Dr. Claudia Götz Staehelin, LL.M.

Partner

DE, EN

Claudia Götz Staehelin specialises in dispute resolution and investigations, representing and advising clients in complex domestic and cross-border court and arbitration proceedings. She is a trusted expert in internal and government-led investigations, with particular experience in white-collar crime, bribery, fraud, sanctions, ESG, and workplace incidents. She also has extensive expertise in international legal assistance, asset tracing, and compliance. Claudia regularly advises clients across a range of industries, including technology, industrial, chemical and raw materials, and financial services, with a notable focus on highly regulated industries such as pharmaceuticals, life sciences, and healthcare. Her deep understanding of pharmaceutical regulatory matters, compliance risks, and industry-specific disputes makes her a sought-after advisor in these sectors. With over 20 years of experience, including as Head of Litigation at Novartis, Claudia is well-versed in navigating high-stakes disputes, sensitive regulatory proceedings, and crisis management. She is also active as an arbitrator, particularly in ICC and Swiss Rules arbitrations.

Recognitions

Ranked by Chambers Europe 2024 in White Collar Crime, Switzerland, for advising clients on cross-border fraud and bribery cases, as well as internal investigations, with pharmaceutical and finance organizations among her clients
Ranked by Chambers Europe 2024 in Life Sciences, Switzerland, for frequently supporting clients with regulatory matters, including advice on supply chain and manufacturing compliance and advertising issues and who is also active in litigation and arbitration
Ranked by Legal 500 2024 in Regulatory, Compliance and Investigations as Leading Partner
Ranked by Legal 500 2024 in Healthcare & Life Sciences as Leading Partner
Recommended by Legal 500 2024 in Dispute Resolution

Professional experience

Partner with Nater Dallafior Rechtsanwälte AG, Zurich (since 2025)
Partner with Bär & Karrer AG, Basel (2023-2025)
Partner with Kellerhals Carrard, Basel (2018-2023)
Group Head Litigation at Novartis, Basel (2011-2018)
Partner with Nater Dallafior Rechtsanwälte AG, Zurich (2007-2011)
Associate with Vischer, Basel (2002-2007)
Admitted to the bar since 2001

Education

Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), 2020
Certified Information Privacy Professional Europe (CIPP/E), 2018
LL.M. at the New York University of Law (Vanderbilt Scholar), 2005
Studies at the University of Basel (lic. iur., 1998; Dr. iur., 2000, doctoral thesis in International Civil Procedural Law)

Other professional activities

Board Member (since 2022) and Co-Chair of the Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Working Group (since 2023) at Ethics & Compliance Switzerland
Lecturer on ESG at the CAS Inhouse Counsel, Europa Institute of the University of Zurich, alongside Prof. Andreas Bohrer, since 2023
Lecturer on Internal Investigations for the CAS Risk Management program at Kalaidos Law School (2021-2024)
Member of the Legal Committee, Swiss American Chamber of Commerce (2022-2023)
Lecturer on Artificial Intelligence in Medical Imaging, CAS program at sitem insel AG (2020-2023)

Professional affiliation

Swiss Bar Association (SAV)
International Bar Association (IBA)
Swiss Arbitration Association (ASA)
Ethics and Compliance Switzerland (ECS) (Board Member)
Women in White Collar Defense Association (Swiss Chapter)
Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)
The Sedona Conference

Recent Cases – Litigation

Representing a specialty chemicals multinational company in an IT project dispute following the complex integration of technology solutions post spin-off.
Representing a high-net-worth entrepreneur in a complex contractual dispute involving claims of contract breaches and seeking compensation for damages.
Representing a Swiss international company against claims from a Middle Eastern businessman for breaches of an agency agreement.

