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
Iran sanctions snapback in Switzerland: key developments
SANDRINE GIROUD, ADAM EL-HAKIM, VIVIEN ALTWEGG
In: Lexology online, LALIVE Insights, 4 August 2026
Dawn raids: preparing for the knock on the door
BENOÎT A. MAURON, ADAM EL-HAKIM, NIKITA OGNIVTSEV, VIVIEN ALTWEGG
In: Lexology online, LALIVE Insights, 16 March 2026
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
Recent conferences
CAS Economic Crime Investigation - HSLU Hochschule Luzern
DR ADAM EL-HAKIM, Speaker, Unternehmensstrafrecht
Institut für Finanzdienstleistungen, Zug IFZ, 22 August 2026
Netzwerks Privatklägerschaft NPK - Jahrestagung 2026
DR ADAM EL-HAKIM, Speaker and Chair, Interne Untersuchungen aus Sicht der Geschädigten
Karl der Grosse, Zurich, 21 August 2026
ZAV (Zurich Bar Association) - Schwerpunkt Strafprozess – die (lückenlose) Beweiskette
DR ADAM EL-HAKIM, Speaker, Von unverwertbaren und unechten Beweisen
Sorell Hotel Zürichberg, Zurich, 23 June 2026
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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)
- Member of the International Bar Association (IBA)
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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