Department profile
Lenz & Staehelin

Corporate/M&A

Europe Guide 2026 : Switzerland


Lenz & Staehelin

Rankings

About

Provided by Lenz & Staehelin

With around 70 partners and associates, Lenz & Staehelin enjoys a leading position in domestic and cross-border private and public M&A transactions, and has been party to many of Switzerland’s most important corporate deals.

In response to the complex requirements of domestic and international mergers and acquisitions and the many areas of law involved, this practice group brings together the knowledge, skills and experience of different practice areas to form focused, creative and hands-on teams for specific transactions.

In addition to advising on corporate law in general, the group also has ample experience in structuring complex cross-border and domestic M&A transactions and working with private equity investments. We also rank among the key players in the highly sophisticated field of public tender offers.

Our work includes:

  • General corporate: Company law, Corporate housekeeping, Corporate and regulatory compliance, Corporate governance, Shareholders' meetings of listed companies, Reorganizations and restructurings​
  • M&A: Mergers, Private acquisitions, Private equity investments, including buy-out, venture capital, Public tender offers, including hostile takeovers and takeover defences, Joint ventures, Spin-offs
  • Capital markets and securities laws (disclosure duties, ad hoc publicity, insider information, management transactions)
  • Corporate and M&A-related litigation and arbitration
  • Estate planning and tax advice for entrepreneurs and managers.

Industries (16)

  • Aerospace & Defence
  • Banks
  • Chemicals
  • Commercial & Professional Services
  • Energy
  • Financial Services
  • Health Care
  • Insurance
  • Media
  • Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences
  • Private Clients / Individuals
  • Real Estate
  • Software & Computer Services
  • Telecommunications
  • Travel & Leisure
  • Utilities

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/M&A - Switzerland

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Lenz & Staehelin has a leading practice offering expertise in public tender offers and assisting with divestments, mergers and acquisitions. The law firm has a strong focus on representing clients in hostile takeover battles, with further prowess in advising international companies on the acquisition of Swiss targets. The team is popular with Swiss banking clients for assisting with corporate transactions, and also represents manufacturers, asset management firms, construction companies and life sciences enterprises.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Lenz & Staehelin advised Baloise on its merger of equals with Helvetia.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Lenz & Staehelin demonstrated in-depth experience and the ability to navigate complex legal landscapes.

    Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
  • The lawyers are extremely prompt and responsive. They are zealous advocates and have great business and commercial sense. They also understand our business and structure extremely well.

    Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
  • Lenz & Staehelin's department is extremely hands-on and results-oriented. The lawyers work relentlessly towards achieving the desired outcome.

    Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
  • The lawyers provide advice in a solution-oriented manner in demanding and complex contexts.

    Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
  • Lenz & Staehelin leveraged its international network to deliver a seamless and high-quality experience.

    Corporate/M&A respondentEurope

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Tino Gaberthüel
    Band 1Tino Gaberthüel

    Tino Gaberthüel

    Tino Gaberthüel is a highly reputed individual who assists with acquisitions, carve-outs and public tenders. He regularly advises on high-value cross-border mandates, notably on behalf of companies in the insurance, manufacturing and technology industries.

    • Tino Gaberthüel is very skilled, experienced, solution-oriented, pleasant and helpful.

      Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
    • Tino's extensive experience in M&A gives him an expert knowledge base and a very practical approach to how deals are handled in Switzerland.

      Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
    • Tino Gaberthüel has broad knowledge and good business understanding, and he proactively approaches clients with important issues. He is calm, thoughtful and solution-oriented.

      Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
    • Tino Gaberthüel is a highly experienced lawyer with great legal and commercial judgement and a strong tactical understanding of dealmaking.

      Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
    • Tino Gaberthüel is a leading lawyer in the Swiss market.

      Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
  • Band 2Andreas Rötheli
    Band 2Andreas Rötheli

    Andreas Rötheli

    Geneva-based Andreas Rötheli offers transactional expertise in cross-border acquisitions and divestments, and also assists with strategic partnerships. His clients include private equity firms, as well as banks and companies from the telecoms and energy industries.

    • Andreas Rötheli is a professional with the highest standards and great expertise in contract negotiations.

      Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
    • He is incredibly good at what he does.

      Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
    • We were delighted to work with Andreas.

      Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
  • Band 3Jacques Iffland
    Band 3Jacques Iffland

    Jacques Iffland

    Jacques Iffland has an established reputation in Geneva for his advice on high-value public M&A deals.
    • Jacques Iffland is an extremely hands-on and results-oriented lawyer. He is also sharp and solution-driven.

      Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
    • Jacques Iffland is a very practical adviser. He knows what the rules are but tells me how to react or implement things, knowing the constraints I have and my circumstances.

      Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
    • Jacques remains remarkably calm under pressure and combines rare technical expertise with practical business acumen.

      Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
  • Band 4Matthias Wolf
    Band 4Matthias Wolf

    Matthias Wolf

    Matthias Wolf is recognised for his work on corporate transactions, including high-value sales of shares and acquisitions. His client base covers a range of industries, including the chemical, manufacturing and media sectors.

    • Matthias Wolf is an outstanding business lawyer.

      Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
    • Matthias Wolf is a very experienced commercial and M&A lawyer who finds pragmatic solutions to get the transaction done. He is also a very good negotiator to support the client during negotiations.

      Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
    • What I like about him is that not only is he skilled legally but he also has a good sense of business strategy.

      Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
    • He is smart, to the point and has a broad horizon.

      Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
  • Band 4Stephan Erni
    Band 4Stephan Erni

    Stephan Erni

    Stephan Erni advises on a range of M&A transactions, including cross-border and domestic acquisitions for clients operating in the real estate industry.

    • Stephan is a very dynamic and fantastic lawyer who delivers high-quality advice. His knowledge is impressive, he is very responsive and he provides sharp legal advice.

      Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
    • Stephan Erni is an excellent lawyer and a great partner to us. He is on top of things and capable of offering creative solutions, even in the most critical and hectic situations.

      Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
    • I was impressed by Stephan Erni's level of legal knowledge, his full investment in my case and his tailored approach.

      Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
    • His strengths are his flexibility and ability to see beyond isolated legal issues to the overall business impact.

      Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
    • It is great to work with him as he understands the client's needs.

      Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
  • Band 5Simone Ehrsam
    Band 5Simone Ehrsam

    Simone Ehrsam

    Simone Ehrsam has broad expertise across both public and private M&A, with notable skill in public tender offers, share acquisitions and joint ventures. She acts regularly for listed companies and represents clients from the insurance, manufacturing and technology sectors.

    • Simone has very strong client service, sophistication and commercial vision. She is a calm, no-nonsense and confident negotiator who gets the job done.

      Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
    • Simone is a smart thinker who keeps the overview but is also well versed in the crucial details. She is also very responsive, offers a high level of quality and has a good feel for negotiations.

      Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
    • If Simone Ehrsam is on your deal, you can have a very high level of confidence that it will get done.

      Corporate/M&A respondentEurope

Ranked Individuals at Lenz & Staehelin (6)

Switzerland

Members

Provided by Lenz & Staehelin

Lenz & Staehelin has rankings in the following guides

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