Our ratings

	Highly competent and dedicated operation (Chambers Global).
	All partners have been recommended in their respective fields (Chambers Global).
	This outfit is well established in Geneva, where it enjoys a reputation as "a very fine firm of excellent lawyers" (Chambers Global 2007).
	Tavernier Tschanz is one of the leading Swiss business law firms. Its multilingual practice covers all areas of business and commercial law for both domestic and international clients. The firm prides itself on being solution-oriented; it endeavors to develop with clients practical and cost-effective responses to their needs. (Chambers & Partners, Europe's Leading Lawyers for Business, The Client's Guide, 2008).
	Clients were impressed with the firm's service: "The lawyers are very dedicated and make sure the solution serves everyone well and meets the client's needs." The clientele includes domestic and international hotel chains; major insurers; automotive companies; investment banks; large private equity funds and entrepreneurs (Chambers Global 2007).
	Tavernier Tschanz punches above its weight, advising international and domestic banking and corporate clients on a variety of matters including corporate finance, investment funds and syndicated loans. Name partner Edmond Tavernier, who sits on the board of several international banks, imbues the practice with a client-orientated style. (The legal 500, John Pritchard 2008).
	This long-established and celebrated Geneva firm enjoys a sterling reputation for its work across francophone Switzerland. "A mighty contender" , the firm has pioneered in IP and technology-related corporate work in particular. Acting for a number of international entities headquartered in Geneva, the firm's workload encompasses corporate governance, contracts, restructuring and complex transactional work. (Chambers & Partners, Chambers Global, The World's Leading Lawyers for Business, The Client's Guide, 2008).
	Eponymous partner Edmond Tavernier combines a busy workload with managerial responsibilities within the firm. Peers hold him in high regard as "one of the great lawyers you'll have the chance to meet". (Chambers & Partners, Chambers Global, The World's Leading Lawyers for Business, The Client's Guide, 2008).
	A number of years ago and contrary to most other law firms in Switzerland, Tavernier Tschanz resolved to concentrated all of its activities on carefully selected practice areas: commercial transactions, banking and finance, general corporate, competition, new technologies, tax and arbitration. Partly as a consequence of this choice, the firm has become one of the leading independent business law firms in Switzerland. It is a fully integrated firm which prides itself on being efficient, solution-oriented and very attentive to its clients' specific situations and needs. (Chambers & Partners, Chambers Global, The World's Leading Lawyers for Business, The Client's Guide, 2008).
	Tavernier Tschanz specialises in advice to foreign and multinational clients and is highly recommended. The firm offers partner-led specialisation in dispute resolution, finance and competition. Banking and corporate specialist, Edmond Tavernier, and well-known arbitrator, Pierre-Yves Tschanz are both highly regarded as are Jacques Bonvin for biotech and hi-tech work and Silvio Venturi for competition (Corporate and Commercial / Legal 500; The European Legal 500, 2005 USA Special Edition on Law Firms in Europe).
	Tavernier Tschanz believes that its added value lies mainly in original legal solutions tailored to its clients' specific requirements. Although for each matter clients have a principal contact person within the firm, Tavernier Tschanz works as one team so that the combined expertise of all the lawyers in always available to its clients. The firm has further resources in its strong ties with leading law professors, many of them former partners or associates of the firm. (Chambers & Partners, Europe's Leading Lawyers for Business, The Client's Guide, 2008)
	Tavernier Tschanz lead the substantial amount of M&A work conducted by the firm in Geneva for Swiss corporates, regularly working alongside international law firms in connection with the Swiss aspects of international deals. (The legal 500, John Pritchard 2008).
	Tavernier Tschanz has a diverse and broad client base, ranging from large international and multinational companies to mid-sized businesses and startups and private entrepreneurs. Clients originate from a wide range of business sectors including banking and financial services, insurance, private equity and venture capital, biotech, pharma, life science, and healthcare, IT, telecommunication and other technologies, oil and gas, luxury goods, hotels, automotion, retail and many others. (Chambers & Partners, Europe's Leading Lawyers for Business, The Client's Guide, 2008).
