About

Provided by Niederer Kraft Frey

Niederer Kraft Frey enjoys a global reputation as one of Switzerland’s leading business law firms. We are regularly involved in many of the largest, most complex and demanding transactions in and outside of Switzerland.

Our Corporate/M&A practice is a core practice of Niederer Kraft Frey. We rank top-tier in independent legal directories and our lawyers are regularly rated as leaders in their field. In 2018, NKF received the Transatlantic M&A Team of the Year (Large Deal) Award by the American Lawyer. We have repeatedly contributed to major evolutions in Swiss corporate law in order to advance the interests of our clients. Among other things, for Actelion Ltd in its USD 30 billion takeover by Johnson & Johnson, NKF devised a dual deal structure consisting of the takeover and the demerger and spin-off to shareholders of Actelion’s drug discovery and early clinical development business which commentators described as “quantum leap” in Pharma M&A.

We counsel both public and private companies, advising on a wide range of corporate matters, including:

  • Domestic and international mergers and acquisitions
  • Private Equity and Strategic Investments
  • Public M&A and Contests for corporate Control
  • Corporate Governance and General Corporate Advice
  • Corporate Reorganizations and  Spinoffs
  • Startups and Venture Capital

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/M&A - Switzerland

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Niederer Kraft Frey's esteemed M&A team advises international and domestic companies on a range of transactions. The practice is particularly popular with clients from the financial services sector and private equity funds. The law firm also has several clients from the TMT and life sciences industries, and represents clients in joint ventures and in defence against hostile takeovers.

Work Highlights

Provided by Niederer Kraft Frey

  • Niederer Kraft Frey acted as Swiss legal adviser to Vodafone on its EUR8 billion sale of Vodafone Italy to Swisscom.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Philippe A Weber
1
Philippe A Weber
1
Band 1

Philippe Weber is one of the leading M&A lawyers, frequently advising on high-value and cross-border acquisitions and sales. He often represents investment firms and corporates active in the energy, utilities and IT sectors.

He knows what I want and what I do not want, offering tangible business solutions.

Philippe Weber is top notch and our key contact for all important matters. He is highly experienced and, at the same time, very hands-on and exceptionally responsive.

Philippe Weber always stays calm and on top of things and offers practical solutions, even in the most critical and hectic situations.

Philippe Weber is one of the top lawyers in Switzerland. He is very pragmatic and client-oriented. He does not just go for the safest option, he finds solutions.

Philipp Haas
2
Philipp Haas
2
Band 2

Philipp Haas garners respect for his assistance with a range of complex transactions, including high-value mergers and acquisitions. He is also well-versed in handling defence against hostile takeovers.

Philipp Haas provides great support, is well prepared and is well appreciated by our team.

Ulysses von Salis
3
Ulysses von Salis
3
Band 3
Ulysses von Salis is an established M&A lawyer with a broad transactional practice. He regularly advises corporates and private equity groups on M&A transactions.
Jacques Bonvin
4
Jacques Bonvin
4
Band 4

Jacques Bonvin is recognised for his work on M&A transactions and venture capital matters, frequently representing banks, investment firms and shareholders.

Jacques Bonvin can translate Swiss nuances to non-Swiss clients well. He has a lot of experience outside Switzerland which really makes him a standout adviser in this jurisdiction.

We have always been very happy with what he has been doing and value his advice and capacity for executing strategy. The quality of his advice is always outstanding.

Patrik Peyer
4
Patrik Peyer
4
Band 4

Patrik Peyer assists with acquisitions, sales and investments. His clients feature energy companies as well as private equity firms.

Patrik Peyer is a highly experienced lawyer with a deep understanding of the client's needs.

Patrik Peyer is a strong corporate lawyer.

Andreas Casutt
5
Andreas Casutt
5
Band 5
Andreas Casutt is recognised for his experience in advising clients on acquisitions, mergers and carve-out sales. He frequently assists both corporate and private equity firms.
Manuel Werder
5
Manuel Werder
5
Band 5
Manuel Werder is noted for his assistance with a range of acquisitions and sales. He frequently acts on cross-border majority-stake sales and asset deals.

Manuel Werder is technically very good.

Manuel Werder is very grounded and knowledgeable. He has international strength, fosters great personal relationships and leads his team very well.

Manuel Werder was ideal, we would use him again for sure. He impressed us in all ways.

I think very highly of Manuel Werder. He is very detailed in all the small but important matters. His technical expertise but also his commercial awareness are excellent.

Thomas Brönnimann
5
Thomas Brönnimann
5
Band 5

Thomas Brönnimann is noted for his advice on high-value domestic and cross-border acquisitions and sales, frequently acting for private equity houses.

Thomas Brönnimann is an outstanding lawyer. He is smart, responsive and provides practical advice.

U
Moritz Maurer
U
Up and Coming

Moritz Maurer demonstrates skill advising on both domestic and cross-border acquisitions and sales, with particular expertise in the retail, fintech and private equity spaces.

Moritz Maurer's very commercial and solution-oriented approach stood out.

I have worked with Moritz Maurer on several deals and he is my go-to lawyer.

Moritz Maurer's ability to respond quickly is his standout feature and he is very good at being available. He is proactive, fast, responsive and quite pragmatic when it comes to finding solutions.

Ranked Lawyers at
Niederer Kraft Frey

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Switzerland

Corporate/M&A

Philippe A Weber
1
Philippe A Weber
1
Band 1
Philipp Haas
2
Philipp Haas
2
Band 2
Ulysses von Salis
3
Ulysses von Salis
3
Band 3
Jacques Bonvin
4
Jacques Bonvin
4
Band 4
Patrik Peyer
4
Patrik Peyer
4
Band 4
Andreas Casutt
5
Andreas Casutt
5
Band 5
Manuel Werder
5
Manuel Werder
5
Band 5
Thomas Brönnimann
5
Thomas Brönnimann
5
Band 5
U
Moritz Maurer
U
Up and Coming