Melissa Gautschi
External Counsel (Swiss Insurance Law Sàrl)
melissa.gautschi@swiss-insurance-law.com
+41 (0)76 565 24 08
Melissa Gautschi is the founding partner of the law firm Swiss Insurance Law Sàrl and can be called upon as a cooperation partner to assist FlyingLawyers on a case-by-case basis.
Having started her career in-house at CS Life (unit-linked products/bancassurance) before joining a Zurich law firm where she worked over 10 years as a partner and headed its insurance team, she has a deep understanding of the insurance business. Her clients are major Swiss and international (re)insurers, underwriters at Lloyd’s, insurance intermediaries as well as providers of insurance-related products.
She also advises other financial market participants such as investment funds and asset managers on regulatory issues (cross-border business, financial regulation, etc.).
Melissa was admitted to the Zurich Bar in 1997 and obtained a master’s degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in 2001. In London, she was seconded to the insurance department of Norton Rose Fulbright LLP in 2001-2002.
Melissa is ranked by Expert Guides and Who’s Who Legal as a “Leading Practitioner in Insurance and Reinsurance” in Switzerland and a “Top Woman in Business Law”.
Melissa Gautschi
External Counsel (Swiss Insurance Law Sàrl)
melissa.gautschi@swiss-insurance-law.com
+41 (0)76 565 24 08
Melissa Gautschi is the founding partner of the law firm Swiss Insurance Law Sàrl and can be called upon as a cooperation partner to assist FlyingLawyers on a case-by-case basis.
Having started her career in-house at CS Life (unit-linked products/bancassurance) before joining a Zurich law firm where she worked over 10 years as a partner and headed its insurance team, she has a deep understanding of the insurance business. Her clients are major Swiss and international (re)insurers, underwriters at Lloyd’s, insurance intermediaries as well as providers of insurance-related products.
She also advises other financial market participants such as investment funds and asset managers on regulatory issues (cross-border business, financial regulation, etc.).
Melissa was admitted to the Zurich Bar in 1997 and obtained a master’s degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in 2001. In London, she was seconded to the insurance department of Norton Rose Fulbright LLP in 2001-2002.
Melissa is ranked by Expert Guides and Who’s Who Legal as a “Leading Practitioner in Insurance and Reinsurance” in Switzerland and a “Top Woman in Business Law”.
Professional Career
2021 Founder and Partner at Swiss Insurance Law, Zurich
2017-2020 Counsel and Head of Insurance at Altenburger Ltd legal + tax, Zurich
2006-2016 Partner at Altenburger Ltd legal + tax, Zurich (joined as Associate in 1998)
2001-2002 Seconded to the Insurance Team/Corporate Finance Department of Norton Rose Fulbright LLP, London
1995-1996 Trainee at the District Court of Uster/Zurich
1992-1995 Legal Department of CS Life, Zurich
Special Mandates
Member of the BVV2 working party of the Asset Management Association Switzerland (formerly SFAMA Swiss Funds & Asset Management Association)
Co-author with Sophie Winkler of www.swiss-insurance-law.ch
Languages
English
German
French
Publications
Financial Institutions Act (FinIA): Authorisation procedure for IAMs and trustees as well as measures to be taken: ARIF Seminar „AML 2020 und FinIA-authorisation procedure“, 5 June 2020
Portfolio managers and trustees – FINMA authorisation: what needs to be done? Melissa Gautschi, Stéphanie Hodara El Bez, Cecilia Peregrina in: Altenburger Newsletter May 2020
New rules for insurance distribution: Melissa Gautschi, Karin Furrer in: Altenburger Newsletter October 2018
Cross-border insurance: a refresher on the Swiss-Liechtenstein and Liechtenstein-EU passporting regime: Leonhard Toenz, Melissa Gautschi, Karin Furrer in: Altenburger Newsletter May 2017
The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Insurance & Reinsurance 2017 Edition – Swiss Chapter: Melissa Gautschi, Anna Neukom Chaney in: Global Legal Group Ltd, London → read PDF
W&I Versicherung – Absicherung von Transaktionsrisiken bei Unternehmenskäufen: Melissa Gautschi, Thierry Thormann in: Zeitschrift CH-D Wirtschaft November 2016 → read PDF
The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Insurance & Reinsurance 2016 Edition – Swiss Chapter: Melissa Gautschi, Julia Jung-Utzinger in: Global Legal Group Ltd, London → read PDF
Impact of the proposed Swiss Financial Services Act on the Swiss Insurance Supervision Act: Melissa Gautschi, Karin Furrer, Sophie Winkler in: Altenburger Newsletter February 2016
Implementation of the new FATF Recommendations in Switzerland: Cyril Troyanov, Melissa Gautschi, Lillian Chavan-van Campen in: ALTENBURGER Newsletter, May 2015
The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Insurance & Reinsurance, 2015 Edition – Swiss Chapter: Melissa Gautschi, Julia Jung-Utzinger in: Global Legal Group Ltd, London → read DPF
Swiss investment funds regulation – Upcoming implementation deadlines: Melissa Gautschi, Stéphanie Hodara El Bez, Cecilia Peregrina in: ALTENBURGER Newsletter, January 2015
The characteristic performance of a reinsurer – Jurisdiction for reinsurance contracts: Melissa Gautschi in: ALTENBURGER Newsletter, April 2014
Entry into force of the new Swiss investment funds regulation: Stéphanie Hodara El Bez, Melissa Gautschi, Cecilia Peregrina in: ALTENBURGER Newsletter, March 2013
FINMA distribution report on enhanced customer protection rules: Melissa Gautschi, Mark Hippenmeyer in: ALTENBURGER Newsletter, February 2011
FINMA position paper on legal and reputational risks in cross-border financial services: Melissa Gautschi in: ALTENBURGER Newsletter, November 2010
New Proposed Rules on the Compensation of Insurance Brokers Under the Draft Insurance Contract Act: Melissa Gautschi, Dominique Müller in: CapLaw, 4/2010
Implementation of the EU Reinsurance Directive (2005/68/EC) in Liechtenstein: Melissa Gautschi, Dominique Müller in: ALTENBURGER Newsletter, March 2010
