Profile

Manuel Werder’s practice focuses on corporate law and M&A, including private equity and venture capital transactions. He has expertise in large, complex, cross-border acquisitions, mergers, divestitures and corporate restructurings. His M&A expertise crosses all industries, including financial, industrials and services. Manuel Werder is Head of Finance, Risk & Compliance and a member of NKF’s executive committee.

Deals & Cases

31.10.2022
Invision AG acquires a stake in Careanesth AG
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04.05.2022
Shareholders of responsAbility Investments AG complete sale of all outstanding shares to M&G PLC
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21.01.2022
Swiss Bankers Prepaid Services AG acquired by DDM Group
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Experience

Manuel Werder advises Swiss and international financial institutions and corporations active in different industries in M&A, corporate, commercial, contract, securities and stock exchange law. His expertise also includes investment and shareholders’ agreements, joint ventures, commercial contracts and employment law.

Experience highlights:

  • Advising Citychamp Watch and Jewellery Group Ltd, Hong Kong, in various acquisitions, including a majority stake in Bendura Bank, all shares in HL Le Mirador International SA and all shares in the Corum-Group
  • Advising OC Oerlikon Corporation AG in the acquisition of Sulzer Metco, in the sale of its Solar Business to a Tokyo Electron Limited, and its Natural Fibers and Textile Components Business Units to the Chinese Jinsheng Group
  • Advising Knorr-Bremse AG the in the acquisition of Selectron Systems AG, Lyss
  • Advising Paragon Partners on the acquisitions of Condecta AG and KADI AG
  • Advising Invision Private Equity AG in an extensive number of transactions
2003 Admitted to the Bar of New York
2002 New York University School of Law, LL.M. in Comparative Jurisprudence
2001 Admitted to the Bar of Zurich, Rechtsanwalt
1998 University of Fribourg, Licentiatus iuris, magna cum laude
1997 Université Libre de Bruxelles School of Law, Brussels, Belgium, Swiss–Belgian Exchange Program, Studies of European and International law
Best Lawyers 2019 – 2024
Chambers Global 2019 – 2024
Chambers Europe 2019 – 2024
The Legal500 EMEA 2019 – 2023 – Recommended
IFLR1000 2020 – 2023 – Notable Practicioner
  • Swiss Bar Association
  • Zurich Bar Association
  • NYSBA New York State Bar Association
  • IBA International Bar Association
2015 Partner, Niederer Kraft Frey (since 2024 member of NKF’s Executive Committee)
2010 Senior Associate, Niederer Kraft Frey
2007 Secondment to Allende & Brea, Buenos Aires, one of the largest and most prestigious full-service law firms in Argentina
2004 Associate, Niederer Kraft Frey
2002 Associate with a New York a law firm with highly specialized experience in international business transactions
1999 Traineeship with a Zurich law firm

German

English

French

Spanish

Deals & Cases

25.09.2023

NBW, BodyFeet and Bio-Medica join Vantage Education Group

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30.08.2023

IDAK Food Group acquires Romer’s Hausbäckerei AG

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21.08.2023

Paul Reinhart AG acquires Minka SGS AG

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Market Perception

«Manuel Werder is one of the best M&A lawyers in Zurich. He is pragmatic and able to simplify complex matters. His commercial awareness is one of his strong points. He is also extremely responsive and could serve us perfectly in a fast-paced deal. We are extremely satisfied by his M&A work. »
Chambers Global 2023
«Manuel Werder is extremely experienced and knows the various negotiation tactics well and is an excellent sparring partner for M&A advisors. The team that works with Manuel is on top of things and turns documents over within short time frames and extremely professionally. »
Legal 500 2022
«Manuel Werder stood out for his hands-on approach and ability to meet timelines with the expected level of quality. »
Chambers 2022
«Manuel Werder is noted for his assistance with a range of acquisitions and sales. He frequently acts on cross-border majority stake sales and asset deals. »
Chambers Europe 2022

Events

26.10.2022

Das neue Aktienrecht in der Praxis – was ist (un)wichtig?

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Awards & Rankings

14.09.2023

NKF ranked top-tier firm in six practice areas by IFLR1000 2023

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Firm News

25.03.2024

NKF presents its new Executive Committee

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08.08.2019

NKF delegation will attend the 2019 IBA Annual Conference in Seoul

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04.10.2018

NKF partners will attend the 2018 IBA Annual Conference in Rome

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Publications

08.08.2023

LexGTDT: Swiss M&A – Pricing 2023

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08.08.2023

LexGTDT: Swiss M&A – Labour and Employment 2023

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22.07.2021

Getting The Deal Through: Swiss M&A – Labour and Employment 2021

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Speaking Engagements

24.04.2020

COVID-19 Swiss Government Measures Supporting Business

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12.06.2019

Sectoral Trade Restrictions in Switzerland and China

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17.09.2018

Chinese Investments in Switzerland

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Newsletters & Alerts

22.12.2022

The new stock corporation law in practice

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04.03.2020

Coronavirus COVID-19: Legal issues

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