Peter Reichart

Wartmann Merker Ltd

Zurich www.wartmann-merker.ch

p.reichart@wartmann-merker.ch Tel: +41 44 212 10 11

Biography

Peter Reichart focuses on representing clients in state courts and before arbitral tribunals, inter alia, in banking matters, D&O-liability claims, professional malpractice suits, and in connection with licence agreements concerning media rights. He also sits as an arbitrator. Peter holds a doctorate degree from the University of Zurich (summa cum laude) and an LL.M. degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

What do you most enjoy about your litigation practice?

I enjoy working with interesting people on intellectually challenging, complex matters. As a litigator, I often have the privilege of learning intricate details of a specific business aspect I had not heard about before. It is then the challenge to explain these often complicated facts to a court or an arbitral tribunal in simple, straightforward language. If I am unable to properly explain the issues I will not succeed in convincing the court of my client's position.

How has the market changed since you first started practising?

Individual lawyers and law firms as a whole have become much more specialised. When I started practising it was common that lawyers covered a wide range of legal problems. On one day they would appear in court, while on the next they would handle an M&A-transaction, and on the third they would draw up a will. Not so any more; clients look for the expert in a particular field, often in one way or the other relying on directories like WWL.

What effect is technology having on the way litigation is practised?

With regard to technology, litigation is always a few steps behind arbitration practice, but covid-19 has boosted change. For example, the Commercial Court of the Canton of Zurich and other courts held settlement hearings by videoconference, something unheard of before covid-19. Still, development should be much bolder.

What advantages are provided in working for a boutique commercial dispute resolution firm?

In my view, there are many. To name but a few: We can tailor our structure, our business processes and the technology precisely to the requirements of our area of specialisation. Clients also appreciate the combined experience and knowledge of our firm, e.g. our experience of how specific judges handle their cases. Moreover, as a boutique dispute resolution firm, we rarely face conflicts of interests, and we can offer clients a higher level of confidentiality than full-service firms. Last but not least, we are proud of an inspiring working environment for our ambitious lawyers, yet we can adjust to their specific needs, e.g. when parents want to work part-time.

What is your greatest achievement to date?

This is a difficult question, as professional achievements I had been involved in are rarely “my” achievements. Litigation is almost always a team effort in which sophisticated clients, experienced lawyers and smart associates join forces for a common goal. Also, it is certainly flattering to win an important case before the Federal Supreme Court. But clients are most of the time better served if a dispute can be resolved at an early stage. Thus, it is not my goal to make great achievements, but to serve our clients in the best possible way.

What underrated skills would you encourage up-and-coming practitioners to develop?

Up-and-coming practitioners should have the courage to play to their individual strengths. The law allows practitioners with very different sets of traits, skills and qualities to succeed. Some lawyers are successful because they are able to analyse an extremely complex legal problem with a razor-sharp mind. Others intuitively know how to handle difficult clients and make them feel unique. Still others have an awesome courtroom presence, are able to write clearly and convincingly, or can effortlessly manage a team of lawyers in a large assignment. A young professional should therefore nurture and develop his or her individual skills, and not attempt to copy other practitioners.

WWL says: Peter Reichart enjoys an outstanding reputation in the market as “one of the best and most renowned litigators on the planet” who is “very much in demand” for his “high competency and profound legal knowledge”.