VISCHER in den Medien
- Chambers Europe 2008
Intellecutal Property:
"This integrated Zürich-based team has a strong and long-established copyright practice that goes hand in hand with the firm’s media practice. It also handles trade mark, design and copyright matters, advising on contracts, registrations and litigation. It is particularly active in the software, music, film, photography and publishing industries. Clients speak highly of the group’s “excellent client service".
Rolf Auf der Maur is head of the IP/IT practice group and concentrates on media and IT related copyright and trade mark laws. Stefan Kohler is a welcome new addition to the team. With a background in life science and biotechnology, and niche expertise in genetic technology, he advises universities and businesses on patent and regulatory matters."
TMT:
"Boasting an “outstanding quality of work and client service,” this team focuses primarily on the media arena, advising private television channels and other Swiss and foreign broadcasters on entertainment, film production, broadcasting, online services, regulatory and licensing matters. Recently, it represented a global media company in the development and implementation of its online offerings in Switzerland. Another important focus is IT and technology. Here the lawyers provide expertise in a range of matters including transactions in the banking and transport sectors, software, outsourcing and procurement. For example, they advised a medium-sized private bank on the procurement of new IT systems and applications. In the telecoms field, the practice group advises telecom operators and content providers on the development of new interactive services. It works closely with the firm’s tax and corporate department and offers additional advice on energy law with a connection to technology and competition matters. Clients praised the team’s “exceptionally good specialisation in IT and media law.
”The “technically brilliant and creative” head of the department Rolf Auf der Maur is a media and IT law expert. He was praised for his “business sense, thoroughness and good negotiation skills.” He acts for foreign television channels that operate in Switzerland, Internet companies, search engines and other Internet services. Additionally, he advises large telecom corporations on the spreading of IT networks."
Corporate/M&A:
"Clients recommended this young and fast-growing law firm because of its “excellent local and global network.” The “talented, quick and thorough” team acts out of offices in Zürich and Basel, advising mainly Swiss and US clients on domestic and cross-border M&A transactions as well as on capital markets, regulatory and tax issues. It is also busy handling numerous sale and leaseback real estate transactions and benefits from its good co-operation with US law firms. The Basel office especially earned praise from clients for its “good contacts with the authorities and brilliant skills regarding complicated tax-related matters.” One client pointed out that “the lawyers’ forecasts are reliable and they don’t idealise the situation.” Additional expertise is provided in share and asset deals, public takeovers, leveraged financings and MBOs. For instance, the group advised EOS Holding on its acquisition of Motor-Columbus shares from UBS. It also represented Hansa in a public tender offer for Pelham Investments followed by a squeeze-out and delisting.
Head of the team Jürg Luginbühl handles mainly cross-border US-linked M&A transactions. He has expertise in public takeovers and was praised by interviewees as an “excellent corporate specialist who can grasp complex issues.”
- Focus Europe (Winter 2008)
Robert Bernet, Partner bei VISCHER, wird in dem Artikel "Switzerland Legal Market Report" wie folgt zitiert:... "Other than the disclosure rules, very little has changed in terms of the law, but what has clearly changed since hostile takeovers became more common in 2005 are directors` mindsets. Where in the past, they would have passively put an offer to the shareholders, now we see boards of directors clearly pursuing an increase in the offer by making things difficult fot the potential acquirer. "...
- IFLR 1000/2008
"Since it was founded in 2000, VISCHER has grown steadily and has consolidated its position in the market. In recognition of this success, the firm has been awarded a healthy number of instructions over the last year."
- Legal Business (March 2008/Issue 182)
VISCHER Partner, Adrian Dörig, in einem Interview für den Artikel "Breaking tradition - Switzerland is often perceived as a peaceful country where little of consequence happens, but scratch the surface of its legal and business community, and the reality is strikingly different": ..."Private owners of companies ran the risk of being overtaxed when tey sold their enterprises. But this changed last year when the tax rules regarding the indirect partial liquidation doctrine were amended."...
- Legal 500
Banking and Finance:
"Lead partners Markus Guggenbühl and Adrian Dörig at VISCHER frequently represent borrowers as well as lenders in domestic and international financings arranged in London, New York or Frankfurt, and have extensive experience in structured financings; cross-border leasing, in particular French, Swedish and UK tax leases; and refinancing. In 2007, the firm acted on significant transactions with an international element and values of up to $350m. It also honed its skills in real estate financing on behalf of international investors and lenders, and demonstrated its fluency with the new Law on Collective Investments to various clients requesting advice on the legal environment for investment funds in Switzerland."
Capital Markets:
"VISCHER`s capital markets team has expanded to five partners and ten associates with experience in advising on IPOs, equity offerings and bond issues as well as regulatory advice in respect of securities and investment funds. The firm has witnessed an upsurge in significant transactions involving SWX-listed companies on the back of the unprecedented number of hostile takeover attempts launched recently. In 2007, the team advised Julius Bär & Co on the listing of structured products at SWX and the private placement and public offering of structured products in Switzerland and abroad. A client describes both Jürg Luginbühl and Robert Bernet as ‘outstanding’."
Dispute Resolution:
"At VISCHER, the international arbitration group, headed by Christoph Pestalozzi, deals with claims in the construction, engineering, corporate, and banking and finance areas. Organised separately, the litigation group, jointly chaired by Thomas Gelzer and Marc Russenberger, has specialised practice groups with expertise in specific areas such as insurance liability, employment, real estate, health care and IT/IP disputes. Members of the team have published texts on conducting EU competition law, inheritance and estate proceedings."
EU, Competition, WTO:
"VISCHER fields key practitioners in its growing EU and competition group. The firm has represented significant clients on merger control and antitrust matters. One client reports that over a lengthy and difficult merger process, it received ‘excellent and competent legal advice in all matters relating to competition law’. The ‘very, very good’ Klaus Neff is recognised by peers, while client distinguish Stephan Rechsteiner as one of Switzerland’s premier energy regulatory lawyers – ‘very high legal quality as well as client handling.’ "
TMT:
"The TMT group at VISCHER handles IT and media work for broadcasters, telecoms operators and content providers. It also has a high-profile presence in the energy sector through the activities of Stefan Reichsteiner, considered to be ‘one of a small number of leading energy lawyers in Switzerland’ by one client. ‘The industry knowledge of the media and entertainment team is unique in the Swiss market’, says another. It is noted for its ‘combination of legal skills and industry knowledge’, and is ‘easy to work with’. Team leader Rolf Auf der Maur ‘always goes the extra mile for his clients’."
IP:
"The IP practice at VISCHER is famed for its expertise in copyright and trade mark protection. Rolf Auf der Maur has a particular focus on new technology and media. Stephan Kohler is an expert in technology and life sciences and advises pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device corporates and academic institutions on research and development issues."
M&A:
"VISCHER receives excellent client feedback for service, internal organisation and the quality of its legal advice. The team is continuing to advise on the acquisition by EOS Holding of shares in Motor-Columbus from UBS. New highlights included acting for medical-devices company Endoart on its sale to US company Allergan, advising Saurer AG on its public tender offer by Oerlikon and representing the seller of Quattrocomm on its acquisition by WIN. Jürg Luginbühl and Robert Bernet are ‘outstanding’ and Matthias Staehelin is ‘just brilliant’, according to clients."