Representing a Swiss pharma multinational company in a high-stakes distribution dispute, involving claims for compensation for clientele and damages.
Representing an Italian pharmaceutical company against a Swedish subsidiary of a global leader in the generics sector in connection with claims arising from the termination of a distribution agreement and the decision not to launch products.
Representing and advising a Swiss pharma multinational company in a complex contract dispute arising from the decision not to launch products, encompassing claims of breach of contract, financial losses, failure to meet performance obligations, disputes over termination clauses, and allegations of bad faith and unfair dealing.
Representing a US biotechnology company in high-profile product liability disputes, involving claims for injuries caused by defective products, insufficient warnings, and seeking compensation for related damages and losses.
Representing a Swiss multinational company operating in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and nutrition sectors for several claims against employees following internal investigations into data theft and theft of trade secrets.
Advising and representing foreign pharma companies in relation to operational licenses (manufacturing, wholesale, import, export, foreign trade), including in proceedings before Swissmedic concerning the lack of these licenses.
Representing a Swiss branch of a Spanish pharma company in proceedings before Swissmedic regarding the allegation of marketing expired products and GMP-violations, including conducting an internal investigation to ascertain the facts.
Advising a multinational foreign pharma company concerning healthcare and regulatory compliance regarding interactions with healthcare providers and patient organizations.
Advising foreign pharma companies concerning the permissibility of sponsoring educational congresses and events under the Ordinance on Integrity and Transparency in the Healthcare Sector (VITH) and industry regulations in Switzerland.
Advising pharma companies on the distribution of their products to wholesalers and healthcare providers, especially regarding monetary benefits (e.g. discounts, kickbacks).
Advising pharma companies in professional and consumer advertising.
Advising pharma and healthcare companies on contracts specific to the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry (research agreements, clinical trial agreements, contract manufacturing agreements, distribution agreements).

Conducting of an internal cross-border investigation for a multinational biotech company into allegations of insider trading.
Conducting of an internal investigation for a Swiss multinational company into potential antitrust violations related to information sharing with competitors.
Conducting of an internal cross-border investigation into allegations of foreign bribery in the Middle East in connection with infrastructure projects on behalf of a Swiss company.
Conducting of an internal cross-border investigation into allegations of fraud and conflict of interest, involving an executive committee member in South America on behalf of a Swiss multinational company, including financial analysis, identifying conflicts, and recommending corrective actions and process improvements.
Conducting of an internal cross-border investigation for a Swiss multinational company into fraud allegations against a US-based executive committee member, including financial transaction analysis, assessment pursuant to corporate and employment law, strategic recommendations, and process improvements to prevent future risks.
Conducting of an internal investigation for a Swiss international company into allegations of sanctions violations arising from interactions with sanctioned entities.
Conducting of an internal investigation on behalf of a Swiss international company into allegations of fraud, conflict of interest and harassment against an executive-level employee in different countries, including assessing the impact on workplace culture and employee well-being, providing recommendations for corrective actions.
Conducting of an internal investigation on behalf of a Swiss company into allegations of accounting fraud against several employees, including the identification of potential discrepancies, assessment of financial records, examination of internal controls, and providing recommendations for corrective actions to ensure compliance and prevent future issues.
Conducting of an internal investigation on behalf of a Swiss company into allegations of fraud and accounting errors, including financial analysis and strategic recommendations for corrective actions and process improvements.
Conducting of a cross-border internal investigation on behalf of a Swiss multinational company into allegations of tax evasion and conflict of interest involving multiple executives, including cross-border evidence gathering, analysing financial transactions and records, assessing compliance with local tax laws, and providing strategic recommendations for corrective actions.
Conducting of a cross-border internal investigation, involving Switzerland and the US, for a Swiss multinational company into allegations of conflict of interest, expense fraud, and harassment against the CEO.
Conducting of an internal investigation into allegations of severe expense fraud against the CFO on behalf of a Swiss multinational company.
Conducting of an internal investigation into allegations of severe substance abuse, sexual harassment, and mobbing on behalf of a healthcare institution.
Conducting of an internal investigation into allegations of license test cheating by staff, including senior management, at a multinational on behalf of authorities.
Conducting of an internal investigation into allegations that employees of an international research institute did not comply with regulatory requirements, including representation in proceedings before grant authorities.
Conducting of an administrative investigation into allegations against various executives on suspicion of fraud.
Advising clients of all size on matters related to the Swiss blocking statutes and mutual legal assistance.

Defending a Swiss company before the Attorney General against corporate criminal liability allegations involving assertion of foreign bribery.
Representing a Swiss international company in several complex and data-intensive unsealing proceedings.

