Banking and capital market law:
Our law firm in Karlsruhe and Basel offers comprehensive cross-border advice on banking and capital market law. Our Cross-Border Desk supports banks, companies, investors and private individuals in all matters relating to financing agreements, capital investments, securities transactions, prospectus liability and regulatory requirements – particularly in complex cases involving Germany and Switzerland.
We advise you in particular on:
- Advising on and drafting cross-border banking and credit agreements;
- Structuring and implementing international financing, including corporate, project and foreign currency financing;
- Advice on loan collateral and real estate financing as well as cross-border collateral realisation;
- Support in international payment transactions;
- Enforcement and defence of claims in connection with capital investments and securities, including incorrect investment advice and prospectus liability;
- Compliance with regulatory requirements and proper execution of transactions;
- Advising banks on exemption declarations in Germany;
- Support in the termination, revocation and reversal of loan and investment agreements;
- Advice on liability avoidance and compliance with regulatory requirements;
Thanks to our cross-border structure and close cooperation between our offices, we offer you coordinated, legally compliant advice and tailor-made solutions from a single source – from drafting contracts to representing you before authorities and courts in Germany and Switzerland. Rely on our expertise for the efficient and secure implementation of your international finance and capital market projects.
Commercial law:
Cross-border trade between Germany and Switzerland requires legally secure and economically viable solutions.
Our cross-border desk advises companies in all areas of cross-border trade law, in particular with regard to:
- Drafting and reviewing cross-border purchase, delivery and framework agreements
- Drafting and adapting general terms and conditions for bilateral business transactions
- Commercial agency/agency and authorised dealer agreements
- Product liability and product safety law
- E-commerce and online distribution relating to both countries
- Foreign trade and customs law
- Application and exclusion of the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG)
- Debt collection and cross-border enforcement
Our goal: Efficient market access, clear contractual structures and legally secure trade relations between Germany and Switzerland.
Corporate law:
International corporate structures require sound corporate law advice across legal systems.
We support German and Swiss companies in all phases of the corporate life cycle, in particular with:
- Drafting of articles of association, statutes and bylaws
- Structuring and relocating companies in a cross-border context
- Establishment of subsidiaries and branches
- Joint ventures and cooperation models
- Drafting shareholder agreements
- Capital measures and corporate governance
- Advice to executive boards and administrative boards, including D&O liability
- Shareholder disputes with international aspects
- Notarial advice and register entries
Our focus: legally compliant, practical and strategically sound solutions for internationally active companies.
Data and IT law:
Digital business models do not stop at national borders – and neither do data protection and IT law. Our Cross-Border Desk provides you with cross-location and practical advice on all issues relating to data and IT law in Germany and Switzerland – with a particular focus on the dynamically developing European regulatory environment.
In particular, we offer you:
- Advice on legally compliant data processing in accordance with the GDPR and the Swiss Data Protection Act (revDSG);
- Advice on cross-border data transfers and international data protection requirements;
- Drafting and reviewing IT contracts (e.g. software licence, SaaS, cloud and hosting agreements);
- Support in designing data protection-compliant websites, apps and digital services;
- Compliance advice in connection with the EU AI Act (AI Regulation) – e.g. on risk classification, documentation requirements and CE marking;
- Advice on the implementation of other EU digital laws, such as the Digital Services Act (DSA), Digital Markets Act (DMA) and the Data Act;
- Strategies for minimising risk in the event of data breaches and IT security incidents;
- Representation in regulatory proceedings;
- Advice on IT compliance and implementation of technical and organisational measures (TOM).
With our cross-border approach, we offer you consistent, efficient solutions for data protection and IT law challenges in both legal systems. Our strength: fast response times, personal advice and in-depth expertise from a single source – for your digital legal security in Germany, Switzerland and beyond.
Debt enforcement law:
Success does not end with a judgment, but with the effective enforcement of your claims. Our Cross-Border Desk supports you in the cross-border enforcement of claims in Germany and Switzerland – quickly, efficiently and in compliance with the law.
In particular, we offer you:
- Debt collection and enforcement of claims in Germany and Switzerland;
- Initiation and support of court dunning and enforcement proceedings with international aspects;
- Representation in proceedings for the recognition and enforcement (exequatur) of foreign court decisions and arbitral awards;
- Cross-border seizure and attachment of assets, salaries and bank accounts;
- Securing and enforcing claims with an international dimension – in cooperation with our Europe-wide network if necessary;
- Cross-border defence against unjustified claims and enforcement attempts.
