Dr. Kilian Schärli, LL.M.
Managing Partner/Partner/Notary Public, Zug/Zurich
Grabenstrasse 2 | CH-6340 Baar | Switzerland
Profile
Dr. Kilian Schärli is the managing partner of MLL Legal. He works with domestic and international clients in the technology, industrial and internet sectors. He specializes in the fields of intellectual property matters, blockchain technology, unfair competition, licensing and distribution. He has particular expertise in commercial and transactional work relating to these fields.
Kilian is Co-Head of the industry groups Blockchain Technologies and MLLStart! He is involved in leadership roles in several local and international organizations.
Practice Areas
Industry Groups
Special Desks
Rankings & Awards
- “I have the utmost respect and appreciation for the invaluable guidance provided by my legal advisors, Kilian Schärli and Reto Luthiger. Their expertise, professionalism, and unwavering support have been instrumental in resolving my legal concerns” – Legal 500 EMEA, Fintech, 2024
- “The team around Simon Holzer is one of the best to advise on patent matters in Switzerland, especially in the life sciences field. Ulrike Ciesla and Kilian Schärli are also outstanding. They are always great to work with in pan-European litigation projects” – Legal 500 EMEA, Healthcare and Life Sciences, 2024
- “Kilian is a wonderful lawyer, with great judgement and knowledge of the law. He is a pleasure to work with” – Chambers and Partners, Fintech, 2024
- “He is always accessible, provides great advice, and is an effective lawyer” – Chambers and Partners, Fintech, 2024
- “Kilian has always been extremely polite, correct and his fine character attracts positive attention which can also be seen in the interaction with his own colleagues” – Client Choice, FinTech, 2024
- “Kilian Schärli uses a proactive approach and shows multiple solutions for the client. He has the capability of connecting the correct experts at the right moment; his extensive network of experts is extremely valuable. His ambition to solve any problem for the client and to find the best suitable solution in time, budget and content is remarkable” – Client Choice, FinTech, 2024
- “Kilian deeply understands the business and commercial aspects of a transaction, and offers custom tailored advice to clients to help them achieve their business objectives. He is one of the best lawyers whom I have met” – Client Choice, FinTech, 2024
- “Kilian Schärli is the most pragmatic, competent, customer-oriented, and empathetic legal advisor” – Client Choice, FinTech, 2024
- “Dr. Kilian Schärli provides a brilliant customer service: he is extremely competent and knowledgeable as well as customer focused. His very sensitive and empathetic behaviour is very helpful and has already shown significant success in highly tense situations in which he provides more comfort to all stakeholders” – Client Choice, FinTech, 2024
- “Reliable, industry knowledge, understands the client” – IFLR 1000, 2023
- “Kilian Schärli brings in-depth SPC know-how to the table. Co-leading the blockchain group, he has experience in dealing with highly advanced technological cases” – IAM Patent 1000, 2023
- “Super responsive and supportive, clear know-how leader in how to create efficient legal structures for token emitting entities. Always goes the extra mile for his clients beyond any experience we had with other law firms” – Legal 500 EMEA, Fintech, 2023
- “Kilian Schärli and Simon Holzer are outstanding, since they are always looking for the best solution for the client” – Legal 500 EMEA, IP, 2023
- “Kilian is deep into the blockchain industry and knows how the business works and how business should be set up for product development and management” – Chambers and Partners, Fintech, 2023
- “He stands out and is among the top three lawyers we have worked with globally. His level of dedication and sophistication is excellent while still maintaining a hands-on approach when it comes to solving problems”– Chambers and Partners, Fintech, 2023
- Kilian Schärli has been appointed in the 2022–2023 leadership team of the Licensing Executives Society International (LESI)’s Young Members Congress (YMC) as International Chair.
