Four names, one signature at the bottom of your case.

Two founding partners, one of counsel, one senior associate. This has been the firm's headcount since 2014. We chose it thus, and intend to keep it so.

№ I · Founding Partner

Maître Antoine Bessard

Corporate law · M&A · Commercial litigation

Antoine Bessard has practised at the Geneva Bar since 1998. After ten years at a leading international firm, he founded his own practice in 2008, which he united with Catherine Mercier's in 2024. He conducts some twelve mid-cap transactions and several arbitration proceedings each year. Author of a noted thesis on shareholders' agreements under Swiss law.

Bar: 1998 — Geneva
Formation: University of Geneva · Sciences Po Paris · Harvard LL.M.
Languages: French, English, German, Italian
Areas: M&A, governance, litigation
Contact: a.bessard@bessard-mercier.ch

№ II · Founding Partner

Maître Catherine Mercier

Private wealth · Estates · Trusts & fiduciary

Catherine Mercier has practised at the Geneva Bar since 2002. Recognised among the leading practitioners in estate and wealth matters in French-speaking Switzerland, she accompanies Swiss and international wealthy families over the long term. Member of the International Society of Succession Law, and a regular speaker on comparative fiduciary law.

Bar: 2002 — Geneva
Formation: University of Fribourg · University of Geneva · King's College London LL.M.
Languages: French, English, German
Areas: Estates, trusts, planning
Contact: c.mercier@bessard-mercier.ch

№ III · Of Counsel

Maître Élise Hofmann

Private international law · Cross-border estates

Élise Hofmann joined the firm in 2024 as of counsel. Admitted to the Geneva Bar since 2008, she previously practised in Zurich and Brussels. Her cases focus on conflicts of laws in estate and wealth matters, and the coordination of multiple jurisdictions — particularly between continental civil law and common law.

Bar: 2008 — Geneva
Formation: University of Lausanne · Humboldt University Berlin · College of Europe, Bruges
Languages: French, German, English, Italian
Areas: PIL, international estates
Contact: e.hofmann@bessard-mercier.ch

№ IV · Senior Associate

Maître Lucas Brassart

Tax · Structures · Holdings & foundations

Lucas Brassart joined the firm in 2018, after four years in tax practice at an international firm. Admitted to the Geneva Bar in 2014. He handles the fiscal and structural dimension of cases, from conception through to cantonal rulings and exchanges with the FTA.

Bar: 2014 — Geneva
Formation: University of Neuchâtel · HEC Lausanne · Tax Expert Diploma
Languages: French, English, German
Areas: Taxation, holdings, structuring
Contact: l.brassart@bessard-mercier.ch

The firm does not accept unsolicited applications. New collaborations are established through professional referral.