Adam El-Hakim

Partner, Zurich

+41 58 105 2100

aelhakim@lalive.law

Adam El-Hakim

Adam specialises in white‑collar crime, asset recovery, mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, internal investigations and compliance. He advises and represents clients before authorities and courts at all stages of criminal proceedings. He has extensive experience in complex domestic and cross‑border criminal litigation, including matters involving anti‑fraud, anti‑money laundering, and anti‑bribery regulations. He is also the co‑founder of the Private Claimants Network, an initiative dedicated to strengthening the role of victims of financial crime in criminal proceedings.

Recognised for his ability to navigate sensitive, high‑stakes matters with discretion and strategic insight, Adam assists clients in mitigating regulatory risks and managing multi‑jurisdictional disputes. His practice combines deep technical expertise in criminal law with a pragmatic approach tailored to financial institutions, corporates across sectors, and private clients.

He regularly contributes to thought leadership on financial crime and internal investigations, sharing insights on emerging trends and enforcement developments.

Recognition

Adam is ranked as a key lawyer for regulatory, compliance and investigations in Legal 500 EMEA, 2022

Recent publications

Terralex, Global Crisis Management Regulatory Guide for Switzerland
ANDRÉ BRUNSCHWEILER, ADAM EL-HAKIM, ALEXANDRE SCHWAB, HELOISA ZIMMERMANN, CORNELIA MATTIG AND MARTIN K. WEBER
In: Terralex, October 2025

Increase in corporate and senior management criminal liability enforcement in Switzerland
DANIEL BÜHR, BENOÎT A. MAURON, ADAM EL-HAKIM, ALEXANDRE SCHWAB
In: Lexology (online), LALIVE Insights, March 2025

No absolute veto right for private claimants in accelerated criminal proceedings
BENOÎT A. MAURON, ADAM EL-HAKIM,  VIVIEN ALTWEGG
In: Lexology online, LALIVE Insights, 14 March 2025

Recent conferences

Netzwerks Privatklägerschaft NPK - Jahrestagung 2025
ADAM EL-HAKIM, Role: Speaker and Chair, Strategien der Privatklägerschaft im Untersuchungsverfahren
Karl der Grosse, Zurich, 22 August 2025

Netzwerks Privatklägerschaft NPK - Jahrestagung 2024
ADAM EL-HAKIM, Role: Speaker and Chair, Einvernahmen aus Sicht der Privatklägerschaft
Karl der Grosse, Zurich, 23 August 2024

ThoughtLeaders4 - Fire & Ice Circle Europe
ADAM EL-HAKIM, Role: Speaker and Co-Chair, Obtaining evidence in aid of foreign proceedings
Le Mirador, Vevey, Switzerland, 12 March 2024

Read more

Current professional memberships

  • Founding member and Chairman of the Private Claimants Network (PCN)
  • Member of the Zurich Bar Association (ZAV)
  • Member of the Swiss Bar Association (SAV)
  • Member of the Criminalistic Society of Switzerland (CSS)
  • Member of the European Criminal Bar Association (ECBA)
  • Member of the European Fraud and Compliance Lawyers (EFCL)

Career history

  • Partner, LALIVE, Zurich, 2026 – present
  • Counsel, LALIVE, Zurich, 2023 – 2025
  • Associate, LALIVE, Zurich 2019 – 2022
  • Federal Assistant Prosecutor, Office of the Attorney General (section for white collar crime), Zurich, 2017 – 2019
  • Attorney, Bär & Karrer, Zurich, 2017

Academic qualifications

  • PhD, University of Basel (Dr Gadient Engi Scholar), 2017
  • Admitted to the Swiss Bar, 2014
  • LLM, University College London (Dr Gadient Engi Scholar), 2011
  • Master of Laws, University of Basel, 2010
  • Bachelors of Laws, University of Basel, 2008
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