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Executive Search for Governance: Lawyers for Boards of Directors, Supervisory and Advisory Boards

Summary

Legal expertise on boards is a key success factor for effective and future-ready governance. Independent board members with legal backgrounds contribute critical insights into audit, compliance, risk and regulatory matters. In today’s increasingly complex and regulated environment, companies are integrating legal competence strategically – especially within audit, risk or governance committees. Wirz & Partners specializes in identifying and engaging “board ready” legal professionals with the tact, structure and understanding required for high-level board dynamics.

 

Why Wirz & Partners?

We combine legal sensitivity with top-tier executive search expertise. With years of experience in placing legal experts into board mandates, we understand what matters: independence, communication strength and governance fit. Our tailored search process, deep market knowledge and robust network enable precise placements – for publicly listed companies, family-owned businesses, and regulated institutions across industries.

Integrating Legal Expertise into the Board – with Purpose and Precision

In an increasingly regulated, complex, and publicly scrutinized corporate environment, lawyers are gaining importance as members of boards of directors. Whether strengthening governance capabilities, contributing to ESG or audit committees, or serving as independent voices within the boardroom – legal expertise brings security, strategic foresight, and substance.

Are you looking to appoint a lawyer to your board of directors?

Then a carefully selected match is essential: professionally qualified, strategically minded, and effective within a governance structure.

Why Lawyers Are Becoming Increasingly Important in Today’s Boards

  • Strengthening governance: Legal professionals bring a solid understanding of oversight duties, liability risks, and regulatory frameworks.

  • Safeguarding ESG and compliance: Especially in listed or internationally active companies, legal complexities are a critical factor.

  • Ensuring independence: External legal experts offer neutral, differentiated perspectives – often key in sensitive or high-stakes scenarios.

  • Filling key committee roles: Legal competence is especially valued in audit, risk, or compensation committees.

Proven Strategic Value

A study published by the Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance found that companies with lawyers on their boards achieve, on average, a 9.5% higher firm valuation – thanks to stronger risk management and clearer strategic decision-making.

Read the full study ›

Recent market insights also clearly show:
Boards of directors in Switzerland are increasingly evolving into strategic governance bodies, where legal, regulatory, and ESG expertise is being deliberately integrated.

  • Over 85% of boards have specialized committees for audit, governance, or compensation

  • The demand for independent members with legal backgrounds continues to grow

  • Nearly half of all newly appointed board members are first-timers – many with profiles in compliance, risk, or legal affairs

This trend makes one thing clear:
Legal expertise is no longer a “nice to have” – it is a core element of modern, future-proof board governance.

 

Leading Law Firms with Strong Board Presence

The following law firms are particularly well known in Switzerland for having numerous partners who actively serve on boards — whether in supervisory boards, boards of directors, or advisory boards of major companies:

  • Bär & Karrer – A leading corporate/M&A firm with a strong network in board mandates and governance

  • Lenz & Staehelin – The only Swiss firm listed in the "Who’s Who Legal 100" for corporate law – many of its partners hold board positions

  • Niederer Kraft Frey – Also ranked Band 1 in corporate/M&A – frequently involved in governance-related mandates

  • Walder Wyss – Strong in corporate and regulatory law, with numerous institutional board appointments

  • Homburger – A highly regarded business law firm with significant presence in strategic board roles

  • Kellerhals Carrard – Broad regional reach, increasingly active in boards of mid-sized companies

  • Baker McKenzie – Internationally leading firm with Swiss presence and cross-border governance experience

These firms not only bring exceptional legal and transactional expertise, but also in-depth governance experience from their board activities – making them an ideal starting point for targeted legal headhunting.

Our Approach: Executive Search with Legal Sensitivity

Through our long-standing work with various board structures, committees, and governance-focused profiles, we understand what it takes to identify and approach top-tier legal professionals – with discretion, structure, and a keen sense for board dynamics and responsibility.

Our services for companies and nomination committees include:

  • Defining a clear legal requirements profile at board level

  • Identifying and directly approaching “board-ready” legal professionals from law firms, corporates, or public institutions

  • Assessing governance fit and communication skills within the board context

  • Coordinating the selection process, including alignment with internal committees and external stakeholders

Legal Expertise with Foresight – for Sustainable Board Quality

Whether as an independent voice, ESG expert, audit committee member or governance stabilizer – appointing a legal professional to your board is more than a formal checkbox. It’s a long-term investment in integrity, transparency, and strategic resilience.

Wirz & Partners helps you find the right legal mind for your board – with discretion, structure, and a deep understanding of power dynamics, governance roles, and stakeholder responsibilities.

If you’re looking to strengthen your board with legal expertise, we’re the right partner by your side.