Team

PARTNERS

  • Former President of the Geneva Bar Association (2020-2022) Philippe Cottier is mainly active in the fields of real estate and construction law, real estate tax law, national and international estate planning, private clients, commercial law and economic criminal law. He practices both as an advisor and before the courts and arbitration tribunals.


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    Philippe Cottier

    Former President of the Geneva Bar Association (Ordre des Avocats de Genève)
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    Philippe Cottier

    Former President of the Geneva Bar Association (Ordre des Avocats de Genève)

    Former President of the Geneva Bar Association (2020-2022) Philippe Cottier is mainly active in the fields of real estate and construction law, real estate tax law, national and international estate planning, private clients, commercial law and economic criminal law. He practices both as an advisor and before the courts and arbitration tribunals.

    He is fluent in French, English and Spanish. He also has a good knowledge of Portuguese.

    After his internship in a local law firm practicing mainly in the criminal field, Philippe Cottier worked in two internationally renowned law firms, first in Madrid and then in London. He then joined a major Geneva law firm where he became a partner in 1998. In 2009, he founded 100 Rhône Avocats.

    philippe.cottier@rhoneavocats.ch

  • Mainly active in the areas of real estate and construction law, Romaine Zürcher advises and represents individuals and institutions, both from the perspective of public law and private law, particularly in matters of real estate transactions and developments, contracts, construction regulations, property rights, rural land law, environmental law, land use planning and rental leases.


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    Romaine Zürcher

    Assessor at the Administrative court of first instance
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    Romaine Zürcher

    Assessor at the Administrative court of first instance

    Mainly active in the areas of real estate and construction law, Romaine Zürcher advises and represents individuals and institutions, both from the perspective of public law and private law, particularly in matters of real estate transactions and developments, contracts, construction regulations, property rights, rural land law, environmental law, land use planning and rental leases.

    After joining 100 Rhône Avocats in August 2019 as an associate, Romaine became a partner of Rhône Avocat·e·s in January 2023. Before doing so, she finished her internship, then – after her admission to the bar in 2016 – worked for three years as an associate in the real estate and construction law department of a large law firm in Switzerland. Romaine studied at the University of Lausanne – with a year of mobility at the University of Zurich – where she obtained her Certificate of Specialisation in Legal Practice in June 2014.

    romaine.zurcher@rhoneavocats.ch

  • Mainly active in the areas of real estate and construction law, Guillaume Francioli advises and represents individuals and institutions, both from the perspective of public law and private law, particularly in matters of real estate transactions and developments, contracts, construction regulations, property rights, rural land law, environmental law, land use planning and rental leases.


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    Guillaume Francioli

    Certified specialist FSA in construction and real estate law – HEC and IHEID Masters
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    Guillaume Francioli

    Certified specialist FSA in construction and real estate law – HEC and IHEID Masters

    Mainly active in the areas of real estate and construction law, Guillaume Francioli advises and represents individuals and institutions, both from the perspective of public law and private law, particularly in matters of real estate transactions and developments, contracts, construction regulations, property rights, rural land law, environmental law, land use planning and rental leases.

    After joining 100 Rhône Avocats in August 2011 as an associate, Guillaume became a partner in January 2016. Prior to that, he worked for a year at Mintz & Levin in Boston, a leading law firm on the American market. He studied economics and then law at the University of Geneva, and obtained the title of Specialist (FSA) in construction and real estate law in 2015.

    guillaume.francioli@rhoneavocats.ch

  • David Bensimon specialises in real estate and construction law (lease law, business contract, brokerage contracts, construction regulations, land use planning, real estate transactions) from both a public and private law perspective. In 2021, he obtained the title of Certified Specialist FSA Lawyer in construction and real estate law. His other areas of expertise are corporate law, commercial law, as well as debt collection and bankruptcy law. He advises individuals, companies and institutions or assists them in legal proceedings before the courts.


