Swiss legal counsel · Bahnhofstrasse

Considered legal advice for business and private clients in Zürich

We analyse the matter before we act and set out the options in plain language.
Sixteen years of Swiss practice, from a single contract to a full transaction.

Book a consultation Our practice
2036+clients advised
1148+matters & contracts
92%returning clients
16years of practice

What we do

Practice directions

I

Legal analysis

We review the facts and documents and identify the risks that actually matter. You receive a written position with clear options.

II

Document drafting

Contracts, articles, policies and corporate resolutions drafted for your situation. Every clause is explained before you sign.

III

Transaction support

We accompany purchases, share deals and financing from due diligence to closing. Deadlines and conditions stay under our control.

IV

Consultations

A focused session on one question, in the office or by video. You leave with a written summary and next steps.

Thornton Advocates office in Zürich

About the firm

A small Zürich practice with a long memory

Thornton Advocates was founded on Bahnhofstrasse in 2010. We deliberately stayed compact so that the lawyer you meet at the first appointment stays with your matter to the end.

Our clients are Swiss SMEs, founders and private individuals, including families with cross-border interests. We work under Swiss law and, where EU clients are involved, with the GDPR in view.

  • One responsible advocate per matter, from intake to closing.
  • Fixed fee agreed in writing before any work begins.
  • Consultations in English, German and French.

Process

How we work

1

First conversation

You describe the situation and we say honestly whether we can help.

2

Document review

We read the file and set out the legal position with the realistic outcomes.

3

Engagement

Scope, timing and fee are fixed in a written mandate you approve.

4

Execution

We carry out the work and report at every stage until the matter closes.

Expertise

Where our experience is deepest

Sixteen years in one city produce a particular kind of knowledge: how registries, counterparties and local practice actually behave.

Contract lawCorporateReal estate EmploymentFamily & successionData protection
  • Drafting and review of commercial contracts under the Swiss Code of Obligations.
  • Company formation, restructuring and shareholder arrangements.
  • Purchase, lease and development of real estate in the canton of Zürich.
  • Employment agreements, terminations and executive packages.
  • Wills, marital property and cross-border succession planning.
  • FADP and GDPR compliance reviews for websites and data processing.

Clients & answers

Testimonials and frequent questions

They rewrote our supplier framework in a week and explained every change. The renegotiation went through without a single dispute.

Marianne RueggManaging Director, Zürich

I came with a succession question involving two countries. The written opinion was short, clear and answered exactly what I asked.

Peter AmslerPrivate client, Winterthur

Our share purchase closed on schedule thanks to their due diligence checklist. Nothing was left to be discovered afterwards.

Elena FabbriFounder, Zug
Consultation at Thornton Advocates

Most matters are handled for a fixed fee agreed in writing before work starts. Where the scope cannot be predicted, we work on an hourly rate with an agreed ceiling.

The first short conversation, in which we assess whether we can help, is free of charge. A full consultation with document review is billed at the rate quoted in advance.

Yes, we regularly act for clients based in the EU and the United Kingdom on Swiss-law questions. Meetings can be held by video and documents signed electronically.

An appointment is usually available within three working days. Urgent deadlines are taken on the same day where our current caseload permits.

Contact

Book a consultation