Advising companies of various sizes on all aspects of their compliance management system and compliance framework (policy, training), including Code of Conduct, Anti-Harassment, Equality, Bribery and Corruption, Conflict of Interest, Social Media & Internet, Data Privacy, Sanctions, ESG, Whistleblowing, etc.
Developing of frameworks for the conduction of internal investigations, including sanctions and remedial measures.
Developing of an ESG strategy for a listed Swiss multinational.
Developing of an ESG strategy for a large Swiss company.
Advising of companies of different sizes regarding the implementation of a whistleblower system.
Advising companies of different sizes on their preparedness for dawn raids, including training and mock dawn raids.

Representing the main contracting partner in the bankruptcy of an internationally operating pharmaceutical company, providing pharma regulatory, insolvency and litigation advice, and representing the company against the bankruptcy estate and other creditors.
Representing clients in the enforcement of foreign awards and foreign judgments and in attachment proceedings.
Representing clients in various mutual legal assistance proceedings under the application of the Hague Evidence Convention (Chapter I and the Chapter II route).

Recent Cases - Arbitration

Party-appointed arbitrator in an ICC case between an IT outsourcing services company for banking and a software solutions provider, concerning a dispute over the (non-)renewal and unauthorized use of software licensing agreements related to crucial IT infrastructure in the banking sector.
Party-appointed arbitrator in a case under the Swiss Rules between a medical center in Romania and a Swiss company, concerning complex claims related to clinical trials, interpreting both Swiss and Romanian law.
Sole Arbitrator in a case under the Swiss Rules between two multinational companies regarding a contract dispute.

