People

⬅ Back

Werner Jahnel

Partner

Admission

Zurich
Vienna
Barcelona

Nationality

Swiss, Austrian

Languages

German , English , French , Spanish , Italian

Zurich

Stampfenbachplatz 4
P.O. Box 212
8042 Zurich
Switzerland

Contact

+41 58 105 2100 wjahnel@lalive.law

Download vCard

Practices

Areas of focus

Werner Jahnel joined LALIVE in 2008 and has been based in the Zurich office since 2010. He specialises in private wealth, advising private clients, family offices, foundations and trust companies on complex international estate planning and inheritance law matters, succession planning, divorce and family issues. He is certified by the Swiss Bar Association as a Specialist in Inheritance law. Having practised international arbitration for two decades, he currently acts as counsel and arbitrator in commercial and private client related disputes.

Werner Jahnel is vice-president of the Swiss Association for Arbitration in Inheritance Matters (SVSiE), member of the International Advisory Board of the Vienna International Arbitral Centre (VIAC), member of the working group for Arbitration and Inheritance Law of the Vienna International Arbitral Centre (VIAC) and member of The International Academy of Estate and Trust Law (TIAETL), the Association Successio, the International Bar Association (IBA) and the Zurich Bar Association. He is also a founding member of the Association of Young Austrian Arbitration Practitioners (YAAP) and member of the Swiss Arbitration Association (ASA), the Austrian Arbitration Association (ArbAut), the German Institution of Arbitration (DIS) and the Liechtenstein Arbitration Association (LIS).

Werner Jahnel is frequently invited as speaker at international conferences on trust and estate as well as family law related matters and arbitration and is regularly publishing in those areas.

Werner Jahnel is ranked by Chambers’ High Net Worth Guide and Who’s Who Legal as a leading practitioner in Private Client and Arbitration as well as by Legal 500 as one of the leading private client practitioners in Switzerland.

Werner Jahnel previously worked as an associate at Monereo, Meyer & Marinel-Lo Abogados in Barcelona and Madrid (2006-2008), and in international arbitration with Andreas Reiner & Partners in Vienna (2002-2005). He was a legal counsel (1999-2001) and counsel ad hoc (2006) at the ICC in Paris (International Court of Arbitration, International Chamber of Commerce). He trained as a clerk in various Austrian courts (1996-1998) and was assistant to the Austrian trade commissioner in Montreal, Canada, in 1995.

He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Graz in Austria, awarded in 2001 with distinction, and a Master’s degree in international studies (specialisation in public international law and international business law) from the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva (1996-1998). He also studied law at the University of Lyon II, France, and obtained in 1995 his Magister der Rechtswissenschaften from the University of Graz, Austria.

Werner Jahnel is a Private Client Global Elite litigator, advising the private client sector.

Private Client Global Directory 2022/23

Werner Jahnel is recognised as a “fantastic lawyer” who is “very knowledgeable on international inheritance planning”.

Who's Who Legal, Private Client, Switzerland, 2021

Werner Jahnel and his team are smart and work fast but what sets this team apart are its empathy and humanity. One source says “He is excellent, caring and very knowledgeable about inheritance law matters. He knows how to handle difficult cases and people. He is keen to bring matters/cases to a successful end ASAP. He speaks many languages and is a very good listener. Werner Jahnel is conscientious, hard-working and determined to win his cases. Very dynamic.”

Legal 500, Switzerland, Private Client, 2021

The "fantastic" Werner Jahnel "is an elegant and eloquent lawyer," enthuses a market insider, who continues: "You can put him anywhere and he will adapt - he is convincing in what he does." Another agrees: "He impresses me through his natural ability to think internationally, what questions to ask and what to think about. He is a global thinker." "One feels relaxed with Werner and feels that he will do all his best to solve your problems," says a source.

Chambers High Net Worth, Private Wealth Law, Switzerland, 2020

Werner Jahnel is "strongly endorsed" by market sources who deem him "splendid in inheritance law matters".

