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 Thomas Zweifel
Partner

Dr Thomas Zweifel, LL.M.

Languages
  • German
  • English
  • French
Social media

Thomas Zweifel focuses on advising and supporting national and international clients regarding real estate transactions. His professional activities comprise inter alia the performance of legal Due Diligences regarding real properties and development / construction projects as well as the drafting and negotiation of purchase, construction and lease agreements. The real estate deals handled by Thomas Zweifel include purchases and sales of extensive building complexes, shopping centres, etc. and the development as well as the realisation of real estate projects. His activities also involve the drafting and negotiation of ground lease and other easements. Furthermore, Thomas Zweifel also practises in the fields of M&A as well as general corporate and contract law and he gained some work experience with respect to regulatory and tax aspects (particularly regarding real estate taxation).

In 2011, Thomas Zweifel graduated from the University of St. Gallen in Business Administration (Bachelor diploma) as well as Law and Economics (Bachelor and Master diploma) and started working at CMS as junior associate. After his admission to the bar in 2013, Thomas Zweifel re-joined CMS as an associate. In 2017 and 2018, Thomas Zweifel pursued a Master of Law degree at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) from which he graduated in 2018. 

Awards & Recognitions
01
  • Quote
    Thomas Zweifel has a very responsive work ethic and always puts the client's interest first. In complex transactions, he stands out by quickly finding effective solutions for problems and supporting his clients in negotiations with in-depth knowledge of different legal topics across his areas of expertise. He rightly enjoys a great reputation in the field of M&A and real estate law.
    The Legal 500, Switzerland, Real estate, 2025
  • Quote
    ‘Thomas Zweifel has gained experience in many real estate and M&A related transactions and uses his vast knowledge to assist his clients in all legal matters. Especially his out-of-the-box thinking is valuable to master complex transactions. His responsive work ethic makes him a reliable partner.’
    The Legal 500, Switzerland, Real Estate and Construction, 2022

Relevant experience

  • Advising Allianz Suisse regarding the acquisition of a development project concerning approx. 260 apartments in Winterthur
  • Advising the Pension Fund of the Canton of Zurich (BVK) in connection with the sale of the landmark building Neue Börse (Zurich), i.e. sale of a ground lease
  • Advising Credit Suisse Investment Foundation regarding a portfolio transaction (asset swap) concerning 9  commercial and residential buildings in 7 cantons
  • Advising investor regarding acquisition of a logistics building in the Canton of Aargau (distribution centre of a major Swiss retailer)
  • Advising investor regarding the acquisition of a new office building in Basel, used as a new headquarter of an international company
  • Advising an institutional investor regarding the sale of an office building in Zug
  • Advising Swiss and foreign institutional investors in connection with the acquisition of properties in Switzerland, including commercial, logistic and hotel properties as well as sale & rent back transactions
  • Advised investor regarding acquisition of a development project (Bahnhof Aarau-Ost) regarding a mixed-use building next to the Aarau train station (land purchase agreement, construction agreement and project development Agreement)
  • Advised investor regarding acquisition of development project regarding an 82m high residential and commercial building in Pratteln
  • Advising investor regarding acquisition of a hotel in Yverdon-les-Bains (consisting of hotel rooms, a restaurant and thermal bath) as a ground lease and conclusion of a long-term lease agreement with a Swiss hotel operator

Publications

  • Zweitwohnungsgesetz, MODULOR, Architektur, Immobilien, Recht, 02/2016
  • CMS Newsletter Banking & Finance: Restructuring and Insolvency in Europe – The New Swiss Insolvency Law: Effective Measures to Facilitate the Restructuring of Companies?, Spring 2014

Memberships & Roles

  • Zürcher Anwaltsverband (ZAV)
  • Schweizerischer Anwaltsverband (SAV)

Lectures list

  • Prüfungsexperte für eidg. dipl. Immobilientreuhänder
  • Unterrichtstätigkeit "Wirtschaft und Recht" an der Kantonsschule Winterthur (2010 – 2014)
  • Lehrauftrag für Deutsch-Sprachkurse MBA-Programm Universität St. Gallen (2009 – 2010)

Education

  • 2013 - Anwaltspatent (Zürich)
  • 2011 - Universität St. Gallen (HSG), M.A. HSG in Law and Economics
  • 2011 - Universität St. Gallen (HSG), dipl. Wirtschaftspädagoge
  • 2008 - Universität St. Gallen (HSG), B.A. HSG in Law and Economics
  • 2008 - Universität St. Gallen (HSG), B.A. HSG in Business Administration