Private Client & Estate Planning

Helping individuals, families and
charities succeed in a complex and
changing world.

Private Client & Estate Planning
Helping individuals, families and
charities succeed in a complex and
changing world.

Advice that makes a difference is based on a unique mix of legal skills, interdisciplinary thinking, a deep understanding of family dynamics and generations of experience.

Our Private Clients Team has unparalleled expertise in advising clients worldwide on contentious and non-contentious matters, covering the full range of legal issues our clients face.

We advise and represent private clients and their families, entrepreneurs, family offices, closely held businesses, charitable organisations as well as service providers such as banks and trustees. Among the families we advise, many have relied on our firm's services for several decades, some of them now in the third generation.

Apart from our experience and legal expertise, our clients appreciate our responsiveness and our ability to understand family dynamics.

Matters we assist our clients with include:

  • Administration and executorship of complex estates
  • Art collections (tax and succession planning concerning art collections)
  • Philanthropy and the formation of charitable organisations, including governance and management aspects
  • Estate Planning
  • Trusts and Foundations
  • Estate & Trust Litigation
  • Real Estate planning and transactions
  • Family Law
  • Relocation to Switzerland
  • Taxation aspects in relation to all the above
The team excels at helping high-net-worth individuals and families resolve complex, cross-border challenges, especially when it comes to asset protection and succession planning.
Legal 500 2026
What really sets them apart is their holistic approach: they provide not just legal solutions but comprehensive advice that takes into account both personal and financial goals, while ensuring that clients receive efficient, well-rounded advice.
Legal 500 2026
Bär & Karrer's art and cultural law practice is market-leading in Switzerland.
Chambers HNW Guide 2026
This firm stands out for its strong expertise in international private client work, particularly in cross-border succession and wealth structuring.
Legal 500 2026
I think Bär & Karrer is the finest firm in the Swiss private client area, and with such a deep bench - they are incredible.
Chambers HNW Guide 2026
Bär & Karrer has impressive commerciality and a clear in-depth understanding of the law of trusts in theory and in practice.
Chambers HNW Guide 2026
They have been great to work with. They do excellent work on complex issues and give very practical advice.
Chambers HNW Guide 2026
Bär & Karrer is first-rate at international prenuptials and marriage contracts, and is second to none in understanding complex finances.
Chambers HNW Guide 2026
Bär & Karrer is superb in its attention to detail in understanding international issues.
Chambers HNW Guide 2026
The team at Bär & Karrer are very competent at handling inheritance law proceedings in Switzerland, including those with international aspects.
Chambers HNW Guide 2026
Bär & Karrer's private wealth practice has an outstanding market position in Switzerland and is unparalleled in its breadth and depth.
Chambers HNW Guide 2026
Bär & Karrer is the finest firm in the Swiss private client area, and with such a deep bench - they are incredible.
Chambers HNW Guide 2026
Bär & Karrer‘s private client team plays an outstanding role in the Swiss private wealth industry. Their broad and deep knowledge of all tax, inheritance and other aspects seems unparalleled.
Chambers HNW Guide 2026
I have worked with their team for years. They have an unmatched depth in their bench of talented and experienced lawyers. They have a tremendous work ethic. They are also very practical.
Legal 500 2025
The private client practice of Bär & Karrer is extremely experienced, particularly in cross-border matters. The lawyers there work quickly, reliably and at an extremely high level.
Legal 500 2025
Brilliant lawyers who have a commercial problem solving approach coupled with oodles of emotional intelligence - perfect for dealing with private clients.
Legal 500 2025
Law Firm of the Year Switzerland Award
Citywealth IFC Awards 2026, 2024, 2022 & 2021
European Private Client Team of the Year
Chambers HNW Awards 2023
Ranked in Tier 1
by Chambers HNW and Legal 500 2025
Private Client Firm of the Year Award
WWL Switzerland Awards 2021
International Private Client Team of the Year Award
The British Legal Awards 2020

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