What we do

 

Our aim is to deliver services and products of the highest quality in the shortest possible time. Our focus is therefore on competence, efficiency, timeliness and value for money. That is why we have made a deliberate choice to specialize in selected key sectors of business law and to focus exclusively on what we do best.

  • Commercial banking
  • Syndicated loan facilities and acquisition finance
  • Structured finance
  • Authorizations for banks, securities dealers and further financial intermediaries
  • Derivatives and structured products
  • Financial services
  • Regulatory
  • Venture Capital & Private Equity

We advise banks, custodians, fund managers, securities dealers, asset managers and other market participants on legal, regulatory, anti-money laundering, commercial, contractual and compliance matters, including licensing and registration procedures.

The firm acts on behalf of lenders and borrowers in debt financing, asset securitization, securities offerings, syndicated, structured and collateralized lending transactions as well as in OTC and private equity transactions.

We represent clients in litigation, administrative and enforcement proceedings before Swiss courts, administrative and supervisory authorities. We also act as an independent investigator on behalf of FINMA.

  • IPOs and listings
  • Securities and notes issuances
  • Regulatory and compliance
  • Supervisory

We act on behalf of domestic and foreign borrowers, issuers and underwriters in securities offerings, listing and delisting of securities on SIX Swiss Exchange, IPOs, rights offerings, convertibles, bond and notes issuances, share buybacks and public tender offers. We advise listed companies on regulatory, disclosure and compliance matters.

GHR is an authorized representative for the listing of securities on SIX Swiss Exchange.

  • General contract law
  • Supply and distribution arrangements
  • Regulated industries

We have extensive experience in all matters relating to traditional contract law, including the drafting, negotiation, implementation and enforcement of contracts in regulated and unregulated industries.

We advise on all matters relating to the sale, distribution and export of products and services, including transfer restrictions and customs requirements, obtaining permits for the import, export, commercial transit and brokerage of dual use goods.

  • General corporate and company law
  • Company formations and establishment of business operations
  • Corporate governance and housekeeping
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Reorganizations and restructurings
  • Shareholders agreements
  • Mergers, acquisitions and spin-offs
  • Merger control, authorizations and rulings
  • Due diligence reviews
  • Public tender offers
  • Joint ventures
  • Venture capital and private equity

Corporate services and mergers and acquisitions are market recognized core practices of GHR Rechtsanwälte. The firm provides a full range of corporate legal services and advises on corporate governance, compliance and shareholder relations.

We are recognized among the market leaders in domestic and cross-border, private and public M&A transactions, acquisitions, divestments, auctions, corporate takeovers, mergers, spin-offs, restructurings, management buyouts/buyins, joint ventures, private equity and venture capital transactions, and transaction finance.

  • Counsel in commercial and corporate litigation matters befor all Swiss courtsCounsel and arbitrators in domestic and international arbitration proceedings
  • Enforcement of foreign judgements and arbitral awards
  • Representation of clients in international legal assistance proceedings in civil and criminal matters
  • Representation of clients in criminal defense and regulatory enforcement proceedings  

GHR Rechtsanwälte has a long history and a wealth of experience in representing clients in administrative, civil and criminal proceedings. Our practice covers all aspects of corporate and commercial litigation as well as antitrust and unfair competition, regulated industries, banking and finance, bankruptcy and debt collection, employment, intellectual property, real estate and construction disputes, disputes relating to trusts and estates, white-collar crime, attachment proceedings, the enforcement of foreign judgments and awards, and expert advice and testimony on Swiss law. We act on behalf of clients involved in proceedings before courts, agencies, regulators and prosecutors, as well as in matters regarding internal investigations and in judicial and administrative assistance proceedings. The firm’s members act as party counsel or as arbitrators in domestic and international arbitration proceedings, including ICC, ICSID, UNCITRAL, and Swiss Chambers' Arbitration Institution. 

  • Employment contracts, employment conditions and regulations
  • Compensation plans
  • Termination and revocation of employment agreementsExecutive transfers
  • Cross-border employee transfers, incl. work and residence permits
  • Employment law aspects of mergers and acquisitions

GHR offers a full-service employment law practice and represents employers as well as senior employees. The firm advises on employment agreements, termination agreements, non-compete agreements, policy regulations, compensation and severance packages, employee bonus and stock option plans, social security and pension plan benefits, transfer of businesses and mass layoffs. It represents clients in litigation and administrative proceedings including foreign nationals wishing to obtain Swiss work permits.

  • Energy trading
  • Emissions trading
  • Renewables
  • Supply and transport
  • Infrastructure
  • Regulatory
  • Competition and antitrust
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Public procurement
  • Arbitration

GHR is a recognized market leader in the energy and natural resources sector. Our expertise covers the whole value chain in the electricity, oil and gas markets including exploration, exploitation, generation, transmission, supply, distribution, infrastructure, regulatory, trading, privatization and structural reform. Within the scope of our advisory activity for clients in the energy and resources sectors, we provide cutting-edge advice across the full spectrum of relevant disciplines, including energy regulation and regulatory proceedings, regulatory reform and market design, construction and operation of power, infrastructure and renewable energy projects, connection and use of system arrangements, energy supply, transportation and storage, electricity, emissions and renewables obligation certificate trading on the financial markets, competition, public procurement, mergers and acquisitions, litigation and arbitration.

