Damiano Brusa

lic. iur. LL.M., attorney-at-law, Partner

Education

Zurich University (lic. iur., 1989); admitted to the Bar (1993); London School of Economics, LL.M. (1996)

Professional Experience

Legal Associate at a large international law firm in London and Washington D.C. (1993-1997); Attorney and Partner at a large international law firm in Zurich (1998-2020); since 2020 Partner at Holenstein Brusa

Languages

German, English, Italian, French

Preferred Areas of Practice

We have a profound knowledge of and extensive experience in legal advisory work and representing banks, pension funds, asset managers and family offices as well as private clients in all national and international (cross border) matters of banking and financial market laws and regulations, namely:
  • Contracts / General Terms and Conditions: Drafting and advancement of contracts as well as general terms and conditions related to banking and financial markets
  • Loan Security: Contracts on loan securities, bank guarantees etc.
  • Digital Banking: Development of legally compliant digital procedures and related documents
  • Opinions: Drafting of legal opinions and expert opinions
  • Collective Investment Schemes: Foundation and Distribution
  • Directive System: Drafting and implementation of directives, internal rules, by-laws and regulations etc.
  • Investigation: Advice and support with regard to internal investigations
  • Outsourcing Legal: Provision of outsourced legal services as a relief of internal legal and compliance
  • Regulatory Matters: Advice on regulatory developments and their internal implementation
  • Litigation: Advice and representation of financial institutions as well as institutional and private clients in (pre-)litigation and arbitration proceedings (see also Litigation and Arbitration)
We advise our clients on all aspects of corporate and commercial law and - if requested - also represent our clients before courts in all related issues and disputes. Our proven real estate specialists offer legal advisory services to private and corporate clients on real estate projects as well as tenancy law related issues.In particular, we offer the following services:
  • incorporation of companies, corporations and establishment of branches
  • company reorganisations and restructurings
  • drawing up customised shareholder agreements and transfer Agreements
  • establishment of company structures incl. by-laws and other internal regulations and directives, such as rules on management transactions, insider trading, data protection, anti-corruption etc.
  • governance and compliance matters
  • providing advice and support in organising shareholders' general meetings of listed and private companies: invitation, script, coordination of shareholders‘ ledger, keeping of the minutes, independent shareholders’ representative
  • duties and liabilities of board members and Management
  • agreements with regard to board members and senior Managers
  • succession planning and inheritance law
  • providing legal support for start start-ups
  • mergers & acquisitions, incl. due diligence
  • due diligence process (including zoning and real estate register law issues)
  • contracts on real estate transactions
  • drafting of property by floor regulations
  • contracts of work and Services
  • enforcement of warranty claims / protection against warranty Claims
  • tenancy law disputes
The advice and support of companies and individuals in (pre-)litigation and arbitration proceedings are core skills of our lawyers:
  • Pre-Litigation: We analyse the factual and legal situation, assess the litigation prospects and risks of your case and - if appropriate - conduct out-of-court settlement discussions with the counterparty.
  • Litigation and Arbitration: We develop sustainable litigation strategies and draft efficient legal submissions, assist you in court hearings and meetings with authorities and - if necessary - challenge court decisions.
Furthermore, we advise and represent our corporate clients in national and international arbitration proceedings in manufacturing, commercial as well as (financial) services related legal fields. Our lawyers are also regularly being appointed as experts or arbitrators. We have profound experience in legal advisory and representation services to corporate and private clients with regard to proceedings in the field of international mutual assistance in civil, administrative and criminal matters (including the areas of information exchange in the field of international criminal tax, financial markets, transfer of cultural property and sanctions control). Notably, this includes counselling and representing clients regarding:
  • the transmission of information and evidence abroad
  • cross-border inter-corporate investigations
  • issues concerning data protection
  • the detection and recovery of assets in Switzerland
  • the seizure, unfreezing and repatriation of such assets

Your contact person according to area of practice