Publications & Speaking Engagements

The New In-House Privilege (Legal Insight Series on the Revision of the Swiss Civil Procedural Code), 6 December 2024 (together with Pascal Hachem)
Cross-border Investigations in the Pharma Industry, in: Macaluso/
Moreillon/Lombardini/Garbarski (eds.), Développements récents en droit pénal de l'entreprise V, 63 et seq., Berne 2024 (together with Djamila Batache, Daniel Senn)
Legal Privilege in Internal Investigations – Recent Swiss Federal Supreme Court Rulings, Briefing, 5 September 2024 (together with Eric Stupp, Joel Fischer, Massimo Chiasera, Oliver M. Brupbacher, Caroline Hochstrasser)
Höchstrichterliche Vereinfachung und Klärung zum Arrest in komplexen nationalen und internationalen Verhältnissen, in: Catelli/Sunaric (eds.), Zuständigkeit – Erkenntnisse aus der Praxis, 57 et seq., Zurich 2024 (together with Oliver M. Brupbacher, Daniel Senn)
Trade Secrets 2024 – Trends & Developments, Chambers Global Practice Guide, 23 May 2024 (together with Oliver M. Brupbacher)
Pharmaceutical Advertising 2024, Chambers Global Practice Guide, 7 April 2024 (together with Oliver M. Brupbacher, Djamila Batache, and Christine Schweikard)
Product Liability 2024, Chambers Global Practice Guide, 5 April 2024 (together with Oliver M. Brupbacher, Daniel Senn)
Life Sciences 2024, Chambers Global Practice Guide, 4 April 2024 (together with Oliver M. Brupbacher, Djamila Batache, Christine Schweikard)
Federal Supreme Court: No Criminal Due Process Guarantees in Corporate Internal Investigations, Briefing, 20 February 2024 (together with Eric Stupp, Joel Fischer, Laura Widmer, Oliver M. Brupbacher, Andrew M. Garbarski, Massimo Chiasera, Gadi Winter)
Revision of the Swiss Criminal Procedural Law on the Sealing of Evidence, Briefing, 16 January 2024 (together with Oliver M. Brupbacher, Andrew M. Garbarski)
Company Convicted for Insufficient Compliance Measures Against Bribery, Briefing, 2 May 2023 (together with Massimo Chiasera, Joel Fischer, Marlen Schultze)
Anti-Corruption 2023, Chambers Global Practice Guide, 22 March 2023 (together with Florian Baumann, Roman Huber, Lea Ruckstuhl)
Product Liability 2021, Legal 500 Country Comparative Guide, 23 June 2022 (together with Laura Manz)
Herausforderungen durch Cybersecurity in der modernen Unternehmensrealität, SJZ 2022, 512 et seq., 1 June 2022 (together with Oliver M. Brupbacher)
Sie haben das Recht zu Schweigen – Oder doch nicht? Recht relevant, 2/2022, 1 February 2022 (together with Marlen Schultze)
Fraud, Asset Tracing & Recovery in Switzerland, CDR 2021, 21 September 2021 (together with Florian Baumann)
Corona-Kredite für KMU, Art. 5-8 SBüG, in: Kellerhals/Carrard/Bürgschaftsgenossenschaft Schweiz (Hrsg.), Zürich/Basel/Genf 2021, 19 August 2021 (together with Daniel Lengauer)
Early and Managed Access to Medicine in Switzerland, Life Sciences Recht, 3/2021, 149 et seq., 23 June 2021 (together with Oliver M. Brupbacher)
Der indirekte Gegenvorschlag zu Konzernverantwortungsinitiative, Recht relevant für Verwaltungsräte, 4/2021, 21 April 2021 (together with Marlen Schultze)
Arbeitsplatzuntersuchungen in der #MeToo-Ära, Recht relevant, 1/2020, 17 December 2020 (together with Melanie Huber)
Unternehmensinterne Untersuchungen, Schulthess Manager Dossier, 26 April 2019
Commentary to Art. 2-4 und 59-62 LugÜ, in: C. Oetiker/T. Weibel (eds.), Kommentar zum Lugano-Übereinkommen, Basel 2011, 14 July 2011 (together with Roberto Dallafior)
Institutional Arbitration: Tasks and Powers of different Arbitration Institutions, 14 October 2009 (eds., together with Karin Graf, Pascale Gola)
Prozessuale Hürden in Verantwortlichkeitsprozessen, GesKR 4/2009, 479 et seq., 20 July 2009 (together with Simone Stebler)
Überblick über die wichtigsten Änderungen des Lugano-Übereinkommens, SJZ 2008, 105, 15 October 2008 (together with Roberto Dallafior)
Die Ausgestaltung der Honorarvereinbarung – Das Problem des "Windfalls" und des Erfolgshonorars, SJZ 2007, 471 et seq., 19 September 2007 (together with Hans Nater)
Teamarbeit und geteilte Verantwortung in Spital, Arztpraxis und Belegarztverhältnis, HAVE 2007, 226 et seq., 21 February 2007
Amerikanisches Discovery für Verfahren im Ausland, SJZ 2006, 269 et seq., 22 November 2006
Der Gerichtsstand der rügelosen Einlassung im Zivilprozessrecht der Schweiz, Schriftenreihe für Internationales Recht der juristischen Fakultät der Universität Basel, 7 December 2004

