Partner

Dr Patrick Sommer, H.E.E.

Co-Head of Competition

Languages

German
English
French

Patrick Sommer focuses on competition law, corporate law and M&A.

Patrick Sommer has graduated from the University of St.Gallen in 1987 and was admitted to the bar in 1989. He has written his doctoral thesis on the relationship of Switzerland to the European Union and completed postgraduate studies at the Collège d’Europe in Brugues with the H.E.E. diploma. He then worked for seven years in the legal department of a Swiss multinational group where he has been promoted to the offices of General Counsel and Secretary of the Board of Directors.

In 2000 Patrick Sommer joined our firm and is a partner since 2002.

Awards & Recognitions

01 –

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Patrick Sommer knows our business and its dynamics very well. He is also aware of the specific needs of an in-house counsel and how to meet them best.

The Legal 500, Switzerland, Competition, 2026
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He has an excellent combination of business acumen and subject matter expertise.

Chambers & Partners, Europe, Competition/Antitrust, Switzerland, 2024
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"Patrick Sommer is the head of department and his areas of expertise include conducting audits and the implementation of compliance programmes. He represented Bayer in proceedings surrounding price recommendations for over-the-counter pharmaceuticals."

Chambers and Partners Europe 2016, Switzerland, Competition/Antitrust
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"The ‘very professional’ team at CMS provides ‘client-focused advice in a down-to-earth-manner’. Recent work includes representing Rabobank in the Competition Commission investigation regarding alleged collusion to influence the reference rates Libor, Tibor and Euribor. Patrick Sommer heads the ‘very good’ practice."

The Legal 500, Competition, Switzerland, 2016
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"Interviewees describe department head Patrick Sommer as an "absolutely excellent lawyer who is very well known in Swiss competition law," adding: "He has a great understanding of business and is known for his pragmatic approach." He recently advised on the Swiss competition authority's investigation into the pharmaceuticals market."

Chambers and Partners, Competition/Antitrust, Switzerland, 2014

Publications

Competition law aspects of ESG initiatives in the life sciences & healthcare sector, CMS Law-Now, 7. June 2023
CMS advises on joint venture between Voigt Holding AG and PHOENIX Pharma Switzerland, October 2022
Welche Zielsetzungen sind mit einer rechtlichen Due Diligence verbunden?, Oaklins Switzerland, M&A im Verwaltungsrat, June 2021
The Federal Supreme Court's judgment in the matter "Hors-Liste Medikamente (Preisempfehlungen)" – Substantiation of the concept of concerted practice and assessment of price recommendations, April 2021
Switzerland introduces the concept of relative market power and restricts geoblocking, CMS Law-Now, 22. March 2021 (co-authors: Marquard Christen, Fabian Martens, Hadi Mirzai)
CMS advised the owner of Aktiengesellschaft Ernst Hablützel + Co. on the sale to KIBAG, September 2020
CMS advised Conzzeta on the sale of Schmid Rhyner Group, January 2020
Mit der Technologie Schritt halten - Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Recht und Gesellschaft, 21. October 2019
CMS advises Planzer Group on the acquisition of the Leimgruber Group, June 2018
CMS advises Conzzeta Group on the acquisition of ISAtec GmbH, April 2018
Judgement of the Federal Administrative Court of 19 December 2017 in the “Hors-Liste” case, February 2018
CMS advises Rieter on the acquisition of the SSM division from Schweiter, July 2017
Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court in the Gaba / Gebro case – Tightened standards in Swiss competition law, May 2017
CMS Zurich advises the management and further investors on the acquisition of Kieser Training, March 2017
CMS Switzerland advises Conzzeta on the acquisition of FMG Fördertechnik AG and FMG Verfahrenstechnik AG, November 2016
Competition Practice, November 2016
E-Commerce Sector Inquiry, September 2016
The Merger Control Review - Switzerland Chapter, sixth edition, 2015 (with Dr Pascal G. Favre)
The Merger Control Review - Switzerland Chapter, sixth edition, 2015 (with Dr Pascal G. Favre)
Competition Commission fines sanitary products wholesalers for price fixing, Competition & Antitrust, International Law Office, October 2015
Bilateral cooperation agreement with European Union takes effect, Competition & Antitrust, International Law Office, June 2015
2012 Antitrust Year in Review, Chapter Switzerland, April 2013
2011 Antitrust Year in Review, Chapter Switzerland, April 2012
CMS Newsletter Internethandel, 06/2011 2010 Antitrust Year in Review, Chapter Switzerland, April 2011
CMS Newsletter re Horizontals/Information Exchange, February 2011

Memberships & Roles

Zürcher und Schweizerischer Anwaltsverband
Studienvereinigung Kartellrecht
International advisory board of the “St. Galler Internationales Kartellrechtsforum”

Awards & Rankings

IFLR 1000 | M&A, Switzerland, 2025 | Notable Practitioner
Lexology | Competition, Switzerland, 2025 | Recommended
Leaders League | Corporate / M&A, Switzerland, 2025 | Highly recommended
Leaders League | Merger Control, Switzerland 2025 | Excellent
Leaders League | Competition Litigation, Switzerland, 2025 | Excellent

Education

1989 - Bar admission
1987 - Law studies at the University of St. Gallen

Practice Areas

Antitrust, Competition & Trade Corporate / M&A Commercial Antitrust, Competition and Trade

sectors

Life Sciences & Healthcare Consumer Products

Insights by Patrick

See all Insights

News Switzerland

CMS Switzerland ranked in Chambers and Partners Europe Guide 2024

14 Mar 2024 2 min read

Legal Update Switzerland

Competition law aspects of ESG initiatives in the life sciences & healthcare sector

07 Jun 2023 7 min read

News Switzerland

CMS Switzerland recommended among the best law firms in Switzerland by The Legal 500 EMEA 2023

12 Apr 2023 2 min read

Event Switzerland

On the Pulse webinar series 2023 - Spring

23 Mar 2023

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