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    David Bensimon

    Certified specialist FSA in construction and real estate law
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    David Bensimon

    Certified specialist FSA in construction and real estate law

    David Bensimon specialises in real estate and construction law (lease law, business contract, brokerage contracts, construction regulations, land use planning, real estate transactions) from both a public and private law perspective. In 2021, he obtained the title of Certified Specialist FSA Lawyer in construction and real estate law. His other areas of expertise are corporate law, commercial law, as well as debt collection and bankruptcy law. He advises individuals, companies and institutions or assists them in legal proceedings before the courts.

    He completed his legal internship with a renowned Geneva firm in civil and criminal litigation, as well as in commercial law. Admitted to the bar in 2014, he then acquired solid experience in real estate law after joining the law firm where he had completed his internship. Having joined 100 Rhône Avocats in September 2016 as an associate, he became a partner of Rhône Avocat·e·s in January 2023.

    david.bensimon@rhoneavocats.ch

LAWYERS

  • Mélissa Palin practices mainly in all areas of real estate and construction law (business contracts, brokerage contracts, leases, real estate transactions) from both a public and private law perspective. She assists private and institutional clients in the drafting and negotiation of contracts as well as in litigation before the cantonal and federal civil, criminal and administrative courts.


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    Mélissa Palin

    LL.M – MBL – University of Geneva
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    Mélissa Palin

    LL.M – MBL – University of Geneva

    Mélissa Palin practices mainly in all areas of real estate and construction law (business contracts, brokerage contracts, leases, real estate transactions) from both a public and private law perspective. She assists private and institutional clients in the drafting and negotiation of contracts as well as in litigation before the cantonal and federal civil, criminal and administrative courts.

    Prior to obtaining her law degree, she worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers SA for more than three years as a lawyer in the Financial Services, Regulatory & Compliance Services department. She then completed her legal internship at Fontanet et Associés in Geneva, before passing her bar exam in June 2015. From 2015 to 2018, she worked as an associate for a law firm before joining 100 Rhône Avocats in April 2018 as an associate then as a senior associate at Rhône Avocat·e·s.

    melissa.palin@rhoneavocats.ch

  • Morgane de la Gandara joined the law firm 100 Rhône Avocats in September 2019, first as an intern and then as an associate, and in this same capacity with Rhône Avocat·e·s. Her areas of practice include real estate law, tenancy law, contract law and civil and administrative litigation. She is fluent in French, English and Spanish.


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    Morgane de la Gandara

    Lawyer
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    Morgane de la Gandara

    Lawyer

    Morgane de la Gandara joined the law firm 100 Rhône Avocats in September 2019, first as an intern and then as an associate, and in this same capacity with Rhône Avocat·e·s. Her areas of practice include real estate law, tenancy law, contract law and civil and administrative litigation. She is fluent in French, English and Spanish.

    She obtained her Bachelor in Law in 2015 and her Master degree in 2017 at the University of Geneva. Within a partnership with the Canadian Department of Justice, she obtained a grant in December 2017 from the L.R. Wilson Chair in Information Technology and E-Commerce Law, which is part of the Faculty of Law of the University of Montreal. She then obtained her Certificate of Advanced Studies in Legal Professions in July 2018. In parallel of her career in law, she is also a gemologist, member of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A).

    morgane.delagandara@rhoneavocats.ch

  • Myriam de la Gandara is mainly active in real estate and construction law (lease law, contracts for works and services, right in rem, brokerage contracts, real estate transactions, building regulations), as well as commercial law. She also represents clients in disputes related to family and inheritance law, and regularly assists clients in resolution of such matters through settlement negotiations.


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    Myriam de la Gandara

    Lawyer
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    Myriam de la Gandara

    Lawyer

    Myriam de la Gandara is mainly active in real estate and construction law (lease law, contracts for works and services, right in rem, brokerage contracts, real estate transactions, building regulations), as well as commercial law. She also represents clients in disputes related to family and inheritance law, and regularly assists clients in resolution of such matters through settlement negotiations.

