Zürich: Startup

Join the Future: Be a Trusted, Entrepreneurial Legal Expert in the Swiss Startup & VC World

Welcome to the Kellerhals Carrard Startup & Venture Capital Desk, where innovation and technology meet law

We are not your average law firm; we live the ‘startup vibe’ while grounding our business on the foundation of a law firm that has gained expertise for over a century. We have been among the first law firms in Switzerland to have a dedicated focus on the thriving startup and venture capital market, and as such, we have emerged as one of the leading law firms for entrepreneurs and investors.

Specializing in advising startups, particularly spinoffs from ETH, EPFL, UZH, HSG, and other reputed Swiss universities, as well as leading venture capital investors, we operate as legal enablers at the forefront of disruptive technologies and their impact on society. Our startup clients trust us, in particular, for structuring financing rounds, safeguarding intellectual property, creating employee incentive plans, and navigating all legal complexities during their growth journey – from incorporation to exit. Our investor clients appreciate our deep understanding of the local venture capital market trends and rely on us specifically when negotiating deal terms with startups or conducting legal due diligence work.

We are not just looking for lawyers; we are on a mission to boast the finest, most savvy, and efficient legal team for startups and venture investors in Switzerland. As the capital invested in technology startups is expected to rise further and the number of university spinoffs climbs ever higher, our Startup & Venture Capital Desk is experiencing substantial growth. At Kellerhals Carrard we consider ourselves privileged by the fact that we collaborate seamlessly with many thought leaders in areas that go beyond the scope of corporate law. Thus, we do not just excel in one or two areas; we are leaders across a multitude of legal fields and are, therefore, able to provide best counsel for our clients as well as creating constant learning opportunities for colleagues new and old.

We do not take it for granted that we have the privilege to act as key legal enablers in the ever-growing Swiss startup scene and the technological evolution, and we enjoy every moment of it. We get to work with the brightest and also most challenging minds: founders, researchers, professional investors, professors and many more stakeholders.

Join us, and be part of a team that enjoys every moment at the cutting edge of the Swiss startup scene and technological evolution.

Are you a lawyer with a passion for startups, or are you looking to venture into the exciting world of venture capital transactions? Whether you are a seasoned professional or a fresh graduate, we are constantly on the look-out for talent We value the entrepreneurial spirit, the willingness to go the extra mile, and the hunger for personal development. Post-grad titles are nice, but your skills, personality, drive and enthusiasm matter more to us.

Client Interaction: Take responsibility and build relationships with clients, guided by experienced team members, right from the start.

Autonomy & Flexibility: Enjoy a high degree of autonomy in your work. Onboard your own clients, explore new fields of law, or pioneer collaborations and initiatives.

Competitive Compensation: We provide an attractive compensation package that rewards entrepreneurship, and that is composed of base compensation combined with compelling participation in client acquisition and discretionary bonus elements.

Team Synergy: Join a professional, dedicated, and fun team that has your back from day one. We invest continuously in a high integration of our workflows, corporate practices, and know-how management, which allows for an efficient and effective delivery of our legal expertise to our clients.

Professional Development: We invest in your success by ensuring extensive exposure to clients- and transactions and by providing a multitude of learning and career development opportunities.

Additional perks: Up-to-date IT infrastructure and latest legal tech tools for seamless collaboration and high productivity; central and accessible office location at Bellevue, Zurich; extensive network of top experts across all KC locations around Switzerland; opportunity to work at other offices at times; regular team events, team lunches, retreats, and more.

The ideal candidate will tick all the following boxes.

Must-haves

• Legal Expertise: You have a Swiss law degree and/or several years of practical experience in Swiss law.
• Languages: You speak both German and English fluently and you are able to communicate confidently and accurately in both – in spoken and in written form.
• Academic Excellence: You are able to demonstrate outstanding academic achievements, including but not limited to excellent grades in law school. A strong academic record is considered a key indicator of your dedication to legal excellence and intellectual rigor.
• Precision and Accuracy: You possess meticulous attention to detail and a track record of consistently delivering accurate legal work. The ambition and capability to produce error-free documents and provide precise legal advice is essential for success in this role.
• Client Focus: You do not lose sight of clients’ interests . Going the extra-mile for your clients comes naturally to you.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex legal concepts in a clear and concise manner to both legal and non-legal stakeholders.
• Collaborative Team Player: Youwork effectively in cross-functional teams, collaborating with other departments, external counsel, and stakeholders to achieve business objectives.
• Problem-Solving Aptitude: You are a logical thinker showcasing a proactive and solution-oriented mindset, offering strategic and actionable legal advice to address complex issues.
• Adaptability and Agility: You demonstrate the ability to adapt to fast-paced, dynamic environments inherent in the startup and VC culture, showing agility in addressing legal issues efficiently.
• Continuous Learning and Growth Mindset: You exhibit a commitment to ongoing professional development, staying updated on legal trends impacting startups and seeking opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in Startup Ecosystem: You have gathered relevant experience in either providing legal counsel to startups, including a strong understanding of venture financing, equity structures, and intellectual property, or having held any other active role within the ecosystem as a founder, supporter, volunteer or else.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit: You are characterized by a self-motivated drive to explore new opportunities, a willingness to take initiative as well as to seek and provide solutions and a strong commitment to contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.
• Additional Languages: Any language additional to the required ones is considered a plus.

Ready to take the plunge into the exciting world of startup and venture capital law?

We would love to hear from you Join us in shaping the future of Swiss startups and VCs