	This Geneva-based firm is highly regarded for its merger control prowess. Lawyers have advised on some of the country's most significant mergers in the media, energy, consumer products and financial services industries (Chambers Global 2006).
	The firm advises clients on all types of transactions, both domestic and international, such as mergers and acquisitions, takeovers, LBOs, MBOs, MBIs, restructurings, divestitures, and spin-offs and often acts as lead counsel on cross-border deals in these areas. Clients include investment banks, private equity and venture capital firms and funds, and corporate venture funds. (Chambers & Partners, Chambers Global, The World's Leading Lawyers for Business, The Client's Guide, 2008).
	"Entrepreneurs at the service of entrepreneurs" is how Edmond Tavernier and Jacques Bonvin are described at Tavernier Tschanz. Both have trained in major international law firms and bring a distinctive and innovative solution-based approach to their advice to clients in the banking, pharmaceutical, biotech, hotels and hi-tech industries. (The legal 500, John Pritchard 2008).
	Jacques Bonvin is a highly esteemed attorney, maintaining a broad corporate practice encompassing general corporate and M&A, private equity and venture capital work. (Chambers & Partners, Chambers Global, The World's Leading Lawyers for Business, The Client's Guide, 2008).
	The team is involved in cross-border and domestic matters happening locally and in Zurich (Chambers Global 2007).
	Tavernier Tschanz has strong expertise in corporate finance, advising clients on all types of transactions such as M&A, takeovers, LBOs, MBOs, MBIs, restructuring, divestitures, spin-offs, as well as general domestic and international finance. The firm's clients in this area range from large multinational companies, investment banks, large private equity funds, to small successful companies and entrepreneurs. The firm often acts as lead counsel for Swiss and foreign companies in cross-border deals. (Chambers & Partners, Europe's Leading Lawyers for Business, The Client's Guide, 2008).
	The firm advises on, negotiates, and drafts a wide range of commercial contracts (for example joint venture agreements, partnership agreements, loan agreements, distribution agreements, licence agreements, outsourcing agreements, and all sorts of new technologies agreements). Over the years it has acquired background knowledge of a great many industries and business sectors (most especially banking, financial services, media, hotels, security, and the luxury industry). (Chambers & Partners, Chambers Global, The World's Leading Lawyers for Business, The Client's Guide, 2008).
	Its lawyers advise on acquisitions, bankruptcies and real estate law. According to sources, the team is experienced in large corporate finance transactions, including takeovers and spin-offs, and is popular amongst clients for its excellent service and attention to detail (Chambers Global 2006).
	Further expertise is provided in corporate governance, restructurings, stock option plans and refinancings. Additionally, the group benefits from the dynamic between Geneva and Lausanne as well as from the local industry base, which includes hotels; watch manufacturers; banks; luxury goods; IT and biotech companies (Chambers Global 2007).
	The lawyers are focused on M&A, banking and finance and antitrust matters and advise foreign companies on the set-up of Swiss subsidiaries. They also assist local players on domestic and cross-border M&A transactions and private equity matters.
	The firm advises major foreign and Swiss banks on general banking law and regulations on a broad range of matters, from the setting up of a new bank to regulatory matters, due diligence requirements and the day to day business of Swiss and foreign banks operating in Switzerland. The firm is in regular contact with the Federal Banking Commission and has extensive experience in preparing the necessary filings and documentation for the granting of banking and securities dealers licenses for operation in Switzerland. Tavernier Tschanz also advises on all regulatory matters relating to setting up, marketing, and distribution of Swiss and foreign investment funds in Switzerland. (Chambers & Partners, Europe's Leading Lawyers for Business, The Client's Guide, 2008).
