Lawyers and legal experts
Benno P. Hafner, LL.M.
Co-founder and Senior Partner
Attorney at Law
+ 41 79 407 41 65
Dr. iur. Guido E. Urbach, LL.M. (NYU)
Co-founder and Managing Partner
Attorney at Law
Benno P. Hafner, LL.M.
Co-founder and Senior Partner
Attorney at Law
+ 41 79 407 41 65
Preferred areas of practice
- Contract law
- Commercial and corporate law
- Banking and financial market law
- Art law
- Private clients (primarily advisory role)
Professional experience
- Co-founder and Senior Partner, Hafner Urbach Partner (2026)
- Founder and Senior Partner, Hafner & Hochstrasser (1992)
- Partner, Swiss commercial law firm (1990 to 1992)
- Head of Legal Affairs for the Kontron Group, former sub-group of F. Hoffmann-La Roche (1986)
- Legal & Tax with STG-Coopers & Lybrand (now: “PWC”) (1980)
- Court clerk, District Court of Lucerne, Switzerland (1979 to 1980)
Education
- LL.M. International Business Law, Faculty of Law, University of Zurich (1998)
- Admitted to the Bar (1980)
- University of Bern: lic. iur. (1978)
Languages
- German
- English
- French
- Italian
Memberships
- Swiss Bar Association (SBA)
- Zurich Bar Association (ZAV)
- Lucerne Lawyers’ Association
Publications
- Data Protection – eine Utopie? Bilanz und Tagesanzeiger 2020
- Plötzlich im Fokus der Eidgenössischen Finanzmarktaufsicht (FINMA), Smartmedia
- Betroffenen steht nur der Zivilweg offen, NZZ 2018
- Steuerprogramm USA/Schweiz könnte juristisches Nachspiel haben, Tiroler Tageszeitung 2015
- Das juristische Nachspiel des US-Steuerprogramms, Bilanz 2015
- «Ich fand seinen Entscheid mutig», Basler Zeitung 2015
- «Er hat die US-Staatsanwälte demaskiert», Zentralschweiz am Sonntag 2015
- Banker in ewiger Geiselhaft, NZZ 2015
- Kategorie-2-Banken sind den USA ins Messer gelaufen, Inside Paradeplatz 2014
- Gerichte werten «öffentliches Interesse» unterschiedlich, NZZ 2014
Dr. iur. Guido E. Urbach, LL.M. (NYU)
Co-founder and Managing Partner
Attorney at Law
Preferred areas of practice
- Company law
- Commercial law
- Contract law
- National and international arbitration
- Litigation before state courts
- International legal assistance
- Debt enforcement and bankruptcy law
- White-collar criminal law
Professional experience
- Partner at Kohli Urbach Rechtsanwälte AG (2010)
- Admission to the bar (2004) and initial professional experience with two major commercial law firms in Zurich
- Research assistant to Prof. Dr A. Donatsch in the field of white-collar crime at the University of Zurich (2000)
Education
- Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Israel) and LL.M. postgraduate studies (Master of Laws) at New York University (USA)
- Doctorate in white-collar criminal law, Dr. iur. (2002)
- Law Degree, University of Zurich, lic. iur., magna cum laude (2000)
Languages
- German
- English
- Knowledge of Hebrew
Memberships
- Swiss-Israel Chamber of Commerce
- International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists
- Swiss Arbitration Association
- Swiss Bar Association
- Zurich Bar Association
Publications
- «Neue Präsidentin, neuer Vorstand, aber mit reichlich Nebengeräuschen – und offenen Fragen», Zuger Zeitung, 17.6.2025
- Urbach/Fenner, Dawn Raid Readiness, in: Gallmann, Robert/Wicki, David (Hrsg.), Der Compliance Officer – ein Handbuch für Praktiker, Orell Füssli Verlag: 1. Auflage 2025
- «The Strange Journey of John Lennon's Stolen Patek Philippe Watch», The New Yorker, 2024
- Europäisches Finanzmarktrecht, CAS Financial Compliance, Lehrveranstaltung, HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich, 4. April 2024
