Department profile

Corporate/M&A

Europe Guide 2026 : Switzerland

Rankings

Ranked Individuals

About

Provided by Bär & Karrer Ltd

We have extensive experience and expertise in dealing with complex domestic and cross-border transactions. We act on major deals as well as on smaller transactions. We advise our clients on the full range of corporate transactions, including acquisitions and divestments of privately owned companies, auctions, friendly and hostile takeovers, spin-offs, mergers, transaction finance, and restructurings.

Our mergers & acquisitions practice covers a range of industries including industrial groups, pharmaceutical companies, financial institutions, technology firms, and energy providers. We act for corporate buyers and sellers, private investors as well as private equity funds and their financial advisers.

Structuring transactions
Due diligence
Drafting and negotiation of the transaction documentation
Securing regulatory permits, clearances and tax rulings
Organizing of signing and closing
Implementing transactions

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/M&A - Switzerland

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Bär & Karrer is highly sought after by both buyers and sellers for corporate transactions, advising on both public and private M&A. The law firm represents clients in joint ventures and spin-offs, and is popular with large corporates, shareholders and private equity investors. It boasts a number of clients from the financial services, luxury goods and pharmaceutical sectors. The team is lauded for its handling of international mandates, as well as its pan-European and Swiss capabilities.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

Bär & Karrer advised Migros-Genossenschafts-Bund on its sale of Hotelplan.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

The lawyers at Bär & Karrer find creative solutions to unusual problems. They are also very well positioned to solve complex problems in a timely manner.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
Bär & Karrer excels at providing content-driven, sound advice to clients. They have their clients' interests at the core of what they are doing.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
Bär & Karrer excels at breaking down sophisticated legal topics and aligning them with business priorities and financial logic.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
Bär & Karrer has outstanding teams with very driven and highly capable lawyers, always providing top-quality advice in a highly efficient manner.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
Bär & Karrer are highly experienced in complex, cross-border transactions. The team understand the key aspects and learn very quickly.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Band 1
Band 1
Christoph Neeracher
Christoph Neeracher is renowned for his extensive corporate law experience. He advises corporates on a range of private M&A transactions, and also assists private equity funds with acquisitions and divestments. His expertise spans sectors such as finance, retail, IT and real estate.
Christoph Neeracher is a very persuasive and strong negotiator.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
Christoph's service is constantly of the highest quality. His vast experience and exceptional negotiation skills translate into extraordinary value in his advice.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
Christoph Neeracher is the best M&A lawyer in Switzerland.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
Christoph Neeracher has a very strategic approach to transactions, ensuring his clients' success.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
Christoph Neeracher is the leading lawyer in the country.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
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Band 1
Band 1
Rolf Watter
Rolf Watter is a highly established practitioner handling transatlantic and pan-European spin-offs, mergers and acquisitions, as well as advising on restructuring mandates.
Rolf has a nearly unmatched level of expertise and experience in handling complex corporate and M&A matters and breaking them into digestible pieces.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
What differentiates Rolf is his ability to quickly assess and understand complex transactions and develop very business-oriented and pragmatic solutions.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
We are glad to have Rolf Watter in the team.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
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Band 2
Band 2
Dieter Dubs
Dieter Dubs is a highly respected practitioner in the Zürich market. He is well regarded for his experience in handling regulatory issues as well as public takeovers, acquisitions and mergers.
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Band 3
Band 3
Mariel Hoch
Mariel Hoch is renowned for her experience handling public M&A transactions, frequently advising on cross-border acquisitions and joint ventures.
Mariel Hoch is an extremely experienced, seasoned and commercial lawyer.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
Mariel Hoch understands our business very well and is super responsive. She is a great person!
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
She is ultra-quick at grasping facts, context and needs, and she delivers extremely well-tailored solutions based on her extensive know-how and experience. Mariel is a joy to work with.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
Mariel has a very high level of knowledge, is creative and thinks clearly.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
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Band 3
Band 3
Ralph Malacrida
Ralph Malacrida advises companies on majority-stake sales and acquisitions, as well as assisting with mergers and joint ventures. He highlights recent experience acting for technology and manufacturing clients.
Ralph Malacrida is always available and has answers to the questions we ask him about transactions. He is very knowledgeable and always helps us with our needs.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
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Band 5
Band 5
Philippe Seiler
Philippe Seiler regularly advises clients on domestic and cross-border acquisitions and sales, as well as private equity transactions. He is well equipped to assist with matters in the IT and healthcare sectors.
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Band 5
Band 5
Raphael Annasohn
Raphael Annasohn has established a reputable M&A practice in Switzerland. He is well placed to assist clients with cross-border acquisitions and public tender offers, in addition to acting for private equity firms.
Raphael has deep experience in complex deal situations. He combines rare commercial acumen with a strong strategic focus, consistently aligning legal advice with overarching deal objectives.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
Raphael Annasohn is very commercial, provides sound advice and is a strong personal fit. He offers a quick turnaround on tasks and is a strong negotiator.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
Raphael Annasohn is a good M&A lawyer and a tough negotiator.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
His team leadership is strong, ensuring efficient and coordinated execution throughout.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
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