Dr. Robert Bernet LL.M.
Attorney at Law / Partner
Robert Bernet specialises in advising Swiss and foreign clients in corporate transactions - public takeovers of listed companies, mergers, de-mergers, joint ventures, private equity and venture capital transactions - and has considerable experience in transaction management. He also advises national and international companies and their owners and executive bodies on matters relating to company law and corporate governance & compliance.
Robert Bernet is recognized by the Regulatory Board of the SIX Swiss Exchange as representative of issuers.
Languages
German, English, French
"Basel-based Robert Bernet frequently assists with cross-border acquisitions and shareholder agreements, notably for companies operating in the biotechnology industry. "
Chambers and Partners - 2026
"Robert Bernet is very approachable and provides quick, helpful feedback. He is also highly experienced and highly recommended, even for complex and demanding transactions."
Chambers and Partners - 2026
"Robert Bernet is a very lovely person who is technically good."
Chambers and Partners - 2025
"Recommended for Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Private Equity Law"
Best Lawyers Switzerland - 2024
"Recognized as Highly Regarded Lawyer 2024"
IFLR 1000 - 2024
"Excellent in Corporate/M&A"
Leaders League: Switzerland - Best Law Firms - 2024
"He is my go-to partner."
Chambers Global & Europe - 2023
"proactive and commercially-minded approach to tackling problems" "very responsive" "pragmatic while maintaining reasonable hourly rates"
IFLR 1000 - 2023
"Recommended for Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Private Equity Law. Lawyer of the year 2019/2020/2021"
Best Lawyers Switzerland - 2022
"Basel-based Robert Bernet frequently assists with cross-border acquisitions and shareholder agreements. Clients highlight his "subject and jurisdiction knowledge" and describe him as "commercial and responsive.""
Chambers Global & Europe - 2022
"Very kind and professional." "First tier in all aspects, professional, highly experienced." "Very good knowledge, communication, innovative."
IFLR 1000 - 2022
"Robert Bernet advises shareholders and companies on sales and acquisitions, as well as strategic cooperation and squeeze-outs. Clients say he is "very focused, precise and knowledgeable.""
Chambers Global & Europe - 2021
"“Commercial responsive, professional.”"
IFLR 1000 - 2021
"Robert Bernet stands out, managing teams very efficiently, reacting quickly and perfectly judging the level of intensity with which to get involved."
Legal 500 - 2021
"Robert Bernet acts for domestic and international clients on the acquisition of Swiss companies. Bernet recently advised on a number of transactions in the technology sector."
Chambers Global & Europe - 2020
"VISCHER advises on a broad spectrum of capital market matters, including IPOs (where it is particularly active in the life sciences industry), bond issues and regulatory matters. The client portfolio is similarly diverse with national and foreign banks, hedge funds, and companies, among others, instructing the team. Team leader Markus Guggenbühl focuses on debt financing, capital market transactions and public takeovers, while Jana Essebier is well versed in structured products and other financial instruments. Basel-based Matthias Staehelin and Robert Bernet are other key practitioners."
Legal 500 - 2020
"VISCHER has a solid track record in national and cross-border M&A and private equity transactions in the mid-market. Other areas of expertise are public takeovers and proxy solicitations, and the team is particularly well versed in the life sciences sector. Jürg Luginbühl and Robert Bernet lead the M&A practice groups in Zurich and Basel respectively. Matthias Staehelin, also in Basel, is an expert in life sciences mandates, while Gian-Andrea Caprez specialises in the TMT/ICT sector."
Legal 500 - 2020
"At VISCHER, Robert Bernet and managing associate Moritz Jäggy lead a 'reliable and very competent' team that demonstrates 'a high level of accuracy, availability and competency' in sports matters. Recent work includes advising Swiss Beach Soccer GmbH on the organisation of beach soccer in Switzerland, including negotiations and the resolution of disputes with Beach Soccer Worldwide and FIFA. The firm also assisted Starc Marketing & Sports GmbH with all legal matters regarding sports event marketing."