- Urbach, unter Mitarbeit von MLaw Giorgio Lazzarini, Art. 1-3, 9-19, 36-39, 46-51, 400-408 ZPO, in: Myriam A. Gehri (et al.) (Hrsg.), Orell Füssli Kommentar zur Schweizerischen Zivilprozessordnung, 3. überarbeitete Auflage, Zürich 2023
- Urbach/Widmer, Art. 8 - 14 FINMAG, in: Rolf Watter (et al.) (Hrsg.), Basler Kommentar zum Finanzmarktaufsichtsgesetz, Finanzmarktinfrastrukturgesetz, 3. Aufl., Basel 2019
- Vernehmlassung zu Gesetzesentwurf. Bundesrat. Abgeschlossene Vernehmlassungen. (2018). Eidgenössisches Finanzdepartement. Umsetzung der Empfehlungen des Global Forum über die Transparenz juristischer Personen und den Informationsaustausch im Bericht zur Phase 2 der Schweiz. Stellungnahmen interessierte Kreise. 19 a Kohli & Urbach Stellungnahme. 19 b Kohli & Urbach Aufsatz. Abgerufen am 30. August 2018 von https://www.admin.ch/ch/d/gg/pc/ind2018.html
- Bankkontozwang, Einzigartig und unnötig, Handelszeitung, 24. Mai 2018, Nr. 21, S. 19
- Urbach/Maier, Schweizer Bankkontopflicht für Gesellschaften, Jusletter 9. April 2018
- Urbach, unter Mitarbeit von MLaw Giorgio Lazzarini, 1 - 3, 9 - 19, 36 - 39, 46 - 51, 400 - 408 ZPO, in: Myriam A. Gehri (et al.) (Hrsg.), Kurzkommentar zur Schweizerischen ZPO, 2. Aufl., Zürich 2015
- Verankerung von Compliance und Haftung im Schweizer Recht, Expert Roundtable von Detecon (Schweiz) AG vom 24. Oktober 2011
- Praktische Erfahrungen mit Hausdurchsuchungen/Dawn Raids, anlässlich der Lehrveranstaltung Internationale Rechtshilfe in Strafsachen II der Universität Zürich, 13. Dezember 2010, Herbstsemster 2010
- Urbach, 1 - 3, 9 - 19, 36 - 39, 46 - 51, 400 - 408 ZPO, in: Myriam A. Gehri (et al.) (Hrsg.), Kurzkommentar zur Schweizerischen ZPO, Zürich 2010
- Trippel/Urbach, Art. 161 und 161bis StGB, in: Rolf Watter (et al.) (Hrsg.), Basler Kommentar zum Börsengesetz, 3. Aufl., Basel 2010
- Urbach/Widmer, Art. 8 - 14 FINMAG, in: Rolf Watter (et al.) (Hrsg.), Basler Kommentar zum Börsengesetz, 3. Aufl., Basel 2010
- International Commercial Arbitration - Alternative to State Court Litigation for (Israeli and Swiss) Companies?, 24. März 2010, Handelskammer Schweiz-Israel
- Kramer/Urbach/Jenny, Equal Treatment in Multi-Party Arbitration and the Specific Issue of the Appointment of Arbitrators, in: Christian Klausegger (et al.) (Hrsg.), Austrian Arbitration Yearbook 2009, Wien 2009
- Die Vielschichtigkeit des Wirtschaftsrechts - Risikofaktor Recht, 24. März 2009, anlässlich des Round Tables zum Thema "Enterprise Risk Management & Compliance" von Detecon (Schweiz) AG
- Urbach/Widmer, Teilrevidierte Schweizer Insiderstrafnorm mit mehr Biss, in: NZZ Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 16. Dezember 2008, Nr. 294, S. 25
- Trippel/Urbach, Art. 161 und 161bis StGB, in: Rolf Watter (et al.) (Hrsg.), Basler Kommentar zum Börsengesetz, 2. Aufl., Basel 2007
- Die ungetreue Geschäftsbesorgung gemäss Art. 158 StGB, Dissertation, Zürich 2002
Christoph Erdin, LL.M.
Of Counsel
Attorney at Law
Preferred areas of practice
- Metals and mining
- Oil and gas
- Natural resources
- Commodity trading
- Trade finance
- Project finance
- Board mandates in mining companies
- Representation of trading companies and high-net-worth individuals
- Advisory services across the entire mining value chain (from exploration to production)
Professional experience
- Group General Counsel of a leading metals and mining company in Zug (current).
- Head of Legal and General Counsel at mining companies listed in the United Kingdom, with roles in London, Sierra Leone and Zurich; extensive practical experience in developing mining projects from greenfield and brownfield phases through to production in Africa and South America.
- Started his career at a renowned Zurich law firm in the M&A and banking department.
