LegalcommunityCH Awards 2025, the winners
The LegalcommunityCH Awards 2025 took place at the AURA Event Saal in Zürich. The latest Edition brought together he excellence amongst In-House and law firms’ teams and professionals from the Swiss legal community.
The winners were the following:
IN-HOUSE CATEGORIES
IN-HOUSE TEAM OF THE YEAR
Novartis
The legal department of the innovative medicines company manages projects across various areas efficiently, supported by a team of highly skilled professionals with diverse multidisciplinary expertise, essential for addressing the challenges at the forefront of the market.
IN-HOUSE COUNSEL OF THE YEAR
Barbara Levi – UBS
The professional is well respected for her skillful management of complex transactions, showcasing her leadership by successfully guiding a unified team and bringing an innovative approach to her work.
IN-HOUSE TEAM OF THE YEAR BANKING & FINANCE
EFG International
With a track record of successfully managing complex cases, the legal department has built strong expertise and offers expert-level advisory through its experienced professionals.
IN-HOUSE COUNSEL OF THE YEAR BANKING & FINANCE
Christoph Hiestand- Julius Bär
The professional stands out in the field for his ability to tackle complex issues with meticulous attention to detail, while successfully guiding a team of talented lawyers who work cohesively.
IN-HOUSE TEAM OF THE YEAR AUTOMOTIVE & TRANSPORT
CNH
Renowned for their technical competence and sector-specific knowledge, the team efficiently addresses business needs by designing and implementing effective projects and strategies.
IN-HOUSE COUNSEL OF THE YEAR AUTOMOTIVE & TRANSPORT
Elizabeth Leonhardt – SwissMarine
Under this professional’s leadership, the legal team has strengthened its role in supporting the shipping transportation business, adapting to growth, evolving regulations, and handling several high-profile negotiations in recent years.
IN-HOUSE TEAM OF THE YEAR CONSTRUCTION, PROJECTS, INFRASTRUCTURE
Implenia
The legal team at a leading multinational real estate and construction firm strategically manages complex legal challenges, aligning with business goals to support organizational resilience.
IN-HOUSE COUNSEL OF THE YEAR CONSTRUCTION, PROJECTS, INFRASTRUCTURE
Nicole Olsman – Linxon
The experienced professional oversees legal, compliance, and contract functions, advising on cross-border deals and construction projects with expertise in engineering law.
IN-HOUSE TEAM OF THE YEAR FASHION, DESIGN, LUXURY
Zegna
The team of skilled professionals offers reliable support in complex processes, consistently aligning their efforts with the company’s strategic growth and development objectives.
IN-HOUSE COUNSEL OF THE YEAR FASHION, DESIGN, LUXURY
Alexander Troller – ROLEX
The professional was recently appointed General Counsel at the iconic watch brand, bringing broad experience in litigation and a strong focus on handling complex legal matters across a range of business and regulatory areas.
IN-HOUSE COUNSEL OF THE YEAR ENERGY & RENEWABLES
Federico Piccaluga – Duferco
Recognized for his expertise and market knowledge, the professional has led numerous successful projects, demonstrating strong leadership and team coordination.
IN-HOUSE TEAM OF THE YEAR FOOD & BEVERAGE
Lindt & Sprüngli
The in-house legal team has played a vital role in supporting a leading industry player, overseeing key legal matters and ensuring alignment with the company’s strategic and operational goals.
IN-HOUSE COUNSEL OF THE YEAR FOOD & BEVERAGE
Barbara Keiser – gategroup
By fostering strong corporate governance and a transparent, solution-focused leadership style, the professional plays a crucial role in navigating complex legal matters.
IN-HOUSE TEAM OF THE YEAR INSURANCE
AXA Switzerland
The legal department is recognized for its in-depth expertise and strong analytical skills, navigating complex operations and providing strategic support to the company.
IN-HOUSE COUNSEL OF THE YEAR INSURANCE
Katja Roth Pellanda – Zurich Insurance
The professional has proven her ability to respond effectively to the evolving demands of a complex sector, showcasing multidisciplinary legal expertise and a clear commitment to delivering outcomes.