    Graduated from the University of Fribourg, she then qualified in Geneva where she is currently admitted as an attorney-at-law. After practicing for many years in two renowned Geneva law firms, she joined 100 Rhône Avocats then Rhône Avocat·e·s in 2022.

    myriam.delagandara@rhoneavocats.ch

  • Nathalie Bréant’s practice focuses on all aspects of complex commercial disputes, including international arbitration and the enforcement of foreign arbitral awards in Switzerland. She represents clients in a range of domestic and cross-border contentious and non-contentious matters. She has particular experience in representing private companies, individuals and public institutions in real estate and construction projects.


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    Nathalie Bréant

    Lawyer
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    Nathalie Bréant

    Lawyer

    Nathalie Bréant’s practice focuses on all aspects of complex commercial disputes, including international arbitration and the enforcement of foreign arbitral awards in Switzerland. She represents clients in a range of domestic and cross-border contentious and non-contentious matters. She has particular experience in representing private companies, individuals and public institutions in real estate and construction projects.

    Prior to joining 100 Rhône Avocats in March 2021, as a trainee, she worked in a leading international law firm in Geneva, where she assisted on several high-value cross-border commercial and construction disputes under ICC, LCIA and SCAI arbitration rules regularly governed by English law. She also has particular expertise in disputes relating to the development, commercialization and protection of intellectual property, including in the Life Sciences sector. She studied in Nice then in Geneva, where she qualified in October 2022 and is an associate at Rhône Avocat·e·s since.

    nathalie.breant@rhoneavocats.ch

  • Federica Panetti practises mainly in the areas of real estate and construction law, from both a public and private law perspective.


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    Federica Panetti

    Lawyer
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    Federica Panetti

    Lawyer

    Federica Panetti practises mainly in the areas of real estate and construction law, from both a public and private law perspective. She also advises clients in the areas of employment law, civil liability, medical law and, more generally, in representing clients before the civil, criminal and administrative federal and cantonal authorities. She practises in french, english, italian and spanish.

    She completed her traineeship with a local law firm. After being admitted to the Bar in October 2021, she worked as an Associate in her training law firm, before joining Rhône Avocat-e-s in July 2023.

    She holds a Bachelor’s degree (2017) and a Master’s degree (2019) from the Faculty of law of the University of Geneva, as well as a Certificate of specialisation in legal matters (2019). She is a member of the Geneva Bar Association and the Swiss Bar Association.

    federica.panetti@rhoneavocats.ch

  • Emile Branca mostly practices in matters of real estate, construction and commercial law. He advises and represents both private and institutional clients, particularly in contractual matters (contractors, sales, brokerage, lease), rights in rem, land planning regulations, building permitting and public procurement.


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    Emile Branca

    Lawyer
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    Emile Branca

    Lawyer

    Emile Branca mostly practices in matters of real estate, construction and commercial law. He advises and represents both private and institutional clients, particularly in contractual matters (contractors, sales, brokerage, lease), rights in rem, land planning regulations, building permitting and public procurement.

    Before joining 100 Rhône Avocats in October 2021, as a junior associate, and then Rhône Avocat·e·s as an associate in October 2023, Emile Branca worked for several years as a minute-taker for the Geneva Parliament.

    Admitted to the bar in 2023, he completed his studies at the University of Geneva, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws, a Certificate in Transnational Law, a Master of Laws and a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Legal Professions.

    emile.branca@rhoneavocats.ch

  • Adrien Lacour is a trainee lawyer with the law firm Rhône Avocat·e·s until March 2024. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Lausanne obtained in 2019 as well as a Master’s degree in law from the Universities of Zurich and Lausanne (magna cum laude) obtained in 2022. That same year, he successfully achieved the certificate of advanced studies in legal profession from the University of Geneva.


