Orrick to Wind Up Switzerland Base by Year End Following Review

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe is closing its Switzerland office after ten years, following a review by the firm.

The Geneva office, which will close by the end of the year, comprises four partners and one counsel and is led by international arbitration partner Vanessa Liborio. It includes former US ambassador to Finland and former Orrick global co-head of international arbitration Charles Adams.

“This decision arises from a routine review in connection with the conclusion of the office lease,” the firm said in a statement Tuesday. “It enables us to continue to emphasize strategic investment in other markets in Europe and worldwide.”

US-led firms after reviews of their European offerings in recent years have been reacting to deal flow and sometimes pivoting to different practice areas. Hogan Lovells closed its Warsaw office in 2024, while Armstrong Teasdale pulled out of its relationship with Armstrong Teasdale Ltd., a separate entity providing legal services in London and Dublin, the same year.

Other firms have sought to capitalize on opportunities with more launches. Ropes & Gray opened a Paris base earlier this year, while Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer launched in Luxembourg.

International arbitration partner James Hargrove and structured finance partner Hervé Touraine, will relocate to Orrick’s London and Paris bases respectively, according to a person familiar who requested anonymity because the moves haven’t been disclosed publicly.

A four-lawyer structured finance team left Orrick in Europe to join US rival Dechert in June, while energy and infrastructure partner Foucaud Jaulin joined international law firm CMS in Paris the same month. Orrick added an eight-partner collateralised loan obligations team from Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft finance across London and the US earlier in September.

Other US firms with international arbitration-focused practices in Geneva include Sidley Austin and Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle.