Switzerland

Our Geneva office offers market-leading teams of Trade and International Arbitration lawyers.

Our Trade Team

Geneva is the headquarters of the World Trade Organization (WTO), through which the rules of the multilateral trading system are negotiated and enforced. Our Geneva office works on WTO and other international trade issues. It also practises in other areas of public international law, including international environmental law and international human rights issues.

The Geneva team provides advice to companies and sovereign governments on the full range of WTO disciplines, including anti-dumping, subsidies and countervailing measures, safeguards, investment, technical barriers to trade, customs, agriculture and intellectual property.

We have extensive experience in WTO dispute settlement. Our lawyers  present both written and oral arguments to WTO Panels and the Appellate Body, and participate in every stage of the WTO dispute settlement process. They also provide advisory services on matters such as the WTO-consistency of national measures.

Our Geneva office also advises multinational corporations and sovereign governments on commitments under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), on the legal and practical implications of the WTO accession process, and on negotiations for Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). It assists companies in identifying and resolving potential WTO-related problems with specific transactions, and in using WTO rules to obtain fair treatment or increase access to global markets. The Geneva office has particular experience on WTO energy trade issues.

The location of the Geneva office enables us to closely monitor the work of the WTO as well as other multilateral organisations.

Visit our International Trade page

Download our World Trade Organization (WTO) brochure

Our International Arbitration team

Our Geneva international arbitration lawyers come from diverse backgrounds, both civil and common law, and between them speak many languages. They are sought out by clients across Europe and beyond.

The group has vast experience of international arbitrations under all major rules, governed by various laws and represents clients from a wide range of industries, including construction & engineering, mining, pharmaceuticals, oil & gas, manufacturing, and consumer goods.

As well as advising on international arbitrations across the world, our team in Geneva also has experience of handling arbitrations in Switzerland and / or governed by Swiss law, as well as arbitration-related court proceedings, notably before the Swiss Federal Tribunal (annulment proceedings). In this regard, it is notable that Head of our Swiss International Arbitration practice, Anne Véronique Schlaepfer is the former President of the Swiss Chamber Court of Arbitration, which administers the Swiss Arbitration Rules, and was involved personally in the redrafting of the Swiss Rules.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Well-reputed lawyers in Geneva advise key government clients and corporate third parties on WTO disputes.
Chambers Global 2021: International Trade

White & Case LLP's Geneva practice can offer a 'true collaborative synergy among the team members' to act for governments in WTO disputes as well as assisting private members and industry associations with trade remedies work.
The Legal 500 2021: WTO

Clients appreciate that "White & Case is permanently available and reactive to questions and concerns we flag."
Chambers Global 2019: International Trade

"They turn work around really quickly, have a good eye for detail and are thoroughly pleasant to work with."
Chambers Global 2019: International Trade

Anne Véronique Schlaepfer of White & Case LLP acts as counsel in a range of commercial disputes. Market observers say that "she's smart, knowledgeable, and has very strong advocacy skills."
Chambers Global 2016: Dispute Resolution: Arbitration Counsel — Switzerland