar Insurance Company Ltd
Swiss Life Ltd. Zurich
Allianz Suisse Insurance Company Ltd
Helvetia Swiss Insurance Company Limited
Catlin Europe SE, Cologne, Zurich Branch
Principaux dossiers
- Representing Swatch Group in litigation proceedings against Zurich Insurance Company Ltd concerning business-interruption and property-damage insurance claims exceeding CHF100m caused by fire.
- Advised MoonLake Immunotherapeutics AG as lead counsel on all legal aspects regarding two trials, including the negotiation of the global clinical trial insurance policies.
- Representing an insurance company in an arbitration proceeding under Swiss Rules regarding a coverage dispute of a liability insurance, amounting to approximately $50m.
Lenz & Staehelin
Acting for a host of clients that extends from start-ups to established multinational insurers, Lenz & Staehelin’s comprehensive insurance offering is comprised of transactional, regulatory, commercial, coverage and dispute resolution-related matters. The team possesses a strong presence in the financial services realm. Olivier Stahler and Lukas Morscher jointly lead the practice, with the former contributing his vast expertise in banking and finance law as well as regulatory advice in relation to the granting of licenses. The latter strengthens the practice with his extensive experience in managing international and domestic transactions.
Responsables de la pratique:
Olivier Stahler; Lukas Morscher
Autres avocats clés:
Leo Rusterholz; Lukas Staub
Les références
‘They provide high quality accurate and clear advice on Swiss insurance regulation issues. I have been very happy to work with Lukas Morscher and his team and to recommend them to others.’
‘Lenz & Staehelin’s insurance team are well-connected, commercially aware and willing to take our corner in discussions with counterparties.’
‘Lukas Morscher is very approachable, knowledgeable in his field and tenacious in discussions with counterparties, ably assisted by associate Leo Rusterholz.’
Principaux clients
Baloise Insurance Holding
consimo
Caterpillar Insurance Company
Generali
Liberty Mutual
Octium Group
Resolution Life
Resolution Re
Schweizerische Mobiliar Versicherungsgesellschaft AG
TransRe
Unilever Reinsurance AG
Vaudoise Assurances Holding SA
Principaux dossiers
- Advising a global insurance and investment broker group on legal, regulatory and contract aspects of the development and operation of an online platform for the cross-border intermediation and offering of collateralized reinsurance and related investment opportunities into Switzerland.
- Advised a captive insurance carrier of world-leading construction and mining equipment manufacturer on all legal, regulatory and contract aspects of intra-group outsourcing significant functions by Swiss entities.
- Advising a global mobile and gadget protection tech company on legal and regulatory aspects of insurance intermediary activities in and cross-border to Switzerland.
Pestalozzi
‘Responsive, friendly and professional’, the insurance practice at Pestalozzi is pre-eminent in the regulatory sphere, alongside demonstrable strengths in assisting clients with M&A and other transactions. Insurers, reinsurers, insurance brokers and insurtech companies are included in the team’s client roster. Christoph Lang, Andrea Huber, Beat Schwarz, Lukas Rusch and Markus Winkler jointly steer the group. Lang holds a corporate focus, while Huber strengthens the practice with her notable expertise in insurance regulatory matters. Schwarz and Winkler’s capabilities include insurtech matters, and Rusch regularly handles insurance litigation.
Responsables de la pratique:
Christoph Lang; Andrea Huber; Beat Schwarz; Lukas Rusch; Markus Winkler
Les références
‘Very responsive and work with you every step of the way suggesting the best regulator approaches and commercial solutions.’
‘Very knowledgeable on regulatory solutions and great to work with – would choose them every time.’
‘Beat Schwarz is great to work with and invariably helpful on the regulatory and corporate questions we have, suggesting practical solutions rather than just quoting regulation.’
Principaux clients
AIG
AXA Climate
AXA XL
AXIS
Bolttech (i-surance AG)
Credit Suisse
Credit Suisse Insurance Linked Strategies AG
Howden
Hyperion Insurance Group
Sompo International
Swiss Life
EcoHub
The Prudential Insurance Company of America
HanseMerkur
Standard Chartered Bank
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Vista Private Equity in its acquisition of leading insur-tech Duck Creek group which includes Swiss insur-tech Imburse AG.
- Advised 23 Swiss insurers and brokers (incl. Swiss Life; AXA; Mobiliar; Allianz Suisse; Zurich) in connection with their insurtech joint-venture EcoHub AG.
