Firm & Awards

According to Chambers an Partners, MLL is increasingly able to also serve its longstanding banking clients and growing roster of FinTech startups in a variety of related legal matters. MLL is honored to be ranked by Chambers and Partners in Band 2 as well as Alexander Vogel being additionally ranked Band 2 for FinTech Legal Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies. Reto Luthiger is ranked as Star Associate within the FinTech ranking alongside with both Alexander Vogel and Kilian Schärli in Band 3.

“They have advised us on Swiss corporate and tax matters, as well as Swiss securities law in the area of digital tokens. The quality of their service is excellent. They compare better than other Swiss firms in terms of legal advice, responsiveness, understanding our business, attention to detail and accommodating our needs,” comments one Swiss market insider. Another source quotes: “Our entity operates in the cryptocurrency space, and this practice has a great amount of knowledge in this particular area. This is particularly helpful as new regulations are constantly being implemented.”

Notable practitioners are:

• Alexander Vogel is recognised in the Swiss market for his expertise in financial regulatory, capital markets, banking and finance, and corporate matters, particularly in relation to distributed ledger technology. Vogel is a member of the board of directors of several FinTech companies. “He brings a lot to the table, he’s productive 24/7. He has great knowledge in how to run a startup and avoid the first pitfalls.” says one interviewee. “He did an outstanding job and had an extraordinary level of knowledge and know-how with regards to digital assets and the surrounding regulation in Switzerland,” notes another.
• Kilian Schärli is a partner in MLL’s FinTech and IP team. He acts as co-head of the DLT, blockchain and cryptocurrencies industry group and regularly advises on matters at the nexus of technology, IP, data protection and financial regulation. A satisfied client recalls: “All our strategic decisions were made by Kilian. He was thinking outside of the box and provided multiple options on how to solve a situation – a skill only possible because of his extensive and solid know-how in his particular study of law.” Another interviewee adds: “He is someone who feels at home in the role of sparring partner, but also in supporting and delivering cutting-edge legal advice.”
• Reto Luthiger is a counsel at the firm and is co-head of the firm’s FinTech practice. He is a member of various prestigious FinTech industry groups and expert working groups, such as the Self Regulatory Organisation of the Swiss Association of Investment Companies. “Reto is very proficient in various regulatory legal points in the financial services sector,” says a client. “Reto is the younger guy there,” adds a leading market peer, “but he’s showing a lot of promise.”