Bratschi Ltd.

Employment Law

The Practice Group Employment Law has more than thirty years of experience in private and public employment law. Bratschi Ltd. is recognized as a leading law firm in this area.

Our lawyers have many years of experience in all areas of employment and public personnel law, including litigation and arbitration. We support you in the drafting or updating of all employment and personnel law fundamentals such as employment contracts, personnel regulations, benefits and compensation, incentive/bonus plans, employee participation plans, collective labour agreement negotiations etc. We support you in the enforcement or defense of employment law claims in court or arbitration proceedings (e.g. termination, bonus, non-competition, intellectual property rights). We develop for you an individual human resource due diligence and support you in the legally compliant implementation of corporate transactions. We offer as well comprehensive solutions in the complex area of cross-border contract staffing/personnel leasing to Switzerland (global mobility planning).

Our experienced experts offer you assistance in the following areas: Individual Employment Law, Collective Labour Law, Public Personnel Law, Global Mobility Planning, Benefits and Compensation, Labour Safety Law, Employees' Participation Law, Employee Participation Plans, Job Placement / Personnel Leasing, Immigration (Work and Residence Permits), Gender Equality Law, Civil Procedure Law, Arbitration, Cross-border Litigation, Social Security Law, Occupational Pension Funds, Tax Law, Criminal Law, Data Protection Law, Debt Enforcement and Bankruptcy Law, Executive Remuneration and Company Law.

Family Law

Focus on Resolving Conflict

Legal advice in family matters has a long tradition with us. We advise and assist in all contentious and non-contentious family law proceedings, in particular in the areas of preliminary relief in family law matters, divorce, pre- and postnuptial and inheritance contracts, spousal maintenance, matrimonial property law, child-related matters, cohabitation, as well as in matters of child and adult protection (authority to grant power of attorney, living wills and guardianships, etc.). We provide notarisation of pre- and postnuptial contracts and inheritance contracts through our in-house notary's office.

At the interface with inheritance law, through our inheritance law specialists we offer companies and private individuals bespoke succession planning, taking into account the consequences under family and inheritance law and supporting the planning and implementation of practical solutions (including, for example, the creation of foundations and trusts).

Intellectual Property, Technology and Data Protection

Comprehensive advice on the development, protection, and use of intellectual property rights and data

Intellectual property such as innovation, expertise, and strong trademarks has always been cornerstones to business success. In an increasingly digitalized world where data is forming the basis for more and more business models, data and the correct handling of it are also developing into such a cornerstone and crucial intangible asset.

Our Practice Group Intellectual Property, Technology and Data Protection has a broad knowledge and many years of experience in developing, protecting and correctly using intellectual property rights and data, which are essential for almost any company. Our core areas of work include in particular the following services:

• Creating internal IP- and data protection policies
• Development and worldwide registration (including administration) of intellectual property rights (in particular, copyright, trademark, company name, and design rights, as well as patent rights in cooperation with external patent attorneys)
• Representation before civil courts and the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI) in the enforcement and defence of intellectual property rights
• Drafting and negotiating of license agreements for the licensing of intellectual property rights and data as well as outsourcing-projects
• Drafting and negotiating of software/IT-, know-how-, R&D-, distribution-, and other IP related contracts
• Comprehensive advice on ICT projects (contracts, regulatory framework)
• Data protection compliance - in particular concerning the correct application of Swiss and European data protection law (FADP and GDPR) when implementing new business models and new technologies (BIM, IoT, AI, Chatbots etc.)

Inheritance Law

Proactive and problem-solving approach

Our focus when providing legal advice in relation to inheritance issues is primarily to avoid conflicts. Our approach is based on the holistic planning and implementation of viable inheritance solutions in order to avoid disputes arising between heirs in the first place. We provide support in relation to estate planning and administration, including executor's services, representation of heirs and inheritance management, and in relation to all inheritance-related issues both in an advisory capacity and within litigation, in particular in cases involving precautionary measures, actions for the division of an estate, invalidity actions or abatement actions. Thanks to our own in-house notarial service, we can certify ourselves as authentic instruments advance care directives, wills, marriage contracts, inheritance contracts and disclaimers of interest.

It is particularly important to put in place robust corporate succession planning arrangements, focusing on consequences under family law and inheritance law. We assist both companies and private individuals with practical solutions throughout the planning and implementation stages – for example setting up foundations and trusts.

Arbitration

Your Partner from A to Z

The Arbitration Practice Group consistently pursues a partner-oriented approach by providing its clients from A to Z with an experienced arbitration partner at their side. Behind this stands a talented and efficient team that draws up solutions for both complex and smaller arbitration proceedings with care and dexterity.

We represent the interests of our clients in a focused, creative and target-oriented manner from critical pre-arbitration injunctions to effective enforcement strategies. We have successfully proven our competence as both arbitrator and legal representative in a large number of national and international disputes.

Corporate and Transactions

Core Competence at the Highest Level

Legal counseling for companies is one of our core competences. Our multilingual lawyers provide top-quality comprehensive assistance to national and international companies.

In company law we support the founding, establishment and amendment of company structures or liquidations. Particularly in the SME sector we also assume the role of an external legal service where required.

We support our clients with great skill with transactions, acquisitions, mergers, demergers or with financing, asset transfers and tax issues. We are also a recognized company representative in accordance with Art. 43 of the Listing Rules of SIX Swiss Exchange Ltd.

White Collar Crime

Battle-tested support in demanding times

White collar crime refers to non-violent acts, which can, however, be very harmful to individuals and businesses. From fraud and bribery to embezzlement and money laundering, with our White Collar Crime specialists, businesses, their board members, executives and employees can rest assured that their interests will be well taken care of. We offer customized and personal legal assistance and/or court representation for a wide variety of business crime matters and related fields, such as international legal assistance. In addition to criminal defense, we also advise damaged parties on how to secure their rights in criminal proceedings.