gbf Attorneys-at-law Ltd is at the forefront of the transport and aerospace sectors in Switzerland, catering to airlines, shipping companies, equipment manufacturers, insurance companies and banks across the full range of matters. Lars Gerspacher specialises in insurance and reinsurance law and routinely represents aviation, maritime and other transport clients in international litigation. Laurent Chassot is a key port of call for aerospace matters, while Philippe Wenker focuses on aircraft financing mandates. Nando Stauffer von May is well-versed in both contentious and non-contentious matters, from transport insurance and accident claims to corporate and data protection advice. Marco Novoselac is also a name to note for aircraft transactions.
Transport in Switzerland
gbf Attorneys-at-law Ltd
Responsables de la pratique:
Laurent Chassot; Lars Gerspacher; Nando Stauffer von May; Philippe Wenker; Marco Novoselac
Les références
‘gbf combines excellent technical knowledge with an ability to integrate business issues into its analysis.’
‘They have a unique industry focus and are, in my view, the leading Swiss law firm in the fields of aviation, shipping and transport financing.’
‘gbf provides in-depth expert knowledge, as well as a full range of services, in the core practice areas. Their expertise is unmatched.’
Principaux clients
Allianz Commercial
AIG Europe S.A.
Allianz Suisse
AXA Assurances SA
AXA XL
Chubb Insurance
DHL
Ergo Insurance
Fly 7 Executive Aviation SA
Global Aerospace Underwriting Managers
HDI Global
Helvetia Insurance Co.
Maersk A/S
HFW
Michael Buisset heads up the transport offering at HFW. The team is notable for its strong capabilities in shipping disputes and excels in dry shipping, admiralty and crisis management, as well as transactional work. Buisset has extensive experience across a broad range of cross-border transport arbitration work, in particular LMAA disputes. Sarah Hunt is also a name to note, she stands out for her expertise in UK, EU, Swiss, US and Australian sanctions, as well as disputes involving commodities. William Hold routinely represents commodity traders and financiers in both Swiss and English arbitrations.
Responsables de la pratique:
Michael Buisset
Autres avocats clés:
Sarah Hunt; William Hold
Principaux clients
Privatisation Agency of Kosovo
APIX
Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd
Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd fields a market leading team of transport experts who offer a wealth of experience in the full range of trade and transport matters, from litigation, arbitration and regulatory issues to financing and insurance. Grégoire Wuest steers the practice and specialises in the set-up and structuring of cross-border acquisitions and non-standard lending transactions within the shipping and aviation sectors. Bernard Vischer stands out for his expertise in shipping and aviation in corporate and transactional mandates, as well as related private client issues. David Mamane and Edmond Kohler are also key members of the team. Alexander von Ziegler retired in August 2024.
Responsables de la pratique:
Grégoire Wuest
Autres avocats clés:
Bernard Vischer; David Mamane; Edmond Kohler
Les références
‘They are market leaders in the area of yacht finance, especially Grégoire Wuest.’
‘Grégoire Wuest is very responsive and knowledgeable in the area.’
Principaux clients
Austrian Railways
EasyJet
MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA
Panalpina Welttransport Holding AG
Rheinmetal Air Defence
Uber
Principaux dossiers
- Advised a sovereign country in connection with the management of its fleet of aircraft.
- Provided ongoing advice on regulatory administrative authorizations required for Uber to operate in Switzerland.
- Assisted a client with a tender offer for heliborne rescue services in Valais and represented it in subsequent proceedings in which a participant to the tender offer challenged the decision of the client.
MME Legal | Tax | Compliance
MME Legal | Tax | Compliance’s transport and trade team covers the full spectrum of transport-related matters, including regulatory compliance, drafting and negotiating contracts, damage management and other litigation and maritime insurance issues. Practice head Raphael Brunner has extensive experience across a broad range of mandates including international trade law, customs law and related litigation. Philipp Stadler, Flurin Kohler and Kiril Haslebacher are recommended for advice on export control, embargoes and sanctions.
Responsables de la pratique:
Raphael Brunner
Autres avocats clés:
Philipp Stadler; Flurin Kohler; Kiril Haslebacher
VISCHER
VISCHER is best-known for its representation of airlines in a broad array of regulatory, finance and maintenance matters. Peter Kühn heads up the team and is a key contact for corporate, contract and aviation law issues, often with a cross-border element. Urs Haegi excels in corporate and contract law issues, including transactions, business structuring and succession planning. Christoph Niederer advises on tax and social security transport-related issues, while Tobias Rohner handles VAT issues which affect airlines and private jet operations.