	The firm has been retained as lead counsel in a number of large banking mergers in Switzerland and for quite a number of bank acquisitions and has acquired very solid experience in this area. It advises banks and financial companies, Swiss and non-Swiss, on banking law and financial regulations (new banking licences, opening a branch in Switzerland, subsidiaries or representative offices of foreign banks or securities dealers) and on regulatory matters relating to the day to day business of banking operations. The firm has often been called upon to advise banks in the setting up and organization of compliance and risk management departments. The firm's practice brings it into regular contact with the Swiss Federal Banking Commission, be it on regulatory matters pertaining to banks and finance companies, or for issues concerning collective investment funds. (Chambers & Partners, Chambers Global, The World's Leading Lawyers for Business, The Client's Guide, 2008).
	The firm's General Corporate Practice handles corporate and commercial matters dealing with all aspects of corporate life, ranging from general corporate issues (setting up and legal management of companies, corporate governance, restructuring of a company's share capital, setting up and organization of branches, companies or subsidiaries in Switzerland, shareholders and voting agreements, stock option plans and other employees incentive plans, etc) to a wide variety of transactions (group organization and structures, business organization, inter-company relationships, financing and refinancing, etc) and this through the whole corporate life from start-ups to business recovery and companies' reorganization in difficult times. (Chambers & Partners, Europe's Leading Lawyers for Business, The Client's Guide, 2008).
	Clients appreciate Silvio Venturi's performance at Tavernier Tschanz. He has a reputation for pushing through transactions where competition law questions have become issues, and for sensitive handling of investigative competition matters requiring negotiation before the Swiss Competition Commission on behalf of multinationals headquartered in Geneva. (The legal 500, John Pritchard 2008).
	This famous Geneva firm's "well-known and efficient team" offers clients an impressive wealth of knowledge and technical ability in the antitrust sector. In response to its recent workload, the commercially minded group has developed marked expertise in matters concerning the abuse of dominant position. Sources highlight the lawyers' high-level representations before the Competition Commission, as well as their skills in delivering strategic advice in order to avoid such actions. Satisfied clients agreed: "Their judgment and the accuracy of their analysis really make them apart." (Chambers & Partners, Europe's Leading Lawyers for Business, The Client's Guide, 2008).
	Senior commentators "takes Silvio Venturi very seriously in terms of quality." The Berkeley-educated practitioner is named "among the very finest competition practitioners in Switzerland" , and his experience before the competition authorities attracts market attention. (Chambers & Partners, Europe's Leading Lawyers for Business, The Client's Guide, 2008).
	Prominent clients include luxury automobile company Ferrari, which the firm represented in a case before Geneva's civil courts concerning Ferrari's use of qualitative selective distribution in basing its network of authorized repairers. Other significant clients include private health insurers Cosama and Tamoil. (Chambers & Partners, Europe's Leading Lawyers for Business, The Client's Guide, 2008).
	The firm's Competition Practice has extensive experience of advising on the competition and regulatory aspects of mergers and acquisitions, and of representing Swiss and foreign clients before the competition authorities. The team also assists clients in identifying competition problems with their pricing, marketing and business policies. Lawyers of the firm specializing in this practice area are major contributors to the leading commentary on Swiss competition law. The practice leader received the distinction of being invited by the Swiss Competition Commission to be a Non-Governmental Advisor at the 2006 and 2007 ICN Conferences. (Chambers & Partners, Europe's Leading Lawyers for Business, The Client's Guide, 2008).
	The firm's clients come from a number of different economic sectors where competition issues are critical. Tavernier Tschanz also advises clients with specific competition law questions. The firm's competition lawyers have extensive experience in advising on the competition and regulatory aspects of mergers and acquisitions. The firm also assists its clients in identifying competition problems with their pricing, marketing and business policies. Recent matters include notifications and the representation of clients in the chemical, pharmaceutical, communications, media, sport, fine art auctioning and industrial equipment industries. (Chambers & Partners, Chambers Global, The World's Leading Lawyers for Business, The Client's Guide, 2008).