- Advised AXA XL in its daily operations as well as on strategic matters in Switzerland
VISCHER
With capabilities across regulatory and corporate issues, VISCHER’s insurance practice incorporates a variety of coverage issues, extending from financial line and property policies to D&O and crime policies. Litigation expert Daniele Favalli steers the practice, routinely representing major insurance companies in coverage analysis, claims and litigation as well as expertise in the policy advisory field. Adrian Dörig bolsters the practice with his experience in handling structured finance transactions.
Responsables de la pratique:
Daniele Favalli
Autres avocats clés:
Adrian Dörig
Principaux clients
AIG
MCH Group, Art Basel Hong Kong / Art Basel Miami Beach
Principaux dossiers
- Advising MCH, who is enforcing claims against their insurers (Llodys) under a cancellation policy.
Baker McKenzie Switzerland AG
Operating for insurers, reinsurers, financial institutions and a host of corporate entities, Baker McKenzie Switzerland AG maintains a varied offering that is comprised of contentious insurance work, regulatory and contractual matters, as well as expertise in designing and advising financial products. The practice is jointly led by Joachim Frick, who is vastly experienced in regulatory proceedings and coverage disputes, and Lyubomir Georgiev, who is able to advise clients on life insurance products.
Responsables de la pratique:
Joachim Frick; Lyubomir Georgiev
Les références
‘Uncomplicated cooperation and broad network of international partners for regulatory issues.’
Principaux clients
Swiss Re
Zurich Insurance
Generali
Principaux dossiers
Homburger
Homburger’s multifaceted practice encompasses particular expertise in assisting insurance companies with tax issues, alongside capabilities in handling cross-border matters and transactions. Steering the practice is Hansjürg Appenzeller, who possesses extensive experience in advising insurance and reinsurance companies on M&A, capital markets, license and regulatory matters as well as corporate governance compliance.
Responsables de la pratique:
Hansjürg Appenzeller
Autres avocats clés:
Fabrice Eckert
Principaux clients
Helvetia
Wefox
Principaux dossiers
- Advised wefox as transaction counsel on a Series D extension funding round.
- Representing Helvetia in data privacy related aspects in preparation for US litigation and arbitration proceedings.
- Advising a global insurance group on impact of new insurance laws on risk absorbing capital instruments.
Nater Dallafior Rechtsanwälte AG
Noted for its dispute resolution expertise, Nater Dallafior Rechtsanwälte AG is particularly proficient in handling contentious issues related to insurance and reinsurance law. The team is also regularly involved in matters of insurance coverage, litigation and a diverse array of policies. Litigation and arbitration expert Benjamin Schumacher and Roberto Dallafior spearhead the practice, with the latter holding notable expertise in business and professional liability insurance and property insurance, among others. Mladen Stojiljković joined the team from VISCHER in February 2023 and Nino Sievi joined from Lex Futura the following month.
Responsables de la pratique:
Benjamin Schumacher; Roberto Dallafior
Autres avocats clés:
Mladen Stojiljković; Nino Sievi
Les références
‘Nater Dallafior Rechtsanwälte AG showed excellent organisation, clear processes and speed. There was no loss of time.’
‘Our lawyer was extremely well prepared, precise and focused. Excellent strategic and people skills.’
‘Deep knowledge of the insurance sector.’
Principaux dossiers
Thouvenin Rechtsanwälte
Helmed by Martin Bürkle, Thouvenin Rechtsanwälte is geared to handle a diverse scope of matters, from contractual liability and tort to private insurance law. The team demonstrates considerable proficiency in issues related to claims management. Bürkle, who is regarded as possessing ‘excellent knowledge’, fields a broad practice that covers all aspects of insurance law.
Responsables de la pratique:
Martin Bürkle
Les références
‘I specially work together with the Martin Bürkle in the field of accident insurance. He has a real excellent knowledge in this special field.’
‘The collaboration is very comfortable. The discussions are very good and Martin Bürkle always presents good solutions to solve the claims.’
‘Martin Bürkle is always reachable and there are no long waiting times.’
Principaux dossiers
Wartmann Merker Ltd.
With a notable focus on litigation and arbitration, Wartmann Merker Ltd.’s capabilities include liability and bankruptcy claims. The team is regularly entrusted by a suite of domestic and foreign clients. Practice head Giovanna Montanaro advises clients on a range of insurance law issues, being particularly well versed in handling cross-border litigation in the insurance sphere.
Responsables de la pratique:
Giovanna Montanaro
Les références
‘Practical approach. Good and fast communication. Excellent specialist practices.’
‘Personal approach. Accessible.’