In line with the Swiss tradition of international arbitration, DH is regularly involved in arbitration proceedings under the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the Swiss Chambers Arbitration Institution (SCAI) and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS). We have developed a special expertise in banking and corporate related disputes in this field. We are able to put a small but dedicated team together on short notice.

DH has considerable litigation and transactional experience in the art, cultural property markets, acting on behalf of a wide range of private clients, businesses and institutions. DH practice involves advising clients on buying and selling art, drafting commercial agreements and terms and conditions of business. DH often works in complex issues of title, history provenance, attribution, authenticity and value of works of art and cultural property in an international context. DH will also advise artists in negotiating gallery representation agreement, protecting their intellectual property and resolving disputes.

DH’s team provides general commercial advice to mid-sized firms and entrepreneurs. Our team can help structure and review all types of commercial contracts. Our expertise also includes establishing and structuring new business operations as well as conducting due diligence and structuring share and asset deals.

Our team operates in corporate, commercial and contract law related areas. In response to our clients’ needs for advice on complex cross-border transactions, we have developed a carefully selected worldwide network of specialists. Our goal is to find custom-made solutions to ambitious projects to meet our high-profile clientele’s expectations.

Private clients trust us with family matters. We represent individuals in marital disputes, often with an international component. DH is also known for its great expertise in complex estate or trust cases. In this context, leading foreign law firms contact us regularly in parallel with national proceedings, in order to trace and freeze litigious assets deposited in Switzerland. Sound judgement, a discreet approach and realistic negotiating skills lead to a high level of client satisfaction.

DH has a strong experience in immigration and work permit practices. We regularly advise corporate and private clients in the framework of transfer of workforce and establishment in Switzerland. We are proud to maintain and ensure excellent and trusting relationships with the public authorities. Our services include all immigration related matters, such as social security, taxes and assistance with relocation.

DH enjoys a leading position in litigation. Our strong team of experienced lawyers prefer to act discreetly but efficiently, except if media coverage is a part of a structured strategy. We favour a personal and direct contact with the clients. Both private and corporate clients trust us for complex cases, often with an international component. Our litigation practice covers all types of corporate and commercial disputes. We are often involved in directors’ liabilities and shareholders disputes. DH represents clients in ordinary civil proceedings (family, estate, employment cases) before the Geneva Courts and the Swiss Supreme Court (Tribunal fédéral ). We have developed a special expertise in coordinating international litigation. Art and entertainment law is also part of our practice.

Our dedicated lawyers in Merger and Acquisition, assisted by our Tax team, combine legal skills with a sharp knowledge of the financial, trading and industrial fields. In response to our clients’ need for advice on complex cross-border transactions, we have developed a carefully selected worldwide network of specialists. Finding custom-made solutions to ambitious projects in order to meet our high profile clientele’s expectations is our goal.

We have a strong expertise in advising high net worth and sophisticated world-wide individuals and families with domestic and international estate planning and administration tools, including trusts, foundations and other structures in foreign jurisdictions. We are highly committed to meet our clients’ requirements with respect to management, transfer and/or protection of their wealth, always seeking to provide the most suitable legal vehicles, whether domestic or international, in collaboration with leading law firms and partners around the globe. We also advise on creation and administration of charitable and non-profit organizations. We regularly assist our clients regarding immigration in Switzerland and all related matters, such as social security and taxes.

Our Firm has extensive experience in real estate transactions. Our services include: due diligence; negotiating and drafting sales and purchase agreements (asset or share deal) and all types of real estate related agreements; liaising with public authorities in relation to building permits; Lex Koller advice and authorizations.

State-of-the-art tax planning is a high priority for our clients, and consequently for our Certified Tax Experts. Our primary goal is to provide our clients with the result-oriented solutions and outstanding services that lead to long term relationships. Our independent international network, selected with care, allows us to assist clients in developing efficient tax strategies. Our team has also a strong experience in Swiss tax litigation.

We regularly advise individuals or institutional clients in connection with white-collar crime cases, mostly related to US litigation (DOJ, OFAC, SEC and FCPA investigations). Our practice also involves dealing with regulatory and compliance issues. We have developed a special expertise in coordinating criminal business litigations where several foreign jurisdictions are involved. DH is also very active in representing clients in international legal assistance proceedings (civil, criminal and administrative). DH has acquired a solid reputation for responsiveness, innovative solutions and efficient execution in this field.

DH has been active in all major cases in the last few years, including among others the following cases: FIFA, Petrobras, Telia Sonera and 1MDB. DH has been designated three years in a row (2017, 2018, 2019) among the 15 best Swiss Firms in white-collar crime (Bilanz/Le Temps). Jean-François Ducrest is described as “an intuitive renowned litigator with an immaculate reputation in business crime defense.” (Who’s Who Legal 2016)