Once the client's intentions and objectives have been identified (if necessary with the help of specialised partners), we structure philanthropic vehicles, mainly foundations, to achieve these objectives in an efficient manner
We draft the statutes and regulations of the foundations specifically according to the client's intentions, and we take the necessary steps to obtain tax exemption.
When an alternative solution (trust, sheltered funds in a shelter foundation, single or multiple donations) seems to better meet the client's particular needs and constraints, we suggest and implement it for him.
Our lawyers are themselves members of various foundations or associations and are thus able to offer clients not only their theoretical knowledge but also, and above all, their practical and concrete experience in the field of philanthropy.
Estate planning is carried out by our lawyers, who are specialists in the field and have many years of experience. They work in close collaboration with trusted partners, whether notaries, tax specialists or foreign colleagues.
As a first step, we always favour a negotiated approach with the aim of reaching an amicable settlement of the conflict, also by means of mediation. If necessary, we take legal action and assert the rights of our clients through litigation by representing them before the ordinary courts or arbitration bodies.
Modern data protection legislation requires those responsible for processing personal data to design their activities from the outset in such a way as to protect such data and to limit processing to what is necessary (privacy by design).
We advise our clients in this fast-growing area by analysing their data protection practices, in the light of recent legal developments. We draft privacy policies for their websites, in particular for e-commerce sites, and verify that the procedures for obtaining consent from data subjects meet legal requirements.
Our services in this area also extend to employment law, where the protection of employees' personal data is particularly sensitive, especially when it concerns their health.
We have also developed an important practice in the field of collective dismissals through several procedures that have been completed in recent times.
On the judicial level, we regularly represent employers and employees before the courts in labour law matters, but we also specialise in collective disputes. Our activities in this area cover both private labour law and civil service law.
Finally, we advise our clients in the areas of social insurance directly related to the employment relationship.
Our international activities have allowed us to consolidate a solid knowledge of the different legal systems that may apply in other countries in a cross-border communication context. We also advise Swiss clients whose rights are not respected or whose activities infringe on those of third parties abroad.
According to the Queen Mary 2021 International Arbitration Survey, “International arbitration is the respondents’ preferred method of resolving cross-border disputes for 90% of respondents, either on a stand-alone basis (31%) or in conjunction with ADR (59%)” and Geneva figures amongst the top five preferred seats of arbitration.
The members of our team have over 16 years of experience in the field of international arbitration. We have extensive expertise in numerous industries and sectors, including construction & infrastructure, sales of goods, commodities, intellectual property, pharma & healthcare, mining & metals, energy, and mergers & acquisitions.
We serve as counsel in arbitrations conducted under various institutional rules as well as ad hoc rules and seated in various countries. While not our core activity, our partners also sit as arbitrators. In addition, we represent parties in enforcement proceedings and in challenge of awards proceedings before the Swiss Federal Tribunal.
We assist our clients in all phases of the dispute:
Pre-arbitration phase: drafting of arbitration clauses; analysis of the risks and chances of success of a possible procedure; assistance in mediation and other Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms; identification of a possible external source of financing (third party funding) and negotiation of the financing contract; correspondence with the opposing party, notification of a claim and management of contacts with insurers.
Arbitration phase: guiding the client through the proceedings; factual assessment and document review; drafting arbitration submissions; witness interview and preparation for cross-examination; selecting and working with technical, quantum and legal experts; pleading and cross-examining during hearings.
Post-litigation phase: enforcement or challenge of arbitral awards .
