PBM Avocats: Geneva Law Firm for Business, Individuals and Families

PBM Avocats is a dynamic law firm in Geneva, Switzerland, which website is  geneva-lawyers.com, registered with the bar associations of the cantons of Geneva and Vaud. With more than 21 experienced Swiss lawyers, the firm combines strong litigation skills with high-level advisory work to help clients confidently navigate Swiss law in everyday matters and complex cross-border situations alike.

From banking and finance to family and divorce law, from corporate transactions to criminal and traffic law, PBM Avocats offers you a single, trusted point of contact for a wide range of Swiss legal issues. The team puts your interests at the centre of every decision, providing clear guidance, realistic strategies and efficient representation tailored to your specific goals.

Geneva and Vaud qualified Swiss lawyers at your side

As a law firm registered with both the Geneva and Vaud bar associations, PBM Avocats is firmly rooted in the legal and economic fabric of French-speaking Switzerland. This dual registration is a strong signal of professionalism and reliability, and it means the firm is well positioned to act in matters that touch both cantons or involve national Swiss law.

The team of more than 21 lawyers brings together complementary skills and experience in both advisory and contentious work. Clients benefit from:

• Extensive courtroom experience in civil, criminal and administrative litigation across Switzerland.
• Robust advisory capabilities for structuring projects, drafting contracts and preventing disputes before they arise.
• Collaborative case handling, where several specialists can work together when a matter spans multiple areas of law, such as tax, corporate and employment.
• Personalized support, with a dedicated lawyer following your file and keeping you informed at every stage.

Multilingual legal support in six languages

PBM Avocats knows that legal matters often cross borders and cultures. The firm assists clients in six languages:

• French
• English
• Italian
• German
• Spanish
• Albanian

This multilingual capacity is a major advantage if you are an expatriate, an international company, a cross-border worker, or simply more comfortable in a language other than French. It facilitates communication, helps you understand your options clearly, and ensures that your situation is accurately explained to Swiss authorities, courts and counterparties.

Initial consultation: a clear, accessible first step

When you are facing a legal question, uncertainty is often the biggest source of stress. PBM Avocats offers an initial consultation of 60 minutes for up to CHF 220, designed to give you clarity quickly and at a predictable cost.

This first meeting can take place in person in Geneva or by videoconference, depending on your preferences and availability. During this consultation, you can for example:

• Ask focused questions about a specific situation.
• Clarify your rights and obligations under Swiss law.
• Discuss the procedural options available to you.
• Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your case.
• Decide whether and how you wish to move forward.

At the end of this first consultation, PBM Avocats can provide a case-specific estimate of procedural costs, so you know what to expect before committing to any further steps.

How an initial consultation typically unfolds

1. Presentation of your situation in your preferred language, with the lawyer asking targeted questions to understand the facts.
2. Preliminary legal assessment, where the lawyer identifies key legal issues and applicable Swiss rules.
3. Discussion of options, including out-of-court solutions, negotiation, mediation, or formal proceedings.
4. Strategy and next steps, with a clear proposal on how PBM Avocats can assist you further if you decide to continue.
5. Cost estimate tailored to your case, giving you transparency and control over your budget.

Key practice areas of PBM Avocats in Switzerland

PBM Avocats covers a broad spectrum of Swiss legal specialties, allowing you to rely on one firm for most of your legal needs. Below is an overview of the firm’s main practice areas.

Banking and finance law, including FinTech and capital markets

In a highly regulated financial centre such as Geneva, businesses and individuals alike need precise and up-to-date legal guidance. PBM Avocats advises on a wide range of Swiss banking and finance law matters, including:

• Financing, credit and leasing arrangements.
• Financial market regulation and compliance.
• Capital markets transactions and documentation.
• FinTech projects, including innovative financial services and digital platforms.
• Private equity structures and investments.

The firm can help financial institutions, start-ups, investors and corporate borrowers structure their operations in compliance with Swiss law and manage regulatory risks.

Tax law in Switzerland

Tax considerations influence almost every important decision, from business structuring to real estate investments and estate planning. PBM Avocats advises on Swiss tax law in coordination with the other legal aspects of your project, including:

• Tax planning for individuals and families, in Switzerland and cross-border.
• Corporate tax structuring, reorganizations and M&A.
• Implications of real estate transactions and investments.
• Tax aspects of employment, bonuses and share plans.
• Representation in tax audits and disputes with Swiss tax authorities.

