Member Profile
Guillaume Grisel
Attorney-at-law, Partner | Schellenberg Wittmer
Office Location: Switzerland
Jurisdiction
Switzerland
Top Specialisms
Estates: Planning
Immigration
Trusts: Planning
Connect
Professional Biography
Dr Guillaume Grisel is a Partner in Schellenberg Wittmer’s Private Wealth Group. He assists high net worth individuals and families (including entertainers, art collectors and philanthropists) in Swiss and international estate and tax planning, wealth structuring, asset protection, family governance, philanthropy and estate disputes. His clients come from all five continents. Guillaume also regularly advises banks, wealth managers, family offices and professional trustees in compliance and regulatory matters. Guillaume is the author of the only comprehensive textbook on trust law in Switzerland (Le Trust en Suisse) and is recognized as a leading Swiss expert in this area. He is vice-chairman of the Swiss & Liechtenstein STEP Federation and Chairman of the British-Swiss Chamber of Commerce (BSCC), Lausanne Chapter. Guillaume Grisel holds a Master's Degree from Cambridge University (Christ's College) and a Ph.D. in international law.
Question : What drew you to specialise in private client law/ wealth advisory?
Answer: The satisfaction of advising people from the four corners of the world, with issues that are both very complex and very human.
Question : For lawyers entering private client law, what are key skills you think are essential?
Answer: The ability to understand customers from different cultures, but also the interactions between different legal systems, and a lot of psychological sense.
Question : With the evolving landscape of the private client world, what are recent trends or shifts you are excited to explore?
Answer: Greater emphasis is being placed on international mobility and lifestyle issues, rather than on asset transmission and taxation as in the past.
Question : Where is your favourite place to take a peer for a cocktail or coffee?
Answer: Anywhere near a lake or the sea.