We ensure that your claims are pursued and defended consistently and efficiently across national borders – personally, with commitment and from a single source. You can rely on our assertive advice to help you achieve success across borders.
Distribution law:
Sales knows no borders – but the law does. This makes it all the more important to structure and secure cross-border sales structures with legal precision. Our Cross-Border Desk combines in-depth expertise in German/European and Swiss distribution law and offers tailor-made solutions for your cross-border business models.
We support companies from Germany and Switzerland in particular with:
- drafting and reviewing distribution agreements (e.g. commercial agency, authorised dealer or franchise agreements) taking into account both legal systems;
- the legally compliant implementation of distribution structures across borders;
- the avoidance and settlement of distribution law disputes (e.g. compensation claims, terminations, competition violations);
- Advising on competition and antitrust requirements in cross-border distribution;
- Enforcement or defence of claims before German or Swiss courts;
- coordinating cross-border contract negotiations or dispute resolution through our German-Swiss law firm team or in cooperation with our international network.
Whether you are a German company planning to enter the Swiss market or a Swiss company looking for distribution partners in Germany, we offer you personal advice, clear communication and practical solutions from a single source. Rely on our cross-border expertise in distribution law – for legally secure success on both sides of the border.
Employment law:
Cross-border employment relationships, particularly between neighbouring countries such as Germany and Switzerland, are very important but can raise complex legal issues. Our Cross-Border Desk combines in- y expertise in German and Swiss employment law to offer you legally compliant, practical solutions to cross-border personnel issues.
We advise you in particular on:
- Drafting, reviewing and adapting employment contracts relating to Germany and/or Switzerland (including home office/remote work);
- Secondment of employees across borders and implementation of labour, tax and social security requirements;
- Advice on protection against dismissal, warnings and separation processes in both legal systems;
- Compliance with salary and working time regulations as well as minimum standards and reporting requirements;
- Representation in labour law disputes before German and Swiss courts;
- Advice on internal investigations and labour law conflicts with a cross-border dimension.
Whether you are a German company with a branch or employees in Switzerland or vice versa, we support you with personal advice, clear communication and country-specific expertise. Rely on our cross-border expertise in employment law – for legally compliant employment relationships with citizens from both countries and on both sides of the border.
Family law:
Marriage and family law matters relating to Germany and Switzerland require special expertise and experience. Our Cross-Border Desk combines in-depth knowledge of German and Swiss family law and offers you appropriate, legally qualified solutions for cross-border issues.
We advise you in particular on:
- Advice and representation in divorce and separation proceedings with cross-border implications
- Drafting and reviewing marriage contracts and divorce agreements, taking into account both legal systems;
- Property disputes, particularly in connection with real estate and company shareholdings in both countries;
- Calculation, enforcement and defence of maintenance claims under German and Swiss law;
- Regulation of custody and access issues in cases of residence or stays in both countries;
- Recognition and enforcement of family law decisions between Germany and Switzerland;
- Tax optimisation of family law solutions in coordination with tax advisors/auditors
- Support in international child custody and parentage matters.
Whether separation, asset protection, maintenance or custody: we provide you with personal and efficient support to implement your family law matters in Germany and Switzerland in a solution-oriented manner – either by mutual agreement or, if necessary, in contentious proceedings before the courts..
French Desk:
Our French Desk specialises in cross-border legal issues relating to France. We advise both companies and private individuals who are active in France or have legal ties to France – whether in employment law, commercial law, contract drafting or the enforcement of claims.
Typical topics covered by our French Desk:
- Employment relationships with a French connection (e.g. secondments to France, employment contracts under French law for local employees, cross-border commuter issues);
- Contracts between French and Swiss or German business partners;
- Company law and compliance;
- Cross-border debt collection and enforcement;
- Advice for private individuals with asset or inheritance matters in France.
Rely on our expertise and our network in France to implement your cross-border projects in a legally compliant and efficient manner – with personal advice and a clear understanding of the specific features of French law.
Inheritance law and corporate succession:
International asset structures and family connections across national borders place special demands on the structuring and execution of inheritance law. Our Cross-Border Desk offers cross-location advice on German and Swiss inheritance law – with a particular focus on complex succession solutions and taking into account tax and corporate law aspects.
