Oliver Widmer
Partner
Attorney at law
Head Financial Services
Feldeggstrasse 4
8008 Zurich
Suisse
T +41 44 217 92 42
oliver.widmer@pestalozzilaw.com
Oliver Widmer is a partner and head of Pestalozzi’s Financial Services Group and a member of the 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 widely recognised as a leading Banking and Finance practitioner and is ranked by The Legal 500 as a Leading Individual, with further recognition in Capital Markets, FinTech and Private Clients. He is also ranked by Chambers & Partners Global and Europe in Banking and Finance, Capital Markets, Investment Funds and FinTech, by Lexology Index (formerly Who’s Who Legal) in Banking and Capital Markets, and by Best Lawyers, which named him Lawyer of the Year 2024 in both Banking and Finance and Finance Law. In addition, the team led by Oliver Widmer was awarded "Law Firm of the Year – Banking & Finance" at the LegalcommunityCH Awards 2025.
Carrière
- Partner at Pestalozzi
- Trust and estate practitioner (TEP)
- Solicitor of England and Wales (not practicing)
- Head Legal and Compliance Merrill Lynch Capital Markets
- M.Sc. Law and Accounting, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
- Associate at Pestalozzi
- Zurich bar exam
- lic. iur., University of Zurich
Langues
Allemand, Anglais, Français
Compétences & Industries
Banking & FinanceBlockchain & Crypto Assets
Marchés de capitaux
Compliance
ESG
Services Financiers
Clientèle privée
Swiss Financial Market Regulation
Adhésion
- Swiss Bar Association (SAV)
- Zurich Bar Association (ZAV)
- ICC Commission on Arbitration
- International Bar Association (IBA)
- STEP
- Swiss-British Chamber of Commerce (BSCC)
- Swiss-Indian Chamber of Commerce (SICC)
- Many more
Publications
Berne Financial Services Agreement between Switzerland and the United Kingdom
Securitisation 2025 - Switzerland