All Bär & Karrer News
3 October 2011 - Bär & Karrer again elected Swiss Law Firm of the Year by The Lawyer
For the second time in a row, Bär & Karrer was awarded the title "Swiss Law Firm of the Year" at The Lawyer's annual European Awards ceremony. Held in Geneva, the event saw the top firms from each of Europe's main markets rewarded for their excellence over the last 12 months.
We are delighted about this success which we see as a recognition of our continuous efforts for our clients and of the passion for excellence of our lawyers and staff.
The Lawyer is a widely recognized publishing house for the legal profession. It is based in the United Kingdom.
For more information kindly refer to [http://www.thelawyer.com/the-lawyer-european-awards-2011-winners/1009516.article].
29 September 2011 - Bär & Karrer wins 2011 M&A Advisor Award
Bär & Karrer is a winner of a 2011 M&A Advisor Award for the Acquisition of Alcon by Novartis and the Going Private of Alcon. The transaction won the awards "M&A Deal of the Year (Over $5 Billion)" and "Healthcare/Life Sciences transaction of the Year" selected out of an international field of finalists.
In one of the largest transactions in Swiss history, Novartis acquired Alcon, a NYSE-listed global leader in eye care, for USD 51.4 billion. After having purchased approximately 77% of Alcon's shares from Nestlé SA in two steps, Novartis recently completed the process of acquiring the remaining shares held by minority shareholders.
As a novelty in a cross-border context, the transaction structure made use of a Swiss merger structure to achieve a going private of a US-listed (but Swiss domiciled) company. The merger as such also contained innovative approaches, e.g. a price cap/collar mechanism which ensured downward protection by way of a put option.
Bär & Karrer advised Novartis regarding the structuring of the acquisition and regarding the negotiations with Nestlé, with Alcon, with Alcon's independent committee of board members, and with minority shareholders.
The M&A Advisor has been a preeminent organization facilitating connections and recognizing achievement in top performers of the M&A, turnaround and financing industries since 1998.
27 September 2011 - Bär & Karrer AG appoints new Board members
Bär & Karrer has changed the composition of its Board of Directors. It now consists of the following members:
Daniel Hochstrasser (Senior Partner)
Dr. Markus Wang (Infrastructure)
Paolo Bottini (Finance)
Dr. Corrado Rampini (Human Resources)
Dr. Thomas Reutter (Business development & Know-how)
Bär & Karrer's partners are expressing their gratitude for the important contributions of the long standing board members Eric Stupp (since 2003) and Dr. Ralph Malacrida (since 2006) to the firm's success.
26 September 2011 - Bär & Karrer elects new partners
Bär & Karrer is pleased to announce that Mariel Hoch Classen, Rashid Bahar, and Andrea Gamba have been elected as partners of the firm as of 1 January 2012.
We are excited that Mariel Hoch Classen, Rashid Bahar, and Andrea Gamba are joining the partnership and are looking forward to a successful collaboration.
6 July 2011 - Daniel Hochstrasser assumes office as Senior Partner of the firm
Daniel Hochstrasser assumes office as Senior Partner of the Swiss law firm Bär & Karrer. He succeeds Felix Ehrat who will leave the firm to become General Counsel of the pharmaceutical company Novartis. Daniel Hochstrasser has been with Bär & Karrer since 1993 and is widely recognized as one of the leading litigation and arbitration lawyers in Switzerland. He had already been a member of the management board of the firm from 2000 to 2006. Commenting on his new position, Daniel said: "I am excited to drive the firm forward and to reinforce the firm's reputation for first class legal advice. Bär & Karrer has an excellent position in the Swiss market, and together with my fellow board members and my partners, I am convinced that we will be able to build on our strengths."
6 July 2011 - Rolf Watter elected as interim Chairman of Nobel Biocare
The Board of Directors of Nobel Biocare has elected Rolf Watter in its meeting on Sunday, 3 July 2011 as interim Chairman of Nobel Biocare.
Rolf Watter takes over from Heino von Prondzynski and will fulfill the chairman role until 20 March 2012 when Michel Orsinger will become chairman if elected by the shareholders.
