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Law Firm in Lausanne

A personal relationship based on trust

Philosophy

In order to provide the best services to clients who placed their trust in it, the Fontana law firm works as closely as possible to its clients at all times.

The client is informed precisely about her/his rights and obligations. The lawyer presents the various judicial and extra-judicial possibilities available to him. Weighing all relevant considerations such as chances of success of a trial / risks / costs, he advises the client sensibly to help her/him make her/his choice.

If you trust us with your problems we will take the burden away from you.

You know that your case is handled by competent professionals thus making you free to concentrate on other items.

You don’t let legal problems get in the way of your peace of mind. Our goal is to provide relief for you and preserve your quality of life.

Our goal is to provide relief for you and preserve your quality of life.

The method of the Fontana Law Firm :

  • Creates and develops a personal relationship with each of its clients, based on complete mutual confidence.
  • Analyses every case in depth and takes into account each detail from a critical point of view in order to fully ascertain the legal situation.
  • Analyse and summarise the case to determine the rights and obligations of the principal.
  • Define the evidence to be administered and do everything possible to achieve the objective set by the client.
  • Reacts immediately to safeguard the interests of the client should an emergency arise.
  • Commits to be accessible to the client at all times.
  • Organize a critical and analytical discussion with full information for the client on the possibilities given by the file, the strategic angles, the chances of success, the duration of the procedure and the fees.
  • The Firm advises the client sensibly to help her/him make her/his choice.
  • Defines the strategy with the client and systematically and immediately informs her/him of actions taken and decisions made in relationship to the case.

History

Our Law Fim located at 12 Rue Etraz in Lausanne was established in the 50s.

The founder of the firm, Me Jean-Pierre Cottier, was a famous attorney whose client base was as vast as it was prestigious, consisting notably in kings and princes.

Me Jean-Pierre Cottier brought into the partnership Me Pierre Jomini, a former attorney trainee in the firm, who later became Chairman of the Bar Association of Canton Vaud and a Member of the Cantonal Parliament. He has also been considered a possible candidate for election to the Government of the Canton Vaud.

In 1995, after her admission to the Bar, Me Veronique Fontana joined Me Pierre Jomini’s Law Firm as a full partner.

When Pierre Jomini passed away in 2005, Veronique Fontana assumed the leadership of the Firm by herself.

lawyers

Me Veronique Fontana

Véronique Fontana has a wide-ranging experience of the functioning of the judicial system. She served many years as a court clerk for the State Court before her appointment as Judge in the Juvenile Court. Besides these official charges, Véronique Fontana kept up her private practice which she started in 1999. She shows focus, commitment and dedication in the handling of the cases entrusted to her. Véronique Fontana is very active in the field of litigation before Criminal, Civil and Administrative courts.

Véronique Fontana was admitted to the Bar of Geneva at age 24 and since then has developed her legal activity nationwide. She became a full partner at Pierre Jomini's Law Firm after her admission to the Bar. As her colleague and friend passed away in 2005, she took over the management of the Law Firm by herself.

Me Veronique Fontana

Véronique Fontana has a wide-ranging experience of the functioning of the judicial system. She served many years as a court clerk for the State Court before her appointment as Judge in the Juvenile Court. Besides these official charges, Véronique Fontana kept up her private practice which she started in 1999. She shows focus, commitment and dedication in the handling of the cases entrusted to her. Véronique Fontana is very active in the field of litigation before Criminal, Civil and Administrative courts.

Véronique Fontana was admitted to the Bar of Geneva at age 24 and since then has developed her legal activity nationwide. She became a full partner at Pierre Jomini’s Law Firm after her admission to the Bar. As her colleague and friend passed away in 2005, she took over the management of the Law Firm by herself. She expanded the Law Firm which currently employs 12 attorneys and assistants with two offices, in Lausanne and Morges. As a result of her activity as consulting attorney with the Swiss Touring Club (TCS) and her standing commitment with the TCS Section of Canton Vaud, she has become a recognized authority in matters of traffic, criminal, administrative and tort law.

Veronique Fontana has been Vice-President of the TCS Section of Canton Vaud for ten years and, on May 6, 2010, she was elected President. In this capacity she oversees the management of about 200’000 members. As from June 17, 2011, Véronique Fontana is Member of the National Board of Directors of the TCS.

In 2000, Véronique Fontana created the section ” Vaud Droit” in the Touring Newspaper “Vaud Pages”. She publishes monthly articles in this magazine which deals with various law areas (sales law, contract law, administrative law, criminal law, insurance law, tort law, traffic law). Véronique Fontana is a regular attendant of major conventions on traffic law. As a result of her commitment in many high-profile criminal cases, Véronique Fontana is regularly invited by television stations to give an expert opinion in criminal matters.

As President of the Madeleine Moret Foundation, Maison de la Femme, Véronique Fontana also deploys an important activity in corporate and accounting law, association regulations and other areas related to contract law and various other judicial matters on an international level, in particular family law, divorce law as well as labor, lease and rent law.

Véronique Fontana also worked for Kredietbank (Suisse) SA in Geneva and in Lugano, as General Legal Counsel. Hence, she gathered an in-depth knowledge in banking and finance law.