Who's Who Legal, Private Client, 2020

Werner Jahnel focuses his practice on international private wealth matters and is described as "a very experienced litigator with a strong understanding of private wealth and trust issues." One source says: "He is an excellent litigator; you can use him for specific trust disputes and he will do a great job." Another interviewee notes that "he is immensely knowledgeable about inheritance law" and that "his client service is exceptional."

Chambers HNW Guide, Private Wealth, Switzerland, 2019

Werner Jahnel is a 'knowledgeable' inheritance law specialist.

The Legal 500, Private Client, 2019

‘His knowledge sets him apart’, ‘he's conscious and caring of clients. He doesn't make things last for a long time, he tackles it head-on and finds a solution pretty fast’.

Chambers HNW Guide, Private Wealth, Switzerland, 2018

‘Highly competent, dedicated, committed and knowledgeable’ and ‘careful listener’

Legal 500, Switzerland, Private Client, 2018

Zürich-based Werner Jahnel focuses on international commercial arbitration and acts as both arbitrator and counsel. He is qualified in Spain and Austria and boasts professional experience in both countries. He has recent experience of acting as an arbitrator in disputes regarding financial services joint ventures.

Chambers Global, Switzerland, Dispute Resolution, Foreign Expert for Austria, Spain, 2018

‘Very responsive and very knowledgeable in inheritance law’.

Legal 500, Switzerland, Private client, 2017

Werner Jahnel is recommended.

Legal 500, Switzerland, Private client, 2016

Werner Jahnel is admitted to the Bar in Spain and Austria. He specialises in international arbitration.

Chambers Global, Dispute Resolution, Switzerland, 2013

Werner Jahnel (...) has a wealth of experience as counsel and arbitrator in international proceedings.

Chambers Global, Dispute Resolution, Switzerland, 2013

The highly regarded Werner Jahnel of Lalive is a Zurich-based arbitration expert with an impressive international record.

Chambers Europe, Dispute Resolution, Austria, 2011

Insolvency Issues in International Arbitration

Werner Jahnel, 2021

In: "Arbitration and Public Law", Chapter V, Austrian Arbitration Yearbook 2021, (Ed.) Manz’sche Verlags- und Universitätsbuchhandlung GmbH, Vienna, 2021, pp. 301-306

Child Arrangements in England and Wales and Switzerland

Sandrine Giroud, Werner Jahnel, Megan Griffin, 2021

International Family Law, Policy and Practice, vol. 9, no 1, pp. 24-31

Schiedsverfahren in Erbsachen: Länderbericht Schweiz

Werner Jahnel, 2021

In: Hans Rainer Künzle (Ed.), Schiedsgerichte in Erbstreitigkeiten, successio-Schriften 3, Schulthess, Zurich, pp. 113-156

Ergänzende Regeln für erbrechtliche Streitigkeiten – Anhang 6 der VIAC Schieds- und Mediationsordnung 2021

Werner Jahnel, Christian Koller 2021

Der Gesellschafter GesRZ – Zeitschrift für Gesellschafts- und Unternehmensrecht 3/2021, pp. 142-146

Implications of Brexit on British Interests in Switzerland

Sandrine Giroud, Werner Jahnel, Benoît A. Mauron, 2021

In: LALIVE Blog, 4 May 2021

Schiedsverfahren in Erbsachen – Länderbericht Schweiz

Werner Jahnel, 2020

successio 4/2020, p. 379-401

Preventive approach to incapacity issues

Werner Jahnel, Sandrine Giroud, Sébastien Zulian, 2020

International Law Office (ILO), Private Client & Offshore Services, 28 May 2020

The Legal Picture

Teresa Giovannini, Werner Jahnel, Sandrine Giroud, 2019

Arts and Collections Magazine, Vol. 2, 2019, pp. 70-71

Revised PILA: setting the ground for trust arbitration in Switzerland?

