Our unique approach

Implementing an ESOP requires careful legal structuring and alignment with your company’s strategy. Our expertise ensures your ESOP is robust, fair, and designed to drive long-term employee engagement while meeting investor expectations.

Here’s how we can support:

• Tailored ESOP Plans: We design ESOP plans that define participant eligibility, pool size, vesting schedules, and transfer restrictions, aligned with your business needs and growth goals.

• Core Documentation: We prepare the essential documents, including the ESOP plan and allocation agreements, ensuring clarity and enforceability.

• Vesting Schedules and Retention Mechanisms: We establish vesting schedules, including cliffs and quarterly vesting, to retain talent and align employee incentives with company success.

• Shareholder and Board Approvals: We assist with securing the necessary approvals for conditional share capital or share pool increases, ensuring compliance with Swiss corporate law.

• Tax and Social Security Guidance: We address the tax implications of ESOPs for both employers and employees, ensuring compliance while maximizing benefits. If needed, we assist with the filing and approval of a tax-ruling.

• Exit-Ready ESOPs: We structure ESOPs to ensure employees benefit monetarily during potential exits while safeguarding the company’s interests.

• Compliance with Shareholder Agreements: We ensure ESOP participants adhere to shareholder agreements, including buy-back rights and transfer restrictions.

• Ongoing Support: We provide ongoing legal advice to manage and update ESOPs as your company grows or prepares for new funding rounds.

Our comprehensive approach ensures your ESOP is legally sound, scalable, and a key driver of talent retention and motivation.

What we deliver

• Customized ESOP aligned with your strategy

• Draft and review of plan and allocation letters

• Guidance on shareholder and board approvals