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Counsel

Dr Serge Pannatier

Attorney at Law

Languages
  • French
  • English
  • German

Serge Pannatier is Counsel in the Commercial practice group and specializes in employment and compensation matters. He regularly advises his clients on a broad range of employment-related issues including but not limited to the hiring and dismissal of employees, the employment impact of corporate reorganizations, collective dismissals, the consistency of employment contracts with statutory requirements, long term incentive plans, social security and pension fund issues. He also represents his clients in employment litigations and assists them with all questions regarding global immigration and mobility. His clients consist mainly in multinational companies and international organizations.

Before joining CMS, Serge Pannatier worked as a trade negotiator with the Swiss Federal Administration, where he gained extensive experience in international trade matters. He can therefore advise his clients on all issues raised in relation to WTO law, international economic sanctions and customs law. He then spent many years with a leading international law firm.

In parallel with his practice, Serge Pannatier has been a faculty member of the World Trade Institute of the University of Bern. He is also the author of numerous publications and conference contributions in the fields of international trade law, environmental law and WTO-related matters.

Awards & Recognitions
01
  • Quote
    "Serge Pannatier has a good sense of practicality and is solution-oriented."
    Chambers and Partners 2026

Memberships & Roles

  • Geneva Bar Association (GBA)
  • Swiss Bar Association (SBA)
  • Diplomatic Club
  • Founding Member of the Swiss Chapter of the European Law Students' Association (ELSA)

Awards & Rankings

  • Chambers and Partners | Europe Guide 2026 | Employment Law
  • Best Lawyers 2026 | Employment Law
  • Legal 500 Leading Partner 

Education

  • 2001: Admitted to the Bar
  • 1994: PhD in Law, University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland)
  • 1993: Visiting Scholar at the University of Cambridge (UK)
  • 1990: Master’s degree in Law, University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland)
  • 1986: Swiss Federal Matura (Type B), Lycée-collège des Creusets – Sion (Switzerland)

Insights by Serge

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