About

Provided by Archipel

Archipel advises international corporations, foreign governments, and court-appointed liquidators in complex white-collar crime matters, with a particular focus on representing victims of fraud.

The firm is currently involved in several high-profile criminal proceedings in Switzerland (see work highlights below), and is particularly well-known for its successful representation of 1MDB in a landmark 2024 trial. This case resulted in the highest award ever granted by Swiss criminal or civil courts—excluding arbitral awards—marking a milestone in Swiss legal history.

Archipel is regularly instructed in international fraud and corruption cases, with specific expertise in matters involving cryptoassets. The firm frequently provides expert opinions on the criminal liability of actors in the crypto ecosystem, including issues related to centralized exchanges. Archipel also assists in the tracing and recovery of stolen or concealed digital assets and is likely the only Swiss law firm with hands-on experience in DeFi-related cryptocurrency fraud schemes.

Many of the firm’s cases regularly attract significant media attention due to their scale, cross-border nature, and impact. Archipel is known for handling cases at the intersection of financial crime, regulatory enforcement, and international asset recovery.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

White-Collar Crime - Switzerland

4
Band 4

What the Team is Known For

Archipel is well regarded for its assistance with high-stakes white-collar crime proceedings, including those that span multiple jurisdictions. The lawyers are adept at handling sensitive matters in connection with corruption, fraud and money laundering accusations, in addition to fund misappropriation and asset recovery issues. The law firm is at ease representing clients before the Federal Criminal Court and Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland.

Work Highlights

  • Archipel assisted Nissan with asset recovery proceedings against Carlos Ghosn in relation to management fraud.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Lezgin Polater
4
Lezgin Polater
Head of White-Collar Crime
4
Band 4

Lezgin Polater is well regarded for his expertise in multijurisdictional white-collar crime proceedings concerning embezzlement, corruption and fraud suspicions. He has further experience in cases touching on money laundering and cryptocurrency topics, as well as asset recovery proceedings.

Lezgin combines strong technical expertise with an unrelenting commitment to his client’s interests. He is highly responsive and navigates difficult issues with calm authority and insight.

Lezgin is a very talented and experienced lawyer who is able to deal with complex and international matters.

Lezgin is very dynamic and highly specialised in his field. We really appreciate his straightforward and pragmatic approach.

Lezgin Polater is a great professional who listens and is very responsive.

Lezgin Polater is a very pragmatic and result-oriented lawyer. His understanding of the markets and industry always brings smart and innovative angles to a case.

Ranked Lawyers at
Archipel

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Switzerland

White-Collar Crime

Lezgin Polater
4
Lezgin Polater
Head of White-Collar Crime
4
Band 4

Members

Provided by Archipel

Guillaume Tattevin

Head of Department

Laurence Ponty

Head of Department

Lezgin Polater

Lezgin Polater

Head of Department