Werner Jahnel, Roman Huber, 2019

ILO Private Client & Offshore Services Newsletter - Switzerland, 8 August 2019

Grundlagen des österreichischen Erbrechts unter besonderer Berücksichtigung des österreichisch-schweizerischen Erbfalls

Werner Jahnel, 2019

successio Journal for inheritance law, No. 1/19, pp. 65-84

Arbitration in matters of succession with special consideration of the Regulation (EU) No. 650/2012

Werner Jahnel, 2014

B-Arbitra – Belgian Review of Arbitration, 2015/1, pp. 41-66

Commentary on Articles 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 ICC Rules

Werner Jahnel, 2013

In: Manuel Arroyo (Ed.), Arbitration in Switzerland - The Practitioner's Guide: Commentary, Wolters Kluwer, AH Alphen aan den Rijn, 2013

ICC Schiedsgerichtsordnung 2012

Werner Jahnel, 2012

ECOLEX, Fachzeitschrift für Wirtschaftsrecht, 1/2012, pp. 35-39

Revision der Swiss Rules – erhöhte Effizienz und Flexibilität

Bernd Ehle, Werner Jahnel, 2012

SchiedsVZ (German Arb. J.), 4/2012, pp. 169-177

Freezing of assets held by foreign parties in Swiss banks

Werner Jahnel, 2010

In: Litigation, Arbitration and Dispute Resolution 2010 (Digital Guide, Executiveview.com), pp. 144-146

Kommentar der ICC Schiedsgerichtsordnung

Werner Jahnel, 2010

Institutionelle Schiedsgerichtsbarkeit, 1st edition (2005) and 2nd edition (2010),
Prof. Rolf A. Schütze, Heymanns Verlag, Berlin

Anti-suit and anti-arbitration injunctions in international arbitration: A Swiss perspective

Matthias Scherer, Werner Jahnel, 2009

International Arbitration Law Review, Vol. 12, Issue 4, 2009, pp. 66-73

Specific issues regarding the recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards in Spain: Can arbitrators still use registered letters with acknowledgement of receipt?

Werner Jahnel, 2009

In: "The Award and the Courts", Chapter III, Austrian Arbitration Yearbook 2009, (Ed.) Manzsche Verlags- und Universitätsbuchhandlung GmbH, Vienna, 2009, pp. 435-458

STEP Lugano Webinar: Keep Calm and Stay Strong! An update on recent developments for trusts and private banks

23/03/2022 Webinar Werner Jahnel Speaker: Arbitration clauses in trusts and wills: a Swiss perspective

NEW Invitation 23 March 2022 Webinar Lugano Centre

Trust & Estates Litigation Forum 2022

14/03/2022 Cologne Werner Jahnel Speaker: Family Feuds: Estates Litigation in Family Businesses

Private Client Global Elite

07/03/2022 Villars-sur-Ollon Werner Jahnel Chair & Speaker: Private Client Exchange Switzerland

Vienna Arbitration Days 2022 – Shareholder and Corporate Disputes

25/02/2022 Webinar Werner Jahnel Speaker: Private Client Arbitration at a glance/Applicable law in Estate Arbitration

Austrian Arbitration Academy

24/02/2022 Webinar Werner Jahnel Speaker: Evidence and Document Production in International Arbitration

University of Graz: Forum International Commercial Contracts and Dispute Resolution

University of Graz

03/02/2022 Webinar Werner Jahnel Speaker: Erbrechtliche Schiedsverfahren gemäss den Wiener Regeln 2021

For more information, see the programme

Schulthess Forum Neue Familienformen 2021 – An der Schnittstelle zwischen Erb- und Familienrecht

07/12/2021 Webinar Werner Jahnel Webinar host and discussion leader

For more information, see the programme.

Swiss Arbitration Association ASA, Group Geneva

Clauses arbitrales unilatérales

07/10/2021 Geneva Werner Jahnel Speaker: Les effets de la révision de la LDIP sur les tribunaux arbitraux en matière de successions

For more information, see the programme.

