Hall Of Fame

Next Generation Partners

Leading Associates

Transport in Switzerland

gbf Attorneys-at-law Ltd

gbf Attorneys-at-law Ltd offers a full-service practice to high-profile clients in the aviation, marine, shipping, transportation, and trading sectors. Its work covers the multiple facets of the transportation industry including design, operation, insurance, and customs matters. Lars Gerspacher is the ‘go-to‘ person to handle matters relating to insurance, aviation and maritime law. Laurent Chassot dedicates his time purely to aerospace matters. Philippe Wenker focuses on aircraft financing matters where he has extensive experience in advising several domestic and foreign aircraft financiers. Nando Stauffer von May, who does both contentious and non-contentious work, handles several transport insurance claims for high-profile clients. Marco Novoselac specialises in technology, trade and retail, as well as aviation and aerospace.

Responsables de la pratique:

Laurent Chassot; Lars Gerspacher; Nando Stauffer von May; Philippe Wenker; Marco Novoselac


Autres avocats clés:

Yolande Lagrange; Christophe Platel


Les références

‘Great litigation department – really responsive, thorough, and experienced. Knowledge of the industry sector is fantastic. Just started working with the corporate team too – also a great team.’

‘gbf Attorneys-at-law Ltd combines excellent technical knowledge with an ability to integrate business issues into its analysis. They have a unique industry focus and are, in my view the leading Swiss law firm in the fields of aviation, shipping, transport financing.’

‘They offer a comprehensive service and I believe that they bring true expertise to a matter based on their breadth of experience. They position in the Swiss legal market is really unique. Given their unique focus on specific and challenging industry sectors, gbf provides in-depth, expert knowledge, as well as a full range of services, in those core practice areas. Their expertise is unmatched.’

Principaux clients

Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty


AIG Europe S.A.


Allianz Suisse


AXA Assurances SA


AXA XL


Chubb Insurance


DHL


Ergo Insurance


Fly 7 Executive Aviation SA


Global Aerospace Underwriting Managers


HDI Global


Helvetia Insurance Co.


Maersk A/S


Principaux dossiers


HFW

HFW‘s ‘professional and client oriented’ team collaborates with its international network to advise client such as shipowners, charterers, P&I Clubs, banks, governments, and brokers on commercial, regulatory, and litigation matters. The team has extensive knowledge of the dry shipping, admiralty and crisis management markets as well as transactional work. Practice head Michael Buisset specialises in advising clients on dry shipping litigation and arbitration, including charterparties, bills of lading, ship sale and purchase, marine insurance (hull, cargo and P&I), and contracts of affreightment and is often involved in landmark court cases. Sarah Hunt has extensive experience advising trading companies, charterers and owners on complex shipping and international trade disputes. Hunt also heads a team of lawyers which has advised HFW’s industry clients on shipping, trading, insurance and complex trade finance matters involving multi-jurisdictional sanctions arising out of the Russo-Ukrainian war. Georges Racine and William Hold are also key members of the team.

Responsables de la pratique:

Michael Buisset


Autres avocats clés:

Sarah Hunt; Georges Racine; William Hold; Caroline West; Christian Iovene


Les références

‘The team is very professional and client oriented.’

‘William Hold – super knowledgeable and professional. Replying quickly. Working with big attention to the details.’

 

Principaux clients

Arab Bank (Switzerland) Ltd


Apix (Agency for Foreign Investment and Major Works of the Republic of Senegal)


Japan P&I Club


Banque de Commerce et de Placement SA


UniCredit Bank AG


Hafesa Energia SL


Principaux dossiers


  • Act for the financing bank in a dispute with the owner of a vessel over an alleged misdelivery of cargo.
  • Advising Agence de Promotion des Investissements et Grands Travaux-APIX- of the Republic of Senegal on all corporate issues connected with the high value Dakar-Diamniadio-AIBD Express Regional Train project.
  • Acted for Sellers in 8 separate sale & purchase transactions, comprising the client’s entire fleet of trading vessels including advising on the MOA and utilising the team’s cross-jurisdictional expertise in the sale of Swiss-flagged vessels to assure expeditious closings.

Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd

Full-service firm Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd has broad experience in all aspects of trade and transport law including transportation and insurance litigation, aviation and shipping regulatory matters, non-contentious matters concerning trade finance, and transactional matters. In Zurich, the ‘highly talented’ Alexander von Ziegler heads the team with his longstanding practice in the maritime sector, aviation and trade law, involving a number of insurance litigations. Geneva team head Bernard Vischer has extensive expertise in transactional work in the aviation and shipping industries. Grégoire Wuest represents high-profile clients in acquisitions and non-standard lending transactions in relation to shipping and aviation. Wuest is supported by Edmond Kohler, who fields expertise across the business aircraft industry.

Responsables de la pratique:

Alexander von Ziegler ; Bernard Vischer 


Autres avocats clés:

Grégoire Wuest; Edmond Kohler


Les références

‘The team stands out for their commercial knowledge of the market and their strong legal skills, which makes them a reliable partner in the area.’

‘Alexander Von Ziegler is a first-level practitioner in the area. Highly talented and with strong commercial and legal skills. Highly recommended.’

‘They are the leaders in Switzerland in their area and very good connections.’

Principaux clients

EasyJet


Panalpina Welttransport Holding AG


Uber


Principaux dossiers


  • Providing regulatory and corporate advice to Uber, in particular in the context of the implementation of new regulations in various cantons, in particular a regulatory procedure by the Swiss postal regulator on the qualification of Uber Eats as postal services.
  • Advising a sovereign country in connection with the management of its fleet of aircraft, including the sale and acquisition of several aircraft, ranging from Embraer E-2 family to Boeing aircraft and governmental aircraft.
  • Advised LokRoll3 in a financing transaction for the acquisition of 35 newly built Vectron AC locomotives from Siemens Mobility AG.

Eversheds Sutherland AG

Specialising in the rail industry, Eversheds Sutherland AG utilises the expertise of its global network to support Swiss and international companies in commercial matters and public procurement projects. In Berne, Oliver Beldi, who has extensive expertise in corporate commercial matters, and Bruno Schoch, whose practice covers railway-related administrative law and regulatory affairs, co-head the team. Zurich Practice head Barbara Klett has a special focus on liability and insurance law, domestic and international logistics, and transport law. The team is supported by dispute resolution expert Peter Haas.

Responsables de la pratique:

Oliver Beldi; Bruno Schoch; Barbara Klett


Autres avocats clés:

Barbara Klett


Les références

‘Eversheds Sutherland is a leading law firm in the transport sector due to their sector know how and specialist expertise in a broad range of legal areas. The advice is always practical and to the point and they are very nice to work with. Diversity and inclusion is high on the agenda of the firm.’

‘Oliver Beldi is the head of the practice, very professional and always available with a hands-on approach. He ensures that client expectations are fulfilled or exceeded. Bruno Schoch (procurement law specialist) and Barbara Klett (litigation, liability and transport law specialist) both are experts in their fields, very solution oriented and highly trusted advisors for our company.’

‘It is a leading law firm in the transport sector due to their sector know how and specialist expertise in a broad range of legal areas. The advice is always practical and to the point and they are very nice to work with. Diversity and inclusion is high on the agenda of the firm.’

Principaux clients

IATA


Signature Aviation


Eaton Corp


Parker Hannifin


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised a major railway company in Switzerland in several procurements (CHF3bn) and in dispute resolutions (over CHF9m).
  • Advised a Swiss public transport provider in procurement, contract and construction law in regards to the reconstruction of a major railway station (over CHF1.5bn).

Streichenberg

In December 2022, Zurich-based business law boutique Streichenberg extended their dispute resolution department with the introduction of an insurance and transport desk led by insurance expert Cem Arikan, who joined from gbf Attorneys-at-law Ltd, and Manuel Bader. The team advises and represents both foreign and domestic clients in all logistics-related disputes, with a special focus on marine insurance claims and customs matters, before the Swiss courts, arbitral tribunals, and government agencies.