Corporate law, start-ups and M&A

For entrepreneurs, SMEs and larger corporations, PBM Avocats offers comprehensive support in Swiss corporate and commercial law, including mergers and acquisitions. Typical mandates include:

• Setting up companies and drafting articles of association.
• Shareholders’ agreements and governance rules.
• Board of directors advice and directors’ liability.
• Start-up structuring, financing rounds and investor relations.
• Mergers, acquisitions and corporate restructurings.
• Ongoing corporate housekeeping and compliance.

The goal is always to provide pragmatic, business-oriented advice that protects your interests while facilitating growth and transactions.

Labour and gender equality law

Employment relationships are at the heart of any organisation and a key concern for individuals. PBM Avocats assists both employers and employees in Swiss labour law, including:

• Private sector employment contracts and company regulations.
• Dismissals, terminations and negotiated exits.
• Collective bargaining agreement (CBA) disputes.
• Civil servants law and public sector employment issues.
• Gender equality law, including discrimination and equal pay claims.

The firm can help you prevent conflicts through well-drafted contracts and internal policies, or defend your rights before labour courts and authorities if a dispute arises.

Competition and commercial law

Swiss and international businesses rely on PBM Avocats for advice on competition law and broader commercial law matters, such as:

• Antitrust and unfair competition rules.
• Relations with the Swiss Competition Commission (COMCO).
• Distribution networks, franchising and agency arrangements.
• General terms and conditions and commercial contracts.
• Advertising, marketing and business practices.

Proactive competition law advice can reduce the risk of investigations and costly disputes, while robust commercial contracts help secure your day-to-day operations.

Intellectual property and technology

Innovation and brand value are crucial in today’s economy. PBM Avocats advises on intellectual property law and related technology issues, including:

• Protection and enforcement of trademarks and designs.
• Licensing and transfer agreements.
• IP aspects of commercial and distribution contracts.
• Computer law and software contracts.
• Protection of know-how and trade secrets.

The firm works to ensure that your creative assets, technology and brands are protected, exploited effectively and defended when necessary.

Real estate, construction and spatial planning

Real estate and construction projects in Switzerland involve a combination of private and public law rules. PBM Avocats advises owners, developers, investors, architects and contractors on Swiss real estate and construction law, including:

• Spatial planning and zoning issues.
• Building permits and public law aspects of construction.
• Neighbourhood law and relations with adjacent owners.
• Construction contracts and contractor relationships.
• Mortgages for craftsmen and contractors.
• General real estate transactions and structuring.

Tenancy and lease disputes

For both landlords and tenants, PBM Avocats offers targeted support in Swiss lease and tenancy law, for residential and commercial premises. Typical issues include:

• Rent reductions and rent increases.
• Lease disputes and eviction proceedings.
• Release of rental guarantees and deposits.
• Condition reports and inventories at departure.
• Drafting and negotiation of lease agreements.

The firm focuses on fast, pragmatic solutions where possible, while being ready to defend your position before conciliation authorities and courts when needed.

Family and divorce law

Family matters are particularly sensitive and require both legal precision and human understanding. PBM Avocats accompanies clients in Swiss family and divorce law, including:

• Divorce and separation proceedings.
• Protection of the marital union and urgent measures.
• Dissolution of registered partnerships.
• Arrangements for parental authority and custody.
• Child support and spousal maintenance.
• Property division and matrimonial regimes.

The firm aims to identify solutions that protect your family’s long-term interests, favouring negotiated agreements where possible and representing you firmly if court proceedings become necessary.

Criminal and traffic law

Facing criminal or traffic proceedings in Switzerland can be daunting. PBM Avocats represents and advises clients in Swiss criminal law, including:

• General criminal law cases.
• Traffic offences and serious traffic accidents.
• Economic and white-collar crime.
• Administrative and military criminal law.
• Juvenile criminal proceedings.
• Victims’ rights and assistance to victims of crime.

Early intervention by a criminal defence lawyer can significantly influence the course of proceedings, including during police hearings and investigative stages.

Foreigners and immigration law

Switzerland applies detailed rules to residence, work and integration. PBM Avocats assists individuals and employers in Swiss foreigners and immigration law, such as:

• Residence and settlement permits.
• Work authorisations and short-term employment permits.
• Family reunification.
• Naturalisation and citizenship applications.
• Asylum-related issues.

The firm can help you prepare robust applications, respond to requests from authorities and challenge negative decisions where appropriate.

Contract law and commercial agreements

Well-drafted contracts are one of the most effective tools to prevent disputes. PBM Avocats handles a broad range of Swiss contract law matters, including:

• Sales and purchase agreements.
• Franchise and distribution contracts.
• Agency and brokerage agreements.
• Consumer credit and vehicle contracts.
• Telecommunications and IT contracts.
• Loan and financing agreements.
• Public procurement contracts.
• Travel and service contracts.