14 June 2011 - St. Gallen Bank Law Day
On 24 June, the St. Gallen Bank Law Day takes place in Zurich. Different speakers will talk about various topics of bank law.
Eric Stupp and Rashid Bahar of Bär & Karrer will speak about rights of lien clauses in General Terms and Conditions of banks.
This is the sixth event about bank law organized by the Institute for legal studies and legal practice. The event is primarily intended for lawyers of financial institutions, private practitioners, authorities and in-house lawyers of companies.
17 May 2011 - Tina Wüstemann elected Runner up of the Year at Citywealth Magic Circle Awards
Tina Wüstemann, who heads Bär & Karrer's private client department, has been honoured in the 2011 Citywealth Magic Circle Awards, which took place in London on 12 May 2011. She was elected Runner Up of the Year in the category International Lawyer of the Year. Moreover, Tina Wüstemann was listed along with two of her colleagues in the 2011 Citywealth annual leaders' list which recognises leading wealth managers and advisers.
She comments, "I feel honoured and delighted about this recognition. It is a great acknowledgement for the relentless efforts my team and I put in every day to best meet our clients' needs. I would like to thank everybody who has supported me".
Citywealth provides a platform for bringing together ultra-high net worth clients with their advisors and managers working in the private wealth sector. Now in their sixth year, the Citywealth Magic Circle Awards have become an established event to recognise the achievements of the private clients' sector during the past year. In addition to a distinguished panel of judges, Citywealth invited the private wealth management industry to have their say via online voting.
28 April 2011 - 5th Intensive Seminar Mergers & Acquisitions for Practitioners (20-21 September 2011)
Christoph Neeracher, partner at Bär & Karrer, again chairs the 5th Intensive Seminar on Mergers & Acquisitions for Practitioners which will be held on 20-21 September 2011 in Lucerne under the patronage of the University of St. Gallen. Following a well-established concept, the seminar will focus on legal, tax and financial matters regarding M&A. Emphasis will be placed on exemplifications in workgroups, which will be complemented by presentations and panel discussions. The seminar is primarily aimed at CEOs, CFOs and COOs as well as in-house legal advisers, auditors, lawyers and other persons regularly engaged in M&A-transactions.
The seminar will include experienced speakers from Bär & Karrer and other firms. Bär & Karrer is, aside from the chairperson, represented by Felix R. Ehrat and Rolf Watter, who will both participate in the panel discussion on selected aspects of M&A as well as recent trends and developments in the M&A-market. Christoph Neeracher, Michael Trippel, Daniel Bader, Luca Jagmetti and Oliver Brupbacher will act as co-heads of or speakers in different workgroups, in which specific issues emerging from M&A-transactions are discussed and assessed within small groups.
The program and the application form of this seminar can be downloaded here. Applications can be made directly at the Institut für Rechtswissenschaft und Rechtspraxis of the University of St. Gallen (see flyer and application form).
19 April 2011 - Dr. Felix R. Ehrat will become the new General Counsel of Novartis
The partnership of Bär & Karrer is pleased and honored to announce that Dr. Felix R. Ehrat will become the new General Counsel and permanent attendee of the Executive Committee of Novartis effective 1st October 2011. He will directly report to Joseph Jimenez, CEO of Novartis. Felix R. Ehrat has served as Managing Partner of Bär & Karrer since 2000, as its Senior Partner since 2003 and as its Executive Chairman since 2007. As leading practitioner in the fields of corporate and M&A law, corporate governance, banking law, arbitration and as a leader of the firm, Felix R. Ehrat has made significant contributions to the long time development of Bär & Karrer during his career of now more than 24 years.
Felix R. Ehrat will be succeeded by Daniel Hochstrasser as Senior Partner and Executive Chairman. Daniel Hochstrasser is a leading litigator and arbitrator in Switzerland. On behalf of the partnership, Daniel Hochstrasser states: "Felix' departure constitutes a significant loss for our firm but is also a tribute to the quality of our firm and our work. His contribution to the successful development of Bär & Karrer in the last decades has been invaluable and he was the face of our firm in Switzerland and abroad. We will miss him. At the same time, we are proud of his new position in one of the largest global companies and wish him all the best. My intention is to lead the firm in the spirit of Felix; we remain committed to be a best-in-class service provider to all our current and future clients and an employer where top legal talent enjoys to work."
