Simon Hofstetter

Simon is a Partner in the Dispute Resolution Group of Charles Russell Speechlys in Zurich. He specialises in domestic and international litigation with a focus on commercial, banking, and corporate liability disputes, as well as asset recovery and white-collar crime.

Ranked in leading legal directories, Simon represents clients before courts and authorities in both the German- and Italian-speaking parts of Switzerland, where he has deep experience of the legal environment. He also regularly advises companies on drafting and negotiating commercial contracts (in particular joint venture agreements, R&D collaboration agreements, and distribution agreements in the retail, fashion and luxury sectors). In addition, he acts as external counsel on corporate law matters, including M&A transactions, equity changes, corporate housekeeping, shareholders’ matters, and corporate governance.

He graduated from the University of Fribourg i.Ue. with distinctions in bilingual and European Law, holds a CAS in Forensics from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (Competence Centre for Forensics and Economic Crimes), and obtained an LL.M. in Business Law from UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles).

Simon is a member of the Swiss Bar Association (SAV), the Zurich Bar Association (ZAV) and the International Bar Association (IBA). He is also an active member of several professional networks, including AIGLI (Associazione Internazionale Giuristi di Lingua Italiana) and IDI (International Distribution Institute).

He speaks German, English, Italian, French, and Spanish. Simon is admitted to practice in Switzerland.

• Represented an Italian corporate group in complex, high-value litigation regarding worldwide distribution rights and IP infringements (including interim measures and enforcement of awards).
• Represented a publicly listed Italian luxury brand in a dispute against a distributor within a complex distribution structure.
• Represented a global oil and gas company in litigation and asset recovery proceedings related to warehousing and trucking services.
• Advised and represented international humanitarian organisations in inheritance disputes where such organisations were designated as heirs or legatees.
• Advised an ETH spin-off on various commercial agreements (including negotiations with counterparties and governmental authorities), as well as on corporate housekeeping and shareholders’ matters.
• Represented C-level executives and companies in wrongful termination proceedings.
• Assisted in the acquisition of various Swiss targets by foreign companies in the luxury, renewable energy, retail, and locomotive industries (share deals and asset deals).
• Represented HNW individuals in succession litigation and medical malpractice proceedings and settlements.
• Represented a bank manager in multi-million litigation against the bank’s liability insurer for alleged breach of duties.
• Represented a UK company in complex civil and criminal proceedings against individuals and corporate entities in relation to funding projects and loan agreements.