As the Swiss member of the Energy Law Group (ELG), we have access to the most extensive network of expert law firms in the energy and natural resources sectors in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

  • Bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings
  • Composition proceedings, moratorium and composition agreements
  • Liquidations
  • Restructuring transactions
  • Debt collection, seizures and attachments, debt recovery
  • Cross-border restructuring and insolvency  
Main contacts
Markus Brülhart
Gerhard Roth
 

Our restructuring and insolvency practice comprises the complete range of services in connection with domestic and cross-border restructurings and insolvency matters. We act on behalf of creditors, banks and other financial institutions, liquidators, receivers and bankruptcy trustees as well as corporate debtors and directors in debt collection and insolvency proceedings as well as financial reorganizations. Members of the firm’s restructuring and insolvency practice also serve as court or FINMA appointed liquidators and receivers.

  • Intellectual Property
  • Licensing and technology transfer
  • Distribution, franchising, and outsourcing
  • E-Commerce
  • Data protection
  • Intellectual property litigation and arbitration
  • Trademarks, copyrights, designs, domain names, trade secrets, and know-how

Our IP specialists provide advice and assistance in connection with all aspects of trademark, design, models, copyright and patent registration, protection, exploitation and licensing. Services also include advice relating to distribution, franchising, merchandising as well as the protection of know-how and trade secrets and the representation of clients in IP infringement disputes.

The firm’s IT practice covers all aspects of internet law, data processing and protection (including international data transfer), technology transfer (including restrictions on international technology transfer), licensing, outsourcing, contracting and carve-out, convergence, third-party access, compliance and regulatory issues.

Our experts advise on all aspects of data protection, including privacy statements, internal privacy regulations, and job processing agreements. We perform general data protection assessments in relation to e-commerce operations as well as of company groups with commercial operations abroad.

  • Residence and nationality
  • Estate and succession planning
  • Execution of wills
  • Wealth transfer, donations and endowments
  • Prenuptial agreements and marriage contracts
  • Tax planning
  • Family offices
  • Family constitutions 
Main contacts
Bruno Hunziker
Gerhard Roth

 

GHR has a long-standing practice of providing private clients with expert advice on wealth planning and succession issues. We advise on all aspects of family and inheritance law, immigration, residence and nationality, and taxes. Our services include obtaining residence permits for foreign nationals, negotiating lump sum tax arrangements, advising on real estate transactions and obtaining the necessary permits for the acquisition of real estate, setting up family offices, estate planning, drafting marriage contracts, wills and testaments, and representing clients in court proceedings.

  • Due diligence reviews
  • Real estate regulatory and acquisition permits
  • Second home related aspects
  • Transactional real estate, purchase contracts, commercial and residential leases, sale and leaseback
  • Tax structuring
  • Property and facility management
  • Real estate development
Main contacts
Bruno Hunziker
Markus Brülhart
 

GHR boasts one of the most highly regarded real estate practices specializing in particular in matters relating to the planning, development and construction of hotel and resort complexes. We advise institutional investors, joint ventures, investment funds, financial institutions, commercial users and individuals in connection with the sale and acquisition of real estate and real estate companies, sale and leaseback transactions, financing, commercial lease transactions, the realization of complex development projects as well as on matters relating to the acquisition of real estate by persons abroad and the implementation of the federal law and ordinance on secondary residences. We provide project development services, draft the relevant contracts (purchase, hotel management, service, and lease agreements) and negotiate and obtain the relevant permits and authorizations.

  • Taxes, duties and levies
  • Domestic and international taxation
  • Corporate tax and tax planning
  • Individual taxation
  • Lump sum taxation
  • Estate and tax planning for high net worth individuals
  • M&A, restructurings and buyouts  
Main contact
Gerhard Roth
 Jil Suter 
 

Our tax practice has been a hallmark of the firm’s services since its inception. Advice is provided to corporate and individual clients in all matters relating to direct and indirect taxes, stamp duties, customs duties and other levies as well as in matters relating to cross-border taxation, transfer pricing and treaty interpretation. Services include tax planning, negotiating lump sum tax regimes, obtaining tax rulings and representing clients in dealings with tax authorities and tax litigation. Specific tax advice is provided in connection with corporate restructurings, mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs, management and leveraged buyouts, joint ventures and cross-border business structuring projects.

Particular focus is placed on tax advice for high net worth individuals. The broad spectrum of expertise available within the firm enables us to offer creative advice in relation to obtaining residence permits, setting up family offices, tax and succession planning, and the like.