Education
- LL.M. in Banking and Finance Law, University College London (2003)
- Admission to the Bar in Zurich and Switzerland (2000)
- Master of Law, University of Zurich (1998)
Languages
- German (native)
- English (fluent)
- Spanish (fluent)
- Portuguese (fluent)
- French (intermediate)
- Russian (basic knowledge)
Livio Fenner, MLaw
Associate
Lawyer
Preferred Areas of Practice
- Business law
- Contract law
- Corporate law
- Civil procedure
- Debt enforcement and insolvency law
- Employment law
- Tenancy law
- White-collar criminal law
- National and international arbitration
Professional experience
- Research Assistant to Prof. Dr. iur. Johannes Liebrecht, Chair of Legal History, University of Zurich (2019–2022); extensive work in teaching and research, management and supervision of digital teaching projects, contribution to academic publications and co-development of new master’s and bachelor’s courses.
- Research Assistant to Prof. Dr. iur. Marcel Senn, Chair of Legal History, Contemporary Legal History, and Philosophy of Law, Faculty of Law, University of Zurich (2014–2019); involved in teaching and research and supported various projects in legal history and legal philosophy (including “Legal and Social Philosophy: Historical Foundations of European, North American, Indian and Chinese Legal and Social Philosophy” and “Philosophical and Legal-Historical Self-Understanding in Transition: Twenty Contributions on the Emergence and Dissemination of the Scientific Understanding of Law”); participation in the seminar “Law and Legal Scholarship during the Reformation and Renaissance”.
- Advising start-up companies on the planning, development and implementation of digital and legal aspects (since 2017).
Education
- Master of Law, University of Zurich (2020)
Languages
- German
- English
- French
- Arabic (basic knowledge)
Publications
- Urbach/Fenner, Dawn Raid Readiness, in: Gallmann, Robert/Wicki, David (Hrsg.), Der Compliance Officer – ein Handbuch für Praktiker, Orell Füssli Verlag: 1. Auflage 2025
- From Gavel to Algorithm: How AI Is Reshaping Legal Practice, Onlinepublikation, 2023
- Zwingli und die Zürcher Republik zur Zeit der Reformation, Leipzig, 2021
- Spinoza und Kant - Von der Transzendentalphilosophie zum Rechts- und Staatsbegriff, Zürich, 2019
- Das Problem des Willens und die Frage nach der Gerechtigkeit bei Johannes Duns Scotus und Wilhelm von Ockham, Zürich, 2013
- Treu und Glauben als regulatives Prinzip im Geschäftsverkehr, Zürich, 2013
- Spinoza und Kant – von Freiheit und Recht, Zürich, 2012 (prämiert mit dem Semesterpreis 2013 der Universität Zürich)
- Europäisches Finanzmarktrecht, CAS Financial Markets Compliance International, HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich, 4. April 2024, gemeinsam mit Dr. Guido E. Urbach
Dorian Gasser, MLaw, CTL
Partner
Attorney at Law
+ 41 77 480 53 30
Preferred Areas of Practice
- Litigation and Enforcement
- General criminal law, white-collar crime and asset recovery
- Internal and regulatory investigations
- Contract law
- Commercial and corporate law
- Banking and financial market law
- Private clients
Professional experience
- Partner, Hafner Urbach Partner (since 2025)
- Associate, Swiss commercial law firm (2023–2024)
- Associate, Swiss major commercial law firm (2020–2023)
- In-house Counsel and Project Manager at RUAG (2019–2020)
- Associate, Swiss major commercial law firm (2018–2019)
- Court clerk, District Court Bulach, Switzerland (2015–2016)
- Junior Associate, Swiss major commercial law firm (2014–2015)
Education
- Admitted to the Bar (2017–2018)
- Master of Law (MLaw) University of Geneva (summa cum laude) (2009–2014)
- Student Exchange Programme University of Singapore (Fellow of the Ernest Boninchi Foundation) (2013–2014)
- Swiss Exchange University Zurich (2013)
- Certificate in Transnational Law (CTL) University of Geneva (lic. iur.) (2012–2013)
Languages
- German
- English
- French
- Persian/Farsi
Memberships
- Swiss Bar Association (SBA)
- Zurich Bar Association (ZAV)
- International Association of Young Lawyers (AIJA)
- Private Plaintiff Network (NPK)
Juan Carlos Gil, LL.M. (LSE)
Of Counsel
Attorney at Law
Preferred areas of practice
- Inheritance law (asset and estate planning)
- Commercial law
- Contract law
- Financial market law
- Private international law
- Litigation before state courts
- National and international arbitration
Professional experience
- Of Counsel at Kohli Urbach Rechtsanwälte AG
- Partner at Jegher Gil
- Practice with business law firms in Zurich, London and Madrid (1996–2003)
- Independent legal consultancy
- Admission to the bar (1998)
- Civil Court of Basel-Stadt (1995)
Education
- Postgraduate Studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science, LL.M., merit (1995)
- Law Degree, University of Basel, lic. iur., cum laude (1993)