Responsables de la pratique:
Peter Kühn
Autres avocats clés:
Urs Haegi; Christoph Niederer; Tobias Rohner
Les références
‘Christoph Niederer is outstanding.’
Principaux clients
Swiss International Air Lines Ltd.
Deutsche Lufthansa AG
Edelweiss Air
LSG Sky Chefs Schweiz AG
Lufthansa Technik AG
Swiss Aviation Training AG
Austrian Airlines AG
DLH Fuel Company mbH
Jet Aviation Ltd.
Schweizerische Rettungsflugwacht
Export Development Canada
Lufthansa AirPlus Servicekarten GmbH
AirPlus International AG
Swissterminal AG
GXO Logistics
Qatar Airways Group Q.C.S.C.
Euroairport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Swiss International Air Lines and various other Lufthansa Group companies in relation to certain legal and tax matters in Switzerland.
- Represented Jet Aviation Ltd in various disputes and advised on transactional matters.
- Advised Qatar Airways group companies on their cross-border and Switzerland-based business operations.
Wartmann Merker Ltd.
Wartmann Merker Ltd.’s transport offering encompasses logistics, trading, shipping and aviation expertise, as well as marine insurance. Under the leadership of Giovanna Montanaro, team has a particular focus on trade, transport and insurance-related disputes. Montanaro is well-versed in the full range of trade and transport law issues and primarily handles cross-border transportation and insurance litigation.
Responsables de la pratique:
Giovanna Montanaro
Les références
‘If you can work with Giovanna Montanaro ,there is no need for anyone else.’
‘Very expert and reliable in the transport practice.’
‘They are the to-go firm in Switzerland for transport matters.’
Bär & Karrer Ltd.
Luca Jagmetti is at the helm at Bär & Karrer Ltd. The logistics and transport team provides advice on a wide array of matters affecting clients in all areas of the transport sector including finance, transactions, regulatory and dispute resolution advice. Jagmetti lends his expertise to M&A transactions and corporate matters, as well as related litigation and administrative proceedings.
Responsables de la pratique:
Luca Jagmetti
Homburger
Homburger has a particular focus on the automotive industry and covers a broad range of related matters, including regulatory issues affecting sales, distribution and manufacturing, as well as technology and emissions. Under the leadership of Marcel Dietrich, the team also advises on competition and transactional matters. Dietrich himself also has extensive experience in regulatory matters, alongside his competition expertise.
Responsables de la pratique:
Marcel Dietrich
Principaux clients
AMAG
Volkswagen
Auto Suisse
Astara
Hyundai
Crédit Agricole
Stellantis
Sony
Honda
Airbus
Safran
Tikehau
Principaux dossiers
- Represented Stonepeak in Swiss merger control proceedings related to acquisition of Global Sea Containers Limited.
- Advising AMAG on all regulatory matters.
- Advised DEKRA on the cross-border acquisition of a stake in Spearhead.
MLL Legal
MLL Legal leverages expertise across the aviation, aerospace and shipping industries. The team works alongside the litigation and tax departments to provide advice on the full spectrum of transport-related issues, in particular financing and tax matters. In Zurich, Karin Oberlin focuses on aviation and shipping finance, catering to banks, aircraft lessors and other borrowers and lessees.
Responsables de la pratique:
Karin Oberlin
Les références
‘We particularly value their reliability, punctuality, competence and friendliness.’
Principaux clients
Oaktree Capital Management
Mizuho
ELFC
Avolon Aerospace Leasing Limited
Merx Aviation
Sanad Aerospace
Viking Air
Global Jet Capital
Dassault Aviation
ABC Maritime AG
Dufour Aerospace
PK Airfinance
ING Bank N.V., Singapore branch
IC Airlease One
AeLo Flight Club
Azorra Aviation Holding LLC
Gearbulk Group
Principaux dossiers
- Assisted Altavair with the negotiation of a novation of a lease agreement entered into with Chair Airlines.
- Assisted Azorra with the negotiation of a lease agreement entered into with Helvetic Airways.
- Assisted ELFC in connection with the sale of 12 engines and a novation agreement entered into with Gryphon Trading as new lessor and IAE International as lessee.