10 March 2011 - Bär & Karrer wins 2011 M&A Advisor Turnaround Award
Bär & Karrer is a winner of a 2011 M&A Advisor Turnaround Award for its OC Oerlikon restructuring. The transaction won the award Out-of-Court Reorganization of the Year selected out of an international field of finalists.
In one of the most prominent restructurings in recent Swiss history, OC Oerlikon Corporation (a listed Swiss industry conglomerate with operations all over the world) reached agreement with its largest shareholder Renova, the lenders of the CHF 2.5 billion syndicated loan facilities, and various hedge-funds and other creditors on a comprehensive financial restructuring. The transaction was successfully closed in June 2010.
Bär & Karrer acted as Swiss legal advisor and Latham & Watkins as international counsel for Renova. The Bär & Karrer team included Ralph Malacrida and Till Spillmann.
The M&A Advisor has been a preeminent organization facilitating connections and recognizing achievement in top performers of the M&A, turnaround and financing industries since 1998.
11 February 2011 - Bär & Karrer named a finalist for 2011 Turnaround and IFLR Awards
OC Oerlikon restructuring nominated for "Turnaround of the year" and "Most innovative restructuring of the year".
The OC Oerlikon restructuring has been selected as a finalist for the M&A Advisor 2011 Turnaround Awards and the 2011 IFLR Europe Awards.
In one of most prominent restructurings in recent Swiss history, OC Oerlikon Corporation (a listed Swiss industry conglomerate with operations all over the world) reached agreement with its largest shareholder Renova, the lenders of the CHF 2.5 billion syndicated loan facilities, and various hedge-funds and other creditors on a comprehensive financial restructuring. The transaction was successfully closed in June 2010.
Bär & Karrer acted as Swiss legal advisor and Latham & Watkins as international counsel for Renova. The Bär & Karrer team included Ralph Malacrida and Till Spillmann.
The M&A Advisor has been a preeminent organization facilitating connections and recognizing achievement in top performers of the M&A, turnaround and financing industries since 1998.
The renowned International Financial Law Review (IFLR) annually presents its European Awards, celebrating the most innovative legal deals of 2010 and the firms that completed them.
5 October 2010 - Bär & Karrer Strengthens its Tax Department
The Swiss law firm Bär & Karrer strengthens its tax department by recruiting three highly qualified tax specialists.
The three tax experts Prof. Dr. Robert Waldburger, Dr. Raoul Stocker and Daniel Bader have gained extensive and long-standing experience working for governmental bodies and reputable consulting firms.
Robert Waldburger is an economist and lawyer, a Professor at the University of St. Gallen and Director of the Institute of Public Finance and Fiscal Law. Furthermore, Robert Waldburger served as a delegate for International Tax Treaties and as Vice Director and Head of the Department of International Affairs of the Swiss Federal Tax Administration from 1998 to 2007. In this function, he represented Switzerland in international bodies such as the OECD and the UN. Since retiring from this office, Robert Waldburger has been working at the University of St. Gallen and advising corporations and individuals on national and international tax law.
Dr. Raoul Stocker, economist and lawyer, was a Partner with the Tax Department of a big 4 audit firm where he occupied the position of Head of the Swiss Transfer Pricing Practice. From 2003 until 2008, Raoul Stocker served as the Head of Transfer Pricing and Deputy Head of the Department of International Affairs of the Swiss Federal Tax Administration. In this function, he represented Switzerland in the Working Party No. 6 of the OECD (Taxation of Multinational Enterprises). Dr. Raoul Stocker is a Vice Director of the Institute of Public Finance and Fiscal Law and lecturer for tax law and transfer pricing at the University of St. Gallen.
The economist Daniel Bader was a Senior Associate at a major Swiss law firm where he was a member of the practice teams Tax and Private Clients. Currently, he advises corporations and individuals in national and international tax law. Daniel Bader is a member of the board of the Swiss branch of the International Fis-cal Association and is responsible for the development of the Young IFA Networks.
The three joining members will considerably strengthen the existing tax department of Bär & Karrer. Their appointment highlights the importance Bär & Karrer attaches to the Tax Department. The Tax Department advises Swiss and international corporations and individuals on tax planning and transaction structuring as well as tax compliance and represents clients before tax authorities and courts.