IN-HOUSE TEAM OF THE YEAR PHARMA, HEALTHCARE & LIFE SCIENCES
Galderma
The legal team provides focused, high-quality support on key matters, ensuring efficient, results-driven guidance through a tightly coordinated in-house structure.
IN-HOUSE COUNSEL OF THE YEAR PHARMA, HEALTHCARE & LIFE SCIENCES
Xavier Schops – medmix
The professional is an accomplished legal expert with a strong business acumen and extensive international experience.
IN-HOUSE TEAM OF THE YEAR TMT
Acer
The team seamlessly navigates complex legal frameworks while staying attuned to developments within the TMT industry, ensuring strategic alignment and proactive decision-making in a rapidly evolving landscape.
IN-HOUSE COUNSEL OF THE YEAR TMT
Karim Tejani – Microsoft
The professional provides expert legal counsel and negotiates deals across multiple industries. Under his leadership, the team drives critical operations that are highly regarded for their strategic and economic impact on the market.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Cornelis Van Ophem – KD Pharma Group
Recently appointed as Global General Counsel and Secretary to the Board, the professional brings a wealth of experience and keen strategic insight, strengthening the team with exceptional legal expertise.
PRIVATE PRACTICE CATEGORIES
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
Niederer Kraft Frey
This team has consistently demonstrated a unique ability to handle the most complex and high-value mandates in the market, combining deep legal expertise with a strategic, business-oriented mindset. Their cross-disciplinary approach and international reach ensure seamless support on critical matters.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR
Christoph Neeracher – Bär & Karrer
This professional is widely recognized for his leadership in private equity and M&A, consistently guiding complex transactions with precision and strategic depth. His broad expertise extends to venture capital, corporate restructurings, and key governance matters.
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR ADMINISTRATIVE & ENVIRONMENTAL
Bratschi
The law firm’s team has proven exceptional expertise handling public construction, planning and environmental projects. During the last year the professionals were involved in ambitious real estate and construction cases.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR ADMINISTRATIVE & ENVIRONMENTAL
Christoph Jäger – Kellerhals Carrard
With deep expertise in administrative and constitutional law, he stands out for his precise legal insight and ability to navigate institutional complexity with clarity and authority. His academic contributions and active involvement in expert panels further strengthen his position as a trusted voice in the field.
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR ARBITRATION
Altenburger Ltd legal + tax
The firm is recognized for its thorough handling of complex arbitration proceedings, driven by the professional’s rigorous preparation and strategic focus. Its team is valued for a detail-oriented mindset and consistently strong execution.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR ARBITRATION
Manuel Arroyo – Eversheds Sutherland
Known for a deep understanding of complex arbitration frameworks, the professional combines technical precision with strategic clarity. His ability to navigate high-stakes disputes with measured insight and authority makes him a standout figure in the international arbitration landscape.
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR BANKING & FINANCE
Pestalozzi Attorneys at Law
The firm is recognized for its solid expertise in the banking and finance sector, combining technical precision with commercial insight. With a track record of advising on complex financing matters, the team continues to be a trusted partner for major financial institutions.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR BANKING & FINANCE
Jürg Frick – Homburger
Widely regarded for his deep knowledge of financial services regulation and banking law, this professional stands out for his work on complex financing transactions and corporate credit facilities. His expertise spans syndicated loans, bond offerings, restructurings, and regulatory matters.
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR CAPITAL MARKETS
Homburger
The team stands out for its leadership in high-stakes capital markets transactions, including IPOs, complex debt instruments, and innovative equity structures. With deep regulatory insight and a strong track record in both domestic and cross-border deals, it consistently sets the benchmark for excellence in the field.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR CAPITAL MARKETS
Thomas Reutter – Advestra
The professional stands out for exceptional expertise in capital markets, offering strategic guidance on complex equity and debt transactions. Often making a decisive impact thanks to the precision and clarity of his counsel.
