Major Boost for International Law Firm in Switzerland

Stephen Harris

10 July 2008

International law firm Baker & McKenzie has significantly expanded its private banking team in Switzerland by hiring five lawyers bringing its team to 23.

Brice Thionnet, who is a Swiss tax lawyer, joined Baker & McKenzie Geneva from the Zurich law firm of Altenburger.

Another Swiss and French Tax lawyer, Rémi Sacerdote, joined Baker & McKenzie Geneva from the Geneva law firm of Borel & Barbey.

After practicing law with Interpol and Herbert Smith, Cindy Chambaud, joins Baker & McKenzie Geneva private banking team.

Brent Vanderbrook joins Baker & McKenzie Zurich from the Denver, Colorado firm of Sherman & Howard, where he was a member of the firm's private client practice for five years.

Michael Parets joins Baker & McKenzie Zurich from the New York law firm of Katten Muchen Rosenmann. Formerly, Mr Parets was with the law firm of Day, Berry & Howard, the successor firm to Hughes & Whittaker.

These five lawyers are in addition to three previous hires in Zurich, Dharshi Wijetunga, from Baker & McKenzie in Singapore, Fabricio Gonzalez, from Baker & McKenzie Barcelona, and Milan Patel, formerly a tax litigator with the US Internal Revenue Service.

Philip Marcovici, Chair of Baker & McKenzies global private banking practice group said: “This is a tremendous development, for Baker & McKenzie in Switzerland and the firm in general. With 23 lawyers who spend 50 per cent or more of their time dedicated to servicing the private banking industry, Baker & McKenzie is the largest player in Switzerland focusing on the needs of the wealth management industry and their clients.”