TMT: Switzerland

THE FIRM This strong domestic player is renowned for its flourishing TMT practice. The team recently represented several banks and insurance companies in software licensing negotiations and IT outsourcing. It has the know-how to advise on data breaches, data theft, secrecy laws, e-commerce, and the regulatory aspects of telecoms. Media content distribution and sports marketing are other important areas of the team's practice, and it also represents private personalities in media privacy matters. Clients include Google, AMAG and Philip Morris.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Practice head Georg Rauber handles contentious and non-contentious matters in both IP and IT-related cases. He is also highly adept in competition law matters, meaning he is able to provide clients with an impressively broad service.

David Rosenthal is praised for his pragmatism and for "providing a really high-quality end product." Sources further highlight his personable approach and strong motivation, as well as his ability to handle complex mandates. He is able to draw on a wealth of industry knowledge thanks to his background in IT.

THE FIRM This firm continues to be a heavy hitter in the Swiss TMT market. It advises advertising and PR agencies on media law issues, and has a strong case load of IT and telecoms work. The team often works on-site for clients, further strengthening its specialist knowledge of the technology industries. Recent highlights include assisting Zurich Financial Services with an outsourcing project, and advising Swisscom on a project to set up an e-health solution for home healthcare organisations. The group is also active in the sports sector. Clients include Avaloq and Swiss Federal Railways.

Sources say: "This team has the strength to advise on both the partner and associate levels." "It is open and flexible, and really supports clients."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Didier Sangiorgio stands out for his IT and outsourcing work.

Mark Reutter has a broad practice and is particularly well known for his work in IT, technology, arts and entertainment. He receives positive feedback for his negotiating skills and his ability to handle both contentious and non-contentious matters.

Sources note that Hans Rudolf Trüeb "always finds a way to accommodate us," adding: "He really understands our requirements and presents solutions in an easily understandable way." He is also highlighted for his procurement work.

Christophe Marclay continues to impress with his TMT work and "business-friendly, hands-on approach." He advises IT users and service providers.

THE FIRM This firm earns solid recommendations for its TMT practice. It provides a high level of service over a broad range of matters, including software contracts, outsourcing, data protection, marketing and advertising. As a result of the team's strong corporate focus, it also acts on many M&A and joint venture mandates in the IT and media sectors. The group is also experienced in the telecoms and energy sectors.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Michele Bernasconi is a well-known name in the TMT market, most notably for his work in the sports domain where he handles international player transfers, doping cases and arbitration.

THE FIRM Lenz & Staehelin's TMT group has close links to its competition and IP teams, facilitating an integrated approach to TMT matters that helps provide clients with a comprehensive service. The team recently advised Richemont on the privacy, data protection and security aspects of distributing luxury brands. It has registered several companies with OFCOM as telecoms providers, and has wide experience in IT outsourcings and BPO transactions. Clients include Xerox and Sunrise Communications.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department head Lukas Morscher is praised for his "good, timely advice," and is particularly known for his ICT, telecoms and outsourcing work. He advised Xerox on its acquisition of a customer contract portfolio from Inergy.

THE FIRM This talented team has a significant presence in the TMT sector. It advises clients such as BSI on international outsourcing matters, and has valuable experience in the areas of cloud computing and data protection. The firm is particularly well known in the market for its sports-related TMT work, and frequently advises the International Ice Hockey Federation on both IT and IP matters. Thanks to the firm's strong corporate practice, the TMT team regularly acts on large projects with a technology or media aspect.

KEY INDIVIDUALS András Gurovits Kohli is an "acknowledged expert" in the field and earns commendations for his negotiating skills. He is experienced in outsourcing, telecoms, infrastructure projects and sports law.

THE FIRM This Zürich-based firm offers advice across a range of practice areas, and is well known in the market for its TMT work. It focuses on IT and telecoms, including M&A transactions in these sectors. It also handles outsourcing, distribution strategies, internet compliance and regulatory issues in the telecoms field.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peter Neuenschwander is "a very good and successful IT lawyer," according to sources, who commend his outsourcing work. His background as legal counsel in a global IT firm further strengthens his knowledge in this area.

THE FIRM This TMT group is particularly active in the new media sector, where it acts for a range of international and domestic clients, and regularly advises software providers and hosting services providers. The team's wealth of knowledge covers topics such as social media, telecoms and IT transactions. Sinergy, Plus Group and Hostpoint are amongst the firm's clients.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department head Rolf Auf der Maur is the driving force behind the team. He advises TV production and film companies on issues such as production, finance, sponsoring agreements and distribution arrangements. "He is always available, skilled and creative," say clients.

THE FIRM This firm retains a robust TMT practice as part of its IP and IT group. Outsourcing, contracts, software, domain names, and other internet-related matters are all comprehensively handled by the firm, which also advises on media and advertising matters. Its offices across French-speaking Switzerland enable the team to provide a comprehensive service to clients.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Thomas Legler is best known for his IP practice, but also enjoys a solid reputation for his TMT work. His main focus is on data protection and domain name disputes.

Pierre-Yves Gunter is a respected name for telecoms and protection matters, as well as a renowned arbitrator.

THE FIRM This compact but highly capable team is a well-respected player in the TMT sector and serves major clients including Google and Orange Communications. The team specialises in IP, media and IT, and benefits from close co-operation with the firm's competition group. It has experience in telecoms, litigation, arbitration, and drafting and negotiating IT contracts. A recent case involved drafting Swiss master service agreements for a US client.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Zürich-based Andrea Mondini heads the department and regularly advises KPN International on regulatory issues regarding its Swiss operators. Clients praise the excellent analytical skills that he brings to complex cases.

THE FIRM The growing TMT group at this firm attracts many IT mandates, and frequently handles outsourcing cases. For example, it recently assisted an insurance company with outsourcing its case handling platform, and advised an international retail company on outsourcing its complete IT infrastructure. The firm regularly provides educational services for companies on IT compliance and advises on data protection issues. Clients include companies from the pharmaceutical and financial industries.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Roland Mathys is a well-respected TMT practitioner, known chiefly for his contracts and outsourcing work. "He is sharp, intelligent and a good negotiator," report interviewees.

Bernhard Heusler concentrates on licensing agreements and outsourcing.