27 September 2010 - Bär & Karrer elected Swiss Law Firm of the Year by The Lawyer
Bär & Karrer won the award "Swiss Law Firm of the Year" in The Lawyer's annual European Awards ceremony. Held in Berlin, the event saw the top firms from each of Europe's main markets rewarded for their excellence over the last 12 months.
We are delighted about this recognition of our continuous efforts for our clients.
The Lawyer is a widely recognized publishing house for the legal profession. It is based in the United Kingdom.
For more information kindly refer to http://www.thelawyer.com/1005576.article.
30 August 2010 - Bär & Karrer breaks new ground with the training of its employees
The Swiss law firm Bär & Karrer is significantly expanding the training program for its employees. In cooperation with the St. Gallen University (HSG), the Bär & Karrer College (BKC) was established. It will start running in Fall 2010. In the training program, associates attend lectures and seminars which aim at a strongly practically oriented in-depth development of existing professional knowledge. In addition to addressing legal topics, the BKC will be offering courses in business administration, economics and other areas.
This integrated professional training supported by both in-house experts and external specialists was designed to heighten the abilities of the associates working with the firm and to enable them to best respond to our clients' needs. By establishing the BKC, Bär & Karrer emphasizes the importance it ascribes to the continuing education and professional development of its employees.
The training within the Bär & Karrer College is formally recognized. After approximately two years, the associates complete the first part of the training with a certificate. After another two years they acquire a diploma of the St. Gallen University. Both degrees may be counted towards the acquisition of an Executive MBA at the St. Gallen University. The brochure can be downloaded here.
Information about Bär & Karrer
Bär & Karrer is a leading Swiss law firm with offices in all three main language regions in Switzerland. It provides high-end legal advice to clients in complex transactions and litigations. Its clients range from multinational corporations to private individuals both in Switzerland and worldwide.
Contact for queries: Eric Stupp, Bär & Karrer AG, Brandschenkestrasse 90, CH-8027 Zürich Tel: +41 58 261 50 00, E-mail: eric.stupp@baerkarrer.ch
3 August 2010 - 4th Intensive Seminar Mergers & Acquisitions for Practitioners (21-22 September 2010)
The seminar will include experienced speakers from Bär & Karrer and other firms. Bär & Karrer is, aside from the chairperson, represented by Felix R. Ehrat and Rolf Watter, who will both participate in the panel discussion on selected aspects of M&A as well as recent trends and developments in the M&A-market. Christoph Neeracher and Charlotte Wieser will co-head the Workgroup Legal during which specific issues emerging from M&A-transactions are discussed and assessed within small workgroups.
The program and the application form of this seminar can be downloaded here. Applications can be made directly at the Institut für Rechtswissenschaft und Rechtspraxis of the University of St. Gallen (see flyer application form).
29 July 2010 - Client Seminar: Konfliktfragen zwischen Ad hoc-Publizität und weiteren Publikationspflichten
The upcoming Bär & Karrer breakfast meeting deals with practical aspects of Ad Hoc Publicity and its relationship to other disclosure obligations foreseen in the Listing Rules ("Konfliktfragen zwischen Ad hoc-Publizität und weiteren Publikationspflichten"). It will be held by Urs Brügger and Dieter Dubs on 9th and 15th September 2010, at 8 am, at our offices at Brandschenkestrasse 90, Zurich.
The application form for this event can be downloaded here.
The breakfast meeting is part of a series of client seminars introduced by Bär & Karrer, taking place four times a year. The meetings are aimed at CEOs, CFOs and COOs as well as in-house legal adviser, auditors, lawyers and other persons that are regularly engaged in the specific areas.
The next seminar will take place on 2nd December 2010, 5:30 pm., at the Hotel Widder, Zurich, on the topic "Insider Trading - Five Case Studies from the General Counsel's Desk" (Rolf Watter and Mariel Hoch Classen from Bär & Karrer jointly with Andrew Hearn and Wayne Rapozo from Dechert LLP, London). The application form for this event can be downloaded here.