Languages
- German
- Spanish
- English
- French
- Italian
Memberships
- Swiss Bar Association
- Zurich Bar Association
Emanuel Hochstrasser
Of Counsel
Attorney at Law (Switzerland and New York)
Preferred areas of practice
- White-collar criminal law
- Administrative criminal law
- Criminal organizations
- Terrorism
Professional experience
- Resumption of legal practice at Hafner & Hochstrasser
- Judge on the Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona (until 2004–2020)
- Co-founder and Senior Partner at Hafner & Hochstrasser (1992)
- Court clerk at the Hinwil District Court (1978)
Education
- Admitted to the New York Bar (1983)
- New York University (law degree) (1981)
- Admitted to the Zurich Bar (1980)
- Court clerk at the Hinwil District Court (1978)
- University of Bern, lic. iur. (1978)
Languages
- German
- English
- French
- Italian
Memberships
- Swiss Bar Association (SBA)
- Zurich Bar Association (ZAV)
- Lucerne Lawyers’ Association
Dr. iur. HSG Gentiana Imeri
Partner
Attorney at Law
+ 41 76 321 50 04
Preferred areas of practice
- Representation before state courts, administrative bodies and arbitral tribunals
- Internal and regulatory investigations, crisis management and compliance advisory
- Banking and financial market law
- White-Collar Crime
- Private clients
Professional experience
- Partner, Hafner Urbach Partner (since 09/2025)
- Associate, US litigation boutique, litigation and white-collar crime (2024–2025)
- Associate Swiss major commercial law firm, cross-border litigation, internal investigations and white-collar crime, financial market law (2021–2024)
- Junior Lawyer, international US commercial law firm (2019–2020)
- Lecturer, University of St. Gallen (since 2018)
- Research assistant, Chair of Law & Economics, Legal Theory, International and European Law (Prof. Dr. Anne van Aaken), University of St. Gallen (2014–2018)
- Internship, Swiss major commercial law firm (2015)
Education
- Admitted to the bar in the Canton of Zurich (2021)
- Dr. iur. HSG in Law, Highest Distinction, Professor Walther Hug Prize (2020)
- Visiting researcher, University of Chicago Law School (2017–2018)
- Visiting researcher, Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods (2017)
- M.A. HSG in Law and Economics (2015)
- B.A. HSG in Law and Economics (2012)
Languages
- German
- English
- Albanian
Memberships
- Swiss Bar Association (SBA)
- Zurich Bar Association (ZAV)
- Swiss-Albanian Law Association (SALA), Founder and President
- Chamber of Commerce Switzerland – Central Europe (SEC)
Publications
- Gentiana Imeri (Koautorin), 'Die vorsorgliche Beweisführung zur Abklärung von Prozessaussichten unter der Berücksichtigung der ZPO Revision' in Catelli C. und Predrag S. (Hrsg.), Vorsorgliche Massnahmen – Fallstricke in der Praxis (Dike 2023)
- Gentiana Imeri (Koautorin) 'Switzerland', Baker McKenzie International Arbitration Yearbook 2019/2020 (Global Arbitration News)
Giorgio Lazzarini, MLaw
Partner
Lawyer
Preferred areas of practice
- Family office services
- Banking law
- Compliance
- Contract law
- National and international M&A transactions
- Private equity transactions
- Corporate and commercial law matters
- Employment law
- Advising start-ups and entrepreneurs
- Advising financial intermediaries
- Advising national and international companies
- Offshore company formation and complex corporate structures (domestic and international)
Professional experience
- Partner at Kohli Urbach Rechtsanwälte AG (2014)
Education
- Master of Law, University of Zurich (2014)
Languages
- German
- English
- French
- Mandarin Chinese (advanced proficiency)
Hamide Miftari, MLaw
Junior Associate
Lawyer
Preferred areas of practice
- Banking and financial market law
- Tax law
- Corporate law
Professional experience
- Trainee Lawyer, Hafner Urbach Partner (since 10/2025)
- Trainee Lawyer, Swiss commercial law firm (2025)
- Legal & Policy Specialist, Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) (2023–2024)
- Junior Associate, Swiss commercial law firm (2022–2023)
Education
- Master’s degree in Law, University of Lucerne, magna cum laude (2024)
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Law, Zurich University of Applied Sciences (2019)
Languages
- German
- English
- Albanian
Dr. iur. Monika Molnár, LL.M. (Taxation), ZHDK CAS
Of Counsel
Attorney at Law
Preferred practice areas
- National and international tax law (focus on value added tax, customs, excise duties)
- Indirect taxes
- Commercial and contract law
- Maritime law
- Aviation law
- Art trade
- Blockchain
- Tax and customs procedures, including administrative and mutual assistance procedures as well as criminal proceedings
- Advisory services in German, English, Hungarian and Russian
Professional experience
- Founding of MOLNAR AG, a tax advisory firm in Zurich (2023).