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Me Pierre H. Blanc

Me Pierre H. Blanc graduated in 1970 from the University of Lausanne Law School and earned his PhD in 1971. He was admitted to the Bar in 1974. His PhD dissertation focuses on Federal Administrative Procedure.

During his law studies, Me Pierre H. Blanc was Vice Chancellor of the Invalid, Retirement & Survivors Insurance Federal Appeal Commission for persons covered by Social Security living abroad.

He practiced Law from 1974 to 2001 as partner at Blanc & Wiswald in Lausanne.

Me Pierre H. Blanc

Pierre H. Blanc graduated in 1970 from the University of Lausanne Law School and earned his PhD in 1971. He was admitted to the Bar in 1974. His PhD dissertation focuses on Federal Administrative Procedure.

During his law studies, Pierre H. Blanc was Vice Chancellor of the Invalid, Retirement & Survivors Insurance Federal Appeal Commission for persons covered by Social Security living abroad.

He practiced Law from 1974 to 2001 as partner at Blanc & Wiswald in Lausanne.

From 2001 to 2004, Pierre H. Blanc has been active in the area of Aeronautics. He was the Board Member & Executive Director of a European flight training Center for professional and airline pilots. He taught Aeronautic Law, operational procedures and regulation on transport of dangerous goods by air. He holds professional Swiss and American pilot licenses with extension for instrument flying, and is rated on jet aircraft.

From 2004 to 2011, Pierre H. Blanc has been professional Military Investigative Magistrate and Prosecutor reporting directly to Switzerland’s Judge Advocate General. During this period, he taught Criminal Law, Due Process and investigative Police Techniques at the Military Police Academy in Savatan. He retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel at the end of 2011.

Since 1 May 2011, Pierre H. Blanc is President of the Riviera Police Commission in Vevey.

Pierre H. Blanc speaks French and English and has a reasonable command of German.

Finally, Pierre H. Blanc is recipient of the following awards:

  • Honorary Secretary of State, State of North Carolina, USA ;
  • Honorary Citizen, State of North Carolina, USA.

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Me Marc Mullegg

Me Marc Mullegg pratique le barreau en avocat polyvalent, essentiellement en droit privé et en droit pénal. Ses principaux domaines de compétence sont le droit judiciaire, le droit des contrats en général (bail, vente, entreprise et mandat), le droit du travail, le droit des poursuites pour dettes et faillite, la responsabilité civile, le droit bancaire et le droit du sport.

Diplômé de l’institut d’études de droit international (IEDI), Me Marc Mullegg a exercé en tant qu’assistant à l’Université de Lausanne, dont il est licencié en droit mention « économie politique » (voie doctorat, 1976) et « droit suisse » (1977).

Me Marc Mullegg

Me Marc Mullegg pratique le barreau en avocat polyvalent, essentiellement en droit privé et en droit pénal. Ses principaux domaines de compétence sont le droit judiciaire, le droit des contrats en général (bail, vente, entreprise et mandat), le droit du travail, le droit des poursuites pour dettes et faillite, la responsabilité civile, le droit bancaire et le droit du sport.

Diplômé de l’institut d’études de droit international (IEDI), Me Marc Mullegg a exercé en tant qu’assistant à l’Université de Lausanne, dont il est licencié en droit mention « économie politique » (voie doctorat, 1976) et « droit suisse » (1977).

Il a ensuite été juriste au Service juridique de la Banque Cantonale Vaudoise à Lausanne où il a acquis de solides connaissances du droit bancaire et financier. Il a également été chargé d’un enseignement sur les contrats bancaires à l’école de la Chambre fiduciaire.

Après avoir exercé quelques années comme greffier rédacteur auprès de la Cour civile du Tribunal cantonal vaudois, puis comme 1er greffier-substitut de ce même tribunal, Me Marc Mullegg a effectué son stage d’avocat dans une étude à Lausanne et à Genève.

Il a obtenu son brevet d’avocat en 1998. Il a ensuite collaboré durant une quinzaine d’années au sein de cette même étude. Me Marc Mullegg a rejoint l’étude Fontana en janvier 2013.

Testimonials

My 19 year old son had a car accident while driving my car. When I read the police report I had the unpleasant feeling that the police had taken sides with the other driver. I hired Mrs Fontana who managed to get my son acquitted in court. The insurance company covering the other driver paid full compensation. At the end the incident has been resolved to my entire satisfaction essentially due to Mrs Fontana’s dedication to my case.

I went through a contentious never-ending divorce. After two years my patience had worn out. I changes attorneys and hired Mrs Fontana’s law offices. I was quickly reassured by the motivation displayed by Mrs Fontana and her team. A settlement was signed within two months thanks to the innovative and efficient initiatives taken by my new attorneys. Divorce was prononced shortly after and life is wonderful again.

My father died in a car crash in Italy last summer. My mother had passed away several years before. I had to face a lot of estate related legal questions. I was at a loss and my brother who was my co-heir had no knowledge relative to the law. The situation was complicated by the fact that my father owned several pieces of real estate. A friend suggested that I turn to Mrs Fontana for help. She explained to me in detail what was at stake and she took care of the legal and administrative red tape for me. My brother and I only had to sign a few documents and it was over. What a relief !