| Pestalozzi Attorneys at Law

Oliver Widmer is a partner and a member of Pestalozzi’s Financial Services Group and the head of Pestalozzi's Private Clients Group. He primarily advises domestic and international banks, financial institutions, wealth management service providers and high net worth individuals on banking, finance and capital markets matters.

Oliver Widmer graduated from the University of Zurich (lic. iur.) and the London School of Economics and Political Science (M.Sc., Law and Accounting). He was admitted to the bar in Switzerland in 2000 and as a solicitor (not practising) of England and Wales in 2003, is an authorised issuer’s representative at the SIX Swiss Exchange and is recognised as trust and estate practitioner (TEP) by STEP. Oliver Widmer joined Pestalozzi in 2001. In 2003/2004, he was seconded to head the Swiss law and compliance department of one major US investment bank.

He is regarded by Legal 500 (Banking and Finance and Capital Markets and Private Clients), by Chambers Global and Chambers Europe (Banking and Finance, Capital Markets, Investment Funds and Fintech), by Citywealth Leaders List (International Lawyer), by Legal Media Group in its Expert Guides (Trust and Estates) and Best of Best Lawyers (Switzerland), Best Lawyers (Finance Law) and by Who is Who Legal Switzerland (Banking, Private Clients).

Oliver was awarded the 2017 client choice award for banking in Switzerland:
http://www.pestalozzilaw.com/about-us/news-and-events/2017/02/10/pestalozzi-partner-awarded-with-the-client-choice-award-2017/

2009

Partner at Pestalozzi

2008

Trust and estate practitioner (TEP)

2003

Solicitor of England and Wales (not practicing)
Head Legal and Compliance Merrill Lynch Capital Markets

2002

M.Sc. Law and Accounting, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

2001

Associate at Pestalozzi

2000

Zurich bar exam

1998

lic. iur., University of Zurich

Languages

German, English, French

Expertise & Industries

Banking & Finance
Blockchain und Crypto Assets
Compliance
Financial Services
Privatklienten
Swiss Financial Market Regulation

Membership

IBA
ICC
STEP
Zurich Bar Association
Swiss Bar Association
Swiss-British Chamber of Commerce
Swiss-Indian Chamber of Commerce
Many more

Publications

Blockchain 2020 - Switzerland: Law and Practice

By Oliver Widmer, Urs Kloeti, Joseph A. Steiner: Chambers Global Practice Guides, London, 2020

Lending & Secured Finance 2020 - Switzerland

By Oliver Widmer, Urs Kloeti: The International Comparative Legal Guide, London 2020

Securitisation 2020 - Switzerland: Law and Practice

By Oliver Widmer, Urs Kloeti, Joseph A. Steiner: Chambers Global Practice Guides, London, 2020

Hedge funds in Switzerland: regulatory overview

By Oliver Widmer, Urs Kloeti: Thomson Reuters - Practical Law, London, 2019

This Q&A is part of the global guide to hedge funds. It provides a high level overview of hedge funds in Switzerland. Areas covered include a market overview, legislation and regulation, marketing, managers and operators, restrictions and requirements, tax; private placement rules and upcoming reform.

Retail investment funds in Switzerland: regulatory overview

By Oliver Widmer, Urs Kloeti: Thomson Reuters - Practical Law, London, 2019

This Q&A is part of the global guide to investment funds. It provides a high level overview of retail investment funds in Switzerland. Areas covered include a market overview, legislation and regulation, marketing, managers and operators, restrictions and requirements, tax and upcoming reform.

Doing Business in Switzerland 2019

By Oliver Widmer, Lorenza Ferrari Hofer, Nils Harbeke, Christoph Lang, Martin L. Mueller: Chambers and Partners, 2019

Lending & Secured Finance 2019 - Switzerland

By Oliver Widmer, Urs Kloeti: The International Comparative Legal Guide, London 2019

Oliver Widmer

Oliver Widmer is a master of his field.