Responsables de la pratique:

Cem Arikan; Manuel Bader; Peter Herter


Autres avocats clés:

Oliver Kaufmann


Les références

‘Our request was understood and processed to our full satisfaction.’

‘The skills of its lawyers makes Streichenberg one of the best insurance firms in Switzerland. Due to the international network of insurance law firms of which they are part, INSULAW INTERNATIONAL, they are the most suitable firm to handle claims on a global or international level.’

‘The partners and lawyers are regularly involved in cross-border claims and have the necessary skills and experience to handle them efficiently. We are aware of the firm’s efforts to promote diversity and compatibility between the professional and personal lives of its members.’

Principaux dossiers


  • Advised a Swiss insurance undertaking on a coverage dispute under a cargo policy with a claim value beyond CHF 500k.
  • Instruction from a Swiss insurance undertaking to advise and represent them in a coverage dispute relating to a maritime insurance claim made by their insured with a value of CHF 3m.
  • Representing an international freight forwarding group in claiming performance of freight of CHF 250k in connection with an international carriage of goods by road from China to Spain.

VISCHER

VISCHER advises and represents airline companies on the cantonal, federal, European, and international levels in questions regarding damage, insurance, contract negotiations, acquisition of aircraft, and regulatory matters. Practice head Peter Kühn supports major clients with contract, transport and aviation law related issues. Christoph Niederer and Tobias F. Rohner advise companies in the transport industry on tax-related matters whilst Urs Haegi supports on corporate work.

Responsables de la pratique:

Peter Kühn


Autres avocats clés:

Urs Haegi; Christoph Niederer; Tobias F. Rohner


Principaux clients

Swiss International Air Lines Ltd.


Deutsche Lufthansa AG


Edelweiss Air


LSG Sky Chefs Schweiz AG


Lufthansa Technik AG


Swiss Aviation Training AG


Austrian Airlines AG


DLH Fuel Company mbH


Jet Aviation Ltd.


Schweizerische Rettungsflugwacht (Rega)


Export Development Canada


Lufthansa AirPlus Servicekarten GmbH


AirPlus International AG


Swissterminal AG


GXO Logistics


Qatar Airways Group Q.C.S.C.


Principaux dossiers


  • Regularly advising and representing Swiss International Air Lines and various other Lufthansa group companies in relation to certain legal and tax matters in Switzerland.
  • Advising and representing Jet Aviation Ltd in various litigation matters and transactional work.
  • Advising and representing Qatar Airways group companies on their cross-border and Switzerland business.

Wartmann Merker Ltd.

With a focus on dispute resolution, Wartmann Merker Ltd. represents shipping, insurance, and logistic companies as well as clients active in the manufacturing and trading sectors before state courts, arbitral tribunals, and administrative authorities. Team head Giovanna Montanaro is a ‘top-level attorney’ with extensive experience in the insurance and freight forwarding market and is regularly involved in cross-border transportation and insurance litigation cases.

Responsables de la pratique:

Giovanna Montanaro


Les références

‘They are very knowledgeable in their field.’

‘A high-level team, with a very good mix of legal knowledge and commercial approach.’

‘Giovanna Montanaro is a top-level attorney in shipping and transport matter. She is efficient and capable to provide effective solutions to problems.’

Principaux dossiers


Bär & Karrer Ltd.

Bär & Karrer Ltd. advises high-profile clients in the aviation, maritime, road, and rail industries. The team collaborates with real estate, infrastructure, energy, and corporate specialists from other departments. Practice head Luca Jagmetti has particular experience in complex asset transfer, logistics, and service level agreements within the transport industry. Christoph Neeracher represents clients in litigation proceedings and Philippe Seiler handles the commercial and corporate aspects.

Responsables de la pratique:

Luca Jagmetti


Autres avocats clés:

Christoph Neeracher; Philippe Seiler; Micha Schilling; Luana Stämpfli


Les références

‘The strengths of the people at B&K are manifold. You just notice in general – people want to solve the case for the better and don’t deceive you about the chances of success. It is also clearly communicated where the risks lie.’

