Christophe Emonet

Christophe Emonet has more than 20 years of experience in complex banking/commercial disputes, regulatory matters, investigations and insolvency.

Highlight cases led by Christophe Emonet include representing more than 40 banks in the worldwide restructuring and orderly liquidation of a multinational Swiss headquartered commodities trading company as well as assisting a foreign banker in the Parmalat investigations (Switzerland and Italy) and an HNWI in the Swiss and SFO investigations related to British Aerospace, both resulting in prosecuting authorities renouncing to bring charges. More recently, Christophe Emonet represented a public Swiss listed bank in the largest ever criminal investigation (ten years of preliminary investigations followed by a five-month daily trial) and commercial dispute, against former directors and auditors in relation to a 3 billion Swiss franc loss. He also represented Swiss banks in the DOJ Tax Programme for Swiss Banks and assisted a bank in the context of the sale of its offshore and fiduciary activities from over 40 countries, in providing a second expert review on regulatory, compliance and cross-selling issues. Current assignments include leading the defence of the former CEO of a foreign pension fund in large scale Swiss and foreign investigations and commercial disputes, representing several foreign states and state companies in major mutual assistance and national criminal proceedings, as well as commercial disputes and worldwide recovery actions.

Christophe Emonet's expertise is recognized for over a decade by the leading legal directories, including Chambers, The Legal 500, Who's Who Legal, Best Lawyers and IFLR1000. He is ranked as a leading practitioner for commercial and banking disputes and white-collar crime cases. He is also listed as an asset recovery and insolvency expert. A sample of recent quotes from clients and peers distinguish him as "an absolute superstar in the areas of commercial litigation and white-collar crime" (The Legal 500 2023), "extremely knowledgeable, responsive, and a great advocate and team leader" (Chambers 2023). "Christophe is very fast and a great negotiator. He is tough with adverse parties and he is a brilliant strategist." (Chambers 2022), "by far the most outstanding professional we’ve had the pleasure of working with. His decisiveness and insight has garnered faith and reverence from all parties, including the opposing counsel" (The Legal 500 2021), "Christophe Emonet is superb. His experience and judgment are second to none." (The Legal 500 2021), "a very good brain and he is very commercial and pragmatic" (Chambers 2020), a "top practitioner, who deeply cares about his clients" (The Legal 500 2019), and praise his "deep knowledge of the law, razor sharp advice, and the fact that he helps you to put your best interest forward" (Chambers 2019). Earlier quotes emphasize him as being "highly strategic, very bright and relentless in defence of his clients” (Chambers 2018; The Legal 500 2016/2015), “a great negotiator” (The Legal 500 2018), who is “striking in the court room as well as in negotiations” (Chambers 2016; The Legal 500 2014) and a “fierce advocate” (Chambers 2015).

Christophe Emonet graduated from the University of Geneva in 1996 (MLaw), was admitted to the Bar in 1998 and became a partner in 2004. Prior to joining Pestalozzi in 1999, Christophe Emonet worked with barristers and solicitors in London. As part of his cursus, he also served for one year as foreign associate in two major law firms in Madrid and Buenos Aires.