Corporate/M&A | Europe

Bär & Karrer is highly sought after by both buyers and sellers in corporate transactions, advising on both public and private M&A. The law firm represents clients in joint ventures and spin-offs, and is popular with large corporates, shareholders and private equity investors. It boasts a number of clients from the financial services, luxury goods and pharmaceutical sectors. The team is lauded for its handling of international mandates, as well as its pan-European and Swiss capabilities.

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.

Schellenberg Wittmer's noteworthy M&A team acts on the buy and sell sides of cross-border and domestic transactions. The practice advises a number of clients from the financial services, life sciences, energy and private equity industries. The law firm acts for shareholders and private individuals on the disposal of assets, and also advises clients on corporate restructuring matters, carve-outs and joint ventures.

Advestra advises clients on both domestic and multi-jurisdictional transactions, with strong experience in the technology and life sciences sectors, as well as assisting with partnership agreements. Its client base also includes insurance companies and banks.

CMS's corporate team works closely with the law firm's network of offices across Europe to assist clients with cross-border acquisitions and joint ventures. The team often acts on the buy side of transactions, but also assists with corporate restructurings. The law firm retains a number of clients from the life sciences, chemical and automotive industries.

Kellerhals Carrard is a strong choice for mid-market M&A at a domestic and cross-border level. The team acts for clients on restructuring and governance issues, as well as assisting with shareholder agreements. It is particularly popular with clients from the technology industry and also active on matters involving public sector groups and life sciences companies.

MLL Legal advises both Swiss and international companies on acquisitions, with further experience representing clients in mergers, asset transfers and cooperation agreements. The team is well placed to represent shareholders in equity sales and is particularly active for clients from the TMT, financial, energy and healthcare and life sciences sectors.

Wenger Vieli frequently advises on acquisitions and joint ventures, as well as assisting individual shareholders with divestments. The law firm is also active on cross-border matters, representing international clients in the acquisition of Swiss targets and acting for Swiss companies on cross-border transactions. The team works closely with the law firm's well-regarded energy team to advise on transactional matters.

id est avocats is a Lausanne-based law firm that attracts praise for its strength in venture capital mandates, advising clients on financing rounds and equity investments. The team is additionally well equipped to assist clients with acquisitions, divestments, joint ventures and corporate restructuring matters. Its advice is sought after by companies operating notably in the technology and life sciences industries.

Loyens & Loeff is active on M&A transactions for both international and domestic clients, including those in the defence, technology and finance services. The team often advises on restructurings, share transfers and the establishing of commercial partnerships.

Valfor acts for clients from a variety of sectors such as transportation, technology, distribution and life sciences on corporate transactions. The team assists with cross-border acquisitions, joint ventures, divestments and LBOs. The law firm also advises on the establishment of companies in Switzerland and restructuring matters, and often represents private individuals and family businesses, as well as larger corporate and private equity clients. BianchiSchwald, GHR Rechtsanwälte and PYTHON merged to form Valfor in July 2024.