‘Luca Jagmetti: an absolutely proven transport expert with enormous experience. The clear way of communication, speed, clarity about what works, what doesn’t work, what could work and a clear analysis of opportunities and risks. You never have the feeling that it can happen that “the lawyers are dragging it out because they are making money from it.”‘

‘Their deep legal knowledge in the field of logistics and transportation, their unwavering commitment and their ability to find effective solutions, all of this have been key to our business. They demonstrate a solid understanding of the legal complexities in this area and also show a genuine passion for providing exceptional service to us.’

Principaux clients

Ina Kess AG


CEBS AG (Kooky)


Ina Kess


CIMO Compagnie Industrielle de Monthey SA


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising Ina Kess AG, a Swiss luxury clothing brand, in the negotiations of an international logistics framework contract with a Dutch hauler and warehouse service provider.

Homburger

Homburger advises high-profile clients active in the automotive industry on regulatory matters, distribution, manufacturing, and transactions. The team also utilises the knowledge of specialists from other departments such as competition, dispute resolution, corporate, capital markets, finance, tax, and IP. Practice head Marcel Dietrich advises clients in the transport industry on regulatory issues, compliance, and investigations. Franz Hoffet has a special focus on aviation.

Responsables de la pratique:

Marcel Dietrich


Autres avocats clés:

Franz Hoffet; Richard Stäuber


Principaux clients

AMAG


Hyundai


Crédit Agricole


Stellantis


Sony


Honda


Airbus


Safran


Tikehau


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising and representing AMAG in all regulatory matters, on contractual issues, and on other legal matters related to its operations.
  • Representing and advising AMAG Leasing in competition matters, including merger control proceedings, in joint venture with Volkswagen Financial Services.
  • Represented Sony and Honda in Swiss merger control proceedings regarding electronic vehicles joint venture.

MLL Legal

MLL Legal employs a ‘proactive approach’ to support financial institutions, manufacturers, lessors and operators with matters relating to transport litigation and aircraft financing as well as regulatory and tax issues. The team is co-headed by Dunja Koch, who has expertise in all aviation matters, and Karin Oberlin, who specialises in transportation finance. Dimitri Rotter assists clients in matters concerning aviation tax. Dmitry A Pentsov advises foreign aircrafts on all legal issues relating to its Swiss operations.

Responsables de la pratique:

Dunja Koch; Karin Oberlin


Autres avocats clés:

Dimitri Rotter; Dmitry A. Pentsov; Andrea Trost


Les références

‘The firm has a very proactive approach to matters. High-quality work.’

‘Dunja Koch is on top of things and is very responsive. It is also a pleasure to work with Andrea Trost. Very knowledgeable and responsive too.’

 

Principaux clients

Oaktree Capital Management


Mizuho Bank


ELFC


Avolon Aerospace Leasing Limited


Merx Aviation


Sanad Aerospace


Viking Air


Global Jet Capital


Westpac Banking Corporation


Dassault Aviation


ABC Maritime AG


Dufour Aerospace


PK Airfinance


ING Bank N.V., Singapore branch


Principaux dossiers


  • Assisted Sanad Aero with respect to a broad range of legal issues related to Swiss and international operations of Sanad, incl. Its Swiss subsidiary Sanad Aero Solutions GmbH
  • Advised Westpac Banking Corporation on an aircraft financing transaction for Pel-Air Aviation, Australian air ambulance company purchasing a Pilatus aircraft that was being refurbished in Switzerland for their purpose.
  • Assisted Merx Aviation Finance in connection with a lease of an Airbus A319 to be delivered to Chair Airlines Switzerland.

MME Legal | Tax | Compliance

MME Legal | Tax | Compliance supports postal services, yachting clients, commodity traders, logistics services, companies in the space industry, and international road transport carriers with matters concerning bills of lading, charter parties, customs, compliance risk assessments, and tax structuring. Raphael Brunner, whose main focus is international trade, distribution, logistics, transport, and shipping, heads the practice. Trade specialist Maura Décosterd provides assistance with customs and export controls compliance maturity assessments, audits, and due diligence assessments.

Responsables de la pratique:

Raphael Brunner


Autres avocats clés:

Maura Décosterd


Principaux dossiers