- “Always does a tremendous job. He is great to work with, hands-on and develops the most impressive strategies” – IAM Patent 1000, 2022
- “Kilian Schärli is a highly esteemed and well-connected practitioner in the field of fintech who is highly sought after for his practical advice” – Who’s Who Legal, Global Leader Blockchain, 2022
- “Kilian Schärli handles a huge amount of crypto legal issues brilliantly. Great communication skills and understanding of the needs of our company. Always finds a solution in the most challenging circumstances” – Legal 500 EMEA, Fintech, 2022
- “Very easy to work with and a good appreciation (and enjoyment!) of IP law and practice in Switzerland. He is very bright and quickly grasps complex technical subject matter” – Legal 500 EMEA, IP, 2022
- “Kilian Schärli is recognised as a skilled and driven individual and as a leader in his field of expertise – which is why he clearly stands out as the lead partner. Kilian Schärli is really smart and committed. He always goes the extra mile for us and is available 24/7. He is down to earth and has an extraordinary sense for commercially good solutions. It is indeed a true pleasure to work with him” – Legal 500 EMEA, Healthcare & Life Sciences, 2022
- “Kilian Schärli is noted for his know-how in blockchain pharmaceutical cases” – Legal 500 EMEA, Healthcare & Life Sciences, 2022
- “Kilian Schärli has a great connection to the crypto market” – Chambers and Partners, FinTech, 2022
- “We are really happy with his service – especially as he combines the legal view with a pragmatic and realistic business view” – Chambers and Partners, FinTech, 2022
- “Responsive; trustful relationship; advice on more than just the subject at hand (e.g. cultural aspects or governance approaches); solid knowhow” – IFLR 1000, 2021-22
- “Kilian Schärli brings in-depth expertise to his practice, which focuses on projects concerning crypto-assets and blockchain in the pharmaceutical sector” – Who’s Who Legal, Blockchain, 2021
- “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” – Chambers and Partners, FinTech 2021
- “Kilian Schärli is an up and coming young partner starting to make his mark on the team” – Legal 500 EMEA, Intellectual Property, 2021
- “Kilian Schärli: super enthusiastic and dives deep into all areas of technology” – Legal 500 EMEA, Healthcare and Life Sciences, 2021
Deals & Cases
- Advised and represented Telegram Group Inc., a cloud-based instant messaging and voice over IP service, as lead partner in connection with all Swiss legal aspects regarding the TON cryptocurrency and blockchain project
- Successfully defended Gilead’s SPC for the combination of emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxile in groundbreaking litigation before the Swiss Federal Patent Court and the Federal Supreme Court
- Advised Modum regarding a blockchain pharmaceutical use case in supply chain
- Kilian advised as lead partner Bitcoin Suisse, A Zug-based financial services provider for the digital asset industry, on all legal aspects of the CHF 45 Mio. Series A fundraising round, on IP related matters, and on the continous evolvement of the regulatory and contractual setup with regard to its crypto-related service offering
- Represented Cellprotect Holding Ltd in all matters regarding the development of a new drug, in particular regarding patent and trademark strategy and various development and license agreements.
- Advised and represented several entities of the Bayer group of companies in different Swiss patent litigation proceedings and pharmaceutical regulatory law
- Advised and represented Astrazeneca, a well-known biopharmaceutical company, against early market entries of generics of Faslodex®, Crestor®, Nexium®, and Seroquel®
Education & Admission
- University of Lucerne, Dr. iur. (2013)
- The John Marshall Law School, Chicago, in cooperation with Peking University, Beijing, LL.M. (2012)
- Admitted to the bar in Switzerland and licensed as a notary public in Zug (2011)
- University of Lucerne, MLaw (2009)
Memberships and public offices
- Capital Markets and Technology Association (CMTA)
- International Chair of LESI YMC
- Swiss Association for Intellectual Property Law (INGRES)
- Zug Bar Association
Languages
- German
- English
- French
Publications
Assistants
Publications
Firm News
“I have the utmost respect and appreciation for the invaluable guidance provided by my legal advisors, Kilian Schärli and Reto Luthiger. Their expertise, professionalism, and unwavering support have been instrumental in resolving my legal concerns”
