Leading international law firm Baker McKenzie expands its tax expertise in Switzerland with the addition of experienced tax advisors Sylvain Godinet and Raphaël Matthys in Geneva.
Extension of international tax advisory capabilities
Doing business has become increasingly complex due to the multiplication and high technicity of national and international tax laws, accounting reporting standards and regulatory requirements.
To better serve its clients, Baker McKenzie Switzerland AG is expanding its international tax and transactional tax advisory capabilities.
Joining the Swiss firm together, Sylvain Godinet and Raphaël Matthys bring 35 years of accumulated professional experience. They specialize in international tax advisory, M&A, reorganizations, corporate finance and tax accounting (OECD BEPS Pillar 2).
Kilian Perroulaz, head of the Swiss Tax Practice Group, commented on the appointments:
I am pleased to welcome Sylvain and Raphaël, both based in our Geneva office, to our Swiss Tax Practice to provide transactional tax, tax advisory and tax controversy services to our national and international clients.
Marnin Michaels, co-lead of the EMEA Tax Group, added the following:
By offering a broad spectrum of tax and global wealth management advice, Baker McKenzie Switzerland is one of the few law firms in Switzerland that can approach tax issues from every angle. As our team’s expansion will further strengthen the Firm’s leading capabilities, we are excited to welcome two new members whose expertise will enhance our tax management efforts and help us navigate the changing tax landscape. Please join me in welcoming them as they contribute to our ongoing success.
Baker McKenzie’s Tax Practice is among the most highly regarded in the world. With more than 900 tax practitioners in over 40 countries, the team collaborates across borders and specialties to stay abreast of changing tax landscapes worldwide. The appointment of Sylvain Godinet and Raphaël Matthys follows other significant tax practice hires in the EMEA and MENA regions, as well as in North America, demonstrating the Firm’s global recognition as a powerhouse for tax.
Biographies
Sylvain joined the Swiss Tax team in Geneva as counsel in November 2024. He has more than 20 years of experience in tax law, having developed his expertise working with law firms and leading auditing companies (Big Four) as well as serving as general counsel and head of tax of several multinational corporations active in the commodity trading industry. Sylvain has also been teaching tax law at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland for eight years. His key competencies include transactional tax services (M&A and restructuring), tax accounting and tax advice in corporate finance and banking and finance transactions.
Raphaël joined the Swiss Tax team in Geneva as counsel at the beginning of January 2025. He has nearly 15 years of experience in tax law, with extensive expertise in international tax structuring and tax accounting, developed during his time at leading auditing firms (Big Four). His strengths include managing large-scale transactional tax projects (M&A and corporate financings), corporate restructurings and value chain transformations, as well as tax accounting advisory (OECD BEPS Pillar 2).
