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 insurance sectors. The team is lauded for its handling of international mandates, as well as its pan-European and Swiss capabilities.

Homburger's formidable team has market-leading expertise in acquisitions and divestments. The law firm boasts an excellent reputation for private equity transactions, divestments and joint venture agreements. The practice is esteemed by both domestic and international companies for assistance with cross-border transactions, and is popular with clients from a broad range of industries, including technology, pharmaceuticals and financial services.

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 assistance with corporate transactions, and also has a number of clients from the pharmaceutical sector.

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.

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 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.

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.

Baker McKenzie's well-regarded M&A team boasts a strong international network, advising international clients on acquisitions, sales and carve-outs. The law firm also represents domestic clients in transactions, including assisting shareholders and private equity companies with divestments. The team acts on joint ventures, as well as on corporate transformations, restructuring and the transfer of companies into Switzerland.

CMS's corporate team works closely with the 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 financial services 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, and healthcare and life sciences sectors.

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.

VISCHER has an established corporate practice, advising clients on domestic and cross-border acquisitions and divestments. The team acts on a range of other transactions, including public tender offers and joint ventures, and is particularly popular with clients from the life sciences and banking industries. VISCHER also represents private equity funds in transactions, advising on both acquisitions and corporate exits.

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 firm's well-regarded energy team to advise on transactional matters.

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

Bratschi's recognised team offers notable experience handling mid-market transactions for both companies and private individuals. The practice often advises on cross-border transactions and assists clients with post-acquisition integration, corporate structuring, joint ventures and shareholder agreements. The law firm has several startup companies as clients.

Eversheds Sutherland advises on a number of inbound and outbound transactions, acting for international clients on the acquisition of Swiss companies, as well as representing shareholders in the divestment of Swiss companies to international buyers. The team often assists with cross-border restructuring, joint ventures, mergers, spin-offs and private equity transactions. The law firm is well placed to advise clients from a broad range of sectors including energy and technology.

Eversheds Sutherland advises on a number of inbound and outbound transactions, acting for international clients on the acquisition of Swiss companies, as well as representing shareholders in the divestment of Swiss companies to international buyers. The team often assists with cross-border restructuring, joint ventures, mergers, spin-offs and private equity transactions. The law firm is well placed to advise clients from a broad range of sectors including energy and technology.

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 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.

Wenger Plattner acts on both sides of M&A transactions, carve-outs and investment agreements, offering extensive experience working on all aspects of transactions including due diligence and merger control procedures. Clients of the team are active across a variety of sectors, including life sciences, financial services and retail.