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Chambers HNW 2025

“David Wallace Wilson is simply exceptional in his field. He consistently provides the highest level of support and advice that is consistently accurate and practical”

Legal 500

“David Wilson - simply the best lawyer in Switzerland in his area”

Chambers Global

“A high-calibre and dynamic lawyer”

Lexology Index

“Unrivalled according to peers”

Chambers HNW Guide

“He is worth every cent. He is very quick-witted, practical, and I value his advice and insight a lot.”

         
 
David Wallace Wilson
Geneva

David Wallace Wilson, M.C.J.

Partner, Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP)

+41 22 707 8000

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Anna Pothain

Assistant


anna.pothain@swlegal.ch

David Wallace Wilson is a partner in Schellenberg Wittmer's Geneva office, where he heads the Private Wealth group. His main areas of practice include domestic and international estate planning as well as trust and estate litigation. Recognised as a leading private client lawyer, David also acted as expert for the Swiss government and as expert witness in notable UK/offshore disputes.

 

Expertise

  Private Wealth   International Mobility & Investment Migration   White-Collar Crime and Compliance   Art and Entertainment
  Investment Protection & Investor-State Dispute Resolution   Taxation   Sanctions Group

Experience

  • Advising individuals and families on wealth structuring, life-time and estate planning
  • Specialist in complex family, guardianship and inheritance disputes
  • Acting as executor especially in international successions
  • Advising trustees and intermediaries on regulatory issues (AML, CRS, FATCA, sanctions etc.)
  • Assisting clients with their fine-art and philanthropic ventures

Career

Professional Experience
2009
Partner at Schellenberg Wittmer
2003
Associate at Schellenberg Wittmer
Education and Admission
2013
STEP Advanced Certificate in Mediation
2003
Bar Admission in Switzerland
2003
STEP Qualified Practitioner
2001
Master of Law in Comparative Jurisprudence (M.C.J.), New York University
1998
Master of Law, University of Geneva
Additional Professional Activities
  • Chairman of STEP Geneva (2014-2020, officer 2004-2013)
  • Expert on Swiss trust law, Swiss Federal Office of Justice (2018 - 2022)
  • Founder of www.trusts.ch, the leading website on trusts in Switzerland
  • Extensive speaking engagements and topical publications
 

Recognitions

  • Chambers and Partners High Net Worth: Private Wealth Law since 2014
  • The Legal 500: Leading Partner in Private Client
  • Lexology Index: Thought Leader in Private Client since 2018
  • STEP: Founder's Awards 2021
  • WealthBriefing Swiss Awards: Swiss Leading Individual Award 2015
  • Private Client Global Elite List since 2012
  • Who's Who Switzerland since 2015
  • CityWealth Leaders List since 2017
  • Expert Guides: Best of the Best since 2018

Languages

  • French
  • English
  • German

Selected Publications

  Cinq questions à cinq experts en matière de fondations: Droit des fondations et réforme   Artworks and Art Collections   The Eleventh Annual WealthBriefing Swiss Awards 2024   Trust Quarterly Review: 30 Years of Trusts   Rare Violins
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Speaking Engagements

  David Wallace Wilson: Speaker at the Schulthess Erbrecht Forum 2025 in Zurich   David Wallace Wilson: Speaker at the TrustConsult Conference 2025 in Monaco   David Wallace Wilson: speaker at the International Private Client Forum
Show all  
 

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