- Appointed to a Swiss-Australian cruising industry group (ocean and European/Asian river cruising, shipbuilding), initially as Head of Group Legal Tax Compliance, later as General Manager.
- Tax partner at a major commercial law firm in Zug/Zurich specializing in fintech.
- Deputy Director at an international auditing and consulting firm in Zurich and London (until 2010); simultaneously served as International Knowledge Manager for Indirect Taxation (VAT and customs) and Swiss country representative within the Big Four.
- Regular speaker, lecturer in adult education and correspondent for the IBFD (International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation) in Amsterdam.
- Author of numerous textbooks and practical guides on Swiss VAT and Swiss customs law.
Education
- Accredited interpreter for the Court of Appeal of the Canton of Zurich.
- Accredited Incoterms® 2010 trainer (ICC Germany e.V., International Chamber of Commerce).
- Curating degree at the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHDK).
- LL.M. postgraduate studies at the University of Bern (Master of Law) with a focus on tax law.
- Advanced studies as a federal fellow at the University of Zurich.
- Studies at the Faculty of Law of the University of Szeged (Hungary, JD).
Languages
- German
- English
- Hungarian
- Russian
Memberships
- International Bar Association (IBA)
- International Fiscal Association (IFA)
- Court of Arbitration for Art (Netherlands Arbitration Institute)
- Board Member, Zug Art Society (Zug, Switzerland)
- Crypto Valley Association (CVA)
- Swiss-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce (HSU)
- Chamber of Commerce Switzerland – Central Europe (SEC)
Dr. Aleksandar Simic
Of Counsel
Preferred areas of practice
- Supporting aircraft operators in developing management systems (personnel, policies, processes, documentation)
- Advising organizations on meeting requirements for commercial operations
- Development and implementation of aviation strategies
- Optimizing operational efficiency and safety
- Consulting in airline and airport management
Professional experience
- Over 40 years of experience in the aviation industry with a focus on operations, airworthiness, safety and security; recognized as an expert in international aviation, safety management systems as well as airline and airport processes and infrastructure; acknowledged for dedication, leadership and excellence in aviation (including awarded “CEO of the Year in the Business Aviation Industry”).
Education
- Doctorate in Aviation Management (1999)
Languages
- English
- Serbian
- Russian
Memberships
- IS-BAO (International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations)
- NBAA (National Business Aviation Association)
- EBAA (European Business Aviation Association)
Publications
- "Dodatnim veštinama do uspešnijeg upravljanja avionom" (De. Verbesserte Fähigkeiten für erfolgreiches Fliegen), Serbian, Paperback, ISBN 978-86-6010-023-0, Admiral Bücher, 22. April 2024
- "Dragi putnici imamo problem u avionu!" (De. Lieber Passagier wir haben ein Problem!), Serbian, Paperback, ISBN 978-86-6010-014-8, Admiral Bücher, 1. Februar 2021
- „Faktor umora u vazduhoplovstvu" (De. Ermüdungsfaktor in der Luftfahrt), Serbian, Paperback, ISBN 978-86-6010-008-7, Admiral Bücher, 1. November 2018
- „Wirtschaftliche Aspekte der Luftraumkontrolle und -Sicherung", Megatrend-Überblick, Vol. 15, Nr. 3, 1. November 2018, UDC 341.226:65.011.47
- „Umor dremucka u kokpitu" (De. Ermüdung durch Nickerchen im Cockpit), Nova Galaksija (Scientific Magazine), 3. Mai 2017
- „Sve sto je potrebno znati o putovanju avionom" (De. Alles was du über das Reisen im Flugzeug wissen musst), Serbian, Paperback, ISBN 978-8690246205, Admiral Bücher, 13. September 2016
- „Nesrece koje su promenile avio-industriju" (De. Katastrophen, die die Luftfahrtindustrie verändert haben), Serbian, Paperback, ISBN 978-8688617864, Admiral Bücher, 17. Februar 2015
Administration
Andrea Basic
Legal Assistant
David Beetschen
Fiduciary Assistant
Yasemin Dolder
Office Manager
Eliana Frei
Assistentin, CAS Paralegal
Fiorentina Hajrullahu
Legal Assistant
Marion Knecht
Trust Officer / HR