Chair of the Neue Zürcher Compliance-Konferenz, 23 January 2025, Zurich, responsible for the academic program
Risikomanagement von Betrug, Bestechung und Geldwäscherei bei M&A-Transaktionen: Best Practices und Strategien aus einer M&A und Compliance-Sicht, 23 January 2025, Neue Zürcher Compliance-Konferenz 2025, Zurich (together with Luca Jagmetti)
Strengthening Integrity: Evolving Strategies in the Fight Against Bribery and Corruption, Deloitte Swiss Investigation & Financial Crime Forum 2024, 21 November 2024, Zurich
Rückblick auf 10 Jahre Compliance aus Anwaltssicht, Migros Compliance Day, 21 November 2024, Zurich
Überlegungen bei der Schiedsrichterwahl: Kriterien und Vorgehen (Panel discussion), ASA Local Group Zurich, 19 November 2024, Zurich
Rechtliche Lösungen und Fallstricke beim Einsatz von künstlicher Intelligenz in der Patientenbehandlung - Dr. GPT im Spital? – Wie wir KI zum Patienten bringen, 18 November 2024, University Hospital, Zurich (together with Djamila Batache)
Investigation of Bribery, Bid Rigging, Fraud, Wolf Theiss Compliance, Investigation and Crisis Response Workshop, 12 September 2024, Vienna (together with Jitka Logesova, Bibicu Bogdan)
Privacy and data protection in the context of cross-border internal investigations, Wolf Theiss Compliance, Investigation and Crisis Response Workshop, 12 September 2024, Vienna (together with Roland Marko, Aleksandar Ristic, Oleg Temnikov)
Supply Chain Disputes in the Pharma Industry, 22 August 2024, Zurich (together with Nadja Jaisli, Djamila Batache, and guests: Owen Terei, Novartis Pharma Services AG and Francisco Marti, Sanofi)
ESG – Introduction, trends, transparency obligations, supply chain topics, 25 May 2024, CAS Inhouse Counsel, Europa Institute University Zurich (together with Prof. Adreas Bohrer, Lonza)
Cross-continental corruption cases (Switzerland – Brazil – India), 26 April 2024, Tokyo (together with Oscar Tutasaura, Shin Jae Kim, Anuj Berry)
Economic Crime and Internal Investigations - Current Trends and Challenges, Lions Club Zürich-Rietberg, 21 March, 2024, Zurich (together with Djamila Batache)
Cross-Border Investigations in the pharma industry, 6 February 2024, University of Lausanne, Journèe de droit penal de l’entreprise, Lausanne
Issues of Transparency in Internal Investigations with a Focus on Bribery and Corruption, 2 February 2024, University of Neuchâtel, in: Negotiated Justice in Transnational Corruption – Between Transparency and Confidentiality, Neuchâtel
How will Artificial Intelligence impact corporate counsel? – The legal side, 11 December 2023, ACC & EY, EY Auditorium Zurich (together with Djamila Batache)
An der Schnittstelle von Recht und Kommunikation: Krisenkommunikation bei Compliance-Vorfällen, 22 November 2023, EXPERTsuisse (together with Michael Willi)
Post-Closing-M&A-Streitigkeiten – Fallkonstellationen, Strategien und Lessons Learned, 14 June 2023, 2. Berner Tagung zum Life Sciences Recht, Bern
Interessenskonflikte bei Compliance Untersuchungen – Erkenntnisse aus der Praxis, 19 January 2023, Neue Zürcher Compliance-Konferenz 2023, Zurich (together with Roman Huber)
Rechtliche Rahmenbedingungen bei Interviews und Erfahrungen aus der Praxis, 8. Tagung zu internen und regulatorischen Untersuchungen, Europa Institute of the University Zurich, 6 October 2021, Zurich
Early and Managed Access to Medicine in Switzerland, Life Sciences Practice Group, Virtual Meeting, 13 July 2021
Cybersecurity Untersuchungen – Einsichten von der Frontline, Neue Zürcher Compliance Konferenz 2021, 21 January 2021 (together with Oliver M. Brupbacher)
Legal and Commercial Aspects of the Life Sciences and Pharma Industry, Webinar Swiss Chambers` Arbitration Institution, 18 March 2021 (together with Martin Bechtold, Novartis, Daniel Blättler, Lonza, Alexandra Carrel Guibert, Caroline Ming)
Nachhaltigkeit und Verantwortung, Lead of Paneldiscussion, Neue Zürcher Compliance Konferenz 2021, 21 February 2021, Zurich (together with Andreas Bohrer, Lonza, Michael Faske, Deloitte, Hansjakob Frey, Zurich Insurance, Daniel Lengauer)
Untersuchungen am Arbeitsplatz in der #MeToo-Ära, Neue Zürcher Compliance-Konferenz 2020, 26 July 2020, Zurich
Arbitration in the Life Sciences Sector, Paris Arbitration Week, 11 November 2020, Paris
Force Majeure in Supply Chains, Procedural Tools to Obtain Effective Relief, 28 October 2020, ASA SCAI Webinar
