Rolf Watter

Practice Areas

Rolf Watter has broad experience in all types of M&A transactions, including defence mandates and was involved on many of the large Swiss corporate transactions. He also specializes in corporate governance questions and compensation issues.

He was chairman of PostFinance, a Swiss systemically relevant bank 2012 - 2021) and of the listed CEVA Logistics (2018/2019) and Nobel Biocare (2012/2014; member 2007/2012); further he was a board member in a number of other Swiss listed companies, namely Aryzta, Zurich Insurance Group, Syngenta, Centerpulse, and Forbo. He was a long-time member of the Regulatory Board of the SIX Swiss Exchange (2003/2022).

Rolf taught as a professor at the University of Zurich 1996 – 2025 and was an editor of the GesKR until 2025 and still is editor of the Basler Kommentare on the Code of Obligations II, the Financial Infrastructure Act and the Merger Act. He still regularly publishes in his fields of work.

In Chambers Global and Europe, Rolf is consistently ranked in tier 1 of the leading lawyers for Corporate/M&A in Switzerland and is recognized as a leading lawyer in the Legal 500 Hall of Fame. He is listed among the top 30 corporate governance practitioners in the world by Expertguides.

Career

Currently board member of AP Alternative Portfolio AG (since 2000)

Chairman of PostFinance AG (2013-2021), of Ceva Logistics AG (2018-2019), Nobel Biocare AG (2007-2014, chairman as from 2012) and Chairman of Cablecom Holdings GmbH (2003-2008); board member of Aryzta AG (2016-2020), Zurich Insurance Group (2002-2014), Syngenta (2000-2012), Forbo (1999-2005), Feldschlösschen Getränke AG (2001-2004) and Centerpulse (2002-2003)

Member of the board of directors of Bär & Karrer AG (2007-2009)

Member of the management board of Bär & Karrer (2000-2009)

University of Zurich: Professor of Law (since 1996), Venia Legendi (1990)

Partner of Bär & Karrer (since 1994)

Georgetown University, Washington D.C.: LL.M. (1988)

Admitted to the Zurich Bar (1986)

University of Zurich: Dr. iur. (1985)

University of Zurich: lic. iur. (1983)

Professional Memberships

Swiss Bar Association (SAV/FSA)

SIX Swiss Exchange: Member of the Admission Board, Recognised Representative for the Listing of Securities

Part-time Professor of Law at the University of Zurich

Co-editor of the law journal "GesKR" and of the Basler Commentaries on Corporate Law, on the Banking Act, the Stock Exchange Act and the Merger Act

Languages Spoken

English

French

German