Olivier Stahler Partner, Co-Head of Asset Management
Attorney at Law, LL.M.

Olivier Stahler

Partner, Co-Head of Asset Management
Attorney at Law, LL.M.
+41 58 450 70 00
olivier.stahler@lenzstaehelin.com
Geneva
Route de Chêne 30
CH-1211 Geneva
www.lenzstaehelin.com
  • Expertise

    Olivier Stahler is a partner who specialises in banking and finance law, acting for a broad range of Swiss and foreign financial institutions. These include banks, fund managers and insurance companies, as well as commodities traders and industrial groups. Olivier gives regulatory advice in the context of the granting of licences for banks, securities houses and asset managers by the Swiss financial market supervisory authority. He is also involved in the structuring of financial products, in particular private equity and hedge funds, and acts for financial institutions and corporate borrowers in both domestic and international financing transactions. Olivier is a frequent speaker at professional conferences on banking and financial law issues, as well as investment funds. In 2024, Olivier Stahler has been recognised "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers for Private Equity Law.

  • Practices

  • Professional Experience and Education

    and Education

    2002Partner at Lenz & Staehelin
    1995Joined Lenz & Staehelin
    1994University of Edinburgh (LL.M.)
    1992Admission to the Geneva Bar
    1990University of Lausanne (lic. iur.)
  • Specialist Areas

    Banking and Finance, Investment Products, Financial Services, Private Equity, Corporate and M&A
  • Languages

    French, English
  • Memberships

    International Bar Association (IBA), Swiss Bar Association (FSA), Geneva Bar Association (OdA)
  • SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

    • Stahler O., Amiguet ., Kommentierung von Art. 14, Art. 25-27 and 30-31 FINIG, in: Basler Kommentar zum Finanzdienstleistungsgesetz / Finanzinstitutsgesetz, Bhar/Watter (eds), Basel 2023 (forthcoming)
    • Rayroux F., Stahler O., Bechaalany S., The New Swiss Unregulated Fund: L-QIF, in: Journal of International Banking Law And Regulation, Thomson Reuters and Contributors, Volume 38, Issue 3, 2023, 109-112
    • Stahler O., Chapter 7 - Switzerland, in: The Law of Private Equity Funds: A Global Perspective, Sweet & Maxwell, 2022, 107-122
    • Stahler O., Commentaire des art. 55-57, in: Commentaire Romand, LSFin, Helbing, 2022
    • Stahler O., Hünerwadel P., Schleiffer P., Equity Derivatives 2020 - Switzerland, in: Getting the Deal Through, August 2020, 73-83
    • Stahler O., Marketing - Selected Jurisdiction - Switzerland, in: The Law of Hedge Funds - A Global Perspective, 2nd edition, May 2018, 448-451
    • Stahler O., Onshore Fund Domiciles - Switzerland, in: The Law of Hedge Funds - A Global Perspective, 2nd edition, May 2018, 167-180
    • Stahler O., Swiss Hedge Fund Marketing Regulations, in: The Hedge Fund Law Report, Volume 8, no. 9, March 2015
    • Stahler O., Distribution of hedge funds in Switzerland, in The Hedge Fund Journal, October 2014 Issue 98
    • Ledermann D., Stahler O., Investing, Switzerland, in: The Private Equity Review, London 2012, 332-341
    • Schleiffer P., Stahler O., The revised listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange for bonds, in: The Euromoney International Debt Capital Markets Handbook 2010, 41-43
    • Stahler O., Amiguet ., Commentary of the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes, Art. 18 (Asset Managers), in: Basler Kommentar zum Kollektivanlagengesetz, Basel 2009
    • Stahler O., Poskriakov F., Financial Services Regulation in Europe, 2nd edition, chapter 39 - Switzerland, Oxford University Press, 2008
    • Stahler O., Schleiffer P., Distribution of Structured Products in Switzerland, in: The Euromoney International Debt Capital Markets Handbook 2008, 105-107
    • Stahler O., Schleiffer P., Distribution of Fund-Linked Notes in Switzerland, in: The Euromoney International Debt Capital Markets Handbook 2007, 189-191
    • 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
  • Other Activities

    • Olivier Stahler is a regular contributor to the publications of the Center for Banking and Financial Law of the University of Geneva. He is the Swiss correspondent for the Journal of International Banking Law and Regulation. Olivier Stahler was the Swiss member of the Tax and Legal Committee of the European Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (EVCA) from 2006 to 2012.

  • Contact Details

  • Assistant

  • Other Activities

    • Olivier Stahler is a regular contributor to the publications of the Center for Banking and Financial Law of the University of Geneva. He is the Swiss correspondent for the Journal of International Banking Law and Regulation. Olivier Stahler was the Swiss member of the Tax and Legal Committee of the European Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (EVCA) from 2006 to 2012.

  • References

    Consistently combines extremely technical knowledge with strong business acumen

    Who's Who Legal Thought Leader, 2024

    An outstanding regulatory lawyer

    Who's Who Legal, 2024

    Clear, concise and helpful

    Who's Who Legal, 2024

    A technically excellent practitioner

    Who's Who Legal, 2024

    Olivier Stahler has been a great help. He gives good practical advice and is my go-to person for any Swiss legal issues. His experience, knowledge and common sense approach as well as his thoughtfulness in terms of how advice can be applied in practice has been invaluable. Moreover, he always considers the best interest of the client, the implications of taking or not taking certain actions.

    Legal 500, 2022

    Assess risks and strategic issues effectively and provide good practical advice

    Who's Who Legal, 2022

    Highly responsive and eminently practical in his guidance

    Chambers, 2021

    Seeks to understand our objectives and then proposes effective solutions

    Chambers, 2021

    Exceptional technical skills and draws praise for his in-depth expertise in investment fund vehicles

    Who's Who Legal, 2021

    Pragmatic approach, detailed knowledge of the regulations and laws but practical guidance on the various aspects

    Legal 500, 2021

    Visionary approach when dealing with more strategic issues

    Who's Who Legal, 2020

    Great ability to understand complex business issues and revert with structured and excellent legal advice

    ILO, 2020

Consistently combines extremely technical knowledge with strong business acumen

Who's Who Legal Thought Leader, 2024

An outstanding regulatory lawyer

Who's Who Legal, 2024

Clear, concise and helpful

Who's Who Legal, 2024

A technically excellent practitioner

Who's Who Legal, 2024

Olivier Stahler has been a great help. He gives good practical advice and is my go-to person for any Swiss legal issues. His experience, knowledge and common sense approach as well as his thoughtfulness in terms of how advice can be applied in practice has been invaluable. Moreover, he always considers the best interest of the client, the implications of taking or not taking certain actions.

Legal 500, 2022

Assess risks and strategic issues effectively and provide good practical advice

Who's Who Legal, 2022

Highly responsive and eminently practical in his guidance

Chambers, 2021

Seeks to understand our objectives and then proposes effective solutions

Chambers, 2021

Exceptional technical skills and draws praise for his in-depth expertise in investment fund vehicles

Who's Who Legal, 2021

Pragmatic approach, detailed knowledge of the regulations and laws but practical guidance on the various aspects

Legal 500, 2021

Visionary approach when dealing with more strategic issues

Who's Who Legal, 2020

Great ability to understand complex business issues and revert with structured and excellent legal advice

ILO, 2020

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