Daniel Schafer Partner, Deputy Head Private Clients
Attorney at Law, LL.M., Certified Tax Expert

Daniel Schafer

Partner, Deputy Head Private Clients
Attorney at Law, LL.M., Certified Tax Expert
+41 58 450 70 00
daniel.schafer@lenzstaehelin.com
Geneva
Route de Chêne 30
CH-1211 Geneva
www.lenzstaehelin.com
  • Expertise

    Daniel Schafer is a partner and certified tax expert with strong experience in civil, contract and commercial law. As Deputy Head Private Clients, Daniel principally advises on tax and legal questions in connection with private clients (UHNWIs and/or entrepreneurs), with a particular focus on estate & wealth planning as well as on real estate matters (transaction, structuring and acquisition). In this context he further practices domestic and international taxation in relation with corporate tax (including M&A, restructuring and relocation, and private equity) and Swiss VAT, often from the angle of the advice needed by the entrepreneurs and shareholders. In 2022, he was recognised in corporate tax by Who's Who Legal's Thought Leaders guide for Switzerland.

  • Practices

  • Professional Experience and Education

    and Education

    2024Deputy Head Private Clients at Lenz & Staehelin
    2008Partner at Lenz & Staehelin
    1999Joined Lenz & Staehelin
    2004Certified Tax Expert
    2001Boston University (LL.M.)
    1999Admission to the Bar
    1996University of Hanover (M.L.E.)
    1996University of Fribourg (lic. iur.)
  • Specialist Areas

    Tax, Administration, Commercial and Contracts, Private Clients, Real Estate
  • Languages

    French, English, German
  • Memberships

    International Fiscal Association (IFA), Swiss Bar Association (SAV), Swiss Fiduciary Chamber, Ordre romand des experts fiscaux (OREF)
  • SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

    • Schafer D., National Report 2012 on Debt-Equity Conundrum, in: Cahier de droit fiscal international, IFA Boston Congress 2012
    • Schafer D., Corporate taxation in Switzerland, in: IFLR China Outbound Investment Guide 2012
    • Schafer D., Peter ., Taxation of Trusts in Switzerland, in: Trust Quarterly Review, Volume 6, Issue 1, 2008, 21-23
    • Stahler O., Schafer D., Poskriakov F., Private Equity Fund Structures in Europe, an EVCA Tax and Legal Committee Paper, edited by SJ Berwin, January 2006
    • Schafer D., Can ., Swiss VAT system and its treatment of leasing as a supply of goods, in: International Tax Review - Indirect Taxes, n° 31, 4th edition, 2006, 47-51
  • Contact Details

  • Assistant

  • References

    Daniel Schafer is a superb tax lawyer and very client-minded.

    Chambers and Partners, 2024

    Daniel Schafer and his team are very efficient and very flexible to adapt to your needs. They are easygoing, always motivated and will provide you exactly with the assistance you are looking for, even if the situation is particularly tough. Very useful in negotiations with authorities and able to adapt to surprising situations. Any day of the week, I would recommend Daniel and his team.

    Legal 500, 2022

    Daniel Schafer is a very unique individual in the tax field. He’s pragmatic, result-driven and he’s not shy to try new things which is extremely valuable in this field.

    Legal 500, 2022

    Practical, pragmatic and very pleasant to work with.

    Chambers and Partners, 2021

    Very great, high-quality advice.

    Chambers and Partners, 2021

    He comes highly recommended for his depth of experience and market-leading work in the tax sector.

    Who's Who Legal, 2021

    Brilliant mind, optimistic, reliable, one could only hope all counsels would achieve his level of dedication to his clients.

    Legal 500, 2021

    He keeps things simple to understand and gives you the big picture so you understand the solution recommended.

    Legal 500, 2021

    A market-leading name who is recommended for his smart and sharp approach to cases.

    Who's Who Legal, 2020

Daniel Schafer is a superb tax lawyer and very client-minded.

Chambers and Partners, 2024

Daniel Schafer and his team are very efficient and very flexible to adapt to your needs. They are easygoing, always motivated and will provide you exactly with the assistance you are looking for, even if the situation is particularly tough. Very useful in negotiations with authorities and able to adapt to surprising situations. Any day of the week, I would recommend Daniel and his team.

Legal 500, 2022

Daniel Schafer is a very unique individual in the tax field. He’s pragmatic, result-driven and he’s not shy to try new things which is extremely valuable in this field.

Legal 500, 2022

Practical, pragmatic and very pleasant to work with.

Chambers and Partners, 2021

Very great, high-quality advice.

Chambers and Partners, 2021

He comes highly recommended for his depth of experience and market-leading work in the tax sector.

Who's Who Legal, 2021

Brilliant mind, optimistic, reliable, one could only hope all counsels would achieve his level of dedication to his clients.

Legal 500, 2021

He keeps things simple to understand and gives you the big picture so you understand the solution recommended.

Legal 500, 2021

A market-leading name who is recommended for his smart and sharp approach to cases.

Who's Who Legal, 2020

1/9
  • 08 Nov 2012

    National Report 2012 on Debt-Equity Conundrum

    in: Cahier de droit fiscal international, IFA Boston Congress 2012

  • 05 Nov 2012

    Corporate taxation in Switzerland

    in: IFLR China Outbound Investment Guide 2012