	This outfit's strong corporate orientation gives the tax team excellent market traction. Handling tax and fiscal issues relating major M&A transactions, reorganizations and financings, the compact team has struck a chord with the market. The group's consistently strong performance in complex, multi-jurisdictional mandates garners significant client praise: "We trust the team and have been really satisfied". "The outfit operates across the tax law spectrum, with VAT among its areas of strength". (The Firm / Chambers Global 2007 Tax).
	Tavernier Tschanz's Tax Practice acts for Swiss and international groups, as well as for small and medium enterprises. It assists companies in all fields of corporate taxation as well as wealthy industrial families with respect to the structuring of their holdings and their private estates. It has developed particular expertise in assisting with tax optimization structures, as well as with M&A transactions, corporate restructuring and refinancing. It frequently works with selected tax experts from other jurisdictions to put in place international structures. The firm's tax lawyers also advise companies on tax efficient remuneration of personnel, including employee incentive schemes. The practice has extensive experience in negotiating rulings with Swiss federal and cantonal tax authorities both for companies and institutions. (Chambers & Partners, Europe's Leading Lawyers for Business, The Client's Guide, 2008).
	The firm assists clients in all areas of Swiss direct and indirect taxation (both cantonal and federal levels). It regularly advises corporate clients in general tax planning, relocations, reorganizations, financing and M&A transactions and has gathered significant experience in structuring experience private equity transactions and fund structures for promoters or investors. The firm is often involved in international transactions and is used to working together with its network of carefully selected foreign correspondents. Whenever needed, the firm's solutions are secured by binding tax rulings issued by the relevant federal and/or cantonal tax authorities with whom it is in frequent contact. Clients include large multinational groups, corporate entities and high net worth individuals. The firm also assists private individuals regarding their relocation, and their global and estate tax planning. Tavernier Tschanz operates as a fully integrated firm. Due to this tax planing is well integrated with clients' overall business and legal needs. (Chambers & Partners, Chambers Global, The World's Leading Lawyers for Business, The Client's Guide, 2008).
	The New Technologies Practice covers a wide range of business sectors such as information technology (including telecommunications, media, computer systems, hardware, software equipment and technology supply, consultancy services and e-business), biotechnology, life science and healthcare, microtechnology and nanotechnology. The firm has developed and maintains specific expertise in assisting clients throughout the life cycle of complex IT projects, such as software development, systems integration, ASP solutions, application management, business processes and IT outsourcing. The team has extensive expertise in information technology law issues, such as e-commerce assessment of web strategies, privacy and security issues, outsourcing of IT resources, web communities, digital signature and public key infrastructures, as well as the resolution of domain name disputes. The firm's attorneys' understanding of the technical and commercial aspects of clients' projects, combined with its experience in negotiating deals, enables Tavernier Tschanz to assists clients efficiently and to bring real added value to their ventures. (Chambers & Partners, Chambers Global, The World's Leading Lawyers for Business, The Client's Guide, 2008).
	Alongside their recognised expertise for arbitration, corporate finance (mergers and acquisitions and banking), competition and antitrust law, Tavernier Tschanz have developed a strong practice in new technologies (information technology, telecom, media, e-business, biotechnology) related concerns, such as e-commerce issues, web strategies, technology transfers and licensing, as well as venture capital and private equity. Three of the firm's attorneys are also professors of law. The firm's solid client base relies on direct relations with both Swiss and international corporations, as well as on international referrals (Martindale Hubbell International Law Directory 2005).
	Tavernier Tschanz's TMT practice represents technology companies and companies confronted with new technologies law issues. The firm has specific expertise in assisting clients on complex IT projects, such as software development, systems integration, ASP solutions, application management, business process and IT outsourcing (TMT / Legal 500, 2006).
	The firm works extensively with clients in the biotech industry, private equity houses and multinational companies. (Chambers & Partners, Chambers Global, The World's Leading Lawyers for Business, The Client's Guide, 2008).
