Raphaël Schindelholz

Raphael Schindelholz specializes in banking & financial law and the fight against money laundering, as well as in contractual and criminal litigation through his fifteen years of practice at the bar.

With professional experience gained in a major Swiss bank and an investment fund manager, combined with a Master’s Degree in Economics (HEC Lausanne, 2001), he then complemented his banking expertise with legal studies, and was admitted to the bar in 2008.

Raphael Schindelholz draws on his deep knowledge and experience in various financial industry fields to advise his clients on regulatory and contractual aspects of investments, banking contracts, legal aspects of private banking, FINMA licensing and market regulation.

Raphael Schindelholz also draws on several years’ experience as a lawyer in the legal department of a major private bank in Geneva, where he was in particular in charge of the legal aspects of capital markets and crossborder services. Today, he advises private clients, asset managers, banks and financial institutions on any investment, regulation and industry-related matters, particularly with regard to services in asset management. He advises on the challenges imposed by the new FinIA and FinSA regulations.

As an auditor for the Self-Regulation Organisation of the Swiss Bar Association (SRO FSA/FSN), Raphael Schindelholz has also conducted over 100 anti-money laundering audits or investigations (LBA/AML) since 2014. Having successfully passed the Lead Risk Manager exam (ISO 31000) in 2023, his deep knowledge of compliance issues completes his range of services, enabling him to take on the role of FINMA-approved external risk & compliance manager for asset managers and trustees. Raphael Schindelholz is himself affiliated to the SRO FSA/FSN as a financial intermediary, giving him a 360-degree view that enables him to advise his customers in the most appropriate way. He is committed to incorporate this approach into the courses he teaches as part of certification training for customer advisors (FinSA Advisor Register, for proof of specialized knowledge and rules of behavior).

Finally, Raphael Schindelholz also advises all types of commercial companies and their stakeholders on financing and contractual matters, and conducts related litigation proceedings, taking advantage of his dual education and practical experience in the legal and business administration fields to offer full-rounded advice.

Raphael Schindelholz joined Bonnard Lawson as a Partner in 2021, reinforcing the Firm’s banking and finance group.

Education

Admitted to the Bar of the Canton of Neuchâtel (2008)
Master in Law, Neuchâtel University (2005)
Master of Science in Economics, HEC Business School, Lausanne University (2001)

Titles and memberships

Member of the Swiss Bar Association (FSA)
Member of the Vaud Bar Association (OAV)
Financial intermediary affiliated to the SRO FSA/FSN
Member of the Swiss Association for Air and Space Law (ASDA)
Member of the Association genevoise de droit des affaires (AGDA)

Bar admission

Attorney-at-law, Lausanne

Languages

French
English

Professional experience

Partner at Bonnard Lawson Law Firm, Lausanne (since 2021)
Partner at PSF12 Law Firm, Lausanne (2012-2021)
Auditor and Investigator in the field of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) for the Self-Regulatory Organisation (OAR) of the Swiss Bar Association (FSA), Berne, on behalf of FINMA (since 2014)
Lawyer specializing in cross-functional projects and capital markets at Private Bank Crédit Agricole (Suisse) SA (2009-2011)
Head of Legal Affairs at BL Holding SA and its affiliated companies BAC Best Asset Class AG and Funds Pro Services SA, Zug-Nyon (2008)
Financial Analyst USA Equity Market at Banque cantonale vaudoise (Asset Management), Lausanne (2001-2003)

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Practice Areas