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR CORPORATE M&A
Lenz & Staehelin
The law firm’s team has built a strong reputation for guiding complex M&A deals, offering strategic and tailored legal solutions. The team is composed of some of the most capable lawyers in the market able to manage the most complex transactions in the market.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR CORPORATE M&A
Philippe Weber – Niederer Kraft Frey
With his technical skills and pragmatical approach, the professional has earned his place as a leading figure in the corporate practice. He has been involved in some of the largest transactions in Switzerland offering tangible solutions
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR COMPETITION & ANTITRUST
Schellenberg Wittmer
The team demonstrated remarkable expertise in navigating merger control procedures, successfully advising on a strategic joint venture in the evolving electric mobility sector. Their role in securing clearance for a high-profile collaboration underscores a deep understanding of competition law and regulatory frameworks.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR COMPETITION & ANTITRUST
Reto Jacobs – Walder Wyss
The lawyer can be placed among the most influential professionals in the field, serving as a trusted advisor for clients seeking deep expertise and strategic guidance. Over the past year, he has led successfully numerous significant transactions involving major players.
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR HEALTHCARE, LIFE SCIENCES, PHARMA
BGPartner | Attorneys-at-law
The team has managed complex financing and spin-off transactions within the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors. Their strategic advisory supported high-profile biotech companies through critical funding rounds, advancing innovative treatments with significant market impact.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR HEALTHCARE, LIFE SCIENCES, PHARMA
Stefan Kohler – VISCHER
The professional is widely appreciated for his deep understanding of the life sciences and pharmaceutical sectors. Known for his strategic mindset and client-oriented approach, he supports companies in delicate matters.
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR IP&TMT
MLL Legal
The firm is recognized for its strong IP focus, especially in patent disputes across pharmaceuticals, tech, and consumer goods. The law firm’s team has successfully handled copyright protection matters, anti-counterfeiting, and urgent litigation measures.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR IP&TMT
Frédéric Serra – HOUSE attorneys
The professional is recognized for his work in trademark disputes and copyright infringement matters. Known for his proactive approach and excellent listening skills, he consistently delivers effective solutions in complex IP cases.
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR LABOUR
Blesi & Papa
This law firm has gained during the years a solid reputation in the Swiss employment law. The professionals excel in handling intricate matters such as employment contracts, large-scale dismissals, bonus claims, and executive appointments and terminations.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR LABOUR
Romina Carcagni Roesler – Streiff von Kaenel
The professional is a perfect example of a determined lawyer that commits to the matters until achieving the most positive outcomes. She has been handling various kinds of proceedings in the employment law such as mass dismissals and gender discrimination.
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR LITIGATION
5Gambit Disputes
With deep expertise across dispute resolution, the firm is highly experienced in commercial and corporate disputes, with a strong track record in financial, post-M&A, white-collar, defamation, and crypto-related litigation.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR LITIGATION
Peter Hafner – Wenger Vieli
The professional stands out for his strong courtroom presence and refined ability to manage complex disputes with strategic precision. His experience across commercial litigation and employment-related conflicts is marked by a results-oriented mindset and clear client communication.
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR REAL ESTATE
Baker McKenzie
The international law firm has a strong leadership on the real estate market, thanks to the extensive expertise in the industry and the wide network behind its shoulders.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR REAL ESTATE
Stefan Gerster – CMS Switzerland
The experienced partner focuses mainly on real estate law, and he is the head of the practice group Real Estate & Construction. Among his clients are both Swiss and foreign investors, companies and individuals. He provides advice on real estate transactions, including acquisition and financing as well as the sale of real estate.
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR TAX
Lenz & Staehelin
The firm can count on the largest tax department in Switzerland with more than fifty professional and excellent international connections. The team can advise on any kind of matter.
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR TAX
Susanne Schreiber – Bär & Karrer
Among Switzerland’s foremost tax experts, the professional provides strategic tax guidance on high-value M&A deals, financing structures, and capital markets transactions, with extensive experience in cross-border work.
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR WHITE COLLAR CRIME
Schellenberg Wittmer
The firm has extensive experience in the representation of corporations, financial institutions, boards of directors, management and other individuals in connection with government investigations, enforcement actions and white-collar criminal prosecutions by Swiss and foreign authorities.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR WHITE COLLAR CRIME
Sandrine Giroud – LALIVE
The partner specializes in domestic and international litigation, with a focus on fraud and asset recovery, white collar crime, legal assistance in criminal matters and international sanctions. She is particularly experienced in sensitive matters requiring reputation and media management.
