Prof. Dr. Rolf Watter
Partner
Rolf Watter has broad experience in all types of M&A and capital market transactions including large scale mergers, auction procedures, cross-border transactions and IPOs. He also specializes in corporate governance questions.
Rolf Watter is presently a board member in the listed companies Zurich Insurance Company (also a member of the audit committee) and Nobel Biocare (currently chair-man) and of the non-listed Faber Castell (Holding) AG and UBS AP AG.
In the Bilanz, a Swiss economy journal, Rolf Watter has been listed as one of the two most influential lawyers in Switzerland since 2009. The European Legal 500 2009 describes Rolf Watter as a "shining light in the field of M&A", "thinking outside the box and having valuable experience and seniority" (The Legal 500 2012). Chambers Global 2010 points out: "Rolf Watter is 'the rainmaker and the deal doer' of the practice, and one of the strongest practitioners in the country." "With broad experience in all types of M&A and capital markets transactions, Rolf Watter is a first-class negotiator and is particularly skilled at handling complex cross-border transactions and corporate governance questions" (Chambers Global 2011). Furthermore, Chambers Global 2011 lauds Rolf Watter as a major figure in M&A and capital markets, and The Legal 500 2012 lists him among the leading lawyers in Switzerland in the M&A sector.
- Currently board member of Faber-Castell (Holding) AG (since 1997), UBS AOP AG (since 2000), Zurich Insurance Company (since 2002) and Nobel Biocare (since 2007)
- Board member of Cablecom Holdings GmbH (2003-2008), Forbo (1999-2005), Centerpulse (2002-2003), Feldschlösschen Getränke AG (2001-2004) and Syngenta (2000-2012)
- Member of the board of directors of Bär & Karrer AG (2007-2009)
- Member of the management board of Bär & Karrer (2000-2009)
- University of Zurich: Professor of Law (since 1996), Venia Legendi (1990)
- Partner of Bär & Karrer (since 1994)
- Georgetown University, Washington D.C.: LL.M. (1988)
- Admitted to the Zurich Bar (1986)
- University of Zurich: Dr. iur. (1985)
- University of Zurich: lic. iur. (1983)
- Swiss Bar Association (SAV/FSA)
- International Bar Association (IBA)
- SIX Swiss Exchange: Member of the Admission Board, Member of the Commission of Experts on Disclosure of Shareholdings, Recognised Representative for the Listing of Securities
- Part-time Professor of Law at the University of Zurich
- Co-editor of the law journals "Aktuelle Juristische Praxis" and "GesKR" and of the Basler Commentaries on Corporate Law, on the Banking Act, the Stock Exchange Act and the Merger Act
- All Swiss Courts
Bär & Karrer AG
Brandschenkestrasse 90
CH-8027 Zurich
Switzerland
F: +41 58 261 50 01
rolf.watter@baerkarrer.ch
T: +41 58 261 52 81
F: +41 58 261 50 01
manuela.wuermli@baerkarrer.ch
T: +41 58 261 56 26
F: +41 58 261 50 01
franziska.gross@baerkarrer.ch
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