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Dr. Fabienne Bretscher

Attorney at law, Senior Associate
Dr. Fabienne Bretscher

Fabienne represents clients in commercial disputes before Swiss courts of all levels and arbitral tribunals (including pre-litigation counseling). Her main areas of focus include contract, technology, intellectual property and unfair competition as well as corporate law. She also advises clients on non-contentious matters in these areas.

Education

  • Swiss Bar Admission (2021)

  • University of Zurich, PhD in Law (2018)

  • University of Basel, Master in Transnational Law (2014)

  • University of Basel, Bachelor of Law (2013)

Professional Career

  • Senior Associate at Wartmann Merker (since 2026)

  • Secondment at Baker McKenzie in London (2024)

  • Senior Associate at Baker McKenzie in Zurich (2021-2026)

  • Trainee Lawyer at Baker McKenzie in Zurich (2018-2019)

  • Research Stay at Erasmus University Rotterdam and EURAC Research Bolzano (2017-2018)

  • Research and Teaching Assistant at the Chair of Prof. Dr. Christine Kaufmann, University of Zurich (2014-2017)

Memberships

  • Swiss Bar Association

  • Zurich Bar Association

  • AIPPI (International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property)

  • LES (Licensing Executive Society) Switzerland

  • ASA (Swiss Arbitration Association)

  • ArbitralWomen

  • Young ICCA

  • DIS-40

Publications

  • Lizenzverträge in der Praxis, sic! 3/2026 (with N. Charrière & J. Schieber)

  • Switzerland, Baker McKenzie Global Arbitration Yearbook 2022/23–2024/25 (with J. Frick & V. Hirsiger)

  • Legal Remedies and Pitfalls for Sellers in Pre-Closing M&A Disputes, GTDT Swiss M&A 2024/25 (with J. Frick)

  • Privatstiftung und Schiedsrecht, SchiedsVZ 6/2023 (with D. Prantl et al.)

  • Arbitration of Corporate Disputes in Switzerland, Jus Mundi (2023, with N.-H. Tran Thang et al.)

Presentations

  • Presentation and discussion on the topic “Liquidated damages” under Swiss Law – What does recent case law say and what does this mean for contract drafting?, LES Switzerland YMC Breakfast Meeting, Zurich, 24 April 2026

  • Panel discussion on the topic "The (Not) So Invisible Stakeholder – Third Party Funding within the Framework of Fair Play in International Arbitration”, Annual Joint ICC YAAF & YAAP Young Austrian Arbitration Practitioners Conference, Vienna, 28 März 2026

  • Panel Discussion on the topic Code, Contracts, and Conflicts: Arbitration in the Tech Industry, ASA below 40 Spring Seminar: From Cargo to Code: Arbitration in Key Global Industries, Geneva, 13 June 2025

Languages

German, English, French, Italian, Portuguese

Contact

P+41 44 212 10 11 F+41 44 212 15 11

f.bretscher@wartmann-merker.ch

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  • "Rising Star of the Year 2025"
    ManagingIP
  • "Wartmann Merker houses strong advocates who insist on our positions and are very engaged and reliable. They produce work on time and are responsive."
    Chambers Global 2025
  • "The team impressed us with their commitment and perseverance to achieving a positive result in our case, providing strategic advice that reflected our best interests while always being candid."
    Chambers Europe 2025
  • "Their high degree of specialisation in dispute resolution is their key strength and allows them to represent clients in a very targeted and efficient manner. They offer exceptionally deep knowledge."
    Chambers Europe 2025
  • "Wartmann Merker is a well-regarded dispute resolution boutique. The law firm is particularly popular with domestic and international banks for financial litigation. It advises on contractual and malpractice disputes, with further activity in claims for damages, supply issues and asset recovery cases. The lawyers are also well regarded by clients engaged in the logistics, maritime and food sectors."
    Chambers Global 2026
  • "The Wartmann Merker team has a very deep understanding of dispute resolution. The lawyers are focused and do not lose sight of the bigger picture."
    Chambers Global 2026