Energy, Natural Resources and Environment

The energy and environmental sectors are in a constant state of flux. Changes in the underlying political, economic and legal environment pose new challenges for our clients. Valfor is a recognized market leader in the energy and natural resources sector. With its sector-specific expertise, the valfor team covers the full range of legal services relating to electricity, oil and gas, mining, water and renewables, including transactional work and regulatory advice.

Within the scope of our advisory activity, we provide cutting-edge industry-specific advice across the full spectrum of relevant disciplines, including energy regulation, regulatory management, regulatory reform and market design, energy supply, storage and trading (incl. emissions trading), grid access and use, competition and environmental issues, greenfield developments, M&A transactions, and the refinancing of equity assets or portfolios. Cantonal authorities, municipalities, local and regional utilities, energy groups, international trading companies, corporations, consumers and leading financial institutions count on our advice when it comes to keeping pace with market and regulatory developments or entering new markets, as well as in representing them in civil and administrative proceedings before Swiss courts and regulatory authorities.

Clients benefit from our multidisciplinary practice. Our energy and utilities lawyers work alongside specialists in corporate M&A, tax, banking and finance, competition, real estate & construction and litigation and arbitration. Our in-depth knowledge of environmental regulations is the key to success in environmental projects.

As the Swiss member of the Energy Law Group (ELG), we have access to the most extensive network of expert law firms in the energy and natural resources sectors worldwide.

Core Expertise

Our expertise includes:

  • Advising suppliers, distributors, consumers, corporate clients, and other market participants on regulatory and competition issues, incl. licenses and concessions;
  • Assisting national and international clients with investment transactions, joint ventures, public procurement, energy construction projects, financing, and related environmental and regulatory issues in the energy and natural resources sector;
  • Advising local and regional stakeholders on public-private partnership (PPP) projects;
    Representing clients in cutting edge litigation, arbitration and regulatory proceedings;
  • Drafting energy-related supply, transmission, distribution and other agreements;
  • Supporting clients in energy trading transactions, incl. trading in commodities, emissions and financial products.
     

Main contacts

Zurich Marc Grüninger Attorney-at-Law, M.C.J.
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Geneva Yves de Coulon Attorney-at-Law, LL.M. King's College London FSA Certified expert in real estate and construction law, MRICS
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Team leaders

Geneva Christophe de Kalbermatten LL.M. (Heidelberg), MCJ (NYU)
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To the team Energy, Natural Resources and Environment

New partners. Enhanced expertise.

valfor is pleased to announce the addition of six new partners effective 1 January 2025.

The Lausanne-based law firm Mercuris Avocats, led by partners Olivier Cherpillod, Jean-Michel Clerc, Martine Loertscher, and Maxime Rocafort, will join valfor. Their team, specialising in commercial law, tax, and dispute resolution, will integrate valfor’s Pully/Lausanne office.

Deborah Hondius and Nicolas Gurtner will strengthen valfor’s Geneva office, bringing their expertise in litigation, particularly in white-collar crime and contractual matters.

United by a shared philosophy of delivering value beyond legal advice, they all look forward to combining their skills and resources for the benefit of valfor’s clients. This strategic growth reinforces valfor’s position as one of Switzerland’s leading business law firms, with over 80 lawyers practicing across Bern, Geneva, Lausanne, Sion, Zug, Zurich, and Brussels.

With a strong international and interdisciplinary focus, valfor provides tailored legal solutions to meet the specific needs and complexities of each client’s business.

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