Schellenberg Wittmer

About Schellenberg Wittmer

Schellenberg Wittmer's private wealth group advises UHNW families, entrepreneurs, and family offices on the legal dimensions of preserving and transferring wealth across generations and borders. The Zurich-based team covers Swiss and international estate planning, the establishment and administration of trusts and foundations, matrimonial and inheritance law, cross-border tax, and relocation to Switzerland, the latter a significant practice area as international families increasingly consider Swiss residence. Schellenberg Wittmer's private wealth partners combine Swiss law credentials with STEP membership and in several cases dual qualification in common-law jurisdictions, enabling the firm to act as lead counsel on structures that span civil-law and common-law systems. The firm's litigation strength: it is one of Switzerland's leading dispute resolution practices, provides a natural complement to its private client advisory work.

Known For

• Formed in 1990 by the merger of Zurich and Geneva firms, with a further office in Singapore
• Private wealth group covering estate planning, trusts, foundations, matrimonial law and relocation to Switzerland
• Among the largest Swiss dispute resolution practices, giving weight in contested inheritance and trust matters
• Partners with STEP membership and, in several cases, dual qualification in common-law jurisdictions

Typical Mandate

Schellenberg Wittmer's private wealth clients are international families and entrepreneurs with a Swiss connection through residence, assets or a planned move. Typical mandates include relocation to Switzerland under lump-sum or ordinary taxation, succession planning across civil-law and common-law systems, the establishment or review of foundations and trusts, and prenuptial or matrimonial property agreements. Where a family dispute arises, the firm's litigators act in Swiss courts and in arbitration.

How to Engage

Clients usually arrive through referral from a private bank, trustee or foreign law firm, though direct inquiries via the firm's website are directed to a private wealth partner in Zurich or Geneva. Bring a summary of family members and residences, the main assets by jurisdiction, existing structures and any pending life events such as a move or a sale. The firm runs conflict checks and issues an engagement letter before advising.

Frequently Asked Questions