Nicola Benz
Nicola Benz

Nicola Benz

Partner, Zurich

Schiffbaustrasse 2 | P.O. Box | CH-8031 Zurich | Switzerland
Schiffbaustrasse 2 | P.O. Box | CH-8031 Zurich | Switzerland
T +41 58 552 04 90
nicola.benz@mll-legal.com

Profile

Nicola Benz is co-head of the ICT & Digital practice group at MLL Legal. Her practice has a strong focus on technology contracts, data protection and life sciences, advising Swiss and international companies in these fields. Her experience covers negotiation and advice on outsourcing, licensing, joint ventures and transactions, as well as advising on regulatory and compliance matters. She has particular expertise in dealing with legal issues in relation to medical devices, IT and telecommunications. Nicola regularly supports clients in dealing with legal issues of AI, digitalisation and cybercrime in Switzerland and beyond. She is also a recognised copyright and trademark lawyer. 

In her role as Vice-Chair of the Board of MLL, Nicola has particular responsibility for HR matters, diversity and sustainability and is also a member of the audit committee. She is Chair of the Data Protection Committee of the International Trademark Association for the term 2024-2025. She is also a regular speaker on topics in her fields of interest and co-authored the chapter on medical devices in the Handbook on Product Regulation (Praxishandbuch Produktregulierung) published by Stämpfli Verlag in 2023.

Nicola studied at the University of Edinburgh and qualified as a Scottish solicitor before moving to Switzerland in 2002. She was admitted to the Bar in Switzerland in 2005. Her working languages are German and English.





Special Desks


Rankings & Awards

IP Stars IP Star 2024Legal 500 EMEA Leading Individual 2024Legal 500 EMEA Recommended Lawyer 2024Chambers and Partners Europe 2024 Nicola BenzWTR 1000 Nicola Benz 2024Best Lawyers Nicola Benz 2024IP Stars IP Star 2023Legal 500 EMEA Leading Individual 2023Legal 500 EMEA Recommended Lawyer 2023Chambers and Partners Europe 2023 Nicola BenzWTR 1000 Nicola Benz 2023Who's Who Legal Recognized in Data 2023Best Lawyers Nicola Benz 2023Chambers and Partners Europe 2022 Nicola BenzLegal 500 EMEA Recommended Lawyer 2022Who's Who Legal Switzerland 2022WTR 2022Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year Nicola Benz 2021Chambers and Partners Europe 2021 Nicola BenzLegal 500 EMEA Recommended Lawyer 2021Legal 500 EMEA Recommended Lawyer 2020
  • “While she can skilfully handle various types of agreements, she is a particularly crucial asset during tech-intensive and life sciences-focused deals” – World Trademark Review 1000, 2025
  • “Nicola is always strictly looking for the best solutions for clients” – Chambers and Partners Europe, IP, 2024
  • “Transactions and licensing expert Nicola Benz is a business-oriented practitioner who sees the big picture and progresses matters in a commercially beneficial way” – World Trademark Review 1000, 2024
  • “Easily approachable, very practical advice, an understanding the commercial drivers, and very nice to work with” – Legal 500 EMEA, Data Privacy & Protection, 2023
  • “Nicola is great, and is very good with clients” – Chambers and Partners Europe, TMT, 2023
  • “Nicola is well regarded for her IT and data privacy practice. She is a smart person who is always a pleasure to work with” – Who’s Who Legal, Global Leader Data Privacy and Protection, 2023
  • “Nicola Benz is a leading practitioner who is highly sought after by clients in the telecoms industry for her knowhow when it comes to outsourcing, licensing and joint ventures” – Who’s Who Legal, Global Leader Telecoms & Media, 2023
  • “Nicola Benz is a top commercial IP lawyer; she has a patent and technology focus, but is adept at handling deals involving all kinds of intellectual property” – World Trademark Review 1000, 2023
  • “Nicola Benz was always someone who understood how to be a true business partner. She’s a person whose word I could absolutely count on” – Legal 500 EMEA, Data Privacy & Protection, 2022
  • “Nicola is a highly experienced IT lawyer” – Who’s Who Legal, Thought Leader Data, 2022
  • “Nicola Benz is excellent in the field of trade mark prosecution handling complex matters and achieving positive outcomes” – Legal 500 EMEA, IP, 2022
  • “Nicola Benz clarity of thought and empathy is a rare commodity in the legal sector. Not only is Nicola a key thought leader, she exemplifies the highest standard in all aspects of engagement with clients, and it is clear this extends to the team she commands” – Legal 500 EMEA, TMT, 2022
  • “Nicola Benz is very easily approachable, has an excellent understanding of commercial factors, is experienced in her field, offers quick response times and has a straightforward approach to problems. She’s easy to work with and talk to – even in respect to sensitive matters and client relationships” – Legal 500 EMEA, TMT, 2022
  • “Nicola Benz is invaluable and very knowledgeable and responsive” – Chambers and Partners Europe, IP, 2022
  • “Personable and charming, she has gained a loyal following in the technology & life sciences industries and has IP commercialisation down to a T” – World Trademark Review 1000, 2022
  • “Nicola Benz frequently assists with domestic and cross-border trade mark disputes, enforcement of trade mark rights, trade mark portfolio advice and regulatory matters. One satisfied client remarks that she is “really reliable and present with great experience” – Chambers and Partners Europe, IP, 2021
  • “Nicola Benz is frequently instructed on cybersecurity and software development projects. She is praised by sources for her experience in IT and data privacy” – Chambers and Partners Europe, TMT, 2021
  • “Nicola Benz is very easily approachable, excellent understanding of commercial factors, experienced in her field, quick response times, capability for different fee arrangements, straight forward approach to the problems, easy to work with and talk to – even in respect to sensitive matters and client relationships” – Legal 500 EMEA, Data Privacy and Data Protection, 2021
  • “Can do attitude; the team identifies the goal and proposes solutions instead of problems. Good at recognising my goals, rather than just analysing processes” – Legal 500 EMEA, TMT, 2021

Education & Admission

  • Recognition of qualification in Switzerland (2005)
  • Admitted to the Scots Bar (1998)
  • University of Edinburgh, LLB Hons

Memberships and public offices

  • Swiss Bar Association (SAV)
  • Zurich Bar Association (ZAV)
  • International Trademark Association (INTA)
  • Licensing Executives Society (LES)
  • International Technology Law Association (iTechLaw)

Languages

  • German
  • English

Assistant


Publications


News Portal


Firm News

“Transactions and licensing expert Nicola Benz is a business-oriented practitioner who sees the big picture and progresses matters in a commercially beneficial way”

World Trademark Review 1000, 2024