About

Provided by Walder Wyss Ltd

Walder Wyss’ Corporate & M&A team consists of roughly 70 professionals and is the largest Corporate & M&A team in Switzerland. While the teams has been advising numerous listed multinationals, privately held companies, private equity firms and other financing institutions, it is also used to servicing visionaries and young entrepreneurs. The team has a longstanding expertise in assisting in the incorporation, organisation and restructuring of various types of business activities in Switzerland and can help its clients create suitable corporate governance structure. Its M&A practice focuses on the structuring and implementation of mergers, acquisitions and disposals of private or public companies, joint ventures, reverse takeovers, proxy contests / takeover defense, direct investment transactions, and any sort of carve-out transactions, in each case often involving multiple jurisdictions. In these transactions, the team develops ideal deal structures, conducts legal due diligence, drafts all relevant documents, leads or assists in the negotiation phase, secures or coordinates the approvals from the necessary authorities (including antitrust / merger control) and handles closing and post-closing matters. The team we can draw from a firm-wide network of around 240 fee earners specialized across a broad range of disciplines for any ancillary services relating to Corporate and M&A projects.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/M&A - Switzerland

2
Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Walder Wyss regularly advises domestic and international clients on the acquisition of Swiss companies. The law firm is particularly popular with clients for transactional and investment matters, including restructurings, investments and joint ventures. The practice represents shareholders in divestments and contentious takeovers. The team's client base includes companies from the banking, technology and pharmaceutical industries.

Work Highlights

  • Walder Wyss advised Helvetia on its merger of equals with Baloise.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Urs Schenker
S
Urs Schenker
S
Senior Statespeople
Urs Schenker offers extensive expertise in acquisitions, divestments and restructurings.
Hans-Jakob Diem
1
Hans-Jakob Diem
1
Band 1

Hans-Jakob Diem is a highly esteemed M&A lawyer acting for corporates on public tenders, acquisitions and strategic partnerships. He is at ease advising on both domestic and international transactions.

Hans-Jakob Diem is very hard-working and reliable. He meets deadlines and protects his clients.

Hans-Jakob Diem has outstanding expertise and is a highly recognised lawyer. He is analytical, sharp, to the point and pragmatic.

Hans-Jakob Diem is very experienced and commercial. He is also a good person to work with as he takes a stance and makes a clear recommendation. It is always a pleasure working with him.

Hans-Jakob has the ability to turn highly complex negotiations and strongly differing positions into viable compromises and robust deals in a very short amount of time.

Hans-Jakob Diem is a highly experienced lawyer and a pleasure to work with.

Urs P Gnos
2
Urs P Gnos
2
Band 2

Urs Gnos handles cross-border private and public M&A, including acquisitions, sales, carve-outs and reorganisations. His client list features notable manufacturing and entertainment companies.

Urs Gnos is a highly recommended lawyer who has great experience and is customer-oriented. He provides quick responses and a high level of expertise.

Urs stands out as a legal adviser who not only demonstrates a mastery of Swiss corporate and transactional law but also brings commercial acumen and sound judgement to the table.

Urs Gnos is a trusted partner who approaches matters with precision, pragmatism and a results-oriented mindset.

Urs Gnos has exceptional expertise in managing complex transactions and excellent knowledge of legal and strategic considerations. He takes a very proactive approach and pays attention to detail.

Urs Gnos is an excellent professional who has great commercial and financial know-how. He is a good negotiator and stays calm even in difficult situations.

Alex Nikitine
3
Alex Nikitine
Head of Corporate/M&A
3
Band 3

Alex Nikitine regularly acts for Swiss clients, including listed companies, on cross-border M&A mandates. He demonstrates recent skill in the insurance and life sciences sectors.

Alex Nikitine is excellent in every aspect.

Markus Vischer
4
Markus Vischer
4
Band 4

Markus Vischer frequently handles complex transactional mandates, including cross-border acquisitions, divestments and carve-outs.

Markus Vischer is a very nice person to work with and an excellent lawyer.

Luc Defferrard
5
Luc Defferrard
5
Band 5

Luc Defferrard assists private equity firms and corporates with M&A and private equity investments, including those with cross-border elements.

Luc Defferrard has excellent synthesis skills and is always available and very attentive to his clients. He is a seasoned negotiator with outstanding business insight.

Ranked Lawyers at
Walder Wyss Ltd

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Switzerland

Corporate/M&A

Urs Schenker
S
Urs Schenker
S
Senior Statespeople
Hans-Jakob Diem
1
Hans-Jakob Diem
1
Band 1
Urs P Gnos
2
Urs P Gnos
2
Band 2
Alex Nikitine
3
Alex Nikitine
Head of Corporate/M&A
3
Band 3
Markus Vischer
4
Markus Vischer
4
Band 4
Luc Defferrard
5
Luc Defferrard
5
Band 5

Members

Provided by Walder Wyss Ltd