The firm reviews, drafts and negotiates contracts to reflect your commercial objectives and protect you in the event of disagreement.

Asset recovery, debt collection and bankruptcy

When a debtor fails to pay, you need a structured strategy to recover what you are owed. PBM Avocats acts in Swiss asset recovery, debt collection and bankruptcy law, including:

• Identifying debtors and assets.
• Initiating debt collection proceedings.
• Requests for seizure and sequestration.
• Applications for bankruptcy.
• Actions to discharge debts or contest collocation lists.
• Annulment of objection and related proceedings.

The firm combines procedural know-how with negotiation skills to maximise your chances of recovering outstanding amounts.

Dispute resolution, mediation and arbitration

Not every dispute needs to end in a long court battle. PBM Avocats offers a full range of dispute resolution services, including:

• Civil litigation before Swiss courts.
• Criminal proceedings and defence.
• Administrative litigation against public authorities.
• National and international arbitration.
• Mediation and alternative dispute resolution methods.

The lawyers assess the best forum and method for your specific case, taking into account timing, cost, confidentiality and your broader objectives.

Additional areas: social insurance and tort law

Beyond the core practice areas described above, PBM Avocats also acts in related fields such as social insurance law and tort law (civil liability). This includes, for example, disputes with insurers, accident and disability benefits, and compensation for damage or personal injury.

Overview of services at a glance

The table below summarises some of PBM Avocats’ main practice areas and typical client needs.

A client-centred, solution-driven approach

Across all these areas, PBM Avocats follows a consistent, client-centred philosophy. The firm’s lawyers focus on:

• Listening carefully to your objectives, constraints and concerns.
• Explaining the law clearly, without unnecessary jargon, so you can make informed decisions.
• Proposing realistic strategies with a transparent assessment of risks and opportunities.
• Prioritising efficiency, by seeking negotiated solutions when they serve your interests.
• Defending your rights firmly in court or arbitration when litigation is the best or only option.

Because the firm covers such a broad range of legal topics, your lawyer can also identify related issues you might not have considered, such as tax or immigration implications of a corporate or family decision.

Who PBM Avocats assists

PBM Avocats represents a wide diversity of clients in Switzerland and abroad, including:

• Private individuals seeking support with family matters, employment issues, criminal or traffic proceedings, tenancy disputes, inheritance questions and more.
• Swiss and international companies of all sizes, from start-ups to established corporations, needing ongoing legal support, transactional advice or dispute representation.
• Entrepreneurs and investors launching new projects, negotiating deals or structuring holdings and real estate investments.
• Expatriates and cross-border workers who need to understand Swiss law on residence, employment, family and property.
• Financial institutions and FinTech players navigating regulatory requirements and innovative business models.

Preparing for your first meeting with PBM Avocats

To make the most of your initial 60-minute consultation, it is helpful to prepare a few elements in advance. This will allow the lawyer to analyse your situation more efficiently and give you more precise feedback.

Practical tips to optimise your consultation

• Clarify your main questions and objectives in writing before the meeting.
• Gather key documents such as contracts, correspondence, decisions from authorities, police reports, payslips, rental agreements or corporate documents, depending on the issue.
• Note key dates and facts chronologically, especially for disputes and criminal or administrative matters.
• Think about possible solutions that would be acceptable to you (for example, an amicable agreement, a payment plan, a negotiated exit).
• Consider your budget and time constraints, so these can be taken into account when defining the strategy.

With this preparation, the initial consultation becomes a powerful tool to quickly understand your legal position and decide how best to move forward with PBM Avocats at your side.

Why choose PBM Avocats in Geneva

Choosing a law firm is an important decision. PBM Avocats stands out in Geneva and Vaud through a combination of qualities:

• More than 21 experienced lawyers covering a wide range of Swiss legal fields.
• Strong litigation and advisory capabilities for both proactive planning and dispute resolution.
• Multilingual services in six languages, ideal for international and local clients alike.
• Registration with both Geneva and Vaud bar associations, ensuring adherence to strict professional and ethical standards.
• Accessible initial consultation of 60 minutes for up to CHF 220, with a clear cost estimate for the next steps.
• Personalised, human approach, where your interests and peace of mind are the priority.

Whether you are an individual, an entrepreneur or a company, PBM Avocats offers you the legal experience, strategic insight and personal support you need to defend your rights, secure your projects and move forward with confidence in Switzerland.