Schweizerischer Verein Schiedsgerichtsbarkeit in Erbsachen (SVSiE)

27/09/2021 Zurich Werner Jahnel Speaker: Auswirkungen der IPRG Revision auf Schiedsgerichte in Erbsachen

Schulthess Forum Ehegüterrecht 2021 – Gütergemeinschaft, Ehegattengesellschaft, Unternehmen

Expertinnen und Experten zur internationalen Planungspraxis

30/06/2021 Webinar Werner Jahnel Member of panel: Experts on international planning practice

For more information, see the programme.

International Chamber of Commerce Austria (ICC Austria)

Schweizer und deutsches Recht als Alternative in internationalen Verträgen (Swiss and German law as an alternative in international contracts)

16/03/2021 Webinar André Brunschweiler, Werner Jahnel, Dominik Elmiger Speaker: Overview of specific issues of Swiss law for Austrian lawyers and practitioners

For more information, see the programme.

STEP Asia Conference Webinar Series – Thinking Past the Pandemic

Webinar

17/11/2020 Werner Jahnel Speaker: Alternative dispute resolution for trust disputes – Arbitration of Trust Disputes

17th Zurich Annual Conference on International Trust and Inheritance Law Practice

Nachlassplanung im Spannungsfeld von Technologie, Reformen und Herausforderungen der Zukunft

27/10/2020 Zurich Werner Jahnel Speaker: Erwachsenenschutz auf dem Prüfstand: Bewähren sich Vorsorgeaufrag und Patientenverfügung in echten Krisen?

University of Liechtenstein, Institut für Wirtschaftsrecht

Private Client Arbitration – Vortragsveranstaltung und Buchpräsentation

14/09/2020 Vaduz Werner Jahnel Speaker: Keynote Speech

Vienna Arbitration Days

Arbitration World Café

22/02/2020 Vienna Werner Jahnel Table moderator: Insolvency Issues in International Arbitration

Austrian Arbitration Academy

Arbitration Rules in Practice

20/02/2020 Vienna Werner Jahnel Speaker: Evidence and Document Production in International Arbitration

Event Fachgruppe Güter- und Erbrecht

Advokatenkammer Basel/Basellandschaftlicher Anwaltsverband

12/11/2019 Basel Werner Jahnel Speaker: Herausforderungen in der internationalen Nachlassplanung mit Fokus auf die DACH-Region

Schulthess Forum – Erbrecht 2019

Nachlassplanung im Wandel – Herausforderungen für die Praxis

05/11/2019 Berne Werner Jahnel Speaker: Herausforderungen in der internationalen Nachlassplanung mit Fokus auf die Dachregion (Deutschland/Österreich/Schweiz)

Swiss Association for Arbitration in Inheritance Matters (SVSiE)

Schiedsfähigkeit von und Schiedsverfahren in Erbsachen (Arbitrability of and arbitration proceedings in inheritance matters)

06/09/2019 Zurich Werner Jahnel Speaker: Schiedsverfahren in Erbsachen: Länderbericht Schweiz (Arbitration proceedings in inheritance matters: country report Switzerland)

For more information, see the programme.

KNect 365

Transcontinental Trusts Litigation Summit

29/04/2019 Geneva Werner Jahnel Moderator: Arbitration of Trust Disputes

For more information, see the programme.

Schulthess Forum – Erbrecht 2019

Nachlassplanung im Wandel – Herausforderungen für die Praxis

19/03/2019 Zurich Werner Jahnel Speaker: Herausforderungen in der internationalen Nachlassplanung mit Fokus auf die Dachregion (Deutschland/Österreich/Schweiz)

Austrian Arbitration Academy

Arbitration Rules in Practice

28/02/2019 Vienna Werner Jahnel Speaker: Evidence and Document Production in International Arbitration

Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ/Hochschule Luzern

International Estate Planning Summit 2018

29/11/2018 Zurich Werner Jahnel Panellist: Panel Discussion on Forced Heirship Rules – Estate planning focusing on forced heirship rules in selected countries with case studies: Switzerland, United States, Italy, Austria and Spain

For more information, see the programme.

