Natalie Peter

Blum&Grob Attorneys at Law Ltd

Zurich www.blumgrob.ch

n.peter@blumgrob.ch Tel: +41 58 320 00 00

Biography

Natalie Peter heads the private clients practice and tax practice of Blum&Grob. She has extensive experience in advising clients and their families typically on their crossborder matters, including estate and tax planning; immigration to/emigration from Switzerland; and analysing and setting up tax-efficient structures. She has a particularly extensive knowledge in matters relating to the taxation of trusts and foundations as well as the setting-up of taxexempt charitable organisations. She is recognised as a top professional in various directories.

What aspect of your practice do you enjoy the most?

Dealing with individuals. It is so important to understand the client’s situation and to tailor a solution for each client or his or her family. It is therefore important to listen and to ask questions to get a full picture of the wishes and concerns a client may have. There is no one-fits-all solution.

What ESG concerns are most affecting your clients and private client practice more widely?

Interestingly, ESG concerns have not really affected my private client practice yet. The younger generation is keener to implement ESG concerns in the management of funds while the older generation is more reluctant.

What recent developments in national and international tax are most affecting your clients?

The constant changes in compliance and reporting issues are affecting my clients a lot. For families living in different countries, it is at times difficult to find a suitable structure for asset protection or estate planning purposes as every country of residence may have a different treatment that is at times more or less advantageous.

How does your background in tax matters enhance the offering you bring to clients?

Taxes are often a limiting factor when structuring private wealth. It is therefore an advantage to havea tax background. I know from the beginning whether a client’s wish can be implemented or not. I can inform my clients from the very beginning of possible tax consequences and can explain

How do you see your practice developing over the next five years?

It is difficult to predict what the next five years will bring. We will have to stay alert to any new developments and deal with any situation that may come up. The issues of our clients will probably remain more or less the same, but the solutions my change due to new developments and rules.

What inspired you to teach on postgraduate programmes? What have you learned from the experience?

I find it inspiring sharing my knowledge and experience with other professionals or young lawyers and tax advisers. Teaching helps me understand the questions that may arise from students. I learned explaining in simple terms, which helps me deal with my clients as well.

As head of the private client and tax group at Blum&Grob, how would you like to develop the firm’s offering over the next five years?

We already advise our clients comprehensively in national or international aspects. Our goal is to continuously expand our know-how and to be able to react to new developments. We would like to attract young talented lawyers who can one day follow in our footsteps. Younger colleagues also often understand the ideas and wishes of younger clients better because they are the same age. It therefore makes sense to bring young colleagues into the team.

WWL says: Natalie Peter is “an outstanding practitioner” who is especially sought after for her “experience in wealth and estate planning” and her “trust and estate law expertise”.