Partner
Prof. Dr. Rolf Watter
Zurich, Switzerland
Partner
Prof. Dr. Rolf Watter
Zurich, Switzerland
Portrait
Rolf Watter has broad experience in all types of M&A transactions, including defence mandates and was involved on many of the large Swiss corporate transactions. He also specializes in corporate governance questions and compensation issues.
He was chairman of PostFinance, a Swiss systemically relevant bank 2012 - 2021) and of the listed CEVA Logistics (2018/2019) and Nobel Biocare (2012/2014; member 2007/2012); further he was a board member in a number of other Swiss listed companies, namely Aryzta, Zurich Insurance Group, Syngenta, Centerpulse, and Forbo. He was a long-time member of the Regulatory Board of the SIX Swiss Exchange (2003/2022).
Rolf taught as a professor at the University of Zurich 1996 – 2025 and was a Co-editor of the GesKR (2006 – 2025). He still is a Co-editor of the Basler Commentary the Swiss Code of Obligations II, the Financial Infrastructure Act and the Merger Act.
In Chambers Global and Europe, Rolf is consistently ranked in tier 1 of the leading lawyers for Corporate/M&A in Switzerland and is recognized as a leading lawyer in the Legal 500 Hall of Fame. He is listed among the top 30 corporate governance practitioners in the world by Expertguides.
He was chairman of PostFinance, a Swiss systemically relevant bank 2012 - 2021) and of the listed CEVA Logistics (2018/2019) and Nobel Biocare (2012/2014; member 2007/2012); further he was a board member in a number of other Swiss listed companies, namely Aryzta, Zurich Insurance Group, Syngenta, Centerpulse, and Forbo. He was a long-time member of the Regulatory Board of the SIX Swiss Exchange (2003/2022).
Rolf taught as a professor at the University of Zurich 1996 – 2025 and was a Co-editor of the GesKR (2006 – 2025). He still is a Co-editor of the Basler Commentary the Swiss Code of Obligations II, the Financial Infrastructure Act and the Merger Act.
In Chambers Global and Europe, Rolf is consistently ranked in tier 1 of the leading lawyers for Corporate/M&A in Switzerland and is recognized as a leading lawyer in the Legal 500 Hall of Fame. He is listed among the top 30 corporate governance practitioners in the world by Expertguides.
Career
- Currently board member of AP Alternative Portfolio AG (since 2000)
- Chairman of PostFinance AG (2013-2021), of Ceva Logistics AG (2018-2019), Nobel Biocare AG (2007-2014, chairman as from 2012) and Chairman of Cablecom Holdings GmbH (2003-2008); board member of Aryzta AG (2016-2020), Zurich Insurance Group (2002-2014), Syngenta (2000-2012), Forbo (1999-2005), Feldschlösschen Getränke AG (2001-2004) and Centerpulse (2002-2003)
- Member of the board of directors of Bär & Karrer AG (2007-2009)
- Member of the management board of Bär & Karrer (2000-2009)
- University of Zurich: Professor of Law (since 1996), Venia Legendi (1990)
- Partner of Bär & Karrer (since 1994)
- Georgetown University, Washington D.C.: LL.M. (1988)
- Admitted to the Zurich Bar (1986)
- University of Zurich: Dr. iur. (1985)
- University of Zurich: lic. iur. (1983)
Memberships
- Swiss Bar Association (SAV/FSA)
- SIX Swiss Exchange: He was a long-time member of the Regulatory Board of the SIX Swiss Exchange (2003/2022).
- Part-time Professor of Law at the University of Zurich. Rolf taught as a professor at the University of Zurich 1996 – 2025
- Former Co-editor of the law journal "GesKR" (2006 – 2025)
- He is a Co-editor of the Basler Commentary on Sections of the Swiss Code of Obligations I and II, the Financial Infrastructure Act and the Merger Act
- English
- French
- German