Cambridge Forums

Forum on International Wealth Disputes

10/10/2018 Versailles Werner Jahnel Speaker: Cross Border Capacity Issues

For more information, see the programme.

ArbAut/LIS/ASA

Dreiländer-Konferenz 2018 – Schiedsverfahren in A/CH/FL

20/09/2018 Vienna Werner Jahnel Speaker: Arbitration clauses and third parties – who is bound?

VIAC – Vienna International Arbitration Centre

18/06/2018 Feldkirch Werner Jahnel Speaker: Arbitration clauses in last wills

Austrian Arbitration Academy

Arbitration Rules in Practice

28/01/2018 Vienna Werner Jahnel Speaker: Evidence and Document Production in International Arbitration

ICC - University of Krakow

Workshop ICC Arbitration and ADR Training

09/06/2017 Krakow Werner Jahnel Speaker: Challenge and Enforcement of [foreign] Awards

Verein Successio

Successio-Forum 2017

01/04/2017 Lucerne Werner Jahnel Speaker: Austrian law of inheritance

Austrian Arbitration Academy

Arbitration Rules in Practice

23/02/2017 Vienna Werner Jahnel Speaker: Evidence and Document Production in International Arbitration

Austrian Arbitration Association Arb|Aut

Arb|Aut Forum

20/10/2016 Vienna Werner Jahnel Speaker: Suspicions of corruption – what the arbitral tribunal must/may/should do

International Chamber of Commerce Austria (ICC Austria)

Deutsches + Schweizer Recht als Alternative in internationalen Verträgen (German and Swiss law as an alternative in international contracts)

20/10/2016 Vienna Werner Jahnel Speaker: Vor- und Nachteile für Anwender und Juristen in der täglichen Vertragspraxis (Overview of specific issues of Swiss law for legal practitioners)

University of Graz

(Internationales) Erbrecht: Aktuelle Reformen und Schiedsgerichtsbarkeit

11/11/2015 Graz Werner Jahnel Speaker: Schiedsfähigkeit erbrechtlicher Streitigkeiten und Wirksamkeit letztwillig eingesetzter Schiedsgerichte in internationalen Erbfällen

For more information, see the programme.

Tehran Regional Arbitration Centre (TRAC)

TRAC International Arbitration Day

08/10/2015 Tehran Werner Jahnel Speaker: Arbitration Involving State Parties: Meaning of “State” and Practical Considerations Related to International Arbitration involving State Parties

ICC Austria

Schweizer und deutsches Recht als Alternative in internationalen Verträgen (Swiss and German law as an alternative in international contracts)

07/05/2015 Dornbirn Werner Jahnel Speaker: Vor- und Nachteile für österreichische Anwender und Juristen in der täglichen Vertragspraxis (Overview of specific issues of Swiss law for Austrian legal practitioners)

For more information, see the programme.

ICC - University of Krakow

Workshop ICC Arbitration and ADR Training

18/04/2015 Krakow Werner Jahnel Speaker: Challenge and Enforcement of [foreign] Awards

University of Basel

Recht aktuell BRUSH UP: Aktuelles aus der Schiedsgerichtsbarkeit

30/10/2014 Basel Werner Jahnel Speaker: Stossrichtung der Reformen der institutionellen Schiedsregeln der letzten Jahre und anstehende Revision des 12. Kapitels des IPRG

For more information, see the programme.

International Chamber of Commerce (ICC Paris)/ Young Arbitrators Forum (YAF)

4th ICC / YAF Annual Conference

13/10/2014 Istanbul Werner Jahnel Speaker: Key Points in Submitting Factual Evidence During the Course of the Written Submissions

For more information, see the programme.