29 July 2010 - KRR completes successfully its acquisition of a minority stake in the Wild Group
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. Ltd. ("KKR") has completed its acquisition of a minority stake in the newly founded Swiss holding company of the Wild Group, with Dr. Hans-Peter Wild still holding the remaining stake. Domiciled in Zug, Switzerland, the new holding company holds interests inter alia in Rudolf Wild GmbH & Co. KG, Eppelheim, Germany, WILD Affiliated Holdings Inc., Erlanger, Kentucky (USA) and the Swiss assets previously owned by Dr. Wild. The Wild Group is one of the world's leading producers of natural ingredients to the food and beverage industry.
Bär & Karrer AG acted as Swiss legal adviser to KKR advising on Swiss corporate law matters and on the implementation of the corporate governance structure of the new holding company. Clifford Chance, Frankfurt acted as international counsel to KKR. The team of Bär & Karrer AG included Senior Partner Felix R. Ehrat, Sten E. D. Rasmussen (both M&A/Corporate), Thomas Stoltz, Felix Kappeler and Gino Lohri (Notarial Services and M&A/Corporate).
5 June 2010 - Bär & Karrer's dispute resolution team wins the Corporate Intl Global Awards 2010
We are pleased to announce that Bär & Karrer's Litigation and Arbitration Department has been chosen as the winner of the Corporate Intl Magazine practice award as:
"Dispute Resolution Advisory Firm of the Year in Switzerland"
This award is a recognition of Bär & Karrer's outstanding work performed by its attorneys in various areas of commercial litigation and arbitration in the last 12 months. The team is lead by partners Daniel Hochstrasser, Andreas Länzlinger and Matthew Reiter, who can draw on the support of a total of 12 partners (some also active in other areas) and 30 associates and junior lawyers.
17 May 2010 - Bär & Karrer Swiss Law Firm of the Year 2010
Bär & Karrer has been voted as "Swiss Law Firm of the Year 2010" in the PLC Which lawyer? Law Firm Awards 2010. In a client quote, Bär & Karrer was praised to be "very committed to getting our deal through" the client being "impressed with their professionalism".
Winners of the PLC Which lawyer? Law Firm Awards are chosen purely on the votes received from in-house lawyers. Law firms cannot make direct submissions for these awards. Over 5,500 in-house counsel from across the globe were invited to vote their choice of firm in each category.
19 March 2010 - Markus Schott appointed senior lecturer (Privatdozent) at the University of Zurich
Bär & Karrer is pleased to announce that associate Markus Schott has been appointed senior lecturer (Privatdozent) of public law and european law at the University of Zurich. Markus Schott will continue to advise the clients of Bär & Karrer in the areas of banking, finance and insurance regulations as well as providing advice in the areas of life sciences and infrastructure related industries. We congratulate Markus Schott on this appointment and are looking forward to his ongoing contribution to our firm.
19 November 2009 - Bär & Karrer's dispute resolution team wins the Corporate Intl Magazine practice award
We are pleased to announce that Bär & Karrer's Litigation and Arbitration Department has been chosen as the winner of the Corporate Intl Magazine practice award as:
"Best Law Firm in Switzerland for Dispute Resolution legal work 2009"
This award is a recognition of Bär & Karrer's outstanding work performed by its attorneys in various areas of commercial litigation and arbitration in the last 12 months. The team is led by partners Daniel Hochstrasser and Andreas Länzlinger, who can draw on the support of a total of 12 partners (some also active in other areas) and 30 associates and junior lawyers.
14 September 2009 - Bär & Karrer elects new partner
Bär & Karrer is pleased to announce that Thomas Rohde has been elected as partner of the firm as of 1 January 2010. With this election, we strengthen our Zurich office as well as our restructuring and insolvency capabilities.
We are excited that Thomas Rohde is joining the partnership and are looking forward to a stimulating and successful collaboration.
15 August 2009 - Rashid Bahar appointed associate professor at the University of Geneva
Bär & Karrer is pleased to announce that associate Rashid Bahar has been appointed associate professor of commercial law at the University of Geneva. Rashid Bahar will continue to advise the clients of Bär & Karrer in banking, finance and capital markets. We congratulate Rashid Bahar on this appointment and are looking forward to his ongoing contribution to our firm.