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    Adrien Lacour

    Trainee-Lawyer
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    Adrien Lacour

    Trainee-Lawyer

    Adrien Lacour is a trainee lawyer with the law firm Rhône Avocat·e·s until March 2024. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Lausanne obtained in 2019 as well as a Master’s degree in law from the Universities of Zurich and Lausanne (magna cum laude) obtained in 2022. That same year, he successfully achieved the certificate of advanced studies in legal profession from the University of Geneva.

    After his high school graduation, he completed a one-month language immersion internship at a german law firm in Berlin. During his studies, Adrien Lacour was partiucularly involved in the University of Lausanne basketball club as a player and a member of the committee. He was also a summer intern at 100 Rhône avocats in 2020.

    adrien.lacour@rhoneavocats.ch

  • Manuel Jaquier is a trainee lawyer with the law firm Rhône Avocat·e·s until February 2024. He studied at the Universities of Fribourg and Vienna and obtained a PhD in public procurement law and a Master’s degree in law with a bilingual mention. He passed the Certificate of Advanced Studies in Legal Professions in 2021.


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    Manuel Jaquier

    Trainee-Lawyer
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    Manuel Jaquier

    Trainee-Lawyer

    Manuel Jaquier is a trainee lawyer with the law firm Rhône Avocat·e·s until February 2024. He studied at the Universities of Fribourg and Vienna and obtained a PhD in public procurement law and a Master’s degree in law with a bilingual mention. He passed the Certificate of Advanced Studies in Legal Professions in 2021.

    From 2012 to 2016, he worked as a graduate assistant to Prof. Jean-Baptiste Zufferey at the Chair of Administrative Law of the University of Fribourg Law Faculty. He then completed several internships, in particular clerk for a first instance civil law court and legal officer for the Valais State Council.

    manuel.jaquier@rhoneavocats.ch

  • Jessica Feliciano holds a Bachelor of Laws degree awarded in 2017 by the University of Coimbra. She also holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Master of Laws both delivered by the University of Geneva.


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    Jessica Feliciano

    Trainee-Lawyer
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    Jessica Feliciano

    Trainee-Lawyer

    Jessica Feliciano holds a Bachelor of Laws degree awarded in 2017 by the University of Coimbra. She also holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Master of Laws both delivered by the University of Geneva. In 2021, she obtained her Certificate of Specialization in Law.

    Prior to joining Rhône Avocat∙e∙s in March 2023 as a trainee lawyer, Jessica Feliciano worked as a legal assistant in a Geneva law firm. She then did an internship for several months in a company based in Geneva mainly active in business consulting.

    jessica.feliciano@rhoneavocats.ch

  • Thibault Oesch graduated from the University of Fribourg in 2021 with a Bachelor of Law degree in European Law. In 2023, he subsequently obtained a Master of Law magna cum laude from the University of Fribourg and a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Legal Professions at the University of Geneva.


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    Thibault Oesch

    Trainee-Lawyer
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    Thibault Oesch

    Trainee-Lawyer

    Thibault Oesch graduated from the University of Fribourg in 2021 with a Bachelor of Law degree in European Law. In 2023, he subsequently obtained a Master of Law magna cum laude from the University of Fribourg and a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Legal Professions at the University of Geneva.

    After several summer internships with Geneva law firms, Thibault Oesch worked as a research assistant to Prof. Yves Mausen at the University of Fribourg’s Public Law Department in 2022. At the same time, he held the position of ad hoc clerk at the Tribunal d’arrondissement de la Côte from 2021 to 2023. Thibault Oesch joined Rhône Avocat‧e‧s as a trainee lawyer in October 2023.

    thibault.oesch@rhoneavocats.ch

Assitants

  • Silvia Presas

    Assistant
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    Alison Mera

    Assistant
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    Alison Mera

    Assistant
  • Cristhel Piguave

    Assistant
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  • Myrian Morales

    Assistant
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