	The Arbitration Practice has forged a reputation for thorough, tenacious advocacy as counsel in a great number and variety of major international arbitrations. The Practice offers a unique blend of the flexibility and creativity earned of extensive international work, and in-depth knowledge in Swiss contract, commercial and corporate law. Current cases are being conducted under the Rules of the ICC, the AAA, ICSID, Vienna Centre, under the Swiss Rules, and ad hoc with UNCITRAL Rules. Currently, places of arbitration are Geneva, Zurich, Paris, Vienna, London, Brussels and Washington. Tavernier Tschanz is lead counsel in 2 of the 10 largest arbitration cases in the world (aside from treaty arbitration) (source The American Lawyer , June 2007). (Chambers & Partners, Europe's Leading Lawyers for Business, The Client's Guide, 2008).
	The firm was shown in a recent survey to be lead counsel in two of the ten largest arbitration proceedings worldwide (aside from treaty arbitrations). The Arbitration Practice deals exclusively with major corporate or commercial cases. The firm has chosen to act mainly as counsel in these arbitration proceedings although appointments as arbitrator are occasionally accepted. The firm has the experience to act effectively in arbitrations presenting virtually any combination of the major arbitral seats, substantive laws, arbitration rules, and arbitral procedures. The firm operates as one team and in a fully integrated manner. Lawyers on the Arbitration Team enjoy the full support of the entire firm to develop arguments and case strategies, and to deal with large submissions and witness hearings. The firm's lawyers publish and speak at conferences on a wide variety of arbitration topics. (Chambers & Partners, Chambers Global, The World's Leading Lawyers for Business, The Client's Guide, 2008).
	This sophisticated operation in Geneva came warmly recommended. Drawing clients from banking, finance, telecoms, biotech and manufacturing sectors, its lawyers are active as counsel in number of high-profile disputes throughout Europe. ICC arbitrations have been a particular focus of late (Chambers Global 2006).
	Other arbitrators recommend Pierre-Yves Tschanz at Tavernier Tschanz they are recognizing a practitioner with many years of experience acting as counsel to parties in complex international arbitration proceedings around the globe. He heads a team of seven lawyers in Geneva. (The legal 500, John Pritchard 2008).
	Tavernier Tschanz acts for private individuals, offering a full range of legal services including asset structuring in Switzerland and abroad, and trusts and estates expertise. (The legal 500, John Pritchard 2008).
	The talented disputes group at Tavernier Tschanz has handled several notable arbitrations during the past year and continues to "inspire great confidence" in those it serves. Clients also compliment the "personal and thorough boutique service". (Chambers & Partners, Chambers Global, The World's Leading Lawyers for Business, The Client's Guide, 2008).
	Pierre-Yves Tschanz is a "meticulous and technically impressive practitioner" who regularly acts in high-value arbitration. (Chambers & Partners, Chambers Global, The World's Leading Lawyers for Business, The Client's Guide, 2008).
	The firm maintains an extensive network of carefully selected foreign correspondents specialized in the different areas of its practice. As a result of this long undertaken selection policy, Tavernier Tschanz has the ability to efficiently and effectively co-ordinate international projects by working with top law firms specifically selected for each project. Most of the firm's lawyers studied abroad after completion of their studies in Switzerland and subsequently had training with major American or English law firms. (Chambers & Partners, Europe's Leading Lawyers for Business, The Client's Guide, 2008).
	Stemming from its strength in M&A, Tavernier Tschanz's corporate and commercial department is able to deal with all aspects of a client's corporate life, from inception (incorporation, corporate governance) to assisting on important transactions (group restructuring, financing and re-financing), once the company has reached a critical mass (Legal 500, 2006).
	Tavernier Tschanz has acted on a plethora of acquisitions and disposals…One client enthused: "they always try to find really practical and pragmatic solutions" (M&A / Legal 500).

  Print version   |  Legal Statements   |   © Tavernier Tschanz 2010