Unternehmensverantwortung, Lead of the panel discussion, 16 September 2020, KC Compliance Event
Interne Untersuchungen: Rechtliche und praktische Herausforderungen für Rechtsabteilungen, Vereinigung Schweizer Unternehmensjuristen, 27 August 2020, Zurich
Compliance-Kultur & Corporate Governance, Lead of the panel discussion, Neue Zürcher Compliance-Konferenz 2020, 29 July 2020, Zurich
Get your act together: Everything you need to know about data protection in international arbitration, Paris Arbitration Week, 13 January 2020, Paris
Medizinprodukteverordnung – Verträge, sitem-insel event, 10 October 2019, Berne
Dos & Don'ts bei Internen Untersuchungen aus Unternehmenssicht, 22 September 2019, KC Compliance Event
Rechtliche Grundlagen der Third Party Compliance, Schulthess Forum Third Party Compliance, 5 September 2019, Zurich
International Arbitration: Guidance beyond the International Principles, The Sedona Conference, 19 June 2019, Hong-Kong
Medizinprodukteverordnung– Klinische Daten & Datenschutz, sitem-insel event, 18 June 2019, Berne
Leading High Performing Teams: The Rise of Cultural Diversity & Women in Global Investigations & White-Collar Crime, 13th Annual Fraud, Asset Tracing and Recovery, C5 Conference, 20 May 2019, Geneva
Arbitration in the Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences Sectors, Joint event of the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution (CPR), LALIVE and Hughes Hubbard & Reed, 13 May 2019, Zurich
Medizinprodukteverordnung – Zertifizierungsstellen (Haftungsfragen), sitem-insel event, 24 March 2019, Berne
Medizinprodukteverordnung – Notified Bodies (incl. liability of notified bodies), sitem-insel event, 24 March 2019, Berne
Third Party Compliance, Schulthess Forum, 19 March 2019, Zurich
Conference Co-Chair of the 13th Annual Fraud, Asset Tracing, C5 Conference, 15 March 2019, Geneva
Cross-border Investigations - Practical approaches to effectively conducting Internal Investigations, while remaining in compliance with Swiss Blocking Statutes and Data Protection law, UIA-Seminar, 20 January 2019, Milano
Interne Untersuchungen: Lessons Learned aus praktischer Unternehmenssicht, Neue Zürcher Compliance-Konferenz 2019, 16 January 2019, Zurich
Nachhaltige Compliance-Kultur: Wie schafft man es, dass Compliance vom Business als Mehrwert angesehen wird, Neue Zürcher Compliance-Konferenz 2019, 16 January 2019, Zurich
Faculty member of the 10th Sedona Conference International Programme on Cross-Border Data Transfers and Data Protection Laws, The 10th Sedona Conference International Programme on Cross-Border Data Transfers and Data Protection Laws, 13 November 2018, Budapest
The full Implementation of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): Implementation Challenges and New Guidance, The 10th Sedona Conference International Programme on Cross-Border Data Transfers and Data Protection Laws, 19 September 2018, Budapest
The Economics of Dispute Resolution & Cross-Border M&A, Cravath Summit on Global Dispute Resolution, 11 September 2018, New York
Efficiency, Cost & Quality Control in Internal Investigations, Ethics & Compliance Switzerland, 18 July 2018, Zurich
Practical In-House Approaches to Internal Investigations & Cross-Border Regulatory Investigations, The 10th Sedona Conference International Programme on Cross-Border Data Transfers and Data Protection Laws, 10 July 2018, Budapest
Managing Risk and Litigation: The future of legal privilege, The Lawyer Conference, 23 August 2017, London
Multi-tier Dispute Resolution, ASA Conference, 13 July 2017, Bern
Insight into the revised ICC Arbitration Rules: The company expectations, ICC Switzerland, 15 May 2016, Zurich
Alternative Dispute Resolution for IP and Technology Disputes, WIPO Event, 9 February 2016, Zurich
Data Protection/Confidentiality Duties in a Global Market Place, European Conference 2015 "Switzerland, EU and USA: Partners in Success", NY State Bar Association, 21 July 2015, Zurich
The In-House Counsel's Role in International Arbitrations, AIJA Annual Congress, 16 July 2014, Prague

Claudia Götz Staehelin is a real pleasure to work with. She is highly intelligent, client-focused, insightful and pragmatic. I truly value the collaboration we have with her and her team. (Client in Chambers and Partners Europe 2024, Life Sciences Switzerland)