schochauer is a genuine partnership – to the benefit of our clients. Our strong network of external partners further facilitates our clients' needs.
Philosophy
Identity through partnership
A genuine partnership can only be successful if all participating lawyers work with the same integrity, expertise and efficiency, though they are individual personalities and temperaments. Given these conditions, a law office can progress to becoming a law firm in the best sense of the term, creating a very distinct corporate identity. schochauer is a successful example of this kind of partnership since 1970.
We perform our services in close cooperation with each other, making use of mutual assistance and expertise within our team – all to the benefit of our domestic as well as international clients.
We render high standard services tailored to our clients’ needs. Trustworthiness, personal commitment and professional skills are our main focus. An entrepreneurial way of thinking, creativity and an extraordinary readiness to literally “go the extra mile” for our clients complement our attitude.
Practices
Always aimed at problem-solving
Proactivity and prudence are key of our advisory services. We set up problem-solving proposals for individuals and corporations alike, in relation to nearly every aspect of law. Litigation as well as legalisations and notarisations complement our advisory services. As notary public, we are authorized to legalise copies and signatures as well as to draft and execute deeds which require public notarization.
Legal areas
Getting comprehensive justice
Business law
Mergers and Acquisitions
Commercial and Contract Law
Banking and Financial Market Law
Employment Law
Real Estate and Construction Law
Insolvency and Restructuring Law
Family and Inheritance Law
Criminal Law
Intellectual Property Law
Litigation and Arbitration
Tax Law
Legalisations and Notarizations
Fee policies
At the appropriate rate
We are continually attempting to minimize the time spent on individual assignments and achieve a cost efficiency that is in link with the importance of the matter for our clients. Hourly fees are charged for services rendered by the lawyer assigned to the case as recommended by the St. Gallen Bar Association. Secretarial work is included in those fees.
We are prepared to negotiate the fee policy involving particular matters with our clients prior to render the services for which we are retained.
In most cases we charge a flat fee for membership on a Board of Directors in addition to the hourly rate for time spent. This flat fee is fixed in proportion to the responsibility and liability involved in the membership.
For representation in litigation, we charge fees as directed in the relevant legislative instruments of the Cantons and the Federation. In many cases, those instruments provide for a link between the amount in dispute and the fees charged.
For services as public notaries, a notarization fee is charged in addition to the hourly fee.
Network
Rooted locally, linked worldwide
The world turns increasingly complex and intertwined. Partnerships and networks become more and more important. Our law firm closely cooperates with various partners in order to render our clients the best possible services.
Our law firm is proud member of MSi Global Alliance. MSi is a joint initiative of medium sized, independent professional service firms with accounting, tax and legal services provided by roughly 260 members in approximately 100 countries worldwide. MSi Global Alliance provides us with the possibility to refer our clients to partners worldwide which are often personally known to us and which offer high quality and cost efficient services in their respective markets.
The Chamber of Industry and Commerce St. Gallen-Appenzell is an inter-sectoral association to which we are a member – like roughly 1,300 other, by the majority small and mid-sized companies. It is the goal of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce St. Gallen-Appenzell to represent and further the interests of the industry, commerce and service providers.