We advise you in particular on:
- Drafting wills and inheritance agreements to secure and preserve family assets across generations;
- Coordinating estates with assets in both countries, taking into account national and international inheritance law standards (e.g. the European Succession Regulation);
- Structuring and implementing succession arrangements for family businesses with a cross-border presence;
- Reviewing and asserting claims to compulsory portions and equalisation in complex inheritance constellations;
- Representation in cross-border inheritance disputes and court proceedings;
- Advice on inheritance tax optimisation in Germany and Switzerland.
We support you in the legally compliant planning and efficient implementation of your succession – across national borders, coordinated from a single source and taking into account your individual family and economic situation.
Intellectual Property:
Ideas, trademarks and creative works deserve strong protection – especially across borders. Our Cross-Border Desk combines in-depth knowledge of German and Swiss law to effectively secure and enforce your intellectual property.
In particular, we offer you:
- Advice and application for trademarks in Germany, Switzerland and internationally (EU trademarks, IR trademarks)
- Strategic trademark and portfolio planning
- Enforcement and defence of trademark and copyright rights in Germany and Switzerland (warnings, lawsuits, defences)
- Advice on cross-border online infringements;
- cross-border protection of creative works such as software, designs, photographs and texts;
- Cross-border enforcement, if necessary in cooperation with our Europe-wide network.
We distinguish ourselves through personal advice, direct approaches and cross-border solutions from a single source – for the effective protection of your trademarks, works and innovations. Rely on competent advice in the field of intellectual property that protects your ideas and strengthens your market position in Germany and Switzerland in the long term.
Restructuring and M&A:
Corporate changes – whether growth, sale or reorientation – require legal precision and strategic foresight. Our Cross-Border Desk supports you in cross-border restructuring and transactions with in-depth expertise in German and Swiss commercial law.
In particular, we offer you:
- Advice and structuring of cross-border company acquisitions and sales (share deals, asset deals)
- Legal advice on corporate restructuring, mergers and demergers in Germany and Switzerland;
- Execution and coordination of legal due diligence in both legal systems;
- Negotiation and drafting of company purchase agreements, shareholder agreements, participation agreements and joint ventures;
- Strategic contract drafting in financing rounds, convertible loans and shareholder agreements – especially in the start-up environment;
- Coordination with our internal (and external) tax advisors, auditors and authorities to provide comprehensive transaction support;
- Integration and post-merger support, taking into account national and international legal requirements;
- Litigation and dispute resolution following a transaction, in particular in relation to purchase price adjustment disputes, breach of warranty, earn-out conflicts and shareholder disputes.
Whether you are planning a strategic takeover, family succession, investor entry or start-up reorganisation, we offer you personal advice, direct channels and tailor-made solutions from a single source. Rely on our sound advice in the area of restructuring and M&A to make changes legally compliant and , and to consistently exploit opportunities – in Germany, Switzerland and beyond.
Startups:
A strong business idea needs a solid legal foundation. We support you in the incorporation of your company in Germany or Switzerland – with sound advice, clear solutions and an eye for what is feasible.
Our services at a glance:
- Cross-border advice on choosing a location
- Advice on the optimal legal form
- Preparation of all necessary founding documents
- Coordination with authorities and commercial registers
- Tax advice
- for Swiss companies Notarial certification in our office by one of our notaries
Benefit from our many years of experience in German and Swiss company law and a personal service that focuses on your business goals.
Tax law:
International interdependencies place high demands on tax optimisation and legally compliant implementation. Our Cross-Border Desk offers companies and private individuals with connections to Germany and Switzerland sound, practical tax advice on cross-border issues.
We advise you in particular on:
- Tax-optimised structuring of holding and investment structures
- Advice on cross-border M&A transactions
- Tax due diligence for international company acquisitions
- Advice on international restructuring (mergers, demergers, changes of legal form)
- Tax advice on secondments and cross-border employee mobility
- Coordination with social security law and double taxation agreements
- Tax advice on the acquisition, administration and sale of real estate abroad
- Advice on inheritance/gift tax with international implications
- Optimisation of international asset succession
- Planning and advice on withholding tax/impôt anticipé refunds
- Advice on relocating companies and private individuals
Whether cross-border corporate transactions, international employee secondments or tax planning for assets: we offer you personal advice, clear recommendations and tax-optimised solutions for your cross-border concerns – efficiently, proactively and from a single source.