Sociedad Boliviana de Arbitraje

5tas Jornadas Internacionales de Arbitraje en Bolivia

10/10/2014 La Paz Werner Jahnel Speaker: El cambio de la sede arbitral por parte de un tribunal arbitral o de una institución: ¿medida de buen proveer o exceso manifiesto a sus facultades conferidas?

Globalaw round table

International Inheritance Law

08/05/2014 Hamburg Werner Jahnel Speaker: The impact of the EU Regulation on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition and Enforcement of Decisions and Acceptance and Enforcement of Authentic Instruments in matters of Succession of 4 July 2012, No 650/2012 on international successions in Switzerland

ICC Austria

Schweizer und deutsches Recht als Alternative in internationalen Verträgen (Swiss and German law as an alternative in international contracts)

07/05/2014 Vienna Werner Jahnel Speaker: Vor- und Nachteile für Anwender und Juristen in der täglichen Vertragspraxis (Overview of specific issues of Swiss law for legal practitioners)

For more information, see the programme.

ICC Morocco

Study of a mock case under the ICC Arbitration Rules

24/04/2014 Casablanca Werner Jahnel Speaker: L’instruction du dossier/La Réponse à la Demande d’Arbitrage/Négociation et rédaction de la clause d’arbitrage

International Chamber of Commerce Austria (ICC Austria)

Schweizer + deutsches Recht als Alternative in internationalen Verträgen (Swiss and German law as an alternative in international contracts)

15/05/2013 Vienna Werner Jahnel Speaker: Vor- und Nachteile für Anwender und Juristen in der täglichen Vertragspraxis (Overview of specific issues of Swiss law for legal practitioners)

For more information, see the programme.

International Chamber of Commerce Austria (ICC Austria)

Study of a complex mock case under the 2012 ICC Arbitration Rules

20/10/2012 Vienna Werner Jahnel Speaker and moderator: Enforceability of awards: particularity of State immunity / Practical aspects of Arbitral Tribunal’s deliberations in ICC proceedings

International Chamber of Commerce Austria (ICC Austria)

Deutsches + Schweizer Recht als Alternative in internationalen Verträgen (German and Swiss law as an alternative in international contracts)

18/04/2012 Vienna Werner Jahnel Speaker: Vor- und Nachteile für Anwender und Juristen in der täglichen Vertragspraxis (Overview of specific issues of Swiss law for legal practitioners)

ICC Algeria

Study of a mock case under the ICC Arbitration Rules

30/11/2011 Algiers Werner Jahnel Moderator

International Chamber of Commerce Austria (ICC Austria)

Study of a complex mock case under the 2012 ICC Arbitration Rules

09/11/2011 Vienna Werner Jahnel Speaker and moderator: The selection and appointment of arbitrators and confidentiality issues in ICC proceedings

Wirtschaftskammer Österreich

GOING SWISS – Wissenswertes aus der Praxis für erfolgreiche Geschäfte mit der Schweiz

01/09/2011 Vienna Werner Jahnel Speaker: Rahmenbedingungen im österreichisch-schweizerischen Handelsverkehr

ICC Tunisia

Problèmes actuels de l’arbitrage international CCI dans le contexte de la révolution en Tunisie

16/06/2011 Tunis Werner Jahnel Speaker

Deutsche Institution für Schiedsgerichtsbarkeit (DIS)

Die Unabhängigkeit und Unparteilichkeit von Schiedsrichtern

14/04/2011 Cologne Werner Jahnel Speaker: Die IBA Guidelines on Conflict of Interest in International Arbitration

International Chamber of Commerce Austria (ICC Austria)

Deutsches + Schweizer Recht als Alternative in internationalen Verträgen (German and Swiss law as an alternative in international contracts)

09/03/2011 Vienna Werner Jahnel Speakers: Vor- und Nachteile für österreichische Anwender und Juristen in der täglichen Vertragspraxis (Overview of specific issues of Swiss law for Austrian legal practitioners)