Raphaël Schindelholz

Raphael Schindelholz specializes in banking & financial law and the fight against money laundering, as well as in contractual and criminal litigation and internal investigations through his fifteen years of practice at the bar.

With professional experience gained in a major Swiss bank and an investment fund manager, combined with a Master’s Degree in Economics (HEC Lausanne, 2001), he then complemented his banking expertise with legal studies, and was admitted to the bar in 2008.

Raphael Schindelholz draws on his deep knowledge and experience in various financial industry fields to advise his clients in relation to criminal offenses related to the economic domain in particular (white-collar crime), as well as regulatory and contractual aspects of investments, banking contracts, legal aspects of private banking, FINMA licensing and market regulation.

Raphael Schindelholz also draws on several years’ experience as a lawyer in the legal department of a major private bank in Geneva, where he was in particular in charge of the legal aspects of capital markets and crossborder services. Today, he advises private clients, asset managers, banks and financial institutions on any investment, regulation and industry-related matters, particularly with regard to services in asset management. He advises on the challenges imposed by the new FinIA and FinSA regulations.

As an auditor for the Self-Regulation Organisation of the Swiss Bar Association (SRO FSA/FSN), Raphael Schindelholz has also conducted over 100 anti-money laundering audits or investigations (LBA/AML) since 2014. Having successfully passed the Lead Risk Manager exam (ISO 31000) in 2023, his deep knowledge of compliance issues completes his range of services, enabling him to take on the role of FINMA-approved external risk & compliance manager for asset managers and trustees. Raphael Schindelholz is himself affiliated to the SRO FSA/FSN as a financial intermediary, giving him a 360-degree view that enables him to advise his customers in the most appropriate way. He is committed to incorporate this approach into the courses he teaches as part of certification training for customer advisors (FinSA Advisor Register, for proof of specialized knowledge and rules of behavior)

Raphael Schindelholz also heads the Internal Investigations practice group, which is specifically designed to assist small organizations—such as independent financial firms, corporate legal departments, fiduciaries, and family offices—facing sensitive issues. With a pragmatic and personalized approach, this service helps clients set up or strengthen their compliance systems (internal policies, codes of conduct, whistleblowing channels) while supporting them in the event of alerts, suspicions or internal investigations. The aim is to anticipate risks, secure decision-making and respond rigorously and discreetly to any intervention by a regulator, disciplinary authority or supervisory body. Our small, highly specialized structure guarantees direct and responsive follow-up. However, it can also draw on the expertise of our other practice groups—particularly in white-collar crime, corporate law, and litigation—and, where necessary, specialized external partners (forensic experts) to put together a tailor-made team. This flexible organization enables us to provide a targeted and effective response tailored to our clients’ specific needs.

Finally, Raphael Schindelholz also advises all types of commercial companies and their stakeholders on financing and contracts and conducts related litigation proceedings, including the implementation of the forthcoming authorisation regime for foreign direct investment (FDI) in Switzerland, drawing on his dual training and practical experience in law and business administration to offer comprehensive advice.

Raphael Schindelholz joined Bonnard Lawson as a partner in 2021.

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