Department profile

Corporate/M&A

Europe Guide 2026 : Switzerland

Rankings

Ranked Individuals

About

Provided by Pestalozzi

Pestalozzi’s Corporate/M&A practice group has provided domestic and foreign companies, investors and executives with commercial and corporate law solutions for more than a century. We have developed in-depth knowledge and expertise in a broad range of important industries (e.g. Chemicals, Media).

The Corporate/M&A practice group provides domestic and foreign clients with a full range of Swiss corporate and commercial legal advisory services in five distinct areas – corporate, M&A, commercial, capital markets and private equity/venture capital.

Corporate law advice covers incorporations, capital increases, capital reductions, small- and large-scale corporate reorganizations, restructuring and corporate housekeeping (including the share register, FATF register, commercial register and corporate secretarial work). Several specialists focus on listed companies and cover all legal issues relevant to listed companies and their top executives
Pestalozzi’s M&A specialists design and implement acquisition and disposition strategies for public and private companies (including friendly and hostile tender offers) and represent strategic and financial buyers, sellers, and their respective financial advisors in all kinds of cross-border and domestic M&A transactions. These range from share- and asset-purchase transactions (including auctions processes) to public takeovers and takeover defenses, squeeze-outs, mergers, demergers, carve-out transactions, spin-offs and other asset transfers.

Clients (1)

J&J, Glencore, Dow Chemical, Ringier, Swiss Life, Sony, GE

Industries (1)

Banks, Chemicals, Government, Health Care, Industrial Engineering, Insurance, Media, Pharmaceuticals, Real Estate, Retail, Telecommunications

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/M&A - Switzerland

Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Pestalozzi's respected M&A team frequently advises on a range of corporate mandates, including acquisitions, spin-offs, sales, mergers and takeovers. The practice offers further strengths in due diligence, restructuring and divestments, and is popular with clients from the financial services, TMT and automotive industries. The law firm also acts on joint ventures and corporate governance matters, as well as assisting international companies with their exit from the Swiss market.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

Pestalozzi advised Swiss Life on its acquisition of ZWEI Wealth.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Pestalozzi are unmatched in their ability to condense legal advice into usable executive recommendations. You get a trusted adviser at your fingertips.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
My experience has been that knowledge of the business is always a factor that this law firm has completely under control and where it adds additional value.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
Pestalozzi's strengths are their deep knowledge of Swiss law and regulations, responsiveness to client requests and good knowledge of market standards.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
Pestalozzi understand our business and our business environment. The team are able to give us clear and precise legal advice, while keeping in mind the business requirements.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
The lawyers at Pestalozzi display business-oriented thinking and the ability to break down complex issues with the highest level of quality.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Band 3
Band 3
Beat Schwarz
Beat Schwarz assists with acquisitions and sales, including those in the life sciences, insurance and banking sectors. He also has experience advising on transactions with cross-border elements, as well as corporate migrations.
Beat Schwarz is very skilled, knowledgeable and experienced. He is also available when you have questions at short notice and very open to different situations.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
He was always available and had responses to difficult questions in real time.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
Beat is very proactive in terms of identifying potential issues. He is also very hard-working and responsive.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
Beat Schwarz is commercial and cooperative. He tries to find solutions as opposed to trying to escalate things.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
Beat Schwarz is a very pleasant and involved adviser who takes real ownership of the case.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
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Band 3
Band 3
Christoph Lang
Christoph Lang handles a range of transactional mandates, recently including cross-border acquisitions and spin-offs for notable clients in the insurance, financial services and media sectors.
His very profound legal knowledge combined with exceptional client relationship management makes him an amazing legal counsel to work with.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
It was great working with Christoph, and his charm also helped to bridge some gaps with the other side.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
Christoph Lang is an outstanding lawyer dealing with complex corporate and M&A matters.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
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Band 4
Band 4
Petra Hanselmann
Petra Hanselmann continues to develop a strong practice in Zürich, offering expertise in cross-border acquisitions, carve-outs and restructuring mandates. She is additionally called upon to assist with venture capital matters.
Petra Hanselmann is a very brilliant negotiator. She is always available for us and very quick. I would 100% recommend her.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
Petra represented us with heart and soul alongside her team, consistently showing genuine interest in our concerns and actively advocating for our interests.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
Petra has sound judgement and the strategic and financial understanding that I need. She cuts through these complex issues in M&A.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
With Petra Hanselmann on their side, corporate clients can focus on the big picture.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
She effectively translates our interests into appropriate legal documentation.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
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Band 4
Band 4
Sébastien Roy
Geneva-based Sébastien Roy has experience advising investors and corporates on transactions, strategic partnerships and restructuring mandates.
Sébastien Roy is a very responsive and hands-on lawyer who delivers detailed and sophisticated contract drafting.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
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Band 5
Band 5
Christian Leuenberger
Christian Leuenberger has experience assisting clients with public tender offers and carve-outs, as well as acquisitions and redomiciliation transactions.
Christian Leuenberger is a very reliable person. He has a strong understanding of the business environment and helps in all aspects of the support and services provided by Pestalozzi.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
Christian Leuenberger is a very pleasant and client-friendly attorney. He is a great thinker with deep knowledge. He is also result-oriented and creative.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
I can highly recommend Christian Leuenberger.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
Christian Leuenberger is personable, great with clients and knows his stuff.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
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Band 5
Band 5
Pascal Richard
Pascal Richard assists with acquisitions, share sales and carve-outs, acting for shareholders, holding companies and corporates. He is additionally experienced in handling commercial investments.
Pascal Richard is sharp-minded and as tough a negotiator as they come, with the uncanny ability to break down complex matters into bite-sized pieces for his corporate clients.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
Pascal Richard exemplifies the ideal corporate counsel, combining deep legal expertise with a keen business sense. His strategic insights have been pivotal in navigating complex M&A transactions.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
Pascal Richard is an excellent professional and strong leader.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
His ability to distil complex legal issues into actionable advice is very much appreciated.
Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
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