Title: Attorney-at-Law, Partner, Head of Private Clients
Languages: German, English, French, Dutch
Location: Zurich, Switzerland

About Ingmar J.M. Snijders

Ingmar J.M. Snijders, mr. (Master of Laws), TEP, is a partner and Head of the Private Clients practice at Bratschi Ltd., one of Switzerland’s most respected full-service law firms. With more than 20 years of experience advising private clients, entrepreneurs, and international families, Ingmar is recognized as one of Switzerland’s leading lawyers in trusts, estate planning, and wealth management law.

He specializes in domestic and international estate planning, cross-border wealth structuring, and family business succession. Ingmar’s work often involves close collaboration with the firm’s tax team, ensuring a seamless integration of legal, fiscal, and practical considerations for his clients. His approach is pragmatic, commercially astute, and highly personalized.

Practice Areas

• Private Client and Wealth Management
• International Estate and Succession Planning
• Trusts and Foundations (including setup, administration, and governance)
• Asset Structuring for Entrepreneurs and High-Net-Worth Individuals
• Company and Contract Law
• Inheritance and Family Law
• Commodity Trading Law

Professional Background

• Partner, Bratschi Ltd. (since 2009)
• Attorney, Wiederkehr Forster, Zurich (since 2022)
• Attorney, Law Firm in the Netherlands (1999–2002)

Education

• Law Degree – University of Utrecht, Netherlands (1998)
• Erasmus/Socrates Program – University of Geneva, Switzerland (1997)

Bar Admissions

• Admitted to the Swiss Bar (since 2007)
• Admitted to the Netherlands Bar (1998–2019)

Notable Clients

Ingmar’s clients include international entrepreneurs, private investors, commodity traders, and shipowners—ranging from those managing global business portfolios to owners of luxury yachts. His deep understanding of both civil and common law systems enables him to offer cross-jurisdictional advice that is both precise and practical.

Other Roles and Activities

• Honorary Consul General of Iceland (since 2018)
• Member, Corps Consulaire of Zurich
• Active participant in various professional and business associations, including the Dutch Business Round Table (DBRT) Zurich

Awards and Recognition

• Lawyer of the Year – Trusts and Estates (Zurich), Best Lawyers (2024)
• Recommended for Private Clients – Legal 500 Switzerland (2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018)
• Recommended for Trusts and Estates – Best Lawyers (2026, 2023, 2022)
• Highly Recommended – Leaders League, Best Law Firms for Wealth Management (2023, 2022)
• Recognized by Who’s Who Legal for Private Clients (2024, 2023)

Legal 500 describes Ingmar as: “Professional and on the ball. He thinks ahead, follows through, and always finds creative solutions. He is a superb attorney who is quick, pragmatic, and collaborative.”

Professional Memberships

• Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)
• Efficiency Club Zurich
• Dutch Business Round Table (DBRT), Zurich
• Swiss Bar Association (SAV)
• Zurich Bar Association (ZAV) – Member of the Specialist Group on Inheritance Law
• ISVISS – Club of Iceland in Switzerland

Languages

• German (Fluent)
• English (Fluent)
• French (Conversational)
• Dutch (Native)

Publications and Thought Leadership

• Publication: “Influence of the Product Liability Directive on Swiss Case Law”
• Frequent contributor to Swiss and international publications on trust law, private client practice, and cross-generational wealth management

Approach and Philosophy

Ingmar is known for his strategic foresight and collaborative mindset. Clients value his ability to combine rigorous legal analysis with creative problem-solving, ensuring compliance while optimizing outcomes. He integrates legal expertise with business understanding—helping clients protect, structure, and grow their assets across generations and jurisdictions.