High Net Worth Guide 2026 : Switzerland
Ranked Individuals
Provided by Lalive
LALIVE’s Private Client practice safeguards the personal financial interests of wealthy individuals in complex Swiss and cross-border matters, both contentious and non-contentious, involving trusts and estates, succession of family businesses, family issues, relocation, philanthropy and art law.
We are trusted by high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), families, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, family offices, foundations, trust companies and fiduciary holding structures.
We not only ensure the smooth succession of key assets from one generation to the next, but also help resolve complex family disputes involving businesses and assets spread across the world. We represent clients before all the Swiss courts and routinely coordinate multi-jurisdictional court proceedings.
The firm’s team also advises HNWIs in complex administrative assistance matters, with a strong track record of favourable results. The practice is extremely active in the art world, providing advisory and dispute resolution services to UHNWIs and HNWIs, museums, foundations and art galleries worldwide.
Our areas of expertise include estate planning and family law services, family and succession disputes, trust and estate disputes, elderly protection and incapacity, art and cultural property, philanthropy, international assistance in tax matters, and media and protection of reputation.
Provided by Chambers
Lalive regularly advises private clients on contentious and non-contentious inheritance, family, trust law and administrative assistance matters from its offices in Zürich and Geneva. Its clients include affluent families, business owners, family offices and foundations.
Provided by Chambers
Lalive is adept at handling sophisticated litigation.
Lalive is clear-thinking, sensible and reliable. The team give a clear view on the merits but are not afraid of a fight. It's our go-to firm in Switzerland.
Lalive's true strength lies in its capacity to work together, pulling on each other's strengths and skills to obtain best practice to enhance the care of their clients.
Lalive's ability to handle highly complex, cross-border succession matters with precision, creativity and sensitivity makes them stand out. They are exceptionally responsive, pragmatic and strategic.
Provided by Chambers
Werner Jahnel is a co-head of Lalive's private client practice and has broad expertise. He is a wealth planning and litigation specialist who is fluent in English, German, French, Spanish and Italian.
Werner Jahnel is at the absolute top of the field for his experience and ability.
Werner is a passionate lawyer with vision, exhibiting a pragmatic approach to the law and his formidable skills and commitment to his clients to navigate complex legal issues.
Werner Jahnel has very good commercial awareness and demonstrates excellent strategic thinking and ideas.
Werner Jahnel provided invaluable guidance at the outset of a succession matter, helping to shape the overall strategy and set a constructive tone for negotiations among heirs. His experience and calm, measured approach were especially important in navigating complex family dynamics and cross-border legal issues. His early leadership and insight continue to underpin progress made.
Sandrine Giroud helps high net worth clients protect and recover assets. She has an excellent contentious art and cultural property practice but has a growing expertise in private wealth disputes.
Sandrine Giroud is an excellent lawyer.
Sandrine is a real expert. She deals with the complex, cross-border issues very pragmatically, has brilliant ideas of strategy and what would be of best interest.
Sandrine Giroud has extensive experience, clearly understands her clients' needs and handles the matter sensitively and constructively but highly effectively. She cuts to the heart of the issues and has the ability to see one step ahead of other parties in terms of strategy.
Private Wealth Law
Private Wealth Law
Provided by Lalive
Sébastien Zulian
Sandrine Giroud
View profile of Sandrine GiroudWerner Jahnel
View profile of Werner Jahnel
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