Legal 500 - 2020
"Robert Bernet represented Syngenta in the Swiss aspects of the carve-out and sale of its sugar beet seeds business. He has further experience in the energy and private equity sectors, assisting with cross-border transactions. He draws praise from interviewees for his "proactive and commercially-minded approach to tackling problems."
Chambers Europe/Global - 2019
"Derivatives, securities listings, IPOs, bond issues and fintech products constitute the core areas of advice at VISCHER. Markus Guggenbühl assists UK-based Elliott Advisors on Swiss securities laws, takeover and disclosure rules in connection with several matters, while Robert Bernet advised Openlimit Holding during its authorised investment capital increase; its shares are traded on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Matthias Staehelin advised Crispr Therapeutics on a $130m public offering of shares on Nasdaq."
Legal 500 - 2019
"VISCHER has 'a strong position in the Basel market' and 'can assist very well in corporate transactions', with a particular focus on mid-market M&A and private equity deals, as well as Chinese inbound and outbound transactions. Jürg Luginbühl and the 'very responsive' Robert Bernet 'align teams according to the size of the transaction' and provide 'pragmatic solutions while maintaining reasonable hourly rates'. Recent highlights include handling Dutch client Lundbeck's €905m acquisition of the entire share capital in Prexton Therapeutics, as well as advising GreatStar Hangzhou Industrial on the purchase of Lista. Life sciences and IT specialist Matthias Staehelin is the another key contact."
Legal 500 - 2019
"According to market commentators, Robert Bernet is a 'very well-known figure in the Swiss market'. He is particularly focused on advising on transactions in the energy sector and has experience of public M&A. He advised Thales Alenia Space on its purchase of RUAG's opto-electronics business."
Chambers Europe - 2018
"Robert Bernet advised Educas Investments on the acquisition of St George's International School. Bernet 'has a positive, proactive and commercially minded approach to tackling problems,' according to sources. He advises listed companies from the energy and manufacturing sectors on public M&A."
Chambers Europe/Global - 2017
"Robert Bernet advises on M&A and has strong experience of private equity and energy-related transactions. One client was happy that he was 'precise, flexible and always available,' and that 'he had a good understanding of the challenges faced.'"
Chambers Europe/Global - 2016
"The team at Vischer 'provides very prompt and reliable advice'. Recent work includes assisting Cytos Biotechnology with its restructuring of convertible notes and outstanding mandatory convertible bonds listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. Other clients include Julius Bär, Helvetia Insurance and PwC as liquidators of Lehman Brothers in Switzerland. Practice head Markus Guggenbühl and Robert Bernet are recommended."
Legal 500 - 2016
"Jürg Luginbühl heads the ‘reliable, knowledgeable, and prompt’ team at Vischer. Recent work includes advising the owners of GlycoVaxyn regarding its sale to GlaxoSmithKline and assisting OC Oerlikon with the sale of its advanced technologies segment to Evatec. Robert Bernet has ‘excellent business acumen’ and Matthias Staehelin is particularly recommended for life sciences transactions."
Legal 500 - 2016
"Robert Bernet has a particular focus on public M&A. Clients recommend him for his in-depth knowledge of the market as well as his practical approach. 'He is a very good lawyer with a very straightforward approach,' say clients."
Chambers Europe/Global - 2015
"Vischer 'provides very prompt and reliable advice' at 'very competitive rates'. Practice head Markus Guggenbühl and Robert Bernet are recommended. The firm was appointed as transaction counsel by Julius Bär on its CHF350m additional tier one capital placement."
Legal 500 - 2015
"The ‘reliable, knowledgeable, and prompt’ team at Vischer is led by Jürg Luginbühl. Robert Bernet has ‘excellent client communication skills’. Recent work includes advising Loomis on the Swiss law aspects of its acquisition of the valuables logistics company Via Mat and assisting II-IV Incorporated with the acquisition of laser diodes supplier Oclaro Switzerland."
Legal 500 - 2015
"Robert Bernet is 'a brilliant advocate who also has good business sense,' say clients. Bernet advised IWB Industrielle Werke Basel on acquiring a 15% equity stake in the Nant de Drance power station, currently under construction, from Alpiq."
Chambers Europe/Global - 2014