Bratschi is a Swiss law firm that is active in the financial and corporate space. It has seven offices across Zurich, Basel, Berne, Geneva, Zug, Lausanne, and St. Gallen.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm is best known for its work in the banking and finance and M&A practice areas. In banking and finance, the firm advises lenders in Swiss first league sports club asset financing, factoring arrangements, data centre syndicated financing, refinancing and acquisition financing. The team also works on financial services regulatory matters, where it advises on FINMA regulations and multilateral trading facility licensing. It has a focus on representing companies in the middle and upper middle market.
In M&A, partners advise clients on mandates in the financial services, technology, automation, pharmaceuticals and retail industries. The team represents a mix of sellers, investors and buyers. It also advises on financing rounds and cryptocurrency only share capital incorporations. The firm advised both creditors and insolvent companies in bankruptcy cases and restructurings.
Key clients
Some of the firm’s recent key clients include UBS Bank, Adecco Group, Raiffeisen Bank International, Omni Ray Holding, Descartes Systems Group, Commerzbank, St GallerKantonalbank, Viking Cruises Group, Migros, Swiss Post, Janssen Group and Blue Sail Medical Co.
Research period review: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
Throughout the research period, the banking team represented slightly more lenders in real estate, acquisition, trade, asset and Islamic financing matters. It also advised clients in the banking and financial services on financial services regulatory matters related to acquisitions and securities legislative changes.
In M&A, the team advised on strategic and private acquisitions. Technology and telecommunication continues to be a big industry for the team. It also advised clients in strategic investments.
Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
Loomis Schweiz acquisition of Swiss Post’s businesses
Syntax Systems acquisition of Illumiti Group
Client feedback: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
Asset finance
"Bratschi are very knowledgeable, experienced and responsive. We always enjoy having them in our deal teams and feel very comfortable relying on their judgement."
Banking and finance
"Quality, speed, expertise, client focus, attention to detail and foresight."
"Very responsive and reliable."
M&A
"Bratschi ably supported and guided us through the round involving cross-border investment. The negotiations and transaction documents required resolution of complex topics deriving from different market practices and the need for ensuring legal compatibility in the company's jurisdiction."
"Full-service approach, deep expertise across all relevant legal disciplines in Switzerland, pragmatic and efficient, good value for money."
"The customer service is excellent and competent. Bratschi manages to unite our interests with the interests of the sellers."
"Very responsive; open for pragmatic solutions; they work with diligence; broad experience."
Barbara Jecklin
"Very knowledgeable, experienced and responsive. We always enjoy having them in our deal teams and feel very comfortable relying on their judgement.”
Very responsive and reliable."
Kevin Kengelbacher
"Young, up-and-coming partner. Pragmatic, accessible and efficient."
"Excellent and competent."
Harald Maag
"Client relationship, expertise, experience and attention to detail – weighing risks and returns on a situation-by-situation basis.
Thomas Peter
"Thomas seamlessly integrated with our team and was able to provide us with very valuable commercial input especially with respect to the most difficult negotiation topics. This helped us focus on the topics most critical to us. He is able to simplify complex topics enhancing efficiency.
"Very responsive and reliable."
Pascal Rüedi
"Responsive, pragmatic, cooperative, experienced."
Christian Stambach
"Senior M&A lawyer with broad background. Very knowledgeable, pragmatic and efficient."
Angela Hensch
"Top-notch expertise, attention to detail, client focus."
Stephanie Caprani-Pontes
"Stephanie is able to efficiently connect the dots enabling the preparation of error-free interlinked transaction documents. She effectively managed the closing process involving multiple law firms and coordinating input and requests